Your Questions

Q

I've enjoyed your books very much and look forward to reading the rest. I especially appreciate the close attention to separating out historical fact from useful fictions presented at the end of the books. So, thanks for all the good work. I was surprised in reading SCOUNDREL by the reference to the "cranberry bog near Waltham" supposed to be the final resting place of a minor character. I grew up next to Waltham and don't remember a cranberry bog. Is there one? If so, where? Richard Turner

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

Um, no. It's an error. I'm sure I meant Wareham. Ooops

Q

Mr. Cornwell: Thank you for providing this means of contact. I am deeply impressed that you interact with your fans in this way. I am a former military museum curator who now works with a design firm in Virginia. A fan of Forester's Rifleman Dodd as a child, I read the early Sharpe books when they appeared but I had not read any of your work for years, until I picked up the Last Kingdom a few weeks ago. Thank you. I am now eagerly awaiting US publication of Sword Song. I am a rabid genealogist. I have always been fascinated by the Scandinavian origins of my family name (Lazenby), which means "Free Man's Village (or) Farm" and it was a desire to read some fiction about the Danish invasions that led me to stumble upon your Saxon stories. Again, thank you! I am interested that none of the stories so far have featured locations ending in "-by" one of the tell-tale signs of Danish influence in the northeast of England. There are three locations that share my family name: Lazenby (east of Middlesborough, near Guisborough Abbey); Lazenby Grange (just north of Northallerton and Thirsk); and Lazonby (south of Carlisle on the River Eden). Given the locations and the slave thread in Lords of the North, I kept holding my breath waiting for one of them, or for a character with a period version of my name (for instance "Leisingby") to appear. Might such a character or place appear in a future installment?

Also, I was intrigued by the name of the character "Lazender" in Crowning Mercy. Haven't read it yet, but wondered what your inspiration for the name might have been?

Finally, I am a Canadian by birth, named like my father for two of his English uncles that were killed in action on the Western Front. My favorite books of all time are the Bandy Papers, by Donald Jack, the pseudo-memoirs of a Canadian in the RFC. If you do not know these award-winning books, I highly recommend them, and if you do, I'd be interested in your opinion. With sincere regards, Bill Lazenby

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

I'm sure it might, but it really depends when the 'by' name came into common usage, and my guide for that is either the Oxford or the Cambridge Dictionary of Place Names . . . and from those I can get the earliest recorded version of a name that might (often is) be completely different to the name that subsequently emerged . . . by which I mean that if a 'thorpe' ending or 'by' ending or any other Danish influenced name did not catch on immediately then I'm likely to use the original Saxon name, because that's the one recorded in contemporary documents. I'm not saying they weren't in use in Alfred's reign, only that so far I haven't tripped over one, but remember that much of the series so far takes place in the south or west, the areas least influenced by the Danes, and as the books progress so we will move north and east.

I have no idea! Wrote it so long ago! Sorry!

thank you - I shall read them!

Q

Will there be any nods to Shakespeare in your book about Agincourt? Will King Harry stand before the breach at Harfleur and exhort his good yeomen to stiffen their sinews and summon up the blood? Will he inspire the doubting Band of Brothers with promises of the glory to come? Will there be but five-and-twenty English dead as the French succumb by the thousand? Cry, "God For Harry, England and St. George!" Andrew

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

It seems that what he really said was 'Let's go, fellows!' It sounds horribly anachronistic, but appears to be true. Shakespeare was using some good sources (for a change) so I'm sure there will be echoes!

Q

I am so very, very, disappoined that you won't be writing another of the Saxon stories, at least right away. They are my favorites! Since you are writing a book on Agincourt, can you say whether or not it will be fiction or nonfiction. Have you ever written a book of pure history? Also, if it is fiction will any of the character have anything to do with Thomas of Hookton? I know it's a number of years later but decendants, maybe? Ann Madonna

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

I'm taking all the archer's names from the muster rolls of the men present at the battle (we have at least 80% of the names) and, alas, no Thomas of Hookton among them, though there is a Nicholas Hook. Perhaps he's related?

The book is fiction. The trouble with non-fiction is that you have to be accurate, which is really why I write fiction. Once in a while I think about it, and lie down until the feeling passes, but perhaps, one day, I'll give in to the urge.

