Your Questions

First of all I would like very much to congratulate you on a fine series (Sharpe). My question is one of uniform. I came from a military family. My father was a career Naval officer and I later served also as a line officer in the Navy so am somewhat familiar with military attire. What I have witnessed in the films is a sort of light weight shirt under a rather tight fitted blouse (traditionally known as a jacket, but the Navy refers to them as a 'blouse') which looks quite filmy compared to the shirts we wore. Was the blouse ever taken off, other than for duels, love making, wound tending etc.? I say it with a bit of jest but also with equal sincerity. Also, wondering why the film makers skipped Sharpe's Tiger? Did they consider Sean Bean too old to play Private Sharpe? I would be very interested in knowing what your thoughts were on their choice to portray your character. In my opinion, Sean Bean was magnificent in the role of Richard Sharpe. Rosalee Adams

Hi Bernard Have just finished Last Kingdon and i must say bravo! It is almost an unofficial sequel to the Warlord Chronicles, my favorite and in my humble opinion your best work. When you have finished with the Uthred and Alfred have you considered a series encapsulating the Norman conquests? This with the fantastic Grail quest would make up a fantastic history of early Britian. Matt Sydney

I have just read your Arthur Trilogy and the first book in your Alfred Trilogy. Your writing is brilliant, exciting, and I really enjoy your books. However. There are a couple of things I would like to ask and sincerely hope you do not feel offended by either. The first is your characterisation of Christians. In all the books you have written I find an underlying dislike for them in your writings. On the whole these characters are slimy, power hungy, snide, untrustworthy, and generally not nice, I just wondered why? More disappointing is your depiction of Alfred. I have studied a lot about Alfred and agree that a lot of what was written at or near the time of his life would have been done so to elevate his character. Still, people followed him willingly, they remembered him as 'England's Darling'. He was inventive, decisive, and although a strong Christian, he did not let it take over his life with Bishops telling him what to do, or go to prayer in the middle of an important meeting. He liked to see the best in people, there was never any evidence he coveted the throne, and in fact treated his Nephew very well indeed, bestowing lands and titles on him until he rebelled with Danish backing. Alfred was capable of some brutallity, but it was his magnanimous attitude in victory that helped him win a war that many thought he would lose. At Aescs Hill (Ashdown) it was Alfred's decisiveness that won the day, while his brother was still praying (though he joined the battle later). You seem to make out Alfred as manipulative, uncaring, weak, undecisive and yet ignore the character given to us by history. Perhaps more balance would have been truer. I know of his weaknesses, and he was after all just a man, but like very few other rulers in our history he believed in his country more than his own ambition. Many people will not read the various historical records of Alfred the Great, but they will read you (and quite rightly) but they will believe all that you write, and if you destroy Alfred's reputation in your books, a new generation will grow up thinking he was indeed a weak, militarily lucky, manipulative, power hungry man who does not deserve the title 'Great' and that makes me sad. Despite all this I will be reading your other novls in this series because you characterisation of Utred is brilliant, the scenes vivid and the battles graphic. Thank you very much for your time. Charlie.

Mr. Cornwell, I just finished the final book in 'The Warlord Chronicles' and in my most humble opinion it is one of the best stories concerning Arthur that I have ever read. I wish that you had given us more at the end, I guess that no matter the book I am always left wanting more, and I undersatnd that sometimes in order to preserve the integrity of the story that the author must leave things unsaid. I have never contacted an author before and I find it very intimidating, finding the right words to use on someone who is a master at wording... Ugh. I guess I just wanted to say, "Thank You." The last few weeks of my life have been well entertained and I owe it all to Derfel and his recount of the legend of Arthur. Danielle

Hi I just finished the Warlord chronicles and I was very pleased. The problem is I want more, the ending of Exalibur wasn't enough I need to know what else happens. what do I do? thanks for your time. Christian

