Your Questions

Q

What is the scene protrayed on the US cover of Sword Song? Is it of a real event or from the novel itself? Mike

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

It's from the novel and it shows London's defenders warding off an attack from the Roman bridge which should, I think, have a wooden walkway on the stone piers. But it is fictional!

Q

Please can you do one about Sharpe as a lad before he joined up because I like Uhtred when he was young and also London as described in Gallows Thief. Thank you for so much. Sam

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

I am tempted to deal with his early years in a series of short stories - and that might well happen.

Q

Bernard, love all your work and especially Sharpe!! I listen to you often when on BBC Radio Bristol in the UK My Q, I have not yet read Starbuck but have "heard" he is supposed to be a relative of Sharpe? Is this true or myth? Keep up the splendid work. Your books should be required text for UK High School History. Sean Walsh

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

Starbuck is not a relative of Sharpe's, but there is a Sharpe relative in the Starbuck books.

Q

Mr Cornwell, I really enjoy your books. I only buy hardcover so they can be read many times, my question is are the Sharpe series going to be printed again in a hard cover format? Thank you for many hours of entertainment and imagination. Derek Snow

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

Perhaps - it is a possibility - but not until the series is finished, which won't be for at least a few more years.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, as a avid fan of the Sharpe's series and as a history major (yeah yeah I know, I'm just setting my self to starve, what can I say, I love history) I was wondering If you had ever considered doing a book on the French and Indian war (I believe you call it the seven years war). its hard to find any good fiction about this time period (the leather stocking tales being about it) anyways thanks for all the books! looking forward to sword song. Mike

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

I think about the French and Indian War from time to time, but it's not a priority and certainly won't be done soon.

Q

Several years ago we met when you made an appearance at a book store in Los Angeles. I can't remember a more enjoyable evening. When we anticipate something quite often it does not live up to what we are expecting. You however not only lived up to but far surpassed all my anticipations. Are you going to be in Southern California any time soon?? I hope the answer is yes. Best Always Jim Calvagna

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

Sorry, no plans for it at the moment.

Q

Hi Bernard, I've just finished reading the third in your 'Saxon Stories'. I've learned more about this period in our history than I ever did from all my history lessons at school! My problem is that I fail to see how Uhtred can escape the vengeance of the Church (or Alfred, for that matter)after slitting the throat of a defenceless priest in a church in front of a Bishop and King! Even by the standards of the dark ages, that takes some nerve. Given that you have already indicated that he lives to be over 80 (that would be 120 by todays values), you must have some exceptionally devious plot to keep him alive that long. Regards, John Stevenson. Salisbury. Wilts. PS. I'm off to visit the battlefield site at Ethandun tomorrow.

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

Well, remember he did the wicked act in Northumbria which was, to say the least, feebly ruled, so it's not as if he'd face the much more stringent legal system prevalent in Alfred's Wessex. The church, of course, had its own courts and doubtless would love to whack Uhtred, but he does have powerful protectors, so I think he'll survive.

Q

hello, I have just finished reading Lords of the North and cannot wait for Sword Song. I was hoping you might help clear up a couple of points for me. An often used phrase throughout the trilogy is that, "fate is inexorable". Its original translation is also used. I was hoping for some information on this, firstly what language is this and where did you find it? Secondly how does one pronounce it? many thanks for your time.
Henry

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

The quotation is from an Old English poem, The Wanderer . . . and I've known of the poem (a bleak thing) for over forty years now! Can't truly remember how I first came across it. I'm no expert on old English pronunciation, but a Helpful Reader will doubtless correct me if I hazard a guess that it's pronounced Weird bith full arraid. That's my guess, corrections welcomed!

Q

In 'the Pale Horseman' Uhtred's ship was re-named 'Fyrdraca'. Where did you come up with that name? My reason for asking is I am a Viking re-enactor and the first ship I was on (2nd owned by the group) was named 'Fyrdraca'. Was this a common name for Longships or was it something you thought up? you can see the ships old pictures at www.longshipco.org. Adrian Kraus

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

Honestly not sure where Fyrdraca came from . . . possibly a dictionary of Old English (likely). I have no idea if it was a popular name, sorry!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a great fan of your work. I confess that I haven't read everything you've written although I would like to say that I appreciate the hero you have given me with Richard Sharpe. I am an ex Army Engineer (NZ Army) and was an amateur napoleonic war gamer when I was at school. The Sharpe's Rifles series (I have them all except the short story releases) have really appealed to me and I have enjoyed them hugely... I've already read Sharpe's Rifles to death and have had to buy another one to replace my first copy. Anyway, the point to this is just to say Thank You very much. Actually, I do have another motive for contacting you... I was wondering if you had any plans to visit New Zealand at any stage. regards, Craig Haywood

Submitted July 6, 2007

A

I've been to New Zealand, loved it, and hope to get back there before too long!