Your Questions

Q

Dear Sir, I was wondering why at "Rifles" Dick Sharpe is out of money? Shouldn't he have some guineas left from Lavisser? yours, kowai

Submitted April 24, 2007

A

Can't remember, wrote it so long ago. He's extremely irresponsible with money, so that must be the answer. Remins me of the baseball player (who?) who received a vast signing bonus, many millions, and was asked by the press how he planned to spend it. "Well," this good man answered, '90% will go on whiskey and women, the other 10% I'll probably waste.'

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell, I have just finished reading Max Hastings book 'Warriors' which devotes a chapter to rifleman Harry Smith and his devoted wife Juana. I was just wandering if Sharpe was in some way based on /modelled on / influenced/ inspired by Smith's story? - there are lots of parallels in Smith's adventures and character. I was unaware of Smith's story (as I had no interest in the Napoleonic wars before your wonderful stories)and as I was reading about Smith it brought back to me a lot of Sharpe's adventures and made me want to reread them all. Many Thanks, Steve Barry

Submitted April 24, 2007

A

Not really! I'd read a lot of Harry Smith and, inevitably, he and Sharpe are at the same events, but they're very different characters. I think any similarity is probably coincidental. A good man, though!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have started reading your Saxon stories through hearing words as I am registered blind. I live in Northumberland and I instantly recognized Bamburgh castle. I have two questions, The first is did you do your research in northumberland area, did you enjoy our part of the world? The second question is, when will the next book of the series expected to be published? so I can ask my local library to order it in talking words format. many thanks for your skills, Keith Shepherd

Submitted April 24, 2007

A

I love your part of the world! And yes, I've made several trips there, and will probably make several more, and think Northumberland is one of the great undiscovered secrets of the English countryside!

The fourth book of the Saxon stories, Sword Song, should be available in October of this year.

Q

Hi, I am a student psychiatric nurse and am currently doing some research for a presentation. Part of this includes a section on the way that mentally ill people were viewed and treated in the dark ages, a very small part obviously as there is little information available. I was considering this a couple of days ago and remembered reading about the "Isle of the dead" in Enemy of
God and was wondering what your basis was for this, and if perhaps you could help me with a couple of references to help me on my way.. If you can not then that is fair enough. I am a massive fan of yours and enjoy your books immensley. Simon Austin.

Submitted April 24, 2007

A

Oooooops. Think I made it all up. Not very helpful, sorry! Do I have a vague idea that the late Roy Porter wrote a book on the history of treating mental illnesses? You could try putting Bedlam (or Bethlehem Hospital) into the Amazon.co.uk search engine, any book on Bedlam will surely discuss the history of treatment. And I have another vague idea that, not so long ago, I read a review of a book that talked about the history of such treatment, so using the history category of Amazon search, you could try terms like mental, madness, etc. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Q

Hi Bernard, I,ve been a big fan of yours for several years, and I have read all your books. Some of them more than once, and what I really like is the incredible detail, of wildlife and trees and flowers, and the amazing battle details, for example in The Last Kingdom, when Uhtred was in the shield wall at Cynuit, he started off with Wasp Sting and after a few deadly bloody blows, Wasp Sting was pulled out of his hand by an unnamed Dane, he then drew Serpents Breath and carried on killing. What happened to Wasp Sting? Because it's next mention is in The Pale Horseman, when Uhtred hands it to Iseult to kill Haswold at Aetheningaeg. Did someone pick it up and return it to him or did he pick it up himself?Excuse me for being picky Bernard, but as I said I really like the detail. I have enjoyed all your books, I am halfway through Vagabond for the second time, that Thomas is some lad isn't he? I am really looking forward to Sword Song and Uhtred's further adventures, keep on writing, you and Wilbur Smith are my top two authors. Many Regards Peter Carragher(UK)

Submitted April 24, 2007

A

I suspect he picked it up. Can't remember. He's still got it, so he must have!

