Your Questions

Q

Whats the craic Bernard? Just finished Sword song, and in it you said that Uhtred was very tall how tall?, just wondering if you did any research as to how tall people were back then in the middle ages and before, i always thought and was told people were shorter compared to us today, but maybe i was wrong, and also you say Uhtred is your ancestor from Bamburgh, my family and ancestors are from berwick-upon-tweed in northumberland as my surname is Tweddell, so maybe our ancestors paths crossed you never know, All the best, Ross.

A

They were shorter, yes, but not always - Thomas a'becket was well over six feet (I think 6' 6" - we still have some of his clothes). So, I imagine Uhtred was an inch over six feet? Not that it matters. In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king, so all that counts is that he's taller than most people! Of course the wealthier you were the more likely you were to be tall (it seemed to depend largely on childhood diet), so while most peasantry was probably much shorter than today's average, the privileged were perhaps nearer 'normal'??


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, First thanks for writing great books. I just finished reading all the current Sharpe novels from start to finish and had to begin over again! I find the Indian armies you describe in the first three books interesting and would love to know more about them. Are there any books or websites you can recommend, especially ones with plates? Kind regards Steve Curry Australia

A

Probably the best is Jac Weller's Wellington in India. Plates are harder to come by - I have some very obscure monographs, but not much point in recommending them as they aren't publicly available. There's almost certainly room for a new book on W's Indian years!


Q

Dear sir, Thank you for all your books. Looking forward to swordsong like many other fans. I understand you may be doing a uk tour in October 2007, is this still on? The last time you came to Southampton, you kindly signed many of my hardback 1st ed books. This was not well received by the publisher woman with you who did nothing but toss her eyes in the air when she saw myself and another person with our bags of books. The other bloke and myself waited until the very end letting everyone go in front of us. This was following your wishes, about have two or more books needed signing to wait at the end. When we both reached you, you were very patient and very kindly signed our books, even when she was still moaning about the time it was taken. Still your number 1 fan, looking forward to see you soon. Sorry about moan. Sean Head

I've read the Saxon Stories with delight and I am currently awaiting the 4th book - days now. I was moseying through your website and notices the diary section. Do you plan to do a book signing tour in the UK and if so will it include Newcastle upon tyne or its surrounds.

Adian Berry

Will Bernard be doing a book signing tour in the U.K. for the new book, Sword song? Darren Arnold

Are you doing any book signings in the north east of England for Sword Song ? A. Wormald

Hello, I see you are coming to the UK in October, will you be signing your book 'Sword Song' at any venues in the north of England?

David McGee

Hi there, Great to see that you will be back in England again soon, is there a list of places you will be visiting for signing sessions as I always try to catch you when you are over here?

Nathan

We have attended your book signings with interest in Winchester and Nottingham and look forward to the next one. When is it and when in the U.K.? This will help us plan our holidays so we can attend again!!!! Don and Theta Taylor

A

Very sorry, but I will not be in the UK in October for a book signing. There's a chance I might be there in December - keep an eye on the Diary page of this website and I'll post details there when I receive them.


Q

Dear MR Cornwell, First of all, I'd like to say that I've read all your books ( at least all the books available here in Brazil) and that they are all great books, specially the Saxon Stories. And my question regards to that book. Could you tell me how many books do you intend to make about the saxon stories? As far as I'm aware, only 4 are confirmed. Well, to finish, I'd like you to know that I love military history, specially from the medieval period and that in your books you describe battles, costumes, the culture of that period like anyone else, just the way I imagined how you feel to live during that time. PS: Sorry about my english, it's not perfect. Joao Paschoal

Mr. Cornwell I really love your books because of how detailed your battles are. How come you do not have more of your books turned into movies? I Can't wait for "Sword Song" to be published. Is this going to be the last in the Saxon Stories?
Erik Duffy

A

I really don't know how many and I won't know till I write them; more than four, less than twelve? I'd be happy to see my books made into films, but I'm not a filmmaker so it's up to someone else to do it.


