Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell: I am thoroughly enjoying your books and have lost much sleep as a result. I've especially enjoyed the Saxon and Warlord series. I have a light-hearted, hypothetical question for you: If Derfel and Uhtred, both in their prime, were able to fight a duel, who do you think would win? I have my idea as to the outcome, but would be interested to know "the creator's" opinion.
John Hollis

Dear Bernard I am currently editing/writing for "Going Native in Alicante" and have put the Sharpe novels in the suggested reading list. I am currently reading Sharpe's Fury and found myself nosing through your books in Spanish at the National Library in Madrid as they are promoting them as background to the 200 Year Anniversary of the Peninsular Wars. (There is a fabulous expo in said library by the way; Goya prints and an amazing cartoon of a British soldier with woman and child and washing drying on his rifle as they march.) Is there any particular episode of Sharpe that related to Valencia or Alicante in particular as I know there was an attack on the castillo in Alicante by the British? Much obliged and keep writing. Susan Bearder

Greetings, Mr. Cornwell! I'm Brazilian, and I just finished reading the "Warlord Chronicles" trilogy, and I just got fascinated! You're really brilliant!! I loved the way you told that story, and because of your books, I got really interested in the Great Britain's history, and I'm looking for books and studying. Congratulations for your brilliant work, and I just wanted to say that you have in me, if not a friend, a great fan! P.S.: can you recommend any book related to Great Britain's History?? If not, that's ok!! greetings from Brazil!
André