Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, Like most who visit your site I have enjoyed reading many of your novels. The Sharpe series are my favourite, but I also enjoyed Redcoat, as I have an avid interest in the American Rev war.I wrote as part of a thesis a study of Banastre Tarleton a much maligned but extraordinary cavalry commander on the British side. I am surprised no-one has written a novel about the guy as he led quite some life! My question is, and forgive me if I've missed something, as I have not read quite all the Sharpe novels, but did he fight in the war of 1812 against the USA? I believe elements of the 95th did, and if he hasn't turned up there yet I feel it would make a great story and a change of scenery. Have you, or would you consider it? The Americans may not like it though, if I remember correctly the enemy in the film Master and Commander was changed from the Americans to the French to placate the American audience.. This is a shame but the brits always seem to get a raw deal in many historical films....The Patriot springs to mind, the bad guy in that was based on Tarleton and was a total injustice to his character. Anyway kind regards, and I look forward to your views on Sharpe in America?
N. Pearce

Dear Bernard, Having read most of your books(I'm currently halfway through "Redcoat")and being a Welshman,I was wondering.Will you be attending any of the Rugby World Cup matches in September?I write this having just watched my team the Ospreys,lose in a cracking Anlo-Welsh cup final to Leicester Tigers.Anyway keep up the good work. Nick Grant.

Hi Bernard I have a comment and a question. Firstly, I have always personally felt that your portrayals of early religious figures and religion is one of the most accurate and honest that I've ever read. I never thought of it as anti-christian, just realistic. That being said, I wonder if you've ever had a publisher/editor tone down (or attempt to) any of the ways in which you've dealt with organized religion, or if you ever have to deal with angry or combative religious people? Thanks Mike Seckla

Hi, I love reading your books, you are a true bard when it comes to story telling, and maybe singing too but I wouldn't know. I heard a rumour sometime ago that your Arthur series were to be made in to a film, is that true? If so hurray, we might get an Arthurian film worth watching for a change!!! Are there plans for any of your other books to be made in to films or TV shows? Also, I get a sense from reading your books, of the eternal hero, like a blood line running through your stories. Do you see all your main characters as springing from the same family tree all be it generations apart? Thanks for all your efforts both in writing and research, I'm really looking forward to the next Saxon installment. Gary

Hello, I've just started reading the Sharpe series again and at the moment I'm reading Sharpe's Enemy. At the end of Chapter Five Colonel Dubreton informs Sharpe that he was at the Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers, France, with none other than Sir Arthur Wellesley. Unless I am mistaken, this would mean that Dubreton was an officer in the French army before the Revolution? I'm intrigued by the idea that Dubreton become part of the French officer class through privilege in the days of the Monarchy, yet after the Revolution he attained the rank of Colonel through his merit... if I am correct in thinking that is what happened. It's also interesting how a man like Nicholas Soult, a private in Old France's army, could become a Marshal whilst officers of the old regime could still prosper under a meritocracy. I was reminded of Napoleon Bonaparte, and how he was an Artillery Officer in the pre-revolutionary Royalist army (and a member of the Corsican minor nobility, I think I read somewhere). I then wondered how common it was for the officers of Old France's army to serve (as officers) in the army of New France, considering many of them might have fled the country for practical reasons like saving their necks or ideological reasons such as monarchism, religious convictions etc. etc. Furthermore, would the Republican army have been as welcoming a place as the Napoleonic army for an officer of the old Royalist army? Thank you kindly, Matt.

Wow, I can't believe I'm actually writing to my favorite author... I know you do read many emails from your fans just like this one, and may even be bored by them, but to us is really a big deal. I have a lot of questions, but they have really escaped my mind right now (what is not uncommon at all). I'll try to ask you a few that I do remember: First, are you planning on writing a book about the Renaissance(is that how you spell it? I need to learn French...)? Or maybe a book about the High Middle ages(Crusades and that stuff)? Second: Do you know about any other author of historical fiction that is at least half as good as you are??? Because I couldn't find one. I need something to read while you write the sequels of your books. Third: I'm from Brazil(that's my excuse for the bad english), quite a new country, famous for it's woman and for it's soccer players, but still, I've really enjoyed your books and older history(not contemporary). I'm not alone in this, as your book has become a huge bestseller here everywhere I go. Were you surprised by this? I mean, you were probably expecting your books to sell most in english speaking countries and in the rest of Europe, but not in a portuguese-speaking country where only a very, very small amount of the population has actually read a book in their whole lives. Did you notice this as well??? Do you have any idea of why? Well, this message is way bigger than I thought it would be. I don't want to be annoying(even though that's pretty hard when you are a fan). I just want to say you changed my life and now I love history to the point that now I study it on my own when I have free time. Thank you for that and thank you for your books. Carlos Rodeiro

Dear Bernard, Am I mistaken in assuming that the title of your novel The Pale Horseman is a play on the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse? Death is often referred to as the Pale horseman, and rides upon a Pale horse. If yes, does this mean that Uhtred embodies death in the Saxon stories which would in a way fit his character or am I very much mistaken? Kind Rgds. Phil

Hi Bernard, I very much enjoyed the Arthur books (I understand why you say they're your favorites) and the Saxon books. I very much look forward to Sword Song (or whatever it ends up being titled)...wish it was out sooner than October! My question: as you can tell, I'm a fan of pre-medieval / Dark Age British history. Just wondering if you've ever considered doing some books set in the time of Roman Britain? I think you could really do justice to the period. (skip Boudicca though, everyone and their dog seems to want to write about her these days!) Rob Edin

I am currently reading the starbuck chronicles, having already read the Sharpe series, grail quest series, Arthurian trilogy and all of the currently released books of the Saxon stories. I was wondering which era of history you will write about next, and will you ever consider writing as far back as the Romans or Greeks? William Swain

Hi, i have read all your series of books, and was wondering if you would ever consider writing a series in the classical age - such as in the peloponnesian war, persian wars or during a Roman campaign??

Also can you recommend any websites/books for finding information about the casualties during a specific war - I know its quite specific - and lastly is there a website which lists peoples names from the different period for use in future books I may attempt to write. Thanks, can't wait for sword song, Will

Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to say how much I love your books. I am a tremendous fan of history as I have been to many fascinating places like Waterloo. I was wondering when will Sharpe and Harper march again? I know it's an ignorant question but I read that Wellington blamed the Prince of Orange's military blunders on his inexperience and not his ability to command and that he was later made a field marshal in the British army, why is he portrayed negatively in your books? Cameron Stewart

Hi In the Starbuck Chronicles you indicated a regiment formed by a private citizen. I am in an argument questioning if this were true. I would like to know where you researched the idea. Thanks, Marvin J. Little