Your Questions

Hi Bernard, I have been reading your books since they first came out and long before the films came out. My first discovery was Sharpe's Eagle in its Reader's Digest format. The Napoleonic period had always been a favourite of mine having read G A Henty "Through Russian Snows" and "Captain of Foot" by Ronald Welch both childrens novels. I wonder if your ever explored the possibility of a French Sharpe going through all of Napoleons campaigns and meeting up sporadically with Sharpe a Brigadier Gerard character?

Over the last few years there has been a plethora of new historical adventure books, it used to be just one or two a year and mostly Navy related. I have of course read C S Forester, but actually prefer Alexander Kent I think Bolitho is much more human. Current English writers of this genre apart from your good self I like Simon Scarrow very readable. My favourite foreign writer at the moment is Arturo Perez Reverte who writes about a character called Captain Alastriste a Spanish soldier at the end of Spain's Golden period. They did produce a film in Spanish starring Viggo Mortensen I picked up what was probably a dodgy copy somewhere in China. I was wondering if you have ever read any of his books yourself? Finally I thinks it's time you bought out a new Starbuck book even if the bugger dies at Gettysburg probably in the wrong uniform! Thanks anyway for giving me such wonderful Characters to read about as Sharpe, Harper, Derfel, Starbuck, etc I always have an air of excitement when I pick one of your books up.

Andrew Walker

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. Would the mace and chain, or morning star have been in use in Uhtred's time? How about the war hammer? Alan Kempner

Dear Bernard Loved the Fort thought it excellent.Wondered if you were tempted to write about McLean again he played a huge role in the 1775 siege of Quebec where he went up against Benedict Arnold and Dan Morgan are you tempted??? Yours sincerely Geraint

P.S Others have mentioned about Starbuck being on the losing side as opposed to Sharpe but Wellington did suffer his one and only defeat at Burgos and in Sharpe's Enemy Sharpe does (rather bitterly it seems) recall the siege so I wondered if you'll have Sharpe on the losing side for a change?

Dear Professor Cornwell, I'm a big fan of yours (standard e-mail beginning, I hope). I get more and more fascinated after each book of your I read. I'm now literally sunk in the Sharpe Novels, stuck in Trafalgar due to my lack in Ships knowledge. If you excuse me, I'll keep calling you professor, for I think your work belongs both to literature an history worlds. And that's why I entered in contact. I'm a history student in Juiz de Fora University, Brazil and I intend on doing some work regarding the values of historical novels to the worldwide historiography. Once a famous brazilian historian named Capistrano de Abreu wrote "The fiction writer creates, the true historian do not create but rewrite the history". Maybe you rewrite or even belong to a third category that Capistrano have not identified, the History Novelist, which gives history new colors to original drawings. If you have the time, I would like to know your judgement on that. Best Regards, Tiago Duque P.S.: Sorry for bad English

Hello Bernard, I've read all the Sharpe, Saxon,the Winter King and have just finished the Grail Quest trilogy. This is the first time I've felt the need to ask for a little clarification regarding the plot! Heretic only contains the one vague passing reference to Jeannete[ The Blackbird] by Thomas. While the character was firmly self serving, she did fight on the same side. I just feel Thomas wouldn't have abandoned her with out knowing her fate? My other little question concerns Bernard des Taillebourg torture of Thomas; I thought Thomas not only had his fingers broken but his toes also? this would have made his long walk back to Castillon d'Arbizon a slow painfull process and the crossing of the weir by the mill impossible for some one with impaired balance? I enjoy all your historical fiction and appreciate all the hard work that proof reading, etc takes before a good story ever reaches the book shelves! More power to your pen. Best regards, Tim Button

Please write novel on Sparta. I think it would be fantastic.

Esther

Hello there, I would like to say how I have reading your books, my favourite being Gallows thief and Azincourt, absolutely brilliant, I just could not put it down that I have read more than twice, (how sad am I),but keep up the good work, I wonder if you would ever consider a second series for Gallows Thief.

Carolyn Bayne

Hello, I really love your books. I am somewhat confused as I thought that back in july/august you had a book out titled 'captivate, kill or destroy'. Have I got this wrong? am I confusing you with another author. I cannot now seem to find this book on amazon. Thanking you in anticipation, yours Mel Ware

Dear Mr Cornwell Could please tell me if you have ever written a book called captive,kill or destroy or is it the same book as the fort. Thank you Regards, Denise

Bernard. I know that you always say the films are not your department/area of expertise/ thing and that you leave it to others etc etc. But just this once climb off the fence and tell us all who you think should play Sir John if/when Agincourt is adapted for the big or small screen.
Andy Houghton

Hi Bernard, I went to the 1066 english heritage day at Battle over the weekend, great day, glorious weather. Are you tempted to write about the battle, great intrigue in the run up to the battle and great opportunity to showcase the shield wall that features heavily?

Peter Murphy