Your Questions

Bernard ,

I have just finished 1356.  I could'nt put it down and I have to say it is difficult to mow the lawn and cook dinner at the same time but it can be done!  Thanks , it is a fantastic story based on real events.  I will be asking the Mother in Law to return Agincourt to re-read it.

At one point in 1356 you say that "Roland to the Dark Tower came".  Is this a nod to Stephen King which features the quests of a Knight but in an alternative reality set in the Dark Tower series?

Steve Wilkinson

I am a British academic living 13 years in Colombia, and an Afghan and Colombia vet.  One of the worlds greatest untold British military stories it that of the post Napoleonic mercenaries and regimens that fought for Simon Bolivar in the war for Colombian independence (such as the black riffles), forming the first line at the battle of Boyacá, amongst other battles.  They were key, yet their story remains vastly untold, and unwritten in Colombian school books.   Bolivar went to London and Dublin to recruit ex-Napoleonic soldiers, where he may have run into an aged Sharpe type character (like the real Daniel O Leary).  What happened to the regimens after winning independence is ridded with intrigue, and the war and backdrop of "el dorado" and the magic of the country lend itself to a fascinating final Sharpe tail.   Please forgive the rude liberty, its just a quick brain storm I wanted to throw your way.   I know the battle sights, monuments and museums well, and have fincas and
houses at your disposal should you ever wish to recon this idea.  This is one story that really needs to be told.   And in my humble view, you are the definitive master.  At your service.  best.

Daniel Norton Lea.

Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Reading the Sharpe novels and watching the films really sparked my interest into the Peninsula War period and so for my dissertation I decided to study the role of religion and the religious divide among the British forces. Catholic Irish vs Protestant English, along with the religious divide between the British and Spain. I was wondering whether you would be able to help suggest where you discovered the best sources in your research or which historians work you think would be most valuable.
Regards,

Andrew McLean

Mr. Cornwell,
First I must thank you for your works.  I first read the Archer series after I head an interview that you had done on NPR.  I knew at that point that I was hooked on your style.

I continued with the Nathaniel Starbuck series, which I happened upon while deployed to Afghanistan.  I once again am deployed to Afghanistan and have met many people who love your work along the way.  My questions for you are as follows:

Where do find your inspiration to write about the topics that you do?  As many have pointed out, there are many historical figures, battles, campaigns and such which one could base a novel on, but you seem to not only choose the right ones, but also create fictional characters that fit so well into the historical underpinnings.

Also, I have just finished the last in the Starbuck series this morning here at Kandahar, and am already feeling lost waiting to read of I'm fighting again.  Well there be another book in the series anytime soon?

No worries though, I will start 1356 today, and have to read the rest of your books which sit idle at home waiting to be enjoyed.

Again, thank you for your work; your novels allow me to break away from the daily grind here one page at a time.

Regards,
Walt

Dear Sir

Harper aside, whom would describe as the love of Sharpe's life?  For me whom forgive me, will only read the series from the Rifles onwards, it's surely between Lucille and  Teresa?

For me they are difficult to separate, I realise Sharpe was unfaithful to Teresa, but I think at the time he did that, he would've also been unfaithful to Lucille given the same circumstances.

But as his creator, you're going to know Sharpe better than I ever could.  Whom do you feel was the great love of Sharpe's life?  Jane obviously hurt Sharpe and you mention 'Astrid' in some of the books I've read.

Also on a totally random separate side issue……………has Sharpe finished with Lord Pumphrey?  Or is there still a debt to be settled as far as Sharpe is concerned?
Lee

Hello Bernard,

Before I begin, I would like to say a big thank you for your book series. I have enjoyed them all immensely.

Now, on to a couple of strange things I noticed after reading Death of Kings.

1: In earlier books of the Saxon series, Uhtred was forced to learn how to read and write in his early adulthood in order to satisfy Alfreds requirements to obtain leadership of the fleet. This has since been changed to Uhtred learning his letters when a boy under Beocca and Willibald (didn't know he was at Bebbanberg).

Which way is it? It cannot be the latter, for Willibald wasn't at Bebbanburg, and Uhtred has a lot of space in his efforts to escape both priests and learning during his early years...Just a forgetful moment?

2: During the final battles in Death of Kings, Rollo suddenly pops up by Uhtreds side and fights with him. At least I assumed it was Rollo from the earlier books, as the way you have wrote this part suggests the reader should know who it is you are describing. however, Rollo was Ragnar the youngers man and Ragnar, presumably, is still at Dunholm, so I cannot see how it could possibly be the previous Rollo.

Which Rollo is this? And if he is a new Rollo, why isn't he given any description in this new book?

I might sneak one more question in here...

Is Ragnar going to make another appearance? And how come Uhtred could not have sent a man to go and see Ragnar? It seems a bit odd that these two men, who describe each other as 'brothers' and who both have some resources at their disposal, cannot seem to communicate to each other, even via trader...

In any case, thanks for your efforts and wonderful books.

Greg

Hi Bernard and to all fellow Sharpe fans,

I was wondering about the transition from bicorne hats (worn by most infantry throughout revolutionary wars of late eighteenth century) to shako helmets (more familiar with Napoleonic era of early 1800's onwards - except for most officers, Scots regiments, Imperial Guard, and British Horse-guard Dragoons). Who designed the shako, and why was it adopted into most uniform patterns?

By the way: I've earned the medal for 'Marquis of Torres Vedras' achievement for completing N:TW Peninsular Campaign on medium difficulty. It was tough going - but claimed victory two years before the deadline (which is December 1815). I had the option to carry on; now simply a case of mopping up the shattered, defeated remnants of French armies in eastern Spain. After which, I'm going to continue my Egyptian Campaign playing as the French - don't know whether I'm coming or going!

Robert Douglas

Dear Mr Cornwell

firstly can I say that I am a fan of your work. I love your style of writing which is entertaining and informative.  I always enjoy the historical notes at the back. The two characters I love most are Patrick Harper (I'm an ulsterman too) and Jebidiah Hakeswell the most rottenest bastard ever committed to the fictional word. I would just like to ask why in Sharpe's Sword did you make him have an affair when in Company he risked everything to secure his captaincy to provide for his family?  It did take me a good while to forgive Richard Sharpe for that. None the less, please continue writing your great stories and I look forward to another Sharpe story

yours
Mark

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

With the publication of The Pagan Lord, my guess is that Uhtred's saga is nearing its finish.  It's only a little over 20 years to the battle of Brunanburh and the end of the story.  With this in mind, do you still have the intention or at least the inclination to take Uhtred to Ireland to help Finan regain what is rightfully his?  I noticed there are two interesting battles you can involve them in; Confey – 917 AD, and Dublin – 919 AD.  It would bring some closure to Finan's character.

Alan Kempner

Is Sharpe finished and how many books will be in the Saxon Series? Oh and thank you for these wonderful creations.

Ivor O'Connor