Your Questions

Q

Hello,

The first War trials were held after the US Civil War.

Henry Wirtz the Swiss born commandant of the Confederate Prison Camp : Andersonville was the only Criminal prosecuted. They were a small number of trials held in Leipzig 1921 resulting from the first World War.    War Trials gained in importance   after World War Two,  the   Nuremburg Trials were seen to try the surviving Culprits  and are held in The Hague currently.  Do you think Napoleon should have been tried as a War Criminal instead of being exiled twice?

Regards

Adrian.

Submitted March 24, 2023

A
I think exile was the right answer, and that punishment was achieved twice without any trial. The Prussians wanted to execute him in 1815, but the Duke of Wellington stamped on that proposal. There was no precedent then for 'war trials', which doesn't mean that they couldn't have happened, and the returning French government (royalist) held plenty of trials for treason which ended in death sentences - poor Marshal Ney who deserved better. I suspect it would have been difficult to have established a War Crimes Tribunal, and it's arguable that all sides were guilty - witness the British army's excesses at Badajoz and San Sebastian.  I would stick with exile for Napoleon - Saint Helena made him thoroughly miserable, which was punishment enough.

 

Q

I have read most of your series, excluding Starbuck, and I love all of your main characters! Besides the fact that you made them up, is there a feeling that any of your main characters possess more of "you" than others? Do you feel close to them, or distant for any reason? Thank you for all of your work!

Respectfully,

Michael

Submitted March 24, 2023

A

 I think it's probably inevitable that some of 'me' leaks into the characters, but it's not intentional. And yes, while writing them I feel very close - especially to Sharpe who has inhabited my life for over 40 years. The only trait I see in him that reminds me of me is his early morning grumpiness.

Q

Dear Bernard

In Sharpe's Siege Sharpe mentions he'd been fighting on the Nive but Regiment ended with the Rhune attack. I wondered if you ever planned to fill in with the Battle of Saint Pierre as it was very much a near run thing and one of the few times Hill had sworn in his life.

Also I wondered if you ever though about doing a 1 off book on Sharpe's Son Patrick and the French War in Mexico  as it seems there were quite a few battles there and well he is in North America and it does seem like fate, which is inexorable to write about that conflict

Regards

Geraint

Submitted March 24, 2023

A

I have thought about Saint Pierre, and as I seem to have drifted back into Sharpe's life it's quite possible I'll inflict that on him. Not a promise, but a definite maybe.

No books planned for Sharpe's son.

Q

Just read Death of Kings

have you visited Cricklade as your knowledge of the town seems very good.

Town Crier of Cricklade

Chris Atkins

Submitted March 24, 2023

A
I have been to Cricklade several times and like the town a lot, but I think when I wrote Death of Kings that I worked chiefly from maps - so glad to hear they weren't misleading! Thanks - and keep shouting!

 

Q

Thank you for the many hours of reading pleasure your books have given me over the years.

I've been listening to the audiobooks read by Rupert Farley and have really been enjoying them.

I've currently on Sharpe's Waterloo and have been reflecting on Jane Sharpe. I remember reading somewhere that you said Lucille was originally planned as a love interest for William Frederickson and then you changed your plans. Even if you hadn't, was the original plan for Jane still to have betrayed Sharpe at some point or did that only change once you decided Lucille and Sharpe were a better fit?

Thank you again.

Philip Lenton

Submitted March 21, 2023

A

Oh I don't know if there was an original plan!  I often do not know where my characters will lead me!

Q

I have just finished reading Harlequin, Heretic, Vagabond and 1356 - couldn’t put them down, loved them. Have also read all of the Saxon stories. Would love to know if you’re planning another book to follow 1356 surely you can’t be finished with The Bastard yet?

Are you planning a follow on to 1356 - more of Thomas of Hookton please!

Jean Burns

Submitted March 21, 2023

A

Maybe???  No promises....

Q

Dear Bernard,

I recently saw a comment by yourself regarding the books of the Warlord Chronicles (the Arthur books) :'Of all the books I have written  these are my favourite', and I was wondering what is it about these books that make them your favourite?

They're also my favourite books ever - there's something about them that totally captured my imagination when I first read them in college and many a drunken shield wall has been assembled late at night to fight imaginary Saxons over the years.

I'm excited for the television adaptation but also wary, as one would be when their favourite work is adapted for the screen and totally expecting to yell 'That didn't happen in the book!"

Many thanks

 

Owen Phillips

Submitted March 21, 2023

A

I don't really remember now....but I do remember they seemed so easy to write!  I am looking forward to the film adaptation.

Q

Firstly thank you for The Last Kingdom series which I have read and seen the TV adaption. I have read all your books except the Sharpe series.

Can you please consider writing a book about William Marshall, The Greatest Knight. For someone who gave so much of his life to Kings, and so many heroic actions, he has been sadly neglected by history. He is another Uhtred of sorts. This is a story I know you can do justice to.

Lucy Neame

Submitted March 21, 2023

A

Thank you...I have given it some thought...

Q

Dear Bernard

There is often lots of talk on Grant and Lee but what's your thoughts on Little Phil Sheridan?  An Infantry General that Grant made a Cavalry Commander then an Army Commander.

Out of interest What would Starbuck have made of him. He seems a hard man but very skilled?

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/philip-sheridan

Geraint

Submitted March 21, 2023

A

I'm afraid I don't know enough about him to say!

Q

I'm always curious about what my favorite authors enjoy reading.  Can you name a few books you've really enjoyed in any genre?  Thank you.

Dianne Eagle

Submitted March 21, 2023

A

I read a vast amount of history (non-fiction).  I like good mysteries and detective novels - Ian Rankin, John Sandford, PD James, Dennis Lehane.  I could go on and on and on...I'm a HUGE fan of Stuart McBride who writes Scottish noir tales - police procedurals - but with enormous wit and a very dark imagination...there are many others I enjoy as well!  For example, I thought Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet was wonderful.