Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, I discovered your work just over a year ago now and after reading the grail quest series, and then Uhtred's adventures I must say I am a huge fan. I am a great lover of medieval history and your books really made me feel like I was in those great battles, wearing my armour, and smashing my enemies head in alongside my Saxon brothers, haha. just wondering, have you considered writing a series around the crusades? could you recommend any writings of this period? Thank you for your time. Lee.

Hi Bernard, Firstly I'd just like to say that I have just read Sword Song and it was a fantastic read! I will wait for the next installment in 2009 with great difficulty! Secondly, as someone who is just about to start a Crusader Studies MA this month, I wonder if you have ever been tempted to write about them? If so, was there any particular era that might have caught your fancy? I also understand that in the politically correct day and age we live in, it could also be a difficult and challenging subject to write about.

While on the subject, are there any other areas of mediaeval history that you have wanted to write about but never had the time to do so? Many thanks for your time spent in answering these questions, Toby.

Hi Mr Cornwell, I've just been re-reading some of your sharpe books and wanted to ask you about your thoughts about the direction you took Sharpe on. Why did you decide to split Sharpe and Fredrickson up? It is hard to fathum their relationship going sour especially after all they had been through. To a certain extent, it is like having Sharpe and Harper become enemies? I'd appreciate your thoughts on why you chose this direction. Many thanks, Phil

Hi Luke here again, in a history book I was reading a while back it mentioned the Lines of Torres Vedas and I said to myself, oh my I know this from Sharpe's Escape, sweet, and it mentioned all the stuff in the books. Away from that topic I have a few questions to ask if that's OK.

First how is a box formation so effective against horses?

Second, were the Portuguese or Spanish better soldiers?

Third how many men did Wellesley command?

Fourth why didn't the French train as many of their soldiers as the English did? thank you for your time, Luke Wynes

I have just finished Sword song and loved it as much as I did the first three in this series. I might sound a little bit over eager but was wondering if you could say when or if the next chapter will be released? Thank you, from a very big fan of all you've written. Mark Holdcroft

I have only recently been introduced to your books and was immediately hooked, but I suppose you have heard that many times! I have just finished the Alfred series, the last being Sword song and I am hoping that there will be more to the series it time. Can you tell me if you have plans for more please? Keep up the good work!

Angela Chantler

Dear Mr Cornwell, I've nearly finished sword song and I'm loving reading it. My favorite character is Steapa, probably because he is the only warrior who is supposed to be a better fighter than Uhtred. What was your inspiration behind him. Was he based on someone you know? Also which county is he supposed to be from? thanks for your time. Richard Parkhouse

dear Sir, I have just read your book S. Battle (very good!) and was just wondering about those Regiments in the Light Division: were they all trained as skirmishers, and if so, were whole regiments ever deployed to bolster a struggling company? Also, were the Light Dragoons ever dismounted and do the same? I know their carbines have a shorter range, but they could help hold the line until something better comes along? Thank you for you time and I love 19th cent. book (just started on Starbuck) Chris G

Hello again Mr. Cornwell, I hope this finds you well. I actually had a couple questions I wanted to ask. First, any plans to write about Tsarist Russia anytime soon, perhaps Ivan the Terrible or Peter the Great? I have a novel on Ivan I'm working on. Is it better to tell the story from a minor character's point of view or do you think I could get away with doing it from the main character's? That's my main roadblock so far.

My second item is kind of personal, so I understand if you're not comfortable answering it. In fact, you could use my e-mail address instead of posting it to the board. I was reading one of your responses a few days ago and was wondering what caused you to lose your faith? I ask because I thought I read somewhere that you had attended Catholic school growing up (I could be wrong. If so, please forgive me). If so, that would make my favorite author and favorite comedian (George Carlin) who have gone down that road. Speaking from a Christian point of view, I lay much of the blame for cases like that squarely on the shoulders of the church itself. My pastor always likes to talk about how the church is so consumed by rules and religion that they forget the very reason for their existence, and because the church is so often at war with itself, people stay away. I've had many friends leave the church and become atheist or agnostic because of that, and it truly hurts sometimes. Not just over them, but the people on the fence. Anyhow, I apologize again for sounding personal. I'm always curious to know what causes people not to believe in a God and I've always believed there's got to be a better explanation for the origin of our gifts (which for both of us is our writing) than evolution or Stephen Hawking. Looking forward to the next book. God Bless You. Charles Curtis

Dear Bernard, The trouble with Sword Song is that is was so good, I didn't want it to end. I enjoyed it but thought the ending was rather abrupt. You didn't show us Alfred's reaction ... nor did you tell us about all those babies who were expected. ...but I imagine all of these children will have a role in later books. So finally, here is my question, will the next book take place directly where this one leaves off and have you started writing it yet? Ann Madonna

Hi Mr. Cornwell. In your research, did you ever find out what happened to Sergeant Masterson after he captured the eagle at Barrosa? Did he make a successful officer, or did he turn to drink, as Wellington expected most men raised from the ranks to do? Alan Kempner

Hi Mr Cornwell. I am 18, and have read the Grail Quest (twice now). Firstly, I would like to congratulate you for being such an amazing author, and secondly for being able to write so many books; each being as good as the last. My question for you is whether there is scope for the Grail Quest becoming a film at all? When reading the novels, I have been picturing the events, the characters and the locations and despite my lack of knowledge or lack of experience I was hoping that maybe one day it would meet the eyes of directors. I am not sure in any way how one approaches directors, or presents scripts, or writes them, but have you considered offering the Grail Quest to directors? Thanks for your time - I'm sure you're very busy. Yours Sincerely, Nathan Hillyer