Hi, I bought your latest book Heretic and it was signed and I was just wondering how many of them did you sign? Tyler Bostick
I don't know - seems like a lot though!
I,too, was born in 1944. I can't believe that I have not come across your work until this past week, during which time I have finished Waterloo and Killers Wake. As one who enjoys reading military history and works on sailing, I can truly appreciate your attention to detail. Would John Rossendale of the latter book be any relation to Sir John in the former one? HB
No, I occasionally like to recycle names.
Dear Mr Cornwell I would be grateful if you could answer two queries which arose in a recent discussion that I had with a friend and fellow Sharpe fan. 1. I have read somewhere (but can't remember where) that Richard Sharpe meets Harry Flashman at some point in one of the Flashman books. Is this true and, if so, which one? 2. I have also read (in a few places) some stuff about Richard Sharpe's death at the age of 83 but was wondering what the source for these accounts is. Is there a Sharpe book that I am unaware of? Many thanks Neil Hutchings
The source for his death is a Starbuck book (can't remember which one), and no, Sharpe never meets Flashy (because of copyright problems, probably).
Dear Mr Cornwell, whilst reading through your books I couldn't help noticing that all of your books that I have read so far are all related to Britain. Can you please tell me why you write only stories concerned with history of Britain? Justin
Other than the Starbuck books? Probably because I grew up there, know it best, learned its history all my life, and am comfortable with it. Write what you know, they say, so I try.
Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have read all your books in the Strbuck, Sharpe and Grail Quest series, all of which I have deeply enjoyed, in each a question or two have crossed my mind; In the Sharpe series (and gerneal history of that era): At Waterloo, was it Marshal Neys entire fault for the battle to be lost? If he had not got the French cavalry all but destryoed, would Napoleon have won the battle in your opinion? 2) Was military discipline of the time (for the common private) completely dependant on the judgement of the regiments Colonel's decision? And how had military discipline developed from the begining of the C18th to the Napoleonic wars? In the Grail quest series: Was the long bow, more powerful, more accurate, longer ranged or none of these than the crossbow? Was its only advantage its rapid rate of fire? 2) Why did no other countries in Europe, seeing the sucess of the longbow against the French not adopt it for themselves? In the Starbuck chronicles: Why did you stop writing them? I personaly preffered them to the Sharpe novels (not to the Grail quest novels, but that is purely to do with my love of medieval history), and was rather disapointed when they stopped? Yours faithfuly, William Richards
I don't think Ney can be blamed. He did throw away Napoleon's cavalry, but the British had thrown theirs away earlier, so no great advantage there. Maybe Grouchy must bear part of the blame? For not marching to the sound of the guns. Or perhaps Napoleon, for understimating his enemies and, fatally, delaying the onset of battle. 2) No - it was dependent on his company officers and sergeants, on courts martial, and, of course, on the tone set by the colonel. How had it developed? Not a lot - flogging was restricted to fewer strokes, but otherwise not much - read Richard Holmes's excellent Redcoat for more. Longbow vs Crossbow? I'd say the latter had longer range (not by much, but perhaps 30 to 40 yards), the crossbow was more powerful, both were accurate, but the longbow was probably in the hands of a much more skillful archer and had a far faster rate of fire - and it was the rate of fire that made the difference. Other countries? They tried - tried very hard - but it probably takes ten years to train a longbowman and that's where they failed - start 'em young! For the reason why I stopped writing Starbuck, go to the Starbuck books page.
first let me say that I am reading the US civil war series and am thoroughly enjoying it. I am presently reading Battle Flag. in it you refer to the blue St Andrew's cross on the confederate flag. The St Andrew's cross is white on a blue background. What gives? Don't stop writing. Cheers Jules
The St Andrew's cross is a diagonal cross - the St Andrew's flag is the one you describe - at least, that's what I was taught.
Just curious to find out what your favourite (if you could describe it as that) period of historical warfare actually is, since your range in novels is great. Also, ever thought of a novel set in the brief Zulu war? I think a Bernard Cornwell Rorkes Drift novel would be an excellent read. Thanks for your time. James Trethowan
Probably the Napoleonic period, but I confess to a great liking for the English pre-conquest period. I hate the Victorians, so I suspect I won't be doing Rorke's Drift - sorry!
Have just read Sharpe's Escape and as usual didn't want it to end, no-one tells a battle small or large as well as you. Just how did Wellington pay for the Torres Vedras? Also do you have time for reading novels, if so who do you read?
C. Falmer
I'm not entirely sure of the answer (except that, obviously, he did). The answer is probably in The Lines of Torres Vedras, by John Grehan, Spellmount Publishing, but I hope you'll forgive me if I don't re-read the book now. My recollection is that 1) he diverted his own funds, 2) the Portuguese government contributed and 3) probably, he borrowed from Nathan Rothschild who, at times, was funding the war almost single-handed. My favourite novel is Wolf Solvent by John Cowper Powys, but I'm a huge fan of the Flashman novels, I read an immense amount of good detective fiction; John Sandford, Robert
Parker, Ian Rankin, PD James, but on the whole I stick to non-fiction.
I enjoy your books very much, specially the SHARPE series. Are you by any chance related to Patricia Cornwell? Again I enjoy your books please keep writing. Harold Simpson
We are not related (as far as I know).
Dear Mr. Cornwell: I may be treading on sensitive ground here, if so, I apologize. I suspect that your upbringing has soured you on Christians in general. By extension, you have projected this onto Sharpe; he has little use for religion because he was beaten and worked nearly to death in its name. However, I am sure that you know that there are hundreds of thousands of good decent Christians who want nothing but happiness and fulfillment for their children. Your step-parents were an anomaly, not the rule. With this in mind, I have a request: would you consider introducing a chaplain into a future Sharpe book that Sharpe and the Chosen Men will be able to look on as a real friend? He should be a genuinely good, decent man, not a pious fraud. He should be a man who does not shove his religion down their throats, but is always there to offer spiritual comfort and help when needed. And although not allowed to take place in the fighting, he should not shrink from being in the front lines with the men, and should have the courage to do something like running out onto an artillery-swept battlefield to carry in a wounded man on his back. A man that Sharpe and company cannot help but like. I hope you will consider this, and I apologize if I have given any offense. Sincerely, Alan Kempner
I will take your request under consideration - thank you.