Q

To Mr.Cornwell: I love reading starbuck I was wondering on how did you made character like that and also will you try to make a western novel or will it be undone?

Avi Gutierrez

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

No, no westerns! I do think the world is ripe for a new series of good western novels (perhaps because I miss the TV series Deadwood so much), but it's not my field! Starbuck? Well it's a good New England name, and there were Copperheads who fought for the south, and rebellion against his tyrannical father would explain the choice . . . and there's no moral judgement on my part for or against either side, merely that having a northerner fight for the south is much more interesting than the other way round (because of the moral ambiguities that he feels).

Q

Hi, Mr Cornwell. Having read all your books, except for the Starbuck Chronicles and the Thrillers (I must get round to them!), and enjoyed them, I was in two minds about the Saxon Stories when I first saw them on sale. You see, I'm involved in re-enactment of the Viking period, and I've found that, when reading a historical novel about that period, there is usually some small detail which doesn't agree with what I've been told, or which is totally anachronistic, and this causes me to lose confidence in the author. Obviously, when the book is concerned with other periods of history, I'm less likely to spot the anachronisms, but with the Viking / Saxon period.....! Having now read all four Saxon Stories, I have to congratulate you; I've only noticed two points on which I would (perhaps) disagree with you. They're both very minor, and one's so minor that I'll have to re-read "The Last Kingdom" to re-discover it! What are your research sources for the small details which bring the stories to life? Do you get in touch with historians or re-enactors? I know you attended "History in Action" at Kirby Hall a few years back, as my wife attended a very enjoyable "meet the author" session. Did you, perhaps, gain any inspiration from the visit? May you keep up the good work for many years! (And with 1-2 years to wait for Book 5 of the Saxon Stories, I may have time to read the Starbuck Chronicles.) Best regards, Gordon.

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

I'm sure I did! Most comes from reading and from that 'constructive imagination' I mentioned in an earlier answer (I make it up). I think the real answer is a HUGE amount of reading . . .and often in very obscure places.

Q

Many of your readers have had issues with the size, shape or inclusion of maps in the various books. Could a section of the website contain a gallery of maps? A summary map would also be nice for the Sharpe series, showing the ebb and flow of Napoleon's invasion and retreat across Spain and Portugal at about the time of each of the stories. Maybe some zealous fans could do most of the work with only minimal input from you. An interactive map would probably be too much to ask for, but some gifted individuals might jump at the chance to work with their favorite author.
Rusty Rodke

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

Minimal involvement by me sounds like a great idea. I am not a cartographer . . . we'll look at the idea, though! Any volunteers?

Q

Hi Bernard, I have just finished SWORD SONG, and I just wanted to tell what a cracking good read it was too. Uhtred is such a hero, and very nearly King Uhtred of Mercia!Was there a warrior like Uhtred who fought Alfred's battles for him in real life?Keep writing Bernard, I am looking forward already for the next installment, well done. Many Regards, Peter Carragher(EAST ANGLIAN)

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

There was, though who he, or they, were we have very little idea. Alfred himself supported the idea of a warrior class, which he supported with tax money. The leaders, inevitably, would have been the ealdormen and other nobles, but there had to have been individuals who made great names for themselves . . . unfortunately the records of the period deal very scantily with the wars, merely mentioning that 'a battle' took place and providing no detail.

Q

I just finished the four Starbuck Chronicles and what a wonderful series it was. At the end of #4 you said "Starbuck will march again". Do you have another Starbuck in the works?
John W Graf

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

No, I am currently writing a book on Agincourt. I only write one book at a time.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am an avid reader of your books, and am particularly fond of your Arthurian Trilogy and The Archer's trilogy. The history of Britain is a passion with me, especially from the first inhabitants through "The Glorious Revolution." I have one question for you, and would greatly appreciate it if you would take the time to answer it: When did the Angles, Saxons, Jutes STOP invading Britain? I know they started when the Romans left, and were temporarily checked around the turn of the 6th century CE. But when did they stop coming?
Fredric M London

Submitted October 26, 2007

A

Good question, to which I have no exact answer, but I'll guess that major Saxon immigration stopped in the 8th Century. Sorry, don't really know!