Your Questions

Q

Dear Sir, I have written you before about your wonderful 'Sharpe' series. I have read these books since I was in jr high some years ago. I have seen you anglo-saxon stories but have never read them until this week. I picked up 'The Last Kingdom' hard cover which was on sale at Chapters Canada. I have finished read it and enjoyed it very much and am now ordering the second book in the series. One thing I don't understand is why your publishing company has not re-released any of your earlier books in hard cover? I know they are bound to sell, esp the Sharpe series. Please call them up and tell them to get their act together. After all CC Humphreys just had his first book 'Jack Absloute' re-released in hard cover. cheers Ed Whelan (Canada)

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

It might happen - - we do sometimes think about it. It's a business decision, and really it's best left to the publisher. But the idea is not a total impossibility and I will mutter it in their ears again.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell. Can you please tell me how does a writer feel? important? special? just like the other people? Joanna

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Laughing. Grumpy in the morning, and usually much better after some medicinal whiskey in the evening (Jameson Irish, please). No, not special! Please!!!!!!! And not in the least important! Privileged? Yes, because I get paid to do what I want to do. Lucky? Enormously! It probably depends on the writer . . . I have met some who think the job imbues them with godlike qualities, but I hope there's no trace of that in me. I think I had a huge stroke of luck in becoming a writer, and have been grateful ever since, and simply enjoy doing it!

Q

I am currently writing a book about three people who end up coming together in the midst of the napoleonic wars - I was influenced greatly by Sharpe, and was wondering whether you will ever think of writing in that era again but with a different character - or Sharpe not as the main one?

Also are there any more Starbuck installments on the way and do you know whether you will turn any more books into films?
William Swain

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

I might, don't know! Maybe a few years from now? Honestly don't know, but I have flirted with the idea.

No more Starbuck just yet. I'm not a filmmaker, so it's up to someone else to do it, but I'd be happy to see it happen!

Q

Dear Bernard, you have taken the time in the past to answer my questions (which is very much appreciated!) and hope you will do so again, so here goes: Have you ever considered writing a Novel (or maybe short story) from Hakeswill's point of view? He's my favourite character by miles! (Is it bad to like the villain? Maybe).

Also, is Sharpe's Regiment intended to be funny? I never thought so till I watched the film version, then re-read the book and I find both really funny. Our first baby is due in a month-ish and if it's a boy I want his middle name to be Obediah (how cruel??), I just need to persuade the wife......maybe if I tell her it says so in the scriptures? Anyway, thanks if you reply, or thanks just for reading and I look forward to your next book! Nick

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

I've often thought about it . . . . it tempts me, it really does. Don't know if it's going to happen.

I hope you find parts of Sharpe's Regiment funny! One of my complaints about a lot of historical novels is how serious they are, as if somehow a sense of humour is thought anachronistic. And lots of luck with the wife!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell: Let me just say that I absolutely love your "Warlord Chronicles." I am now reading them for the third time, and they are as great a pleasure this time around as they were the first two. With that in mind, I do have a question about the city of Ynys Trebes. I have always felt a peculiar fascination for the Mt. St. Michel, and so I was wondering exactly where you got the inspiration/information about the Armorican origins of the Isle. I have searched everywhere and have so far only discovered that it was an Armorican stronghold that was ransacked by the Franks (courtesy of the Wikipedia.) Thus, I have always been curious about how you chose to make this particular isle the capital of Ban's kingdom of Benoic. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I truly appreciate it. Again, let me say that I have always been deeply and profoundly moved by "The Warlord Chronicles." Devotedly yours, Thomas J. West III

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

I'm afraid it's pure fiction on my part - no such events occurred there, so far as I know. Like you I've always loved the place and couldn't resist using it.

Q

Dear Bernard A couple of questions, which I have been musing on for you. Out of all your characters creations, which would you, prefer to fight along with? Myself I would be tempted to choose Patrick Harper, loyal, brave and always prepared to watch your back.

The 2nd question concerns your Saxon stories, without giving too much away are we likely to see Eric bloodaxe in your stories? I would imagine Uhtred would have to live to a very old age to meet him. Keep up the good work. Phil

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

I think you're probably right, so I'll say Harper too - and your Life Insurance company would be really grateful if you avoided Sharpe or Uhtred. Derfel was a good guy, though . . . . might choose him.

Honestly not sure! With the new book, Sword Song, Uhtred is still in his twenties . . so has a very long way to go! And, as I usually can't see beyond the next chapter, I haven't peered that far into his future.

