Your Questions

Bernard , thank you for the many happy hours of reading you have given me .I have just finished reading your latest book, I think that I have read just about every thing that you have published . Have you considered writing any world war one sags ? the possibilities seem endless. looking forward to your nexst release in October . regards John H.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have been an avid reader of your books for many a year and read "The Last Kingdom" with the usual enjoyment. As something of an Anglo-Saxon enthusiast, I was interested in your description of Alfred's Wessex flag as a white dragon on a green background. I have seen reference to the Wessex flag as a white dragon on a red background and of a golden dragon on a red background. But I cannot find details of the green background you mention. I've talked to some other Anglo-Saxon enthusiasts and they aren't sure of the origin of the green background either. I would much appreciate if you could tell me the source of where you found this information if you have it at hand anywhere. Keep up the superb work and I look forward to reading "The Pale Horseman". leeghancock

Loved your Arthur books as I said before in previous letter. Are there any plans for a book or series about the roman invasion/occupation of Britain? It's rarely talked about in historical fiction genre, at least in a good way. Also which of the rebellious kings (as well as other character in the series) in the Winter King are based on real historical characters. Because all I have found on Gundleus and Gorfyddyd are christian saints when ever I google their names. Thanks. Scott Stamper

Bernard, I am aware from your excellent Sharpe books that both Richard Sharpe and his trusty sidekick Harper were both over six feet tall. How tall was the average foot soldier in the early nineteenth century? I am sure that I read somewhere that the average soldier was only 5' 6" tall during WWI. Mitch, Liverpool

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I wrote to you before with a rather stupid question but I've been wondering this for a while now and wanted to know: If Sharpe was a real character and everything that you've written about him was true, then would he be one of Britain's great historic heroes and we would have heard of him or would he just be another brave soldier in the Napoleonic wars? Considering that he did save Lord Wellingtons life, survived the war with India and France, managed to take an eagle and rose from the ranks! P.S. Look forward to your reply, I think your work is unbelievably brilliant and can't wait to read more. Carrie Overthrow

Mr Cornwell, I am an avid fan of your works and must first congratulate you on every single one of them. My favourites would have to be the Starbuck Chronicles though. When will we see another? I realise that you have started a new series of books, and that they will ocupy most of your time for a good while, but please please please please spare a thought for the many many Starbuck fans out there. I have heard that they may be dramatised by US TV into a sort of "Mini-Series" not disimilar to the Sharpe television series, but I fear this is not true can you confirm? Also is Patrick Lassan the son of Sharpe. (His father was an english Infantary soldier, Sharpes son was/is called Patrick after his best friend patrick Harper, ect)? many thanks keep up the wonderful work. ps more Rider Sandman if you get time.(but not a the price of Starbuck) /Gareth Jameson

Dear Bernard, I've read everything you've written and for some reason ended up with the Starbuck series, which I finished last night. I now have withdrawal symptoms; you have left Nate in the air.We all want to know what happens to him and Pecker, Belvedere and Lt. Gillespie, he of the croton oil. As a result of the books I bought the dvd's of Gods and Generals and Gettysburg. Starbuck and Gettysburg what a team. I'm sure all these e mails deny you writing time, but do please let us know about Nate. Lee Menzies . London

Mr Cornwell, I am writing simply to thank you, for the countless hours of joy I get from reading your work, however Mrs Hickman may feel like a Cornwell widow and beg to differ. I look forward to your next work eagerly . yours sincereley Neil Hickman. P.S is there any chance of finding out anything else about the fate of Nathaniel Starbuck?

Dear Sir: I've now read 27 of your books including all of the Sharpe's books and I have a simple question. Did you kill Hakeswill twice? I seem to remember being killed by an elephant in India and then again in Spain. Thank you, love your books. Paul Papadakis

Dear Mr Cornwell Would that I had possessed the funds and the timing to have saved us all from that "King Arthur' film debacle. For years I've fantacized about acquiring the funding to shoot your version of the Arthurian saga, but now we are left with this watered down pitiful version which, thankfully, came and went with nary a ripple in the waters of the cinematic art. I'm ploughing through the Sharpe books at the moment and was a little confused at the apparent death and then re-apperance of Hawkeswill, the sudden loss of the Sarah character and some other little idiosyncratic anomolies, until I took the time to look at the publishing dates of the individual books in the series. Ahah, said I, all is well. I'm just curious why you created the series and then went back to fill in certain gaps in the timeline of the Napoleonic wars? Not that it matters. This is just a very long winded way of letting you know that I love your work and look forward to each new book with high anticipation. I just discovered "Scoundrel" which I will read when Sharpe is at his destination, wherever that turns out to be. Rest assured that if I ever find the necessary backers, Pendragon will see the light of projectors. Best wishes, Mick Fowler

Thank you for one of the most exciting, breathtaking reads in many a moon. STORMCHILD is, indeed, a gripping tale, especially Parts 1 and 2. However, Tim's heroic exploits in Part 3 I found a bit too far fetched, i.e., exhausted, blood spilling from his boots, in driving rain, was able to carry a trussed up "bad guy" and stuff him into an 18"X4' crevice together with himself and Jackie...??? Uh, uh, or did I miss something? Also, never felt comfortable with his daughter as the main bad guy. Tim tells us "Nickle" is trying to kill him to prove she's a "better sailor". What does automatic weapons fire have to do with seamanship? But, bottom line, you're one hell of a gifted writer. When can we expect another exciting sea yarn? Frank Farmer Long Beach, CA

Dear sir, tis the last time I'll bother you for a wee while, I promise!! just some more questions concerning Sharpe...... Was you ever tempted to reward Harper by making him an Ensign? or was that too unlikely because of him being from Ireland? or even there was no way you could keep him at Sharpe's side?! Also... were you tempted to use Lady Anne in other Sharpe adventures or after the break-up of Sharpe and Jane? As she appeared to have been quietly disappointed to find Sharpe had got together with Jane!! Can't wait for 2007 sir even though I'll be 30 by then, sorry to constantly be a pest, once again..... thank you!! Lee