Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

First let me start by saying how much I enjoyed reading your book, The Fort. Your blending of fact with fiction is so much more interesting to read, and you do it well. I must say, I was lost a few times regarding the nautical references. When  you would refer to all of the various parts of a ship with all of its many sails and such, combined with the sailor's jargon and military references, I felt like I got a crash course on basic seamanship! Haha!  I have a question for you if you don't mind my asking? What happens to James and Bethany Fletcher? I absolutely loved the historical notes at the end, in which you tell what happened to the most famous soldiers/seamen  (Saltonstall, Lovell, Wadsworth, Revere, etc.) but you didn't mention what happened to the Fletchers.  Historically, how did that work out for the rebels who lived in a place like Majabigwaduce, when the British would "win"?  I guess my romantic side was hoping for a bit of a love story mixed in there
somewhere too, possibly between Bethany and Lt. Moore, but I just feel like there wasn't a resolution for the characters who weren't soldiers in the book...is there a sequel that I need to read? Well, I apologize, I'm rambling on, and I see that there is more than one question I've asked of you. I thank you very much for your time and consideration and look forward to hearing your answer.

Sincerely,

Angela Sgro,

Tyrone, Pennsylvania, USA

Dear Mr. Cornwell

I realized that in one of you replies you mentioned you were back at Waterloo. I don't know whether you meant it literally or not, but if you are actually in Belgium, are you doing any appearance at a book shop or lectures?

Thank you for your time
Joao

Sir,

Having just finished the reading of your novel about the famous battle of POITIERS (which is of course, and as you know, one among several battles in this area), I want to write, unfortunately, the great displeasure I had to get through of it.

If I shall not criticize the writing and its achievement, which are undoubtedly extremely well minded, I didn't like the general sense of it and, even if I am alone to write it, I am convinced I must do it.

Why? My expectations were great (I missed to buy the book in PARIS and, finally, after weeks waiting, found it in BORDEAUX) and I read in it a whole charge (if I may say so...) against the french people and its history, in a pathetical moment.

Be sure I take no pride at all of my citizenship, and I am not the last to criticize them, but why all the French (except of course a traitor...) are all integrist, cruel, keen on wine and women?
On the other hand, the British who are alone, as everyone know, to possess the sense of humour, are always brave, pitiful, gallant, even heroic and, as a result, they are always and always winners...
You have, of course absolutely the right to have your own sense of history, but you do not insist very much about the betrayal of the french king, who battled fearless, and, generally, your descriptions are one-sized.

Shall I add, in order o regret it, that your battle scenes are quite sadistic?

For me, alone in your book, will stay your exact and clever evocation of Charles, the
dauphin, who revealed to be one our greatest king (even, at my opinion, one of the worst on an ethical point of view).

With my best regards,

Frédéric Charles

Hi,

first thanks for taking the time to read this.  Second, as a first time novelist, I am concerned about the possibility of someone (agent, publisher, etc.)  copyrighting my book and then taking "control" of it.  I know most agents, publishers, etc. are not those type of people, but like every profession out there, there are shady individuals that work in that field as well.  And we have all heard some of the horror stories of bands who have lost the rights to their own songs over the years.  Different media, I know, but still makes you cautious. What is your opinion on getting your book copyrighted by the Library of Congress in your name before searching for an agent?  You are the first person I have asked, so I have nothing to compare it to, minus my own concerns, which I mentioned above.  Thanks again for taking the time to read this.  Huge fan, by the way.  Especially the Saxon series.  Too bad that one will have to end eventually.

Erik Kamlay

Just been watching BBc " King Alfred and the Anglo saxons" very interesting in  that I`m a passionate fan of your novels - can I assume that Aethelflaed plays a great part in your soon to be released and much anticipated next??
My favourite stuff ( well along with Patrick O`Brian anyway - but sadly no more from him- so you`d better stay well for the foreseeable future !!! )
Best regards
Phil Gregson
Manchester UK

Dear Bernard,

Regarding Sharpe’s father: Did this person ever fly a kite (or have been rumored to have)?
Happy person: Yes;
Rogue: Most definitely;
In England at the time of Sharpe’s conception: To my surprise, Yes;
Not and Englishman: Yes, born in Boston, Mass, USA;
Not in the military: Yes;
Never rode a horse: Yes.
The horse in the name thing: Sorry, I have no clue what that is about.

