Your Questions

Q

My great great grandfather, Henry Le Mesurier, lost an arm as a young subaltern carrying the colours of the 48th Foot at the battle of Salamanca. His older brother, Havilland Le Mesurier, was mentioned in despatches and mortally wounded commanding the 12th Portuguese Infantry at the battle of Sorauren. This summer I plan to visit Portugal and Spain and visit some of the battle fields of the Peninsular war, especially Salamanca and Sorauren, and wonder whether you can recommend a helpful guide book or other sources of useful information. Thank you for your help Charles Croll Ps. I have enjoyed the Sharpe books very much.

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

Any relation to the wonderful, lamented John LeMesurier? I hope you enjoy your battlefield tour - Salamanca is wonderful, and the indispensable guide is Wellington's Peninsular War, Battles and Battlefields by Julian Paget (Leo Cooper, London, 1990 - updated since). There's a lot of roadbuilding going on to the north of the Salamanca battlefield and I found the access difficult last year, but if you follow signs to the village of Arapiles you can't go wrong, but Sir Julian Paget's guide gives you every site, details of how to get there, what to see and a useful narrative of every action. If you have trouble finding it try www.abebooks.com

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have thoroughly enjoyed your books and am happy to see a new Sharpe book out. I keep wondering if Sharpe was at Rollica and participated in Wellingtons first Portugal campaign. This seems to be an obvious gap that should get Sharpe to Portugal and then under Sir John Moore which was alluded to in Sharpes Rifles. I've recently been to Waterloo and your description and that of Jac Weller certainly brought the battle alive. Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment reading your novels. Lee Ash

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

I think Sharpe was at both Rolica and Vimeiro, but I'm not sure I'm going to write a book on those. Maybe a couple of short stories?

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell; Are you familiar with the name Lord Hardinge of Lahore? His military exploits follow very closely the derring-do of Richard Sharpe, except his visit to India came at the other end of his career. I am lucky enough to own a Georgian silver teapot engraved 'To Colonel Sir Henry Hardinge'. He was Wellington's successor as Commander-in Chief, Horseguards, and led the British forces at the time of 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'. A most interesting character; the teapot has on it's lid the French Eagle(Talavera?) and an oak leaf signifying Hardinge's service with the Prussians at the time of the Battle of Waterloo. He lost a hand at the scrap at Ligny with the French. A very interesting fellow! I'm glad you included the battle of The Duoro in the last 'Sharpe' epic; it completed the double act that they performed throughout the Peninsular campaign! Regards, Jim Davies, Cairns, Australia.

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

I'm familiar with the name, but alas, know very little about him, but you make him sound fascinating so I shall do some reading on him. Thank you

Q

I have just recently read your Grail Quest series. As a traditional English longbow archer I was amused by your assertion that the traditional French crossbow shot its bolt further than a longbow shaft. This goes against conventional wisdom and I wonder if you had a reference for this detail. Otherwise, you have done your homework well. Roger Hollingworth

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

I'm glad you were amused! Of course it depended on the type of bow, but Payne-Gallwey believed composite crossbows capable of lethal ranges of 370 to 390 yards, while the (admittedly later) steel bow could shoot further - Malcolm Vale reckons 500 yards! Accounts of the battle of Crecy indicate that the crossbowmen opened at their maximum range and the English archers advanced to get within range - which suggests Payne-Gallwey was right. I think the real advantage of the longbow was rate of discharge, and the range was certainly adequate enough.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Any plans for a sequel to Sharpe's Devil or even a new story about Sharpe on his return to England? If indeed he does return to England directly. James Butler

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

Maybe, don't know - perhaps. Anything's possible.

Q

I am just curious about all the Druid rituals described in the Warlords Series. Did the real Druids actually dance on one leg, one arm, and with one eye closed? From some other readings I was convinced the Druids were just wisemen, they were just like other Celts. Your description of Merlin is quite barbaric. Are those accounts ficticious or are they based on real historical accounts? Alfonso

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

The only accounts we have of the druids are those written by their enemies, which meant, of course, the Romans, and they certainly mention human sacrifice, and the strange practice of hopping. I doubt they were 'just' wisemen; they were plainly the leaders of a religious cult that struck fear into their enemies, and philosophers don't do that! The account of the Roman invasion of Anglesey is pure horror-story stuff, so I think they were probably fairly gruesome and fearsome.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have just started reading your works and am very much enjoying my stay in the 14th century with Thomas Hookton and company. You will be happy to know that I just bought Heretic. I'm curious about St. Guinefort though. I can't find any information on a dog saint. Purely your imagination? Best regards, Dale Dunn

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

No! He/she existed. The story comes from Flanders, I think and, curiously, the story is exactly the same as the one about Gelert, the dog that saved a baby, in Wales (buried at Beddgelert now). The tale goes that a baby was left alone in a house, wolf comes, dog kills wolf, blood spatters everything, master comes home, sees blood, suspects dog, kills dog, finds dead wolf under cot, instant remorse, sainthood, tourist attraction. Good stuff.

Q

Just been on Amazon, saw a new book by your good self was available for pre order called "Fallen Angels", what's it about? Mark

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

The French Revolution.

Q

Dear Bernard, your books are great but one thing I noticed is that you normally set the main (fictional) character around a real historical battle. Yet nearly all the real life historical battles are victories for the side they are on. I was wondering if you will get any of your main characters to a real life battle that is a defeat. I mean Alfred suffered some beatings from the Vikings before he won. While even Wellington met, in his words, a very good soldier at Burgos (Could Sharpe also meet that same good soldier)?. BTW Do you know the name of the French commander and did Wellington ever fight him again???? While not to say the South suffered defeats like Malvern Hill/Gettysburg/Bristoe and Rhappahock station and Knoxville (Longstreet)/Harris Farm (Ewell) Earlys defeats against Sheridon and Fort Stedman (Gordorn)before they were overwhelmed at Appomatox. Surely it would be a bit incredible and unfair if Starbuck could not experience some of these defeats. Anyway thank you for your time. Geriant

Submitted March 16, 2004

A

The French commander of Burgos Castle was General Dubreton - is that who you mean? I'm sure Sharpe could meet him. I'm sorry there aren't enough defeats for you! I'm writing Alfred right now, so perhaps that will redress the balance.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I just finish reading Enemy of the God and Winter King, and can't wait to start reading Excalibur. I have read most of your series, and I can say that the Warlord series is on the top of my favorite list. The characters are wonderful! It is a pity that you will not consider to write another of this fine series. And Derfel Cadarn has replaced Richard Sharpe as my Cornwellian hero. I still like Sharpe, but Derfel has the values that distinguish him from the other heroes of yours. I have two questions: 1. All of your heroes came from unhappy family/childhood - Sharpe was a son of a whore, Derfel a son of a slave, Thomas Hookton a son of a crazy monk, and Nate Starbuck was estranged from his violent father. Do you think heroes could not come from a happy family/childhood? It can also be a good story is one of your future heroes do come from a more cheerful upbringing. 2. Have you ever considered writing historical fiction of other nation, other than anglo-saxon/british backgrounds? Atilla the Hun or the gallant Samurai can perfectly fit into your Cornwellian universe of brave warriors and vicious warlords. Thanks, Budi

Submitted March 16, 2004

A

I'm sure heroes can come from a happy family background, but we all write what we know! Which is probably the answer to your second question, and I'm most comfortable writing in the area of British/American history, and don't feel any great urge to look outside of it. I agree that may be a fault, but I've still a lot history to cover and many tales untold, so I fear the Samurai must wait! Sorry.