I have contacted you before and told you that I have only read a few of your books. I have read the grail quest trilogy, two sharpe books, I'm in the middle of The Winter King and have just started Sharpe's Eagle (I have a habit of reading up to six books at once). I've noticed one thing common with all of your main male characters. They are appaling at keeping women. I've also watched the Sharpe TV series and can gather from that that his first wife gets shot, the marquesa goes away and his second wife leaves him. Also in the India books he has a woman who runs off with his treasure and another that dies. In Harlequin, Vagabond and Heretic Thomas's first woman runs off and his second is killed. In the Winter King, Derfel is having trouble with his woman as well. Both Thomas and Sharpe only manage to keep a woman at the end of the series. Don't you like women or do you believe in variety? Also, can you recommend any books or websites that someone who wanted to right a book on the battle of the Somme could use for research purposes? If you do then I would be much obliged. P.S. Seargent Harper is the best ever character I have read or seen on TV. In Sharpe's Honour on TV he has a conversation with a major that goes like this. "Where are we going sir?""Over the hills and far away, seargent.""Sir, which hills and how far?""Questions, questions." Is that in the book as well because it is so funny. Robert Eyre

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a graduate student in medieval military history, and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading the Grail Quest books. I resisted reading another book on the Hundred Years War at first, but after much prodding from another graduate student, I bought Harlequin. I was surprised to find that I could not put it down. Thank you for writing these books, I find myself even more interested in my field than before. Would you ever consider making feature films of the Grail Quest books? Sincerely, Victoria Bandt

Dear Mr. Cornwell, before I ask a few questions (which I hope have not been asked 1000 times already) I want to thank you for all the pleasure you have given me with your books. They were all fantastic but the Sharpe books are my favourites and Richard Sharpe has helped me through some difficult times in my life, has comforted me when I was sad, gave me courage when I was weak and entertained me when I just needed to 'escape'. And as I cannot thank him properly (unfortunately) all my gratitude goes to you for creating such a character and for writing as splendidly as you do.THANKS!!!! As for the questions: I have visited some battlefields/sites of battles (not all Sharpe related) and was wondering which battlefield, of the ones you have visited, you think has the most atmosphere and is most worth a visit. Then...and I fear this is a silly question..can you tell me whether Sharpe has blue or dark eyes? I remember reading in "Tiger" that his eyes were blue but if I recall correctly in other books they were described as dark..? Have you ever thought about writing a novel about the Battle of Bannockburn? I'd love to read something about this great battle written in your fantastic style. (Also I'm thinking that if it was made into a movie Sean Bean would do well as Robert the Bruce..!) Last(silly) question: if Sharpe was to live in our time now, what do you think he'd be? A farmer, soldier ..etc. and do you think he would like it here? I'm looking forward to reading more of your excellent books and would be thrilled if you could find the time to answer my questions. Best wishes, Nathalie

Hi, in Sharpe's Honour you refer to the medievel knights seeking women to save which was known as the quest for the holy grail. This shows that you had studied grail lore 20 years before Dan Brown's 'Davinci Code', have you read this and what did you think? what do you think of the possibility of the holy grail being the documents showing the blood line of Jesus Christ? In your expert historical studies you must have came accross many versions of the story. many thanks, Chris.

Bernard I have just finished "The Last Kingdom". It is a truly excellent read. I enjoy all your books but until now the Arthur Series had been my favourites. Personally though I think that The Last Kingdom was even better than these. So one question and one request. Question: One character - Beocca - displays some signs of having cerebral palsy. Was this intended or does he have some unspecified condition with similar symptoms? Request: Hurry up and write the next book in the series. Thanks. Steve

Hello Mr Cornwell I have two quick questions regarding Sharpe. 1. I know you do not intend to go backwards in time again, but I did wonder whether you would ever consider writing about Sharpe's adventures in Portugal (1808), as a short story maybe? You mention he fought there during that year, so a (longish) short story would be ideal. Then it could be added to the other 3 short stories and released as a book! Any chance? 2. Do you think you will revise the Sharpe books in the future for continuity sake? eg Harper had been by Sharpe's side through Portugal 1808-1809 according to 'Eagle', but then they built a relationship only after their fight in 'Rifles ,Jan 1809. I said 'quick questions' didn't I? Sorry Nick R