Thank you again for your marvelous writings,
Steve Rose

Hi Bernard,

I was wondering how an author, such as yourself, chooses to whom they ascribe their work. In the front of (almost) all novels, an author will write someone's name. How do you decide whom that will be? Would you pick anyone simply because they showed an interest in having their name there or is it only reserved for the names of people who helped you in some way or to whom you are close. I suppose it depends on the nature of the novel as well?

Kindest Regards,

Cam

Hello again Mr Cornwell,

Thought I'd mention a great new series on the BBC, 'Alfred and the Anglo Saxons'. Michael Wood taking us through Alfred to Aethelstan in 3 parts. Available on the BBC iplayer for those that missed it or cannot get BBC3.

I am eagerly awaiting The Pagan Lord, advanced order already submitted. Are you planning a visit to these shores for book signing?

Regards

Nigel

Hello Bernard

I hope you're well and enjoying the Summer.
I'm definitely looking forward to the Pagan Lord. I love these Saxon Stories, and it also makes my Sister's job at Christmas easier! "Can you get me the new Bernard Cornwell, please? Its called...!"
I've recently finished rereading Sharpe's Honour, one of the best ones, and I don't think Sharpie is ever in more trouble than he is in that one! The personal stakes are never higher, are they? There is a certain lack of Harper-Action in it though, and I was wondering why you decided to give Harps a minimal role in that one and replace him with Angel? I'm not grumbling about that by the way. Angel's a great character!
I was also wondering if you ever considered killing Harper off? Or was the plan all along that Sharpe and Harper would march from Talavera to Waterloo together?
I'm not going to tell you too much about this, because of your warning above, but I am currently working on a Historical Novel myself. Its set in the 18th Century and features two Highwaymen. Your books have been a great inspiration to me, because of the Historical setting that you create so brilliantly, the juicy characters and the thrilling, bloody, violence!  These two fellows do have a certain "Sharpe and Harper dynamic" to their relationship, with one being more savage, more venomous and more frightening, while his mate is immensely strong, but also a more genial character. If and when I get it published, I'd love you to read it and I'm sure you'll appreciate what I'm trying to do with them!
Now, onto my mysterious Subject title.....
I've recently encountered a possible real-life Patrick Harper! I've become very interested in the Saga of Captain Scott of the Antarctic and have been reading about an Irish sailor called Tom Crean, who was with Scott and later Ernest Shackleton. I've become aware of  the similarities between him and Harper. I was wondering if you were aware of Crean and have spotted these yourself?
First, there's the Irish thing, (although Crean was a Kerryman, rather than from Donegal) then they were/are both huge, powerful men, with great resilience and mental strength, but also cheerful, warm, dispositions. The Gentle Giant is the kind of man I most admire! Neither Tom nor Pat are well-educated, but they're certainly not stupid! Crean and Harper both achieved "Feats" too, (Crean once marched for 35 miles alone across the ice to save his Officer's life. Took him 18 hours!) Like Sharpe with Harper, Scott and Shackleton knew that Crean was a fellow they could rely on in any tight spot! Indeed, it may have been Scott's decision to take Edgar Evans with him to the South Pole, instead of Crean, that ultimately doomed the Polar Party.
I don't know how much of this is already known to you, but I wanted to share it with you. For me Tom Crean is either the Grandfather or the Grandson (whichever way you look at it!) of Pat Harper! If you see a picture of him, I'm sure you'll agree!
I'd be interested in your thought about this.
Well, looking forward to my Pagan Lord Christmas!
Regards
Matt Copley
Oxford

Good night Mr Cornwell
First I'd like to say that I first heard about you here in Brazil when looking for some Arthur's book (I'm an Arthur addicted), and then I saw your books and it was love at first sight! You do such a wonderful job, I couldn't stop reading, neither your books nor about you. And, well, I'd like to know if you plan to visit Brazil someday and if you plan to write something about it. Again, congratulations for your books, thanks for your attention and sorry for my awful English.
Vivian P