Your Questions

In preparation for the arrival of Sharpe's Assassin, I have been re-reading the earlier novels. - and in particular 'Sharpe's Waterloo.' An enduring concern was whether Sharpe's Lt. Colonelcy, apparently conferred by Wellington as the battle drew to a close, was ever confirmed by Horse Guards. In a similar way, as Sharpe's majority was only ever brevet rank, his regimental rank was Captain - a rank unequivocally won at Badajoz. Yet on page 57 of 'Sharpe's Waterloo' you say that on Horse Guards'  determination of his majority as only brevet he was "forced to accept a lieutenant's pension." How could that be the case? It would be pleasing indeed if in the forthcoming 'Assassin' it is made clear that Sharpe's half-Colonelcy is regimental...

David Lovibond

Dear Bernard,

I wondered if you knew the story of HMS Trincomalee, now at Hartlepool, one of two surviving Leda class frigates; the other being Unicorn at Dundee.

I know that the adventures of frigates have been done before, but I'd dearly love to read a version of accounts covering a duty, and written by yourself.

Looking forward very much to Sharpe’s Assassin, best wishes to you and yours from all at the BCFC.

Chris Bailey

 

"HMS Trincomalee - Wikipedia" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Trincomalee

Hello,

I have just read Sharpe's Assassin, it is a great read! One of your best......

Having just finished it, I was wondering what your next book might be?

If you are looking for a subject, can I recommend the Battle of Wabash, aka, St. Clair's Defeat of 1791? It could form a companion piece to The Fort or a possible sequel to Redcoat.

The Battle of Wabash was the largest ever defeat of the American Indian Wars with the Americans (mostly ill-trained European immigrants) losing three times the men than was killed at the Little Big Horn, but this battle is largely forgotten or ignored.

I have the Osprey Campaign book on this but there appears to be so little of this battle covered in print and I'm sure has never been depicted on screen before.

 

Thank you for the time to read this message.

Adrian Burchell (former member of the Sharpe Appreciation Society)

 

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Hello Sir,

I've just been reading Azincourt (again) and have been flummoxed by a phrase from Sir John. Maybe this has been asked before?

I have always thought when hunting that you want to be downwind from your quarry so that your scent doesn't carry on the wind to them. But Sir John says to Hook " ... can't you do that (shit) upwind of me?". Surely if Hook 'shat' upwind of Sir John, then that would be the smelliest for Sir John?

Have I got this right? Or am I all Arse about Face? ('Scuse the pun).

Thanks - Regards

Mal

 

Having just finished reading and listening to Sharpe’s Assassin, I am left wanting more.  I have read (I think) all your books, so the question is, will there be others?  I would prefer more Sharpe or Last Kingdom but anything would be gratefully received.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Best regards

Richard

 

i really enjoyed the book Sharpe's Assassin and how it tied up some open ends. .... the setting of just after the battle was a good choice to set the book.  You end by saying you are leaving Sharpe in Normandy for now so could this mean perhaps 1 more book maybe set later on even after Sharpe's Devil ?.

Cheers

Pete

 

Mr Cornwell,

I have just finished my first reading of Assassin and as ever, you have done both RS and your readers proud. Not wishing to give spoilers, I will suffice to say you have written a great story about the relevant historical events!  You have filled in a few of the gaps added to the life jigsaw and managed to continue the story of RS well, considering it is an in between book......interesting to see you allowed Sharpe to actually gamble....this was the only surprise for me personally!!!

You wrote in a tone that you were closing the story....at 38 (ish) there must be someone left for RS to kill? And there are still a couple of loose ends which I am pretty sure Sharpe fans would love to see addressed! So, this only leaves me one question....will Sharpe and Harper ride again?

Best wishes and thanks

Dan

Hello Bernard.

I was so happy to see Sharpe again. Been waiting for a long, long time. I purchased the electronic version as soon as it was available, very early in the morning (like 3 a.m.). I'm glad I did, it was like meeting with an old friend some 10 years later. I'm aware that Sharpe will soon (or has) run out of of battles. However I'd like to hear more about Patrick, his son. I know he briefly surfaced in the U.S. but there must be more about him?

Cheers.

Jean-Pierre Nadeau

 

Hi Bernard.

I’m a big fan of the Uhtred series and have been going to Bamburgh and the surrounding areas on family holidays for 30 years. I was wondering if you have drawn a map or picture of Uthred’s Bebbanburg I would love to see how you thought it looked.

Patrick

I've a couple of questions that really relate to Sharpe's Waterloo. Only just remembered I wanted to ask them on receiving my copy of Sharpe's Assassin, just now.

Since Sharpe's rifle battalion was present at Waterloo wouldn't it have wanted Sharpe to fight with them at his regimental rank of Lieutenant?

Sharpe received the army rank of Lieutenant Colonel to be an aide-de-camp to Orange. Is that a British army rank or a Dutch-Belgian rank? I sort of have this hankering to read a story about Sharpe helping the Belgians become independent.

Richard Oakley

I think that I have probably read all of your books and in the main have enjoyed them. However having just devoured Sharpe's Assassin I feel that I must ask about Harper. Initially he was from Donegal ten he returned to become a horse trader before Sharpe's Waterloo, but in the first few pages of this book he is described as having returned from his beloved Dublin. Long was to travel in the early 1800's from Donegal to Dublin. Did you mean to write it that way?

Carl Gavin

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Greetings! I’m an archivist and aspiring writer currently researching a novel while also grinding along on some short stories. After finishing 1984, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and other heavy reads I was ready for an adventure and overjoyed to find Sharpe on Audible. I’m not far enough along to say any more but your attention to certain details in the first chapter alone have my expectations raised high.

And I am also a collector of typewriters. I’m curious as to what make and model you used for Sharpe’s Eagle? I like to collect pictures of writers and their machines for a friend of mine, Richard Polt, who has a gallery on his website The Classic Typewriter Page. I’m a young whippersnapper of 32 but I prefer typewriters because of a history of joint problems.

I’d like to meet you at a convention one day and talk history but for now I’ll sign myself your newest fan,

Taylor