Your Questions

Greetings, Mr. Cornwell

 

My name is Daniel, and I've been a huge fan of your work for so many years I can't tell for sure. Recently, my wife and I rescued a cat and named him Derfel. I suggested the name and my wife - to whom I introduced the books more than 10 years ago - loved the idea.

We love the books (and our cat) so much that we'd like to tattoo Derfel's shield, with the 5-point star. However, when I do my research about the design, the authors don't seem to agree on how it was supposed to be - rectangular, oval, round or other shapes. Since these things tend to be forever and I don't recall a specific description in the books, I judged better to come to you and ask: what was the exact design of Derfel's shield? Do you have any references that might help us?

 

Sincerely,

Daniel

Dear Bernard

I wondered if you'd ever heard of Birge Western Sharpshooters. They seem like a fascinating unit. Very 95th esq BTW you mentioned about getting Sharpe Grandson to the US Civil War. What would've been his name out if interest  ?

Regards

Geraint

https://www.westerntheatercivilwar.com/post/the-men-out-front-birge-s-western-sharpshooters-a-k-a-the-66th-illinois

I’m a Beckwith from Nova Scotia, am anxious to learn more about some ancestors from the 1700’s and 1800’s, all of whom were British army officers, and am hopeful you can help. The local Beckwiths originated in Yorkshire, went to Connecticut in the 1630’s, and to Nova Scotia in the 1760’s.

 

The ancestors in whom I’m interested are five brothers and their father:

 

John                                   1712-1787

John                                   1751-1820

George                                          1752-1823

Ferdinand Amelia Fairfax 1764-1805…….born in Prussia ???

William Henry                              1766-1838…….born in Prussia ???

Thomas Sidney                             1772-1831

 

I have a fair bit of information about each but have specific queries about their work and working conditions. Are you familiar with these men ? Can you suggest how I might get more information? I have had no luck with National Archives in Kew.

 

Ross Beckwith

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Dear Bernard. In 1826 Wellington was sent to Russia on a mission (essentially to prevent another War) and it was after the Decemberist Uprising. I wondered of you were tempted to send Sharpe along with him. Sharpe in Russia would be fascinating.

Regards

Geraint

P.s I saw this article on  the subject you might like https://adventuresinhistoryland.com/2014/03/17/the-duke-and-the-tsar-part-1/

You make a very interesting point in Sharpe's Tiger, one that most politicians completely ignore, or overlook; 'without trade, Private Sharpe, we'd be...we always DESPISE merchants...'

I think this one paragraph should be required reading for all new politicians, unless, which most do not, they have previously had to make a payroll, or a profit.

Have read the Last Kingdom series, now working through Sharpe's.

All the best,

 

Josef

I loved your recent book!  Wonderful.

Two questions:

First, Will a future book have the French Colonel Lanier connect with Sharpe in Normandy?  I noted Sharpe's invite to him.

Secondly, I assume Sharpe kept the nine guineas?

Mark May

Good morning/afternoon/evening whichever best fits,

 

I wanted to reach out to you for two reasons. At first, I was unsure of doing this but after a bit of hemming and hawing I decided to actually commit and email you. a letter would be preferred with the personal touch but it is what it is. Firstly I wanted to say thank you. I had been in a drought for a while regarding books which was depressing. I feel like there are alot of books out there I would like to read but never had time to do it. I found a book on tape app and the first book I decided to listen to was the Archer's Tale or Harlequin. I was pulled in.

 

it was amazing to be sucked back into a book again, I couldn't stop listening! I had to read the next one! and the next one! blazed through all the books in the series (including 1356) and absolutely loved it!  Then I moved on to the Winter King! had to return that one and then wait three months to finish it! the rest in the series are also on a massive waitlist which can't end soon enough. Your book on Waterloo was also fascinating! there was so much detail I've decided after digesting it all I'm going to have to listen to it again! I've hopefully sold my history buff friends into reading/listening to your books. So again I want to say thank you for reigniting that love of reading I thought lost for awhile. Now that the thanks is over I did want to ask just a few questions.

 

1. In the Grail Quest series they make frequent mention of the Devil's Harp being the term for the English longbow. I've tried to find some historical mention of this since it makes alot of sense in my mind for it to be something they were historically called. If not then I must say I am impressed you came up with that as it is a brilliant term!

 

2. Did you have any regrets over Robbie's death?

 

3. Would there be any authors you may recommend? Or alternatively what authors have inspired you?

 

I apologize if this is long and winded. Thank you for your time and thanks for the wonderful worlds you've created!

 

Joshua Robinson

My fiancee and I are in love with The Warlord Chronicles. I study Welsh (and have gotten her to learn some, too), and I am very much into the Welsh stories of Arthur and what Britain used to be like, before the Anglo-Saxons. I'm fascinated by your choices for Druidic magic, shamanism, and superstition. Can you recommend any source material that you enjoy? I'm also very curious as to the exact type of goose feather that Arthur likes to stick in his helmet. I have a Celtic helmet and would love to put a goose feather in it! Are we talking white goose feathers, like his cape? Or maybe something more like a Greylag goose feather? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Dylan L

Dear Bernard

I saw this book comparing the Battle of Five Forks and comparing it to Waterloo, calling it the Confederacy's. I wondered if you agreed with that statement ?

Also in your Starbuck books , the possibility of Sharpe's Grandson making an appearence was raised. I was curious what was his Name ?

Birge Western Sharpshooters under Grant and Sherman would've been the perfect unit for Sharpes Grandson to join and there Combat record was incredible And all though I guess it won't happen now but did you ever plan to have Starbuck fight the Iron Brigade ? It was a shame you missed out on him fighting those Black Hat fellas in Battleflag at Brawners Farm . I always wondered if you were gonna have him go up against them at Gettysburg  ?

Regards

Geraint

Hello,

This is a question I've had since I recently finished the Saxon Stories. In the last few books, Uhtred spends more and more time pondering his childhood. More specifically, he talks about advice his father gave him about war and strategy. It may have been me not reading close enough, but I cant tell which father he is talking about. Is it Uhtred or Ragnar? Both? I don't ever remember Uhtred talking about his birth father like he was an amazing leader, it always felt more like he was good but not great. Whereas Ragnar was portrayed as more of a warlord of legend. If you could clear this up I'd greatly appreciate it.

Ameen