Your Questions

Love your books, at least the ones I've read! Question: try as I may, I cannot quite hear the rythm or cadence of the "pas de charge" which always seems to accompany one of the Emperor's columns flinging itself upon the thin red lines. Is there a source for this, or can you suggest a popular tune in which the same rythm appears? Joseph Lunt

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thank you so much for all of your books. They are all a pleasure to read and I always look foreword to what's coming next. Do you have any plans to write a Sharpe book about his life before the army? Something that describes his childhood? Also, why are you "Britain's Storyteller" if you live in the US? How about being "America's Storyteller"? Or maybe "America's British Storyteller"? Give it some thought. Thanks, Sean McCarthy

I know it would be difficult, but do you think Obadiah will ever march in a new book? I know it would screw up the timeline in Sharpe, but it would be worth that blunder to see one of your greatest characters and his twisted minds at large again. Perhaps in a novel based around the sergeant? You always did say it was a huge mistake killing him off, so why not bring him back? Best regards, James Trethowan

Dear Mr Cornwell Did you realise that in one of your short stories of Sharpe you state that he got his breeches from a French Imperial guard Colonel de'l'Eclin with his sword that he got from Captain John Murray, but in Rifles Sharpe is near death from the Colonel's carbine before a shot from Harper's rifle placed the Colonel on the KIA List. Is this an error?

Would you ever consider writing books about the following military era's: William the Conqueror Henry V Robert Bruce Brian Boru of Ireland, the ancestor of the lalte Queen Mother and the late George VI who united all Irish clans to destroy the Viking influence of Ireland in the early 1000's. Jacobite-Williamite Wars the 1798 rebellion of Ireland where the French tried to invade Ireland four times and only two succeded. Rorke's Drift and Isandhlwana 1879 (Just watch Zulu and Zulu Dawn over and over) You could even do a book about the Roman conquest of Britain or would that spoil your Arthur books which by the way were absolutely excellent. You surely have a brain in your head sir. Bismarck's Invasion of France in 1870. WW1 TRENCHES ANY WAY, ANYTHING YOU WRITE IS more than GOOD. Hope the paternal mystery of Sharpe will soon be written and published so I can be the first paddy to buy it and finally get that mystery out of my mind.Thanks Colum

Dear Mr Cornwell I recently read 'Redcoat' by Professor Richard Holmes, military historian and presenter of the excellent series "War Walks" . The opening narrative chapter of his book is written in a style similar to your own and I cannot help but feel that he is a great fan of your work, but kicks himself for not thinking of a character like Sharpe before you did. Have you ever met him and what feedback do you get from academics about your work? Do they welcome your achievements in opening their subject up to a wider audience, or do they feel that you are diverting attention away from 'serious' academic works. Do you care one way or another? Incidently. I am re-reading your Starbuck series again, after giving Sharpe a rest for a little while, and can now appreciate them as great books in their own right. Many thanks for the years of pleasure your writing has given me and the interest in different historical periods it has fostered. Best regards, Andy Bellinger

Thanks for always answering the sometimes unanswerable questions from your fans. I was wondering what are the properties of moss & spiderwebs that are used in several of your series as a treatment for wounds? Do they stop the bleeding or are they antibacterial? Thanks, Christine

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have now read your Arthur trilogy three times, and, as a huge fan of Arthurian History, must say that it is by far the most realistic and entertaining book I have read on the subject. I recently saw the very poor film, 'King Arthur', and walked out of the cinema wondering why Hollywood had not turned their eyes to your work. Have you been in contact with any Studios as regards to making either a series (such as Sharpe) or film? I must admit that it would be a dream come true. Many thanks for hours of reading pleasure. Regards Pascual

Is there any chance of you writing anymore books about King Arthur? I have read almost all of your published works and feel that the Warlord trilogy is by far your greatest work. Ryan Henson

PLEASE tell me in which book Richard Sharpe marries Jane? I know the book in which they met. The next I read, they are already married. Surely, with all the romantic liasons Sharpe has had, you would have at least devoted a chapter of his marriage in some book. I love them all, by the way, and admire your thorough knowledge of the period. I am going crazy, tho, with your filling in periods that happened beforehand while Sharpe has gone on with his career, life, battles, etc. I am not helped by copyright date as a result, nor can I find any summary in such descriptive lists as Novelist. Help! Please.Thanks, P.Oliver

Dear Bernie! (No offence) I have read your books from an early age, I think Sharpes rifles was the first book I ever read apart from Rhoald Dahl, and as a consequence have enjoyed everyone more than once. Utterly dissappointed with the recent Arthur film and that is probably to do with the high expectations I have for such an enterprise after reading your incredible Warlord Series. Sorry to ramble, I have a couple of questions, I apologise for any repetitions but am a newcomer to your website. 1) What is the correct pronunciation of Ceinwyn, it's a name which seems mythically wonderful to me. No kids yet though. 2) Lord Rossendale? Being born in this wonderful valley (where just for another twist Sharpes Regiment was filmed, not in Yorkshire) just wondering where the name came from? Cheers for the books. Who would play your Arthur if your books were ever filmed? I would love to see Guinevere played by Nicole Kidman! Ben Fortune