Your Questions

"Baccy for the parson"? Isn't it brandy for the parson, and baccy for the clerk? Or is the mistake intentional? Anyway, I reckon your assorted clues over the years are pointing towards a fictional smuggler, but the only two I can come up with from the roughly applicable time period are Father Davey from Jamaica Inn or Ross Poldark from the Winston Graham books. Any more clues?

 

While deciding to start re-investigating the clues to Sharpe's parentage, I came across an old interview...
Q: Will the Starbuck Chronicles be continued and will Sharpe's son return in them?
BC: Yes they will, and yes he will, and so will Sharpe's grandson who will have quite a large part to play.
So not only are we waiting to find out the fates of Starbuck and Lassan, there was going to be another Sharpe relation?! This makes the current state of affairs even more disappointing! How much money do I have to raise to persuade you to return to Starbuck?  :-)

Phil Dean

I try so hard to get to your COMMENTS section or your QUESTIONs sections often; however, life somehow intervenes.  Have you ever considered asking your publisher to offer to readers small books of such a date TO such a date of all comments and questions you receive?  One of the Books Recommended?  Some comments and questions are so relevant that I would like to keep track of them, and I'm printing out far too much; perhaps a small book/s would be less expensive, or time consuming.  I have ordered your WATERLOO and THE EMPTY THRONE, both from England, in advance of American publication.

Elfreth

Hi Bernard,

I love the artwork from the Sharpe series, obviously there are several different versions. What happens to it, is it decorating your study or perhaps gracing the mess of the Rifles. Talking of which have they entertained you yet?

More Sharpe please.

David

Dear Mr Cornwell
It is my belief I have the best job in the world - I am a primary school headteacher.  Although it is the best job, it is not without its stresses.  I would also like to mention that my first career was as a soldier in the Coldstream Guards (seems a lifetime ago and it is a regiment you have referred to in both Sharpe and Starbuck).  So why am I writing?  The historical fiction that you write appeals to me greatly because I was an ex soldier.  With my current job, I distress by reading your work.  For both those reasons, please write another Starbuck book.  I should also add, after a recent stay in the states, I have developed a passion for all United States history.  Hope you write another Starbuck soon!
Jonathan Barber
Wiltshire

 

I think I have read virtually everything you have written and enjoyed all of them.  I am now revisiting the Starbuck chronicles and wondered if you have plans to continue with this saga.  It really is brilliant.

Kind regards

Roy Caller

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
I am a reader of most of your books and especially find the Saxon Tales to be wonderfully written. Your descriptive passages and battle scenes are so vivid and the dry humor dialogues are witty and never fail to ring a chuckle as I read them.

In the new book, The Pagan Lord you used a phrase "Wyrd bið ful aræd". This appears to have been used in different cultures with varying meanings and I would like to know the translation you intend in the book.
I do hope it does not signify the end of this wonderful series. Uhtred has become one of my favorite fictional protagonists.
Thank you for your time with this question and for the many hours of good reading.
Best Regards,
Gail Carroll

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I am a french reader of your books, from Canada and I would like to know if the last three books(5-6-7) of the Warrior Chronicles/Saxon Stories will be translate in French?

Thank you very much

Stephane

Dear Bernard

After reading Sharpes Havoc and of course the interesting Major Dulong, (who was a great foe for Sharpe incidently as they seemed rather equal in abilities), and reading that Dulong was at Albuera, I wondered and assuming if Sharpe does get to Albuera if he would encounter him again, as Albuera would be the perfect place as a location.

And in regards to Starbuck and again it's an assumption that you go back to him (though you should even it was just once and no more, simply to tie all the lose threads up) I always wondered if you had plans to get Starbuck to Chancellorsville which is considered Lee's masterpiece in terms of his generalship, I wondered if you had read Stephen Sears book on the battle and his much more different and kinder interpretation to Hookers generalship of that battle, whether you agreed with that or not  ?
Yours sincerely
Geraint
P.S I have to ask in terms of anniversary's (as well as Waterloo) it's the Burning of Washington coming up, I wondered if Sharpe would ever meet George Cockburn who was a remarkable character himself. The Americans placed a $1000 dollar bounty for his head (and 500 for each of his ears) while the British Infantry even refered to him as General Cockburn as a mark of respect. He apparently even made his officers carry tired soldiers Infantry packs. Sounds like he and Sharpe would get on like a (White) house on fire.

Dear Mr Cornwell.

I am a Brazilian fan. I think i'd read all your books published in Portuguese (18) + two in English. I enjoyed all of them and I have great expectations for incoming new books in Brazil. My favorites are Sharpe and Saxon series. But I’m curious about one thing: Do you ever thought writing about Roman Britain?  It is a very rich period in history and would let you compose very interests plots.

Rogerio Carvalho

Curitiba, Brasil

Dear Mr Cornwell
When i was reading The Last Kingdom, it struck me when Uthred said "There were plenty of English in the Danish armies". Of course, it seems normal that almost every conqueror relies on conquered locals to enlarge his armies, but i was wondering how successful would Danes be without help from conquered English territories? Are there any sources that could help us find out how many Northmen had arrived in England between the begining of 9th century and the arrival of The Great Heathen Army? I know that the exact figures are impossible to know, but any number would be helpful. Thank you so much!

Miroslav Subašić

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
This morning I was searching for more information about my Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Great Grandfather online, Pierre Villeroy, when your novel, Vagabond crossed my screen. He was known also as Peter the Frenchman and considered a vagabond and possible criminal until he settled in America in the late 1600s. I have no clues as to where in France he came from or about his life before landing in America. I was wondering how you come about your names in your novels and if you do pull them from some historical documents, could you possibly point me in the direction of where you got Pierre Villeroy from. Any information you might be able to give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,

Tammy Raab