Your Questions

Hello,

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying the Sharpe series. Unusual for me as I seldom read fiction but after reading Redcoat and Sahib by Richard Holmes I thought I would give Sharpe a go and I have not been disappointed. I like the mix of fiction and fact, its a great and enjoyable way of learning.

Have pre ordered Waterloo and looking forward to reading that as well.

Lastly in Sharpes Revenge Sharpe's wife wants him to settle in Dorset. Did you have anywhere in particular in mind as I hail from Bridport...famous for its hemp rope...used by hangmen and called 'the Bridport bullet'.

Thanks for great books,

Rowland.

Hi sir.

My name is Gustavo Flores and I'm from Brusque a little town in the south of Brazil. I would like to congratulate you for all your work. I read many of your books and the level of research and knowlodge you show is fantastic. Congratulations it is really an honor to speak with you. I've been searching the world war I for quite some time and I wonder if you think about writing about this time? (I specially like the Old Contemptibles) any chance about this?

 

Cheers from Brazil!

Gustavo.

Historically how do the Battles of Blenheim and Waterloo compare in importance, and why is it do you think that Blenheim is almost forgotten in Britain today?

Ciaran

Reading your book 'Waterloo', latest in a long line of your books. Did you know that Marshal Ney is buried in the town of Cleveland in North Carolina? The story is that Wellington felt it was shameful for someone so brave to be shot by a firing squad in Paris, so he araigned for the guns to be loaded with blanks. ie no ball. Ney, whose nickname was 'Red Peter' because of his red hair, moved to North Carolina and changed his name to Peter Stuart Ney, where he lived and worked as a school teacher. I have met both elderly people whose parents had him as a teacher, and i have met someone named Ney who was his descendant and the family believes he died in the US. Peter Ney was recognized on occasion, and on his death bed confessed his identity. People around here have known this for generations. But the French, are not believers.

David Mills

Dear Bernard

I noticed that the paperback edition of The Empty Throne is now available in the UK, I tend to buy your books in this version rather than hardback. I noticed the paperback has a very different cover to the hardback version and to be honest I don't like this version. I will still buy the paperback

What is you opinion of the new cover and do you have any say if the publisher changes the cover

regards

Steven

While doing some research I discovered that in 1846 an officer named Lieutenant William Henry Sharpe of the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment, commanded the garrison at Fort Wellington, Prescott Ontario. A real relative of our fictional Sharpe? FYI, Fort Wellington was one of a number of defensive works built during the War of 1812 in Ontario. Most still in existence and operated by Parks Canada. All well worth a visit if your up this way!

John Blake

Mr. Cornwell,

I greatly enjoy Uhtred's story and hope that you are able to continue it for many books through to its logical conclusion at the Battle of Brunaburh, by which time Uhtred will be 80 years of age.

However, it is now nearly a decade since you completed your last Sharpe book and Richard Sharpe will probably be the character to whom you will be most closely linked.

So when can we hope to read more of Richard Sharpe?

Dan McGarry

 

Dear Sir,

I am happy to have been a reader of all of your novels depicting the Sharpe's saga.  When I could not find them in the Italian version, I bought the original books in English. I was fascinated by your skill in mixing the historical truth (actually, impeccable) with the fantasy of Sharpe's adventures. My last purchase was, of course, Waterloo; but: may we expect something more on the Sharpe's saga, or that's the end?

Please accept my warmest regards and compliments.

Emilio Macchi Alfieri

Hello sir.

I would like to start off by saying that I have been an avid follower of your work since Sharpe's Rifles first aired on U.S. PBS here in Canada. I have  read all the Sharpe's  books, Grail quest, Arthur and of course your Saxon stories. I must say I love them all, but especially love the Uhtred and am anticipating the release of the Last Kingdom here in Canada. I have two questions; What happened to Steapa, I do not remember him being mentioned in The Pagan Lord or The Empty Throne; And will Brida play a part when Uhtred comes north with Aethelstan? Thank you for your indulgence.

Steven Woodings

 

Hello Bernard,

I'll start off by getting all the gushing and fan worship out of the way by saying that I have enjoyed your work for many, many years and that all my trips to the local giant book retailer are made up of a beeline from the front door to the Cornwell section. Historical fiction is a dying art here in North America where self-proclaimed guru self-help books and biographies of important people like Kim Kardashian outsell all else. Your book provide light to me in an otherwise very dismal and bleak book market.. It hurts even more to see classics in the discount bin.

My wife and I have always enjoyed the Susannah Kells books (we've reread them many times since we have not been able to find anything remotely similar in style and intensity) and was wondering how the partnership worked (or didn't) between your wife and yourself? I remember when the story came out that Susannah Kells was in fact none other then Bernard Cornwell but now that it reads as more of a partnership I was wondering what part your wife played in it all? Also there is a request from my wife that Fallen Angels be turned into a movie. Any hope? BBC series? History Channel production maybe?

Cheers to you and thank you for all the great nights and days spent with a book in my hands.

 

Michael

Mr. Cornwell,

I have to start by saying how much I love your style of writing. I have binged through all of your medieval story lines and have been fascinated and moved by how you portray these amazing historical figures through the eyes of complex and interesting characters. The Saxon series has been absolutely amazing so far and I'm very excited to see how well BBC can pull off Uhtred's story. With all that being said, I was wondering if you would ever consider telling the story of William Wallace in the same exciting way as you told King Alfred and Warlord Arthur's stories. My father and I (who both wear Thor's hammer amulet now after reading Uhtred's chronicles.. haha) have talked about how cool it would be to see a more accurate portrayal of Wallace's brutal fight for freedom. After reading historical and biographical information on Wallace, it was very disappointing to see how wrong the movie Braveheart was about him. He was a warlord! We are very proud of our Scottish heritage and we have actually traced our lineage back to a man listed as Squire Guthrie who is reported to have convinced Wallace to return from France. I really appreciate that you take the time to listen and respond to your fans. I can't wait for what you have next for us!

 

Thanks,

Taylor Guthrie