Your Questions

Q

Hello!

I just wanted to commend you and thank you for the great works you have provided. I started with your Saxon Stories and could not get enough of Uhtred. Most recent was The Grail Quest book's and loved those as well. Will we see Thomas again? Will he get his own Feast?

Your battle description has no rival. Always on the edge of my seat.

Again, thank you and I can't wait to dive into more stories and characters.

Jordan

A

I am considering another book for Thomas....


Q

Dear, Mr. Cornwell.

First, I would like to congratulate you for your body of work and career.

Therefore, what´s next? Could you give us a hint of what are you working on? The start of a new series or a new chapter of one of your great characters?

And to top it off, any chances of an adaptation of Gallows Thief? It would make a great movie, in my opinion.

Thank you.

Tiago

A

Another Sharpe is next!  I'm not aware of any plans for a Gallow's Thief movie.


Q

Good evening Mr. Cornwell,

I hope all is well.

Thank you for making these stories. I understand your intention of ending Uhtred's story with the Battle of Brunanburh in Warlord.

Now some that some time has passed, are you/have you been tempted in further Uhtred novels? Do you have new ideas for stories that could be slotted in-between existing books similar to the Sharpe series or a brand new story based after Warlord?

Regards

James

A

I am indeed tempted and have a story in mind, though whether that will ever translate into a new novel I can't say.  Except it does indeed tempt me, so it might well happen.  Thanks!

 


Q

Hello, I really like the use of the old place names in your Uhtred series. I am curious about the River Hedene (River Eden, Cumbria) & if this is indeed an old name for it or is as you confess, capricious? I have hunted on line for any verification and fine none, only the roman name Ituna, which I can't see that making its way to be the modern version of 'Eden'. Any light would be illuminating.

Thanks very much

Ruth

A

I don't think my choice was capricious - Eden as a river name stems from a British word for river that was presumably adopted by the Saxon invaders who tended to adopt some existing names, though 'River Iduna' really translates as 'River River' as does the River Avon! You're quite right about Ituna, but that migrated into various versions - Iodune, Idune, Eodune, and Edene. I might have capriciously added the H.


Q

Hi Bernard,

Recently I finished reading Azincourt and, especially being a longbow archer myself, absolutely loved it!

One detail however did stick out to me, the idea of ranking archers (eg ventenars) being denoted by a silver chain. I think this popped up a few times.

Is there any evidence for this or any similar marks that could have identified an archer?

Thank you!

Logan

A

There is some evidence of ventenars being accorded a silverchain as a mark of rank, but I suspect the only way to distinguish an archer as against any other common soldier was simply their physique and the presence of a bow!


Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell,

I'm currently reading (and immensely enjoying) your novel about Nick Hook's exploits in France during the 100 Years' War.  I am a history teacher by trade and am drawn to the 100 Years' War and especially the medieval period.  Here's my question- would you think there would be a connection between the Battle of Agincourt (and the subsequent loss of an inestimable amount of French nobility) and the future French Revolution on some level?

Roger Mueller

A

I really doubt there's a connection.  After all, the French, led by their nobility, finally expelled the English from France, and it's hard to imagine the revolutionaries of the late 18th Century whipping up enthusiasm by reminding audiences of military failures that happened three centuries earlier.  Surely the proximate causes of the revolution are sufficient?  The ridiculous privileges accorded to the nobility and economic hardship.


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I stumbled upon the Sharpe TV series two years ago and binged most of it in a day while sick. I immediately bought a mass-market paperback copy of Sharpe's Tiger and devoured it. I've since given away the few paperbacks that I initially bought in the series and have (literally) scoured the world finding hardback copies of the books. Some of the early ones proved pretty difficult. All that to say: I'm committed! I'm reading 'Regiment' at the moment, and my wife is even plowing through them herself.

Is there any plan to re-print the entire series in matching hardcover editions? It would go perfectly on my shelf next to Patrick O'Brian.

I would buy it today.

Alex Cothran

A

I am not aware of any plans for it.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

I am a huge fan of your work and have recently just finished re-reading your magnificent Starbuck Chronicles (I have all of them in first edition hardback!)

My main reason for contacting you is: are you intending on writing any further Starbuck books? I would so love to hear what happens to Nate and Captain Truslow!

In the meantime, do you imagine Nate survives the war and if so, what do you imagine he does afterwards, and does he end up with either Sally or Julia in the end?!

I must say having read most of your work, I do think Sally Truslow is one of your most well crafted characters: I would love to hear what happens to her too!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards

Oliver

A

I'm afraid returning to Starbuck seems unlikely right now.....


Q

Dear Bernard

Many people are unaware that Wellington was part of the 1806 Hanover Expedition. It occurred to me if you ever wanted an excuse to send Sharpe to Germany this would be it. Jena or Auerstadt which would be your pick to send Sharpe too  ?

What would Sharpe make of Davout do you think ?

Regards

Geraint

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanover_Expedition

A

I’ve never considered writing about Davout, and I fear I probably won’t! Sorry!


Q

I, and so many fans would love to hear yuor take on the origins of the Staffordshire Hoard. Was it booty sold by the Mercian King Æthelred I,Reign: 675 – 704, who after his queen was murdered, built Bardney Abbey in her memory and retired there as Abbot. Did he sell all the gold and garnet warchest to some merchants who were waylaid and slaughted by his nobles, not knowing the treasure had been buried shortly before their attack, just off the Watling Way? This is Uhtred period history, and may explain how Mercia as the most powerful kingdom, defeating Kent and Northumbria, was overtaken by Wessex and English history changed for ever!

Stephen Pollock-Hill

A

I have no idea why the hoard was hidden. The usual explanation is that such treasures were buried to hide them from an encroaching enemy in the hope that the loot could be recovered later.  My own explanation on the decline of Mercia is that the kingdom was so ravaged by Danish attacks that it lost its pre-eminence and depended on West Saxon help to regain territory.