Q

Dear, Mr Cornwell I am a student in his first year of high school and I really enjoy reading your Sharpe books. The way you blend the right mix of history and fiction, as well as how you finish with a historical note. I also like the way you put in info on Sharpe's weapons and tactics. I am in the process of reading Sharpe's Trafalgar and am thoroughly enjoying it. I am wondering if there is a site where you can find a ship of the line cross section on the Internet. I must commend you on providing an enjoyable read for me and many others. Scott Allen

Submitted April 24, 2007

A

Must be! Don't know where! Try putting HMS Victory into search. Otherwise there's the magnificent book by Stephen Biesty called Cross-Sections, Man of War published by Dorling Kindersley - aimed at a young audience, but beautifully done!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell O great bringer of joy and happiness I was just wondering what were the names of Harper's children? I've not yet finished Devil and I was just wondering what their names are? Thank you for all the books and the 25 weeks its taken me to read up to now.
Tom Owen

Submitted April 23, 2007

A

Harper has a son mentioned, I believe, in Sharpe's Siege named Richard Patricio Augustine Harper. Is there another child? If so, I've forgotten...

Q

Just a quick question Mr. Cornwell, as I am now reading SHARPE'S SWORD I have noticed a similarity in nearly all of your books. Almost all of your Ensigns are young, usually 16 or younger and they usually ALWAYS die. Is this a historical fact or do you just prefer killing off young inncocent children? Ryan Quint

Submitted April 23, 2007

A

It's a sort of bad joke - when I killed my first Ensign (Sharpe's Gold) a woman in the publishers expressed shock and horror, so she now gets a dead one in virtually every book. Such is fate.

Q

Bernard , I really thank you for all of your books, but especially the Saxon series. I just love Uhtred, you've captured an imperfect person (as we all are) living in a violent time, but he is basically a good man, and (i think) honorable. I don't really think you are anti-Christianity, just anti the religious system of those times, and you show us the hypocrisy of most of the church leadership, and that's what Uhtred (and Bernard) don't like. And yet, Father Beocca illustrates the few sincere christian leaders. And I thank you for showing Beocca's courage in confronting the demons in Ragnars sister and setting her free, that was a master stroke. Including Beocca helps balance out the greed and un-christian lifestyles of the church leaders. I think you, like me, have a problem with organized religion, not a problem with God.

On Another note, I appreciate your subtle humor that's sprinkled all over your writings; example, when Uhtred asks a priest if there are women in heaven, and he answers :yes lord, the women saints etc" and you say, the priest smiled, pleased that Uhtred was taking an interest in theology, then Uhtred says "no, I mean women for us to hump" . I laughed for 10 minutes after that. Just wanted you to know many of us appreciate and look for those subtle humorous dialogues you inject throughout these books. Believe me, it's not lost on us.(I give one example of many). Thanks so much, I feel like Uhtred is a friend, I love the guy, and cant get enough of this series. I was ecstatic to learn it was not going to be a trilogy, and many more are planned.

So far, I've read all except the Arthur series, and the Sharpe series, they have not 'grabbed' me yet as all the others have. Are they stylistically different? or is it just me in the right mood at the right time? I know you get praise etc blah blah blah, so I wont bore you with more, I just give a heartfelt thanks to God or whatever forces gifted and shaped you into such a unique vessel to bring such enjoyment, life changing even, to so many. Thanks, Bernard Mark Gonzales Atlanta, Georgia

Submitted April 20, 2007

A

Well, that's nice of you! I like Beocca, and Father Pyrlig. You're certainly right about organised religion, but God? I have no more problem with him than I do with Father Christmas!

Not sure. The Arthur books are stylistically different, inasmuch that they're first person (which imposes a different voice, and a different method of narration). The Sharpe books? I have no idea! There's no law, honest, which says you have to like all an author's books! But if you want to try again I'd recommend Sharpe's Trafalgar.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, A few years back I stumbled across your book, The Archer's Tale in a local library. I am not sure why I chose to read it, but I am incredibly glad I did. Ever since I read that book, you have become my favorite author to date. I now own the Grail Quest, the King Arthur set, and now the Saxon Stories. You are the only author to produce a book, (The Archer's Tale), that I enjoyed reading twice. I just want to thank you for the great stories mixed with historical facts. I also enjoyed "Stonehenge", in that it gave me a perspective I would have never thought of on my own. I am currently serving as a 1LT in the Army and find your Sharpe series quite inspiring although I do prefer your stories of archers and blades. I just wanted to ask one quick question. I am currently reading the Saxon Stories and I recognize a few names from the Arthur Books. I was wondering if there was any relation. Thanks again for the wonderful books and please keep writing. Sincerely Austin T. Starken 1LT, IN

Submitted April 20, 2007

A

Not really, except I was probably using the same sources to find names for the Saxon characters. And some of the British (Welsh) names might be familiar because they are named after the famous characters of the Arthurian cycle - but no, no relationship is intended.