Your Questions

Q

Hi! Mr.Cornwell, I have a doubt about "The Grail Quest"! I read the books and I wanna know what happened to Blackbird. Did she take back her son? Was her city infected for The Black Death? Did she survived? Please Answer me! Thank you.
Thamilles

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

I know this is a frustrating answer . . . but I don't know! If I wrote a follow-up book I'd find out, but I'm not thinking of doing that. You discover what happens to your characters when you write their story, and if I don't write it then I really don't know, but I'd suggest you give the Blackbird a happy ending in your own head, will that do?

Q

Dear Sir,I am a great fan of your warlord series,in the last kingdom,the wessex flag is depicted as a white dragon on a green background,the only reference I have found is a gold or white dragon on a red background for wessex?does the green background have a historical fact? Kind regards Mark Sheppard

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

There seems to be a lot of confusion over his . . . I have found references to the green, and I decided to go with that . . . but I've never found a really trustworthy source, so I can't swear that's the case.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, first of all, I love your work. The research you do is evident and I appreciate your hard work. Having said that, I am intrigued with life in the sixth through tenth centuries in Britain. Can you name any books that cover this time frame? I am curious about everyday life, living conditions etc. Thank you. Jim Smart

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

The answer is . . . so many. I'd suggest you start with the Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England . . . it's in paperback. Other than that . . . The Anglo-Saxons, edited by James Campbell, is good and has a useful bibliography.

Q

Bernard....your Saxon Stories books are brilliant and I can't wait for the next book on Uhtred and his exploits. Will he finally gain back Babbanburg or will that take several (or, hopefully many) more books?

Mike Seamark

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

It's going to take many more books . . . . . .

Q

Hi Bernard, I would like to know if you have read a book called "Khyber Pass" by Catherin Decours ? It is about the bloody campaign of the British army in Afghanistan in the 1830's. Thanks, Erik

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

I haven't, but I'll look for it, thank you!

Q

Hello, I've just finished Sharpe's Honour and have Sharpe's Regiment waiting on my shelf, having a break though before I get 'Sharped out'. My question is, in reprints of the novels you write, as they are so historically accurate, could you include a glossary of terms explaining what certain things are and what they do? I ask because on occasion I find myself researching what a Rampart is one minute then a Glacis the next. love the Sharpe books though, keep up the good work even if my other half thinks me sad!
Ryan Frost

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

Hmmm, the trouble is knowing when to stop . . . .some words might be difficult, though I try to explain them in context, but I could end up insulting some readers by the assumption that they don't know the meaning of something very simple. You know? I'd honestly suggest a good dictionary!

Q

Sir I am an Italian reader and I really love your books especially Excalibur.I have some questions for you.First have you ever think about a movie inspired by your stories?I am sure that I will really enjoy a movie based on the adventures of Derfel or Sharpe and I am sure that with a good director and a good cast a movie like that will became a great success.

The second and the last question is: are you going to write other books about the one-hundred war(except for Azincourt)? Philipp

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

I'd be happy to see movies made based on my books! Maybe it'll happen...but I don't spend much time thinking about it.

There's a possibility - that's all I can say at the moment, but I'm thinking about a second book with the hero and heroine from Azincourt.

Q

Mr Cornwell..am a big fan of your Starbuck Chronicles and a War Btwn The States reader/enthusiast. I understand your reasoning (very sound one) of putting Starbuck on extended leave. Was wondering if you had some other authors or titles of WBTS/Civil War era novels that you would recommend to tie me over until Starbuck returns to active duty? Thank you for your time and wonderful writing abilities. r/Kenneth Allen

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

I'm sure you've read the Shaaras? Other than that? Maybe someone else can suggest some? Take a peek at the Reading Club pages of this website, you might find some good suggestions there!

Q

Having read the Grail Quest series of which some parts take place in Durham and then the Saxon stories I was wondering do ever manage to get up the North East much? Do enjoy it here and as I live up here are there any plans for a book signing talk or tour up here? Thanks Gary.

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

I do visit the North-East as often as I can (maybe once every two years?). My family (Uhtred's family) come from Northumberland and are now, mostly, in North Yorkshire, so I have strong connections, but living in Massachusetts makes it difficult to get to Durham (one of my favourite places) as often as I'd like!

Q

Hello Bernard, my boys (8 & 10 years) and I are really, really looking forward to the new Azincourt novel. They are fascinated by the long bow - we are currently working our way through Harlequin (with some creative editing due to their age). With regards to Azincourt, I recently saw a documentary that claimed the long bow perhaps wasn't the decisive factor in Henry's army or indeed in the outcome of the battle. Claims were made that archers were employed due to their cheap daily rate and their numbers were used merely to bulk out the army size. It also states that the cheap metal used for the Bodkin arrow-heads was not strong enough to pierce the 'new' steel that was used for the French Knights armour. The main factors in the victory would appear to be a combination of mud and poor French leadership. Without wishing for you to give too much of your story away, do you touch on these factors, do they agree with your own research and conclusions?

Please would you also consider turning your talents to the events during 1066. There seem to be some real characters that would benefit from your touch (Harald Hardrason for instance) and the circumstances leading up to and during the battle would give a fantastic opportunity for an Uhtred style adventure. Thanks, as always. Dean Tams, Cumbraland.

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

They do agree . . . though I wouldn't agree with 'cheap daily rate' or 'cheap metal'. The archers could make a great deal of money from campaigning, and their rates were fairly generous by early fifteenth century standards. As for the metal? I'm sure it varied, but Henry went to enormous trouble to make sure he took the finest possible army to France and I can't believe he would take so many archers if their equipment was basically faulty. But I did conclude that the main effect of the arrows (apart from defeating the French cavalry charge) was to force the attacking men-at-arms to keep their visors closed . . . but that said, undoubtedly the arrows did a lot of damage . . but not enough to keep the French attacks from closing to within hand-to-hand length of the English. And, this seems extraordinary, but true . . . the English, at the height of the battle, were shooting a thousand arrows a second into the French attack . . .not nice! But yes, mud and poor leadership were the real factors!

Not likely, I'm afraid. Before I write anything I have to feel a fascination for the period, and that period leaves me cold. Maybe I'll warm to it?