Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwall, I have read and enjoyed very much your Sharpe series. I am scanning them again to find if there is a number allocated to the South Essex regiment? I would like to know if there was, as I am unable to locate such. Thank you, David Gentry

Bernard, I am brazilian and have just read The Warlord Chronicles. I would like to notice you that your books are great best sellers here in Brazil!! Well...I loved The warlord chronicles...I want to thank you for so great history. A tiny doubt of mine : Caddwg said that he would take Arthur and the others to the place where Merlin had ordered. In your mind, what place was that? Should it be Avalon island? Thank you again for the amazing histories. Charles / São Paulo / Brazil

Mr Cornwell. A friend who is as avid a fan as me, asked where you got Harper's name from, he has a theory but I'd like to hear your answer. Also I saw in the archive that someone asked about Harper being illiterate, and you said you always assumed he was, but didn't he take roll call (after all the desertions) in the company book when they were in charge of the Royal Irish bodyguard troops in Spain? And didn't sergeants need to be literate?? Have a great 2005, and keep writing!! Regards, Fergus O'Neill, Ireland.

Dear Mr Cornwell I must say as usually a reader of sci fi fantasy you are the first writer outside the above genre that has enthralled me. First with your King Arthur novels then Mr Sharpe. I am however most eager to learn more of Mr Sharpe's adventures in socialite London between Trafagar and Prey, any plans for such a novel? I am a struggling first time writer myself with a similar background to yourself...I am a Britain married to an American awaiting a visa to work...I hope my future is as successful as yours. Best wishes, Tairis

Mr Cornwell: I have been a Sharpe fan for years, having read all these books (more than once !) I decided to read the Grail Quest trilogy - I am currently nearing the end of Vagabond. As a keen longbow archer with an eye for historic detail, I am immensely pleased to read the accurate & intricate detail with which you describe the battlefield archery and fieldcraft of the medieval archer. How long did your research in this area take ? Matt Rentell

Dear Bernard May I first hope that you had a very Merry Christmas. In regards to your future works will another Starbuck novel ever be in the pipeline since it has almost been 10 yrs since the last, and have you ever given any thought to getting Starbuck to the Grant and Lee Overland campaign where they went at it hammer and tongs? While it's a hard work to get hold off and slightly old have you ever read J.F.C Fullers book Grant and Lee on the comparison between the 2 generals? . I have also recently read a book called Lords of the Lake by Robert Malcomson on the naval war on lake Ontario during the war of 1812 and can certainly reccomend it as an excellent work of military history to read. But I may be wrong but have noticed that despite being a huge fan of the Napoleonic wars you are very reluctant to write about the war of 1812, even though it was part of the Napoleonic wars (I may be wrong and certainly mean no offense if any is given) and surely which to me seems a shame since reading your bibliography of living in the US and being both half english and half canadian and with a great record in historical fiction you could be ideally placed to write about that conflict. Surely Sharpe could get over there for just one battle Men like Brock and Tescumseh would be ideal fighting companions to Sharpe to fight alongside. Anyway may I wish you all the best and a very happy new year.
Tony

Hey, how can Patrick Lassan be carrying his father's sword - you stated in "The Sharpe Companion" that Richard was buried with his sword. Sorry, very stupid question, but which book(s) does Patrick Lassan actually feature in? I can't seem to find any of the titles that fit the bill. Thanks, Jenifer, Australia

Hi Bernard, I just read the piece in the Globe and am thrilled to hear of your plan to write about the Penobscot Expedition. I'm a Maine native, now in Mass., and have been hearing about "the greatest US naval defeat until Pearl Harbor" for years. One book you'll want to track down, if you don't already have it, is George Buker's "The Penobscot Expedition" put out by the Naval Institute Press a couple years ago. My Dad ran into the author last summer in Sandy Point, Maine, just across the river from the Bagaduce Peninsula, and picked up a copy from him. If you can't track one down, I'll happily lend you mine. It is meticulously researched. Anyhow, love the Sharpe books! --Mike
PS, I won't hold your lawyer jabs against you, though I am currently studying law in western Mass. I like that Lincoln joke. My favorite is: what do you call 500 lawyers on the bottom of the ocean? ... A start.

Hi, I was on the Cape this fall, but didn't have the nerve to pop over and and say hi. I'll just pretend I did. As to my question. I hear you are doing a book tour starting in February. Will you be in the Los Angeles area, and if so, when? Thanks for all the hours of enjoyment over the years. Carl Dominello

Dear Bernard, could you tell me if you have ever written using a pseudonym and if so what was it? I have read most of your books and just read one by another author but from the french side of a Sharpe novel if you get my meaning. I was just curious. Mike Hamer ps if you are not Richard Howard any ideas who is? Happy New Year.