Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell, Thank you so much for all you have written. I have had the opportunity to read all of your historical fiction books. I have just finished "Excalibur." You left us hanging. What happens to Cerdic and Lancelot? John Eaton

Dear Bernard I was curious in regards to the Sharpe novels you of course talk about the 95th as being seen as the best in Peninsular on the British side but I wondered who you considered the best units on the French side (31st Leger maybe??)???

And in regards to Lossow in Sharpe's Sword he sort of disappears near the end of the book and is never heard of again, did he die???

Also while you have stated that Sharpe made a promise not fight Americans in the war of 1812 to Killick to help him escape.Could you not get around that by getting Sharpe to Canada where if the Americans invaded they would be fighting him and not visa-versa it would be really great to see Sharpe in that conflict if only once.

btw I can recommend Fix Bayonnets by Donald Graves on the life of Thomas Pearson who fought at Albuera for Christmas reading he and Sharpe would probably have got on like a house on fire. Merry Xmas Tony

Hello, Do you know why, in the Sharpe films, some of the calvary horses have their tails dyed red? Is there a historical reason for it? Cheers, Mina

Hello Mr. Cornwell Thank you for answering my question concerning Johnston(s)in Copperhead. I've just finished reading Bloody Ground. Awesome. I was introduced to your work by Dr Rutz, my professor for Interdisciplinary Studies 175 "Political, Societal, and Intellectual Revolutions in Early Modern Britain (1600-1850). I read Redcoat was captivated. Then, for my Honors Composition course I read Rebel for the final paper (the class theme is the American Civil War) Seeing as how I just finished Starbuck, I'm moving on to Sharpe. I know you probably get asked this all the time, but is there any chance of a Starbuck series, like Sharpe? Tyrone Elbe

Mr. Cornwell--Having finished all the Sharpe series (in chronological order), it seems the only story left untold is the first one. How about telling us how Sharpe became a soldier and fought in the battle of Flanders & was then posted to India. Thanks for the great ride! Jerry F. Prater

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been a fan of the Sharpe television series for many years, yet had not made the effort to read any of your novels. I'm cursing myself now for not discovering the works earlier. I have no particular favourite, they are all good. I hope that you don't mind, but I would love to know whether or not you have a team of researchers to assist you with the almost perfect historical details, or are you just a smarty pants?! Please keep writing, I'll keep buying. Best wishes, Tim Gorst Carlisle UK

Hello Mr. Cornwell It has been some time since I last wrote to you. I have read all of your Sharpe's books and tonight I watched Sharpe's Challenge. Was there a mistake made in the showing of the episode as I thought it was the story of Sharpe's Rifles? I was looking forward to his earlier adventures when he was still an ordinary solder in India and became a Sargent. Will that story of his earlier life be told and how will Sean Bean look younger? I am also waiting to read further about the Starbuck chronicles? Are you still working on that one? However I will continue to watch what-ever comes on about Sharp and his men if they are repeating the series. Carry on with the good work. Doreen

Dear Mr Cornwell, Like so many of your correspondents, over the years I have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Richard Sharpe and many of your other novels. I found "Gallows Thief" particularly intriguing and wondered if you had thought of further stories involving the hero Rider Sandman? He is obviously a decent and resourceful chap and having served the Home Office so well would no doubt be a welcome asset at the Foreign Office. A 19th Century James Bond perhaps? An honourable Flashman? As you will know better than I, Britain was not involved in a European conflict for some while following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Nevertheless, there were plenty of conflicts elsewhere (Spain, the Balkans, Central Asia, India, South America) in which British forces and interests were direclty or indirectly involved. HMG would no doubt have found that the presence of a cool, capable and reliable fellow such as Rider Sandman would have protected and advanced these interests wherever they were threatened. Suggested with the greatest respect in relation to an idea that was wholly and originally yours. Very sincerely, Simon Williams

Have enjoyed your books for many years now & am an avid fan of the Sharpe series especially, but not exclusively!!! Are the books "Sharpe's Fury" & Lords of the North" available in Ausralia presently. If not, when is the release likely? Keep up the great work Cheers Steve

Dear Bernard, can't wait for the next saxon series, loved "Lords" and what a great place to finish it ( you tease lol). I just wondered if you've read the 2 "Jack Absolute" books by C C Humphreys. They are excellent, almost as good as you (sorry sounds a bit toady). Set between 1752 - 1778 they could coincide with "Redcoat" and I'm sure he'll mmake them into a series. I read on your site a few days asgo that you're quite tempted to follow up on "Gallows Thief", please do. But with so many successful series of stories going, it must be very frustrating for you which novel to write next. How do you decide? But please do not stop, you're the main man. All the best for the future. Lee