Your Questions

Q

Hi, I have just finished reading Sharpe's Escape, excellent, but a slimmer book than usual? Or maybe I read them too fast. Just a couple thoughts. Lieutenant Bullen of 9 Company. I thought the usual battalion had the Light Company, Grenadier Company(when will they start throwing those damned grenades) and the others numbered 1-8? Wouldn't it have been better introducing Lieutenant Harry Price, or better yet, putting Knowles back in the company? And Major Leroy, in fine form. However, in Sharpe's Company, didn't he tell Sharpe the new Colonel had brought a new major in, at the same time as a new Light Company Captain? Looking forward to more Sharpe action and The Last Kingdom. Adrian.

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

Slimmer? Actually it's longer than any since Waterloo - but perhaps it just read fast? And we're still two years away from Company, so I don't think it impinges on the new major. Thanks.

Q

Mr Cornwell, I started reading your Sharpe books a long time ago, and have enjoyed all your other literary works, my favourite being the Warlord Trilogy. I have a question concerning these books. Are the numbers you describe in terms of armies/warbands fairly accurate to the time? I know that the Dark Ages weren't recorded well, but did you take these rough numbers from sources or were they based upon your own judgement? On a sidenote, after listening to your choices on R4's Desert Island Discs I wondered which other songs from the Music Of Sharpe are your favourite, I love them all to pieces even though they clash with many of my other musical tastes! Many thanks, and keep up the excellent work, you are one of few historical authors able to engage heart and mind, and take one back to schoolboy historical fantasies once again! Benjie Groom

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

They were mostly my estimates - parttly based on old accounts (which always exaggerate) and on advice from the book War in Pre-History? I might have got that title wrong, and I can't immediately find it on the shelves - but I'm convinced that armies or warbands were very small by our standards. Hard to pick a favourite from the Music of Sharpe - I enjoy them all!

Q

you replied to a question by writing: 'Obadiah as sassy? A nice idea, but wrong. I know who Sharpe's father was and, tragically, it wasn't Obadiah. Calvet? I think he could well reappear.' I want to take out the part I know who Sharpe's father was, well who was it? someone we readers know? Chris

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

No one you readers know, but you will one day.

Q

Grail Quest - Why the use of the word GUN ??!!
Robert J. Mattine

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

Why not? The grail quest is set in the 1340's and the first recorded use of the word is 1339.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am very glad to find a website in which I can contact you to finally find out a few things that have eluded me from the Sharpe books. My main point of question (you're going to think I'm being really picky!) is in Sharpe's Regiment when Sharpe and Harper view the very dressed up captured French Eagles in Hyde Park. "We've captured more than eight, sir" says Harper...so then I got to counting. The first is Sharpe's fictional Talavera Eagle, the second from Barrosa, the third from Massena's retreat at Foz d'Arouce, two at Salamanca and two in the Retiro forts. That makes seven, so I'm wondering where the other one came from, as I'm not aware of it, but would love to know! Also, you mention about a few more that it was rumored were captured. I seem to remember hearing something about the 3rd eagle from Salamanca (don't know if you can help me there?) and there was something about one being sold to an officer? I'd love to know a bit more on these, and maybe where you got the information on this from? Many thanks, not only for any help, but also for the endless years of enjoyment I've had of reading your books. I blame you and Richard Sharpe together for my 'war library' which has taken over my entire house and caused many an argument, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Best regards, Ricky Phillips

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

There was a rumour among the army that three were taken at Salamanca and that the third was chopped up by the soldiers who believed, wrongly, that it was made of gold. A similar story came from an action on the Coa, but I can't remember the details. I think 7 is accurate (6 without Sharpe's) and I probably invented one.

Q

I just read your response to the question of whether we Americans respond differently to the Sharpe series than Brits and it made me wonder if the series has ever been published in France or at all in the French language? Daniel Thomas

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

No Sharpe books have been published in France; although some of my other books have, including the Grail Quest series, the Warlord Chronicles and Stonehenge.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, The reason I'm contacting you, is because 1 I admire your writing, and 2 I'm a writer myself, the first book I've written "The Devil's little Girl" which is getting published, and will be out by around August or September is the first book in a two part series, I've since started the second book. However I'm having so much trouble writing this one. Mostly because of the Sophomore blues, if you understand what I'm talking about. The trouble I'm having, is due mostly to writer's block. Could you possibly give me some advice as to how to get around this. I understand how busy you are but if you can give me some advice, I would be eternally grateful to you. Best, Bob

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

You may want to take a look at the writing advice I have posted on this website. To find it, go to the FAQ page and scroll down to the 9th listing, where you will see a link to 'writing advice'.

Q

Dear Bernard your new novel the Last Kingdom it say's its coming out in October will you be touring the UK for its relase and could you ever get down Colchester way??? Also what books would you reccomend on the Vikings and Alfred to read for those interested in the subject???????? P.S I can reccomend in return No beter Place to Die by Peter Cozzens as shameless way to try and persuade you to get Starbuck to Stones River.

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

I'd love to get down to Colchester, but I doubt it will happen in October. Maybe for another book? Books? There really isn't one accessible book I could whole-heartedly recommend - but The Anglo Saxons, edited by James Campbell, published by Penguin, has a very good chapter on it - and Alfred, Warrior King, by John Peddie isn't bad. And thank you for the Peter Cozzens suggestion!

Q

How many Sharp's books have been turned into films and are available on video and where can they be bought?

Regards B Nolan

Submitted April 28, 2004

A

There are 14 Sharpe films (two are not based on books) available on either video or DVD. They can be purchased through Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com (go to the Suggestions for Further Reading page of the Sharpe books on this website and scroll down to the 10th listing for direct links to either Amazon site). The Videos and DVDs are also available through the Sharpe Appreciation Society (click on the link to their website from the Sharpe books page).

Q

I own a fair few osprey books, thanks to my happy Waterstones discount card. I was wondering how useful and reliable you found them for your Sharpe novels? What are your other interests, apart from research and writing? Finally, do you have any interest in Japanese history? Oh and great joke about the French and toast. Hehe. Stephen Bosco

Submitted April 27, 2004

A

I find Osprey books terrifically useful - and would recommend their new The Napoleonic Wars with a foreword by Bernard Cornwell - which tells you how useful I find them! Japanese Hisrtory? I fear no interest whatsoever.