Q

Mr Cornwell, I should like to flatter you regarding the Sharpe books that I have read but I fear you get that all the time - but I do enjoy them and on the strength of that will look at your other series. My query relates to a one-liner you dropped in Sharpe's Trafalgar. When the Pucelle joins the British fleet off Trafalgar and you "call the roll", you mention that the Bellerophon was constructed at a cost of £30,232 14s 3d. This number is of interest to me as, for a work related research project (Australian Department of Defence), a colleague and myself are looking at the cost of military equipment over very long time periods. My colleague is concentrating on seagoing vessels, armour, and other mechanised equipment while I have been concentrating on aircraft, small arms and radios. In the small arms field I have managed to find prices for small arms (British) as far back as 1573. I also did the research for older vessels but only managed to get back to 1848. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to let me know where you found this price or alternatively if it is fictional. Cheers Alan Scheckenbach

A

It's not fictional, it's real. But, oh my god, I don't have a clue where I found it. As a novelist I don't need footnotes, so I tend to scribble down the research without noting its source (to save time and frustrate questioners). At a guess it might have been The Wooden World by N.A.M. Rodger? That is a guess, sorry.


Q

Hello, I absolutely LOVE your books, I started off reading the Sharpe series then a friend introduced me to the Arther trilogy, and my personal favourite the Saxon stories. I just have one problem I finished reading your latest novel Sword song (fantastic btw) but now am left desperate for more! Please could you tell me if there is a 5th coming and if so when? Thanks.
Charlotte Hoque

hello mr.cornwell I have recently finished sword song it was utterly amazing will there be any more saxon stories? yours sincerely Gareth

Bernard, just devoured 'sword song' - yet again its a great book. Planning on re-reading the Saxon series from the start once again. Don't appear to be greedy but when is Uthred going to get his next outing? many Thanks

Jonathan Woodward

A

There won't be a fifth book until maybe 2009.


Q

Have you ever heard of the American/Welsh legend of Madoc (Standard Welsh: Madog) ab Owain Gwynedd? If you have what are your thoughts? Fact, maybe or pure fiction? Al

A

I've heard of it. Don't really have an opinion, having given it little thought. Sorry!


Q

I would like to know when the book "Lords of the North" will be translated in French. Thanks. Chailleux

A

Lords of the North will be available in French translation in January 2008.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I would just like to firstly say thankyou for the enjoyable reads you have produced and keep producing and long may they continue. I love all your series of books, however my favourite series is the WarLord Chronicles. A friend advised me to read them when I was sixteen after I struggled to get into The Sharpe books, which I couldn't understand due to me enjoying the TV Series. I had just read Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and he advised me to read The Warlord Chronicles as a stepping stone between my love of Tolkien's work and reading yours. I have never looked back since and eagerly await new novels from yourselve be it Sharpe or anyother project. Along with Tolkien you are my favourite author and I cannot wait for the next book in the Saxon Stories. Anyway the reason I am contacting you is I seem to remember quite a few years ago my local newspaper printed an article claiming that Sharpe was based on a soldier buried in our home town of Keighley in West Yorkshire. I was just wondering if there was any truth to this and if so what is the name of the soldier (if it is possible for you to tell me)? Yours sincerely, David Bennett

A

Sorry, but Sharpe is utterly fictional - and comes only from my imagination.


Q

I am fighting cancer and your books have really helped me stay sane through my incapacitating periods. I have read the Starbucks, the Arthurs, the Grails, the Saxons, Stonehenge, Sharpe's Tiger, and one of the boat books, and enjoyed them all. Have you ever thought about writing about the 2nd Seminole War? There are a few good histories of it, but no good fiction, although a few people have tried. Sooner or later, you have to get tired of writing about Sharpe. I am amazed at the number of books that you have written! And they are all very good.. You must never get any sleep! Thanks for the reading material. Hedy Havel in North Florida..

A

It's not on my radar and, to be honest, I'm not sure I will ever have the energy to do all the research on top of the other books I already want to write. Sorry! I wish you well with your battle against cancer.