Q

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I felt I had to write to inform you how much I thoroughly enjoy your novels, I have found your novels which cover a range of historical periods enthralling, exiting and educational. I first started with Sharpe and while they have remained my favourite with the Warlord trilogy and the Saxon stories coming a close joint-second, I can honestly say I have enjoyed them all. I have just finished The Lords of the North and it was great, I think Uhtred's a amazing character and I'm pleased to know there may be 4 or 5 more novels with him before his story ends. As welsh is my first language it is always a bonus for me when a welsh character in your books speaks a bit of welsh i.e. Pyrlig reciting the lord's prayer in battle. Lastly I have a few questions, I'm not sure you'll answer them all in case they give too much away but it's worth a try! Is Athelflaed Uhtred's woman of gold in Iseult's prophecy? Will Uhtred meet Haestan again? Who is the man Uhtred mentions at the end of The Last Kingdom as the thief of his lands, Surely Aelfric's dead by then if Uhtred's an old man? Will Uhtred fight in Wales? I read that Aethelflaed attacked Llangorse and other places. Will Rhodri Mawr's(Rhodri the Great) sons Anarawd and Cadell who ruled Gwynedd/Powys and Seisyllwyng be mentioned? I read that they eventually ended their alliance with the vikings and along with the smaller kingdoms of Wales acknowledged Alfred as their Overlord. Will Pyrlig return and what happened to Nihtgenga? Brida must of left him behind in The Lords of the North because if I'm right he should be 8 or 9 so a few more years left surely? Looking forward to Sword Song. Diolch yn fawr (Thank you) Rhun Thomas,Gwynedd. P.s I know Rhun was a welsh name used in the 9th century!

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Is Athelflaed Uhtred's woman of gold in Iseult's prophecy? WAIT AND SEE

Will Uhtred meet Haestan again? YES

Who is the man Uhtred mentions at the end of The Last Kingdom as the thief of his lands, HIS UNCLE, I THINK

Surely Aelfric's dead by then if Uhtred's an old man? MUST BE!

Will Uhtred fight in Wales? NOT IF HE WANTS TO LIVE

I read that Aethelflaed attacked Llangorse and other places. SHE DID. SHE WAS A GOOD WOMAN

Will Rhodri Mawr's(Rhodri the Great) sons Anarawd and Cadell who ruled Gwynedd/Powys and Seisyllwyng be mentioned? IT'S POSSIBLE, BUT REALLY DON'T KNOW YET

I read that they eventually ended their alliance with the vikings and along with the smaller kingdoms of Wales acknowledged Alfred as their Overlord.
THEY DID, TRUE

Will Pyrlig return and what happened to Nihtgenga? PYRLIG, YES, DOG? DON'T KNOW

And thank you! Or, if you prefer, diolch!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, Great work, so far every book I've read by you has been fantastic. Probably, like most people, I got turned on to your books by the Sharpe series and haven't looked back since. I'm really enjoying the Uhtred series as I'm a big fan of that time period. I originally got into historical fiction in the 70s by reading a series based on a Saxon and Norman family, who were friends up to the conquest, and then became bitter enemies. But I can't, for the life of me, remember what they were called. I think they were published by the same publisher as a western series during the civil war called 'A Man Called Edge' (who reminds me of Nate Starbuck). Anyway, I'd love to find out who wrote them and if they are still in print, if only to satisfy my curiosity and put me out of my misery as I've been searching on and off for years. Can you help me?

Also I'm a big fan of Nigel Tranter (being a native Scotsman), especially the Bruce and Wallace novels what do you think of his work? I'm really looking forward to more of Uhtred's adventures so keep up the good work. John Bennett Auckland, New Zealand

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Doesn't ring a bell, sorry! Can anyone out there help?

I think it's terrific! Been much too long since I read him . . . . but I always enjoyed the books.

Q

Hi Bernard, Could you tell me where i can find more information (like diagrams) of British formations when in column or half-companies, square and such like. I'm having trouble picturing how the men were designated in files and where the officers of each company were placed. I'm reading about the account of a British attack in Egypt 1801 at a place called Mandora where it is said "three British columns advanced under artillery fire to take the heights." I can't imagine the British advancing in column. Many thanks for any pointers. Dave Cook

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

They frequently did. Advancing in line was a very uneven business (the formation soon lost all cohesion) so the practice was to advance in column and deploy into line before action. My source, which is very ancient, is General Fuller's book Sir John Moore's System of TrainingL, but I'm sure there must be other books which describe the formations - but Fuller, if you can find a copy, has splendid contemporary diagrams.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, just a quick question please. The battalions of the Union Army during the American Civil War - did they have flank companies; one of grenadiers and one of light? Or was their battalions just made up of battalion companies? Many Thanks Andrew

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

No - the formal arrangement of grenadier and light companies is really a Napoleonic feature . . . though it certainly predates the Napoleonic wars. The grenadier company was usually the 'shock' troops, the big guys who supposedly would lead an assault and (at one time) were armed with grenades. The light company was skirmishers. I seem to recall that some Civil War battalions had dedicated skirmishers, but can't recall any that had grenadiers.