Your Questions

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.

Hi Bernard, I was watching an old interview with Christopher Hitchens and when explaining why he found Fiction difficult to write (and thus sticks to non-fiction) he stated that, after long postulation, he found the common denominator to be musical ability. As a historical fiction writer how is your musical talent ie do you play anything and/or have an intrinsic understanding of music. I find your books excellently bridge the gap between fiction and information/non-fiction. Also are you a fan of Hitchens (Dawkins, Harris et al) ? Thanks Bernard, you've never let me down!

Allyn

Dear Bernard, I'm sorry if you've answered this question before (which you probably have), but I sometimes get confused with the rankings of the British Army and the numbers of men they would have commanded. What would a lieutenant, a captain and a major have commanded, for example? Did this remain the same after the Napoleonic wars, say up to the World Wars? Sharpe is a nuisance for constantly rising rank, as it's sometimes hard to place his new standing in the scheme of things! I do hope we get another adventure from him before too long, though. Thanks and all the best, Paul Reid, Co Cork.

I am a great fan and have read all your posted books. After my wife died I took a job in China, I am now enjoying rereading many of them on line. Will Sweet William reappear in later life?

Richard Martin

Mr Cornwell. Have held off re-reading my Saxon Shores series, in the hope I can greet your latest book as a continuation of the "read." Great to see the next book is on the way. Would you be able to include a "Roderick," or a variation of the same, as one of your characters? My mother, who is Welsh,tells me it was intended to be Rodric before my father got confused on the way to the Registry. I am exceptionally fond of the series. I imagine they must be a joy to produce - as much as the labour of writing any book is. Thanks for the series. It gives lots of pleasure and the brings the "Saxon Shores" come to life. Cheers Rod Thomas

hi I am a huge fan of your work. I love all your books I particularly like Uhtred. With this in mind I would ask for your assistance. I plan to get a tattoo of the old english phrase you use in the Uhtred story meaning fate is inexorable. I will have the lettering in old english and wondered if you could suggest a symbol or design to go with it that is relevant to the chronology of the story. I would be grateful for your input. thank you. Rob. p.s Thomas of Hookton is pretty cool too.