Your Questions

I’ve ready and greatly enjoyed all your Sharpe novels and films. I have one question, as far as I can see Sharpe's uniform has no insignia to show his rank but is always recognised as captain, colonel etc. How is this done?

Andy Phillips

Dear Mr Cornwell I’m a fan of the Sharpe series for many years and I have all the books, audiobooks and so on. As I’m from Germany I would like to apologize for all grammar mistakes I will make in advance. After reading Sharpe’s Sword again I found a fly in the ointment. Sharpe took a bullet from Leurox and the surgeons didn’t cut it out. How could he live on with a bullet in his side especially the bullets were made of lead after my knowledge at that time and so he should have died on lead poisoning. Although I know this story is fiction and I’m a grown-up I really would like to understand it! I hope you can help me further with my problem. Thank you very much. Yours sincerely

I'm writing a sort of philosophical work which deals with, among other things, Christian civil disorder in the years up to AD500 - the sort of thing you depicted in The Winter King. Can you direct me to any sources of evidence for these disorders, or for the nature of early Christianity around these times? I'm sorry to say I no longer seem to have a copy of your novel; I don't like getting rid of any books, but I must have been overtaken by clutter. I am a lifelong fan of your work; any new book by you is an automatic buy, given available funds, of course! I'm glad to see you use the Sutton Hoo helmet on your site. I think it's very appropriate, and I've always been fascinated by it. With best wishes, Paul Nash.

Mr. Cornwell, I'm from Brazil and a true fan of your work. I've read The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest, some Sharpe books and currently I'm reading The Saxon Stories third volume, The Lords Of The North. I was raised to believe that only classic literature holds true value but your books completely changed my views. Nowhere else I've found this sense of epic and atmosphere combined with harshness and realism. The true brilliance of your stories, however, lies in your ability to create larger than life (yet mundane), believable, three dimensional characters. Many times I found myself marvelled at how I how I related to them. It's wonderful to see so many important historical figures showing feelings and doubts just like the rest of us, apart from the cold, apathetic portraits that we see at History books. That said, there are somethings that I've been wondering about.. Were the similarities between Uhtred and Derfel intended? Was Uhtred's arrogance increased to set the characters apart? And which was the hardest book for you to write? Thank you for your time. Ives Leocelso Silva Costa

I am a big fan of Uhtred , when will we know what Alfred's reward to Uhtred will be ? (after his return of his daughter-Sword Song)

Robert Lowry

Dear Bernard, Recently whilst reading the last instalment of Simon Scarrows "Wellington and Napoleon" trilogy The fields of death,I found myself laughing out loud and uttering the word "Brilliant" !!! Wellington had just ridden ahead of the main Army in the Ebro valley in northern Spain to join General Alten of the Light division to view the 95th Rifles ambush a French division. After a successful conclusion to the battle a Major of the 95th approaches Wellington and Alten with a captured Leather satchel containing French orders.Quoting the book,"Unusually for an officer,the Major carried a rifle like his men" General Alten then asks,"What is it Richard ?" !! Were you aware of Richard Sharpe's cameo appearance in Mr Scarrow's book ? I think this is a wonderful tribute to you and of course to Dick Sharpe.. Thank you for taking the time to read my question and hope you are well. Anthony Morgan Lambert

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am in the midst of reading all the Sharpe books in historical date order. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed them and how it has opened my interest to the Napoleonic War era and Wellington and Napoleon specifically. I have a sort of indirect question to ask you. I have finished reading Simon Scarrow's Revolution series. In the final book "Fields of Death" (page 423) there is a reference to a rifleman named Richard that bears a striking resemblance to Sharpe. I was wondering if you knew whether or not Mr. Scarrow was making a small tribute to your Sharpe character. Can't wait to finish the Sharpe series and wish there were more to come. Thank you Linda

That cheeky young scamp Simon Scarrow has included Sharpe in one of his books. Check out page 359 of 'The Fields of Death'. I'm sure it's him , gave me a right laugh :)

Lee Thomas

I'm in the midst of Stonehenge. I love it as I did The Burning Land and Agincourt. My question is (or comment) is there a map of the various journeys that take place in the story? Many thanks. Bob

I am currently absorbing your Saxon tales... so congratulations on a splendid achievement in bring your ancestor Uhtred through to recreate his time and what it was really like. One question: Ragnar Lothbrok was a real man who sacked Paris while on viking. Are the Lothbrok sons his descendants? I hope our trails cross somewhere out there on this walkabout. I also write about time travel--My Spiritwalker Trilogy, but my visions went in the other direction. Curious. Hank Wesselman

Hello Bernard! My name is Thiago, and I live in Brasil. I love the way you write, and so I decide to ask if you, by any chance, would have a friend or know anyone that has a similar writing to yours but writes about Portugal's history, especially two times: during Napoleon's war and the period before the big civilizations (the era of vikings, Rome and so). Thank you for the attention.

Thiago

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I first stumbled across The Burning Land around a year ago when I half-heartedly agreed to buy it on offer as part of a three-for-two deal. To date I have not fully read the other two books I bought that day. I finished reading The Burning Land in about a week and immediately set about buying the other four books in the series. I can honestly say I am not an avid reader by any stretch, but your books have captured my imagination like no other author since Roald Dahl. I have now began reading the Sharpe series and am enjoying it immensely. Anyway, I have a few questions. What sources did you use to research The Saxon Stories. Could you recommend some books as I have quite an interest in that time period. Best regards, Alan Kent.