Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I have been an avid reader of the Sharpe series and can honestly say to my mind he is the ultimate hero. I am a little bit baffled as to what became of his Spanish daughter. Sharpe does not seem to me to be the kind of person to abandon her. Have I somewhere missed what happened to her in one of the books

Secondly was there a reason why after all the plundering and looting did Sharpe end up without much money although in the book where Sharpe & Harper goes to South America he did end up with a little bit of gold. Harper seems to have come off better in the money stakes I know you are a very busy man but I would like to be put straight so to speak Many thanks Brian Evans

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

I have no idea what happened to Sharpe's daughter . . . . and I know people keep asking me and I keep making the same unsatisfactory answer. Maybe one day I'll find out (the only way to do that is to write it, and I'm not planning on it yet).

Sharpe never was any good with money!

Q

Hi, I have just finished reading Sword song and have found the stories fascinating, and looking forward to the next installment. I am originally from the North East of England (living now in the North of London for my sins) and Bamburgh (and Lindisfarne) has been a regular place to visit since childhood and I look forward to taking my 6 year old daughter there hopefully this summer. I notice in your list of additional reading you do not include the Prose Edda - I would assume many of the Norse mythical references originate from here.

I am also very interested in the Sharpe series an wonder if you can confirm the claim by the Military Heritage website (http://www.militaryheritage.com/baker.htm) that this is the rifle supplied to the tv series? Many Thanks Paul Coulson

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

They do . . . . . . I should add it . . . thank you!

If it's made by a Canadian company the answer is yes.

Q

Just browsing through the web for some info on the upcoming Sharpe's Peril film, and I noticed something rather curious in a lengthy list of credits... the film is to feature a Corp. Barabbas Hakeswill. I'm presuming this will be worked/crowbarred into the plot as being the great Obadiah's son. I know you've always regretted killing off Obadiah too soon, have you considered reviving the Hakeswill name in the books in this manner? Phil

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

I have neither seen film, nor script, so your mention is the first news I've had of Barabbas Hakeswill! I've thought about it, but still haven't made up my mind!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm 21 years old and reading the German versions of Uhtreds history. I'm very impressed and can not wait to read the 4th book. Are there plans to make a film-series of the books? Film 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. ? I think it would be an great idea. I hope you and your family are fine and I'm also hoping you soon get finished with further books of Uhtreds history! Greetings from northern Germany,
Alexander

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

No film plans at the moment....

Q

Love your books. You use the term "jonathan" in Sharpe's Siege. Where does that term come from. Thanks!
David Carter

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

I've no idea where the term came from . . . it was in fairly common usage in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It originally denoted a New Englander, but, like the term Yankee, was used by the British to refer to any American. It seems to have been mainly nautical and I've heard it suggested it came from the name of a New England boat? Anyway, a Jonathan was an American.

Q

In the absence of any new Sharpe books, I've turned my attention to Patrick O'Brien since you cited him as one of your inspirations. Jack Aubrey doesn't seem to have much regard for the Army, but then Richard Sharpe didn't have much fondness for the Navy. Did you have Jack Aubrey in mind when you described the portly post captain in Sharpe's Siege? If Richard and Jack had met, do you think they'd have liked each other? Could they have worked together comfortably? Jane Martin

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

I didn't have Jack Aubrey in mind . . . . I suspect my character is wholly invented. I'm sure they'd have rubbed along! Aubrey was quintessentially a good guy, though Maturin would probably have annoyed Sharpe no end.

Q

HI!! First, I'd like to say that your books, mainly the Derfel trilogy, are my favourites. Besides, I have a question, what is your opinion about the Annales and their method of research and study history. Sincerely, Lucas

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

Forgive me if I'm not quite certain what Annales you refer to . . . . but plainly any chronicle written in early medieval times suffers from two things; first that they're being compiled from very scanty sources, sometimes little more than rumour, and rarely (if ever) from a written source, and second they're being compiled by churchmen and so events are often seen through a religious lens, but that said, they're nearly all we have! We have to adjust . .. recognise any bias that might be present, and remember that the compiler was doing his best in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Q

The Saxon series is brilliant, I can't wait for the next book. I have read elsewhere that you plan to end the series at the Battle of Brunanburh, interesting (controversial?)to see where you locate this. All budding wannabe amateur historians (like me)have their own view I'm sure, and my research had led me to Broomridge near Ford in Northumberland, beats the Wirral anyday! (I am biased though!) Looking forward to the next Saxon installment. Jonathan Ingledew

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

Well, those choices are always capricious, and I haven't done my research on Brunanburh yet . . . but my gut instinct says it should be fairly far north . . . . so I like the idea of Broomridge! Thank you.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I thank you for your well written and well researched books. I do an awful lot of travel for work and your books have given me a bit of a retreat while "out and about". Since an early age I have always had an avid interest in history. Texts and scholarly works can be somewhat dry at times; your books cut through the voluminous amounts of nitty details to give us, the reader, a good story set in times and places that have captured our imaginations. I have just finished reading the four books in the Saxon Chronicles and I would like to know how far these will go. Will they stop with Uhtred or continue on? Do you have any designs to write about the era of the Conquest?

One last question, have you considered a series/story set during the height of the Roman occupation of Britain? Not much to ask, you could just zip off a few pages about the few hundred years in question over a weekend. No? I hear they are doing wonderful things with genetics and cloning these days. Thanks again, I'm looking forward to the next Saxon book. Cheers, Brad Moberg

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

I've no plans to write about the Conquest . . . . the series is about the making of England so they'll end with Uhtred as a very old man somehow getting mixed up with the Battle of Brunanburh.

Romans? Probably not. I sort of took a decision to leave the Romans well alone - plenty of other good writers dealing with them!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have very much enjoyed your books about English history (Arthur, Saxon novels, etc.), especially your historical research, compelling style and vivid battle descriptions. Having recently visited Ireland for the first time, I was wondering whether you have any recommendations for books on Irish history in a similar vein. Early Christianity, Norse invasions, Norman conquest, etc. all seem good material for a similar treatment to your books. Can you recommend anything? Many thanks in advance, Ralf Schemmann

Submitted August 4, 2008

A

I'm really not up to speed on that period of Irish history, sorry. I'd suggest a search in Amazon? I need to know more, as I'm thinking of sending Uhtred off to Ireland for a while, I'm not sure I'll do that, but it's a possibility.