Your Questions

Mr Cornwell firstly I would like to thank you for the Sharpe series they introduced me to historical fiction and I have taken many months of joy from them your other books and those of your fellows. To my question with the recent success of recently commissioned book to television series such as The Game of Thrones and Pillars of the Earth would you allow in the right circumstances any of your Series of books to be made for television? I'm certain The Grail Quest and The Saxon Stories to name but two would be massive hits not just with your legions of fans but with a wider audience.

IMO the recent series Camelot would have been far far better if based on your Arthur Trilogy. If another series was ever made would you consider a cameo?

Can’t wait for The Death of Kings or more Thomas of Hookton (Is it the book you started then stopped or completely fresh?)

Matthew Watson

Dear Mr Cornwell the first thing that I would like to say is THANK-YOU for being a brill author. I have read some of the Sharpe books (but watch the tv series more often). Second, I heard about the riddle that tells the identity of Sharpe's farther and I wonder if it is Henry Simmerson or even being Arthur Wellesley, it being a strange twist to the Sharpe series.

Adam Stockwell

Do you still own that beautiful Cornish crabber? If so do you do any cruising? thanks Pete , Scituate harbor

Dear Most Excellent Sir, Just a fan and lover of riddles here, I'm afraid... I think you started yourself a bit of a headache with the mysterious (and doubtless not terribly significant to you or your storytelling) personage of Sharpe's father, and I apologize for adding to it, but I was just wondering if Daniel Hagman might not be the gentleman in question? He might be old enough, and as a commoner, soldier, and former poacher, who survives your series until Waterloo, would qualify within some over-rarified atmospheres as a-happily-"worthless rogue". Further, his name contains the letters N.A.G., another word for a horse, as well as the additional letters M.E., which not only fits, but seems likely only to grow more apt. The remaining letters spell out a name. Perhaps it is that the original inquirer happened to be one Hilda. Perhaps not. I really need no confirmation, denial, or any answer--right or wrong (as I grow older, I find mysteries often possess more value and delight than truths--facts are of perhaps a different color, but yours is a work of fine historical fiction.). I only wanted to share this rather pleasant opinion with it's originator, in part due to your estimable character Daniel reminding me in various ways of my own beloved father (whom I'm fortunate enough to not only know fairly well, but to be quite close to). Apologies again for selfishly taking up any of your time, wonderful sir, and many delighted thanks for your very excellent works!

Jonathan

In Excalibur, you write that Mithras´mum was a virgin ; shepherds and wisemen came to see her newborn, and Mithras went on to be a healer and teacher. That he had 12 disciples ... and rose again ... a long time before Christians nailed their God to a tree. I like the sound of all this ..P406 .. Can you reference it ?

Davy Mitchell

Mr. Cornwell, I am a descendant of Dennis Cornhill/Cornwell who was born ca1650-1657. He lived in Westmoreland/Stafford Co. VA in the late 1600's and married Ann Dunkin/Duncan daughter of Peter Duncan. Family researchers here have not been able to identify further ancestry for Dennis. There is some indication that his father may have been a Gershon Cromwell, who immigrated to America in Virginia. Since you are a Cornwell descendant and are noted for your historical research, might you have any information or clues concerning our Dennis Cornwell? Another name of record is: John Innis Cornhill, whom we believe to be the same person. Thank you for any assistance and I look forward to reading your books!

Ann Mitchell

Hi Bernard, Me again! I am interested to know about how you plan your next book. You have now finished the next in the Saxon Series, which we eagerly await. Do you know before finishing a book, what your next one will be? Do you take time out to clear your head of the last one? I assume that you already know at least the setting for the next book, even though you're not ready to tell us yet. Oh and on average how long to you research before committing pen to paper? Thanks for the many hours of pleasure your books have given me, and may the ink continue to flow!

Richard Blackwell

Hi, I am 21 and have recently discovered Sharpe, can only say I wish I had 10 years ago! I have always been interested in history and do read the occasional history book but find it hard to find ones to match my exact interests. Then I read some reviews about you and your novels and just knew I was going to enjoy them. So I went on amazon and bought your first book (always a good, but not necessarily fair way to judge authors) and I absolutely loved it, its been a while since i was completely lost in a book and unable to put it down. Naturally I went out and bought many more, I am particularly looking forward to reading the Arthur books. I was also pleasantly surprised by the warmth and welcoming of your website. I was wondering if this website is the best place to get information on book signings? Many Thanks Tim Young

I can't say that I've read your books yet, I started watching the Sharpe TV series and came across your website. I am curious about the historical background for Sharpe's regiment. Was there a real life incident for the "selling" of soldiers by high ranking British Officials during the Napoleonic Wars? Thanks, DC

Dear Bernard I am a great fan of all your books, and have been reading them since I was in high school, and before that my mother used to read and tell me about some of your books when I was a kid. I was reading up on the Pyrenees wars, and ran into a battle I hadn't heard of before: Battle of Sabugal fought a month before the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro. Its not a big battle, but I was just curious whether you had thought about ever sending Sharpe there? Love your books. King Regards Damien Silson.