Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell. Having read all the Sharpes books, including "story,skirmish,ransom and Christmas" at least 8 times I had this thought, when you have decided that there may not be any more in this series would you consider publishing a collector's edition (in fine quality) to include a, shall we say a Sharpe's beginning that would let us readers know who is father was, and a Sharpe's life that would tell how he survived into old age. You could even perhaps adjust the little hiccups that occur from writing out of sequence such as in Sharpe's eagle, "He had never met Daddy Hill" yet two books earlier in Sharpe's Havoc they are on a roof together. This is not criticism, I love your books to bits, and would love to help if you should want a list. Please understand, that to some of your readers Sharpe is so alive that we need to know everything about him. Oh, and also, when will he kill Major Morris. Absolutely love your work. Best of regards. Mike Walker. Worcester England.

Hi, I e-mailed you a couple of months ago about where i could find useful sources for a book I am writing. At your advice I began to search for related material and found a marvelous book about the history of Scotland written by Magnus Magnusson. Since buying the book, and a couple of other's my story has come on leaps and bounds (88,000 words and counting) so thanks for your help. But still I have questions so here goes... When you are writing your first draft do you want it to be as close to the finished article as possible or do you have a lot of editing to do before it is ready to submit? And I am struggling to find a decent database for family crests and battlefield standards from the 13th-14th centuries is there anything you can suggest that might help me? thanks in advance... ps hopefully you may come across a book called Saltire in a couple of years (fingers crossed). Michael Cunningham

I have really enjoyed reading many of your books. Especial Azincourt, and the Thomas of Hookton series. I was wondering if you where going to write another book in either one of those series?
Angus Merrell

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I am wondering if you are a birder. You make so many references in your books to birds that I suspect you are. I have really enjoyed reading your books. I am now reading "Vagabond", the 12th straight book of yours I have read. And I haven't even gotten to the Sharpe series! Thank you, Denny Granstrand Yakima, WA

Hi there! Still loving your work after many years! I know you've mentioned that the Arthur series are your favourite books of yours to read but I just wondered which of your characters is your personal favourite? (I realise that may be like asking which of your children you prefer, but they won't be offended!) Which character did you find easiest to write? And which hardest? Finally, many authors say when interviewed that they bring a little of themselves to their characters, and I just wondered which (if any) of your characters you identify with most and which you think is the most similar to you? (Obviously, I'm not expecting you to suddenly reveal a penchant for shooting people and beating up unsavoury characters in dark alleyways!) Many thanks for the years of enjoyment, long may you continue! Richard

Mr. Cornwell I do not know how far one can take your riddle regarding the fatherhood of Richard Sharpe. However a few thoughts. First his name. Richard 'Powerful Leader' Sharpe '..a sharp quick person' (keen,active,quick.) A quote from Wellington ' Being born in a stable does not make one a horse.' Ours (our army) is composed of the scum of the earth. So...... Take you out. Remove any thoughts about what the 'Fan' thinks about the origins of Sharpe. Put me in I believe when you originally thought about Sharpe you thought of him as the 'scum of the earth' of course with two names that potentially set him apart. And a horse appears. Apart from the above reference. 'a hack' refers to 'a horse let out for hire or used for varied work' or 'a writer who works mainly for hire' Finally you say( and I believe) 'This happy person' I do not hold with the connotation that HACK should be a pejorative. I consider you to be the preeminent author of modern 'Ripping Yarns' which is no small feat. Your self and C.S. Forester in the past hundred years have covered the land and sea with the best of adventure prose. Thank You. You are Sharpe's father.

Patrick May

bernard have you seen the movie Centurion yet? I think you will enjoy it roman legions against scottish picts.
Wayne

Just re-read Agincourt for the third time. Loved the Sharpe and Saxon Tales series. Don't suppose you could be talk into doing a stand alone on the Norman Conquest, could you?

Roy Hale

Dear Bernard, I just wanted to say thankyou for giving people a great insight into important parts of Britain's history through good storytelling. I am a 35 year old Yorkshireman living in Australia, I love your saxon stories and like you love finding out what help shape our national characters. living in North Yorkshire I knew of the battle of Stamford Bridge and wonder have you thought of doing a book on the year 1066? I have read an excellent book on that year by Frank Mclynn having read this book it is clear to me that this has all the elements of a great story. Namely treachery, cunning, and 3 hard as nails main protagonists vying for power. This I firmly believe would be a fantastic book if you choose to write it. More importantly, this would give English,Danish, Norwegian and French people an opportunity to to fully realise the significance of that period around 1066. Carl Wilson

Be grateful for a little help as I am giving a lecture on London Bridge. In The Burning Land, Uhtred refers to a breached London Bridge with water flowing through a gap, presumably around 890 AD. Do you believe this to be the old Roman Bridge from 400 AD approx.? It is said that when Olaf of Norway plundered Staines in 993 then he encountered no bridges on the way at all. And is there a good reference document I could look at for this period (other than your excellent books)? Many thanks, appreciate your time
Richard Groome

I' m expecting for the last novel about Uthred (Burning Land) translated in French. Could you give me a date please? Kind regards,

Lory