Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell:

 

I have often heard that your Sharpe series is "Hornblower on land." If this is true, is there any possibility that Col. Sharpe might ascend just a bit higher as Hornblower did when he became the 1st Baron Hornblower?  While a peerage title might be too grand a prize even for Richard Sharpe, is there any chance he might one day receive a knighthood or some foreign order?

 

Obviously I am a big fan of your work and thank you for enriching my life with your tales of Richard Sharpe.

 

Best regards,

Patrick W. Phillips

 

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

As I was reading about Uhtred's failed attempt to take Bebbanburg, I reflected that it might have been different if he had known about siege artillery.  If he had been able to set up a couple of trebuchets or a proper battering ram on wheels with a protective roof, he could have knocked down or burned the High Gate.  These things were known to the Romans, and the scholars of the day must have had some idea that they had existed, yet we see none till the Crusades. In your opinion, why did the Danes and Saxons never develop ballistae and catapults?

Alan Kempner

Hi Bernard,

I've recently finished reading 'Waterloo' and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although one of the most famous battles, your book nevertheless helped build up a more coherent picture - although, as you said yourself, certain facts are always contested or clouded by the fog of war; unless time travel is/becomes possible, no historian can claim to be one hundred percent confident of everything that happened. Prior to reading, my knowledge of both Ligny and Placenoit were very sketchy until your vivid descriptions of these bloody battles. Such engagements were testimony to their firm commitment in defeating Napoleon. The Prussians were certainly brave and well-trained, although it struck me that perhaps their trademark discipline could also be a serious flaw: stood proudly in full view of enemy artillery perhaps cost them the battle of Ligny. Also - going further back in time to the American War of Independence - the Hessian ideal of discipline showed in their disdain of a rebellious population (a historical note from Empire: Total War) who were ruthlessly hunted down by such troops in British pay. In the long run, it didn't do the loyalist cause and honour much good, both values were already at a low ebb as it was. What seems as a worthy virtue can easily become a shameful liability.

 

I've just started 'The Empty Throne'. I like the unique first person 'switch'! The Warrior Chronicles have all been an excellent read, the colourful characters and intriguing plots really bring Saxon England to life.

 

I also have a question: do you ever feel inundated with ideas for future novels? Writing about the Danes, for example, do your thoughts then wonder about Viking exploits - the Varangian Guard, perhaps, or seafaring voyages to the New World?

Robert Douglas

What are your favourite movies and TV shows of all time?

Eilton Ribeiro

In  your research for Waterloo and the earlier Sharpe's Waterloo did you ever come across the work of William Siborne who spent nearly a lifetime creating an accurate model of the battlefield, only to be discredited by the Duke himself because it disputed portions of the Waterloo Dispatch?  We purchased the Peter Hofschröer book, 'Wellington 's Smallest Victory – The Duke, The Model Maker and the Secret of Waterloo' at the battlefield gift shop and were taken by the efforts of Captain Siborne who only wanted to get the story right. Are you familiar with this episode?

Thanks very much for all your books.

Mike Irvin

Dear Mr Cornwell

 

At the age of 44, I fear I may be about to embark on that sport of retired (in military terms only!) soldiers – writing rambling letters to journalists.

 

I am delighted that Uhtred lives to fight another day at the end of ‘The Empty Throne” – thank you for another thoroughly enjoyable read.  Santa was particularly generous this Christmas, (my mother keeps a close eye out for your books), so I hope you will be glad to hear that my knowledge of the Waterloo campaign is now rather more coherent!.  Again, thank you.

 

Whether Uhtred, Thomas Hookton or Derfel, I must confess to being a life-long fan -romantic tales of glory and high adventure have never failed to catch my eye, and I suppose this is the reason why most young men join armies.  In about 1982, I remember my father had 2 paperback books on a side-table.  A Rifleman himself, it seemed only logical that he might have bought “Sharpe’s Eagle” and “Gold”.  I fear it’s the last he saw of them – and they still sit amongst my collection!  Although I am a 4th generation soldier, having followed my dad into The Royal Green Jackets, and its recent successor The Rifles, I am of course very biased – Richard Sharpe remains very firmly primus inter pares!

 

Sean Bean’s excellent Sharpe (albeit 5’8”ish and Yorkshire, rather than 6’3” and cockney, sadly) was of course compulsive watching when I joined the regiment in 1993, and when I left 4 years ago I am glad to report that The Rifles continued to bask in his reflected glory.  We loved Sharpe, although (as a 6’3” Rifleman myself) I must confess that Daragh O’Malley’s Patrick Harper, whilst good theatre, was a less credible soldier and not a patch on your original!

 

Like all my contemporaries, I played a small part in ‘Blair’s Wars’ – not Britain’s finest historical hours I fear, but we played the hand the Army dealt us, I suppose.  I therefore have a row of medals which may look impressive to the uninitiated, but is really closer to military ‘air miles’ – nothing to compare with those who fought in 2 world wars, or indeed the occasionally savagery of Napoleonic campaigning.  However the Army’s ‘mark of Cain’ means I have been fortunate to have had experiences not all can enjoy, and more poignantly made friendships whose depths can only be forged in adversity of some sort – albeit sadly some of our ranks did not come home.

 

As I drafted this letter I was staring out across horizontally blown snow in a Scottish glen.  With our Independence referendum recently decided, but the issue very far from resolved, it makes me wonder whether your eye will ever look ‘north of the border’.   Perhaps the history of the 1689, 1715 and 1745 uprisings has been picked bare, but I suspect not.  I was always rather proud that our Regimental museum had a set of bagpipes from the Highland Company – presumably the sons and grandsons of catholic Highlanders – from when the 95th Rifles were formed in 1800.   10 regiments each produced a company of their best, to create the new regiment and exploit the latest military technology – the rifle.    So I suppose Sharpe would have known them … if they could have understood one another, or perhaps his French son may have met their descendants in the American Civil War.

 

I also remember that you mention General Sir John Moore in “The Fort”.  A copy of the well-known picture of General Moore takes pride of place in the Officers Mess in Edinburgh Castle (I now work for the Army’s charity in Scotland, so occasionally visit the Mess).  Arguably Scotland’s greatest soldier, his statue stands in Glasgow’s central George Square.    Moore’s legacy on modern soldiering is of course the sight of camouflaged soldiers, working in pairs, using their initiative and firing rifles.  Although replaced by radios, I am glad to report that our bugles still travel on operational tours!  Strongly-held views of course continue to fuel irregular warfare, as Moore must have seen in North America.  Today’s savage religious extremism perhaps proves that some things don’t change; maybe Uhtred is right – ‘fate is inexorable’.

 

Apologies, a long and rambling 'letter' – I really just wanted to say thank your for many years enjoyment.  May your prolific ‘buckle’ continue to be ‘swashed’! I look forward to the next installment.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Charles Dunphie

Hi!  I just read your first book of the Saxon stories and was awed by how you can build a story and write it so well.   I love to read and honestly read at least 3 to 4 books a week, so I really know what I like even if I'm not an official critic!

 

The only thing that bothered me (dog lover) was the way dogs were treated and sacrificed. I don't remember dogs ever being part of these rituals but, of course, I'm not an expert and you're the writer!

 

Anyway, thank you for the enjoyment of you're writing and great talent. I intend to read this series to the end, then start on another one.

 

Respectfully, JoAnn

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

My name is Mason and I have been reading your stories for about two years ever since I picked up a copy of "The Last Kingdom" in my local library. I fell in love with your books immediately and just want to say thank you for the wonderful literature you produce for the world. I have read all of the Saxon Tales and The Grail quest and have a few of Sharpes Adventures at hand. You have to be one of the best writers I have ever encountered and have change my perspective on many things. You allowed me to see crucial events in history that a text book could not teach, and exposes the real stories (Even if some of them may be fictional), that are so commonly sugar coated and are never truly told in depth that Actually changed the world. Once more, I can't thank you enough for the fine work you have created, and hope the best for you. You have taught me more then any text book ever will on European history.

Thank You,

Mason H

 

And if I could ask just three Questions:

What was your favorite subject in school?

Do you ever get bored of writing?

Which of your books is your favorite?

(I can't wait for the show on BBC)

Hello Bernard,

I just finished reading 'The Empty Throne', and I wanted to say that with each of your books in 'The warrior/Saxon' Series are amazing. My sister and I have been reading the series was first introduced to the world. I wanted to thank you for the years of amazing reading. For me, its hard to look for any book that interests me, and to me the series brings back the lost history of King Alfred and the 800/900's.

How  did you get inspired to write about the the 900's and Alfred's line? Would there be another books in the series for the future?

Thanks again for another amazing book for the shelf. For inspiring me to read and look up more on King Alfred, its been a great pleasure. Till you next book,

Noah

 

Sir,

I recently bought your book 'Waterloo'.  It is an excellent history but I was disappointed that the 27th Regiment of Foot (Inniskillings) was not favoured by at least a mention.  They did hold the centre at Waterloo and paid dearly for it.  Perhaps you would like to comment. Your omission may be unintentional but I think they would have been worthy of listing.  I am a Northern Irishman, thus my interest.

Hugh M. Alexander