Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, My compliments for the Saxon Stories, they are remarkable, complimenti! I devoured "The last Kingdom" and "The Pale horseman" in few days. Do you have any idea about when the Danish and/or Italian version of "The Lords of the North" and "Sword Song" will be published? Thank you so very much in advance. Best regards from Italy, Mia Andresen Massimo

Submitted October 25, 2007

A

My sources tell me the Danish publisher did publish Lords of the North in May of this year and will publish Sword Song in March of next year. I've also found out that Winter King was published in April of this year, and the Danish translation of Enemy of God will be released today - 25 October. They have plans to publish Excalibur next Spring.

The Italian version of Lords of the North will be available in October 2008 - Sword Song is likely to be a year after that.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Why is there not an Italian translation of "the Starbuck Chronicles"? I like your books very much and Id like to read them all. Best Regards. Luigi Tremolada

Submitted October 25, 2007

A

I understand the Italian publisher plans to eventually translate all my books - so hopefully you will be reading Starbuck in Italian translation before too long!

Q

Just finished "Redcoat"-- loved it and am on to the "Starbuck " series. Are all Uncles of the 17 and 18 hundreds so black hearted?? I realize it was a time of indentured servants and easy to rid one self of bothersome relatives -- but, that entire boat scene had me in mind of the kidnapping of David Balfour!!!! I was wondering if it was intended that way?? keep the books coming thanks.

Rebecca

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

I never thought of that! It's usually stepmothers, isn't it? It's been so long since I read Treasure Island that I'm sure I've forgotten the kidnapping scene, but never underestimate the subconscious! Incidentally, Mark Urban's new non-fiction book, Fusiliers, which follows the Royal Welch Fusiliers through the revolution, makes great background reading for Redcoat! Thanks

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I have just finished Gallows Thief and as usual it was masterful. Somewhere in it the book mentions Rider Sandman being helped by a greenjacket officer while in either Spain or Portugal. Was that a nod to Sharpe and, if so, is there any way you could put the two of them in a novel together, either about Rolica or Vimeiro?
Charles Curtis

Dear Mr. Cornwell Will Richard Sharpe and Rider Sandman join forces in one of your next books ? Should be great to have both of them in a battle against Napoleon and his fighting regiments. Regards, Serge Dupuis

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

I think it was a nod to Sharpe. And why not? Maybe Sandman and Sharpe could meet . . . .

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I was ever interested in history and have read many historical books. But last year I found by fortunate coincidence the first book of the Saxon stories. And I loved it more than any other books I´ve read, even though there are many good authors. So till now I´ve read all books of the Saxon stories and the Arthur books... In Germany, where I come fro, it's a little bit difficult to order your books, so I started reading in English. And it's a joy! Now I'm nearly finished "Sword Song" and believe it's not the end of The Saxon Stories. Are there coming other books of Uhtred of Bebbanburg in the future? I´ve heard you are writing an book of Agincourt. I want to suggest that you read the books by Rebecca Gable. Because she has written very good books of this time, called "The Waringham Saga". Do you know Rebecca Gable? You and she are my favorite authors. It could be interesting to read these books for your own story. Sorry, that I´ve written so much.( And please don´t count the mistakes :-) ) For an answer I would be thankful. Good Luck. Florian from Germany

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

Thank you so much! I have not read her (to my shame) but I'll correct that! Thanks! And yes, there will be more stories of Uhtred.

Q

Gallows Thief, superb book. Any chance another Rider Sandman book will be published or similar? Thank you, Janet

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

It's possible, but I don't know when....

Q

Banestre Tarleton would be a great character to write about. In researching the American Revolution in lower Westchester County, NY his name comes up. Did he get his start commanding loyalists troops during in this no mans land? Early training for exploits in the south. A friend commented on Tarleton "Was he a bully or did he just enjoy a fight?" I've read your Grail Quest Series, great work! Lew Ward

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

He loved a fight, absolutely adored a fight and was very good at it, except he could be headstrong and thus get himself into trouble. He always extricated himself, usually by fighting very savagely. Almost all the troops he commanded were loyalist Americans, but I think I'm right in saying that some regular cavalry were attached to his command during Cornwallis's wanderings in the south. He is an interesting man. In Mel Gibson's ridiculous film he's killed off, but of course The Green Dragoon lived on to become a member of Parliament and a thorn in Wellington's side. Not sure I'll write about him . . . but never say never.

Q

I hail from the Essex village of Leaden Roding and I'm curious as to why you chose to include Leaden Roding in your brilliant novel 'The Winter King?
Steve Stannard

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

I honestly have no idea!! I wrote it so long ago that all memory of the background has entirely faded! I grew up in Essex, but don't particularly remember Leaden Roding . . . it's a mystery, sorry.

Q

Hello Sir, while waiting for your 'Sword Song' to be released in Canada I went out and purchase and reread 'Redcoat'. I first read it 1987, excellent stuff. I have to point out though that Sir Henry Clinton was born in Newfoundland not America as per the novel. His father was the Governor in the colony of Newfoundland (now part of Canada). I have wondered why you have not wrote a sequel to 'Redcoat'. I have read that you plan to wright another story based on the American Revolution. Any chance we will see Sam Gilpin, Martha Crowell, Caroline Fisher and Sir Robert Massedene again? cheers Edward Whelan

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

I think when Sir Henry was born it was all called America? I can't remember the line, so I won't defend myself too trenchantly. He was an idiot, anyway. If I ever get round to that second book then it will be based on an actual event and I'll use almost all the real characters, so I doubt there'll be room for anyone from Redcoat . . . . but again, who knows? Till I get there, I don't!

Q

Dear Bernard, I love much of the dialogue that your characters spout, particular Uhtred and Richard Sharpe, usually when they're threatening people, of course. I wonder do you have a favourite line mouthed by one of your characters? I guess writers don't remember their own lines. One of my favourite lines is Flashman's 'Make one move and I'll blow your guts into Ohio' and I use that line frequently, whenever I'm in awkward situations, in pubs or on football fields or just generally answering the door (TV Licence inspectors never get it, but they run all the same). George MacDonald Fraser probably doesn't remember writing it. You'd probably be the same, which I can understand. Too many stories, too many characters, too many scenes. But still, do you recall any particularly memorable mutterings by those hooligans you've spawned? I have a Sharpe favourite, which is very funny, and a Uhtred one, which is downright horrible. Thanks! Paul, Co. Cork

Submitted October 19, 2007

A

Oh dear. Downright horrible? That doesn't sound like Uhtred. Sadly you're right, I don't remember any particular line, except the last one I wrote before answering these questions, and that was said by Sir John Corneweille (no relation as far as I know, but a hero of Agincourt), who just called the French 'cabbage shitting bastards', to which a priest answers 'you speak with the tongue of angels'. Hmm. But I do like 'I'll blow your guts into Ohio', and shall probably use it myself. Frequently. Thanks!