Bulletin Board

In your answer to my question of August 16th about the Baker Rifle you asked me for the name of the article: The Article was "Britain's Brunswick Rifle," by Garry James in the September 2006 edition of Guns and Ammo magazine. I quote Re: The Baker Rifle " With its slow twist (one quarter turn in 30 inches) and rather shallow rifling, the short Germanic-looking Baker had been designed with as much concern for ease of loading as for accuracy. It was at least a better group-getter than the smoothbore Brown Bess out to 100 yards, but anything past that was pretty much touch and go. Also as designer Ezekiel Baker was a buddy of the Prince of Wales, he had something of an inside track on getting his arm tested and adopted. By the mid-1830's , however, stores of Bakers were running low, and the 40 year old flintlock was beginning to show its age. Officers of the rifle regiments to whom they were issued complained that a new gun was sorely needed. Rifles on the Continent were outstripping the Baker in long-range accuracy, and the emergence of the percussion system had rendered the flintlock obsolete.
Bob Long

There is a very interesting museum about the first Marquess of Anglesey and Waterloo at Plas Newydd on Anglesey. Susan Mason

Sir, I have been checking you notes on the Starbuck Chronicles for 10 years now. Any new news on when or if there will be another book? Thanks Matthew

Mr. Cornwell ... I would like to bribe you into writing another Starbuck book. While I know this is perhaps the not most effective way to channel the creative process, I find it worth a shot. Name your price. I have major organs to spare. Cat

I think you might have made an error. If I recall correctly, it was Henry I (the Conqueror's youngest son) who was involved in the blinding of his granddaughters. Henry I was not, however, a Plantagenet king. The first of that dynasty was his grandson, Henry II. And in his partial defense, he did not order the blinding, only condoned it. His granddaughters had been exchanged by his son-in-law has hostages. His son in law then blinded and mutilitated his hostage. The father of the mutiliated girl retaliated by blinding his hostages (Henry I's granddaughters), but only after obtaining Henry I's consent or at least non-objection. Presumably, Henry I viewed his son in law's actions as being out side the pale and refused to exempt his grandchildren from the consequences of their father's folly. Coinncidentally, Henry I allegedly had his elder brother, Robert, blinded after a failed escape attempt. All in all, a pretty atrocious family to belong to. Steve Moss

Hi Mr. Cornwell. In a August 16th posting, Bob McCaffrey asked you what the sword in your website is. It is called the Robin Hood Sword, and is a replica of the prop used in the Kevin Kostner film "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves." Alan Kempner

Hi! I know you must get thousands or even millions of these emails, but it needs to be said that I love your books. My only complaint is that there are too many and I can't read them fast enough! I started 'Sharpe's Company' on Monday and finished it yesterday (which for me is very quick) and am looking forward to buying 'Sharpe's Sword' later today. You must be getting bored with all these emails and letters saying exactly the same thing over and over again, and I apologize for that, but as I said before - it needs to be said.
Rhys

Dear Mr. Cornwell Let me join the ranks of those who really enjoy your sailing books as well. A pity that you don't plan on writing any more, but I have one left to find and read. Here in Vancouver they are very difficult to come by, alas. Kind Regards Rory Filer, Vancouver, B.C.

Hello Mr Cornwell, I felt I had to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the Warlord Chronicles. They were as captivating the second time of reading as the first. The books were lent to me by my Mother-in-law,with a strong recommendation.They did not disapoint.I am now two thirds of the way through The Grail Quest and am finding them every bit as good.Thank you. John Cummings

I cannot tell you enough how happy I am to have found your books. Not only are they a great read, but I feel I am getting a history lesson at the same time...Majoring in American History in College many years ago, this is quite new to me. Ray McCraw Concord, NC, USA

Although I'd heard of the Sharpe series of books, I'd never read anything you'd written until I came across an advanced readers copy of the first of the Saxon stories at the bookstore I work at. I had just taken a class in the history of the English language and I was so thrilled to see what I had just learned about Anglo-Saxon English in print. Plus it was a fantastic read!! So now I'm hooked. I keep talking to other fans when I see them buying Sharpe or one of the other series, and they highly recommend those. My reading list has grown a mile since I've discovered you! Please, if you ever come to Houston, stop by the Borders on Kirby drive. You have lots of fans in the area! Anjanette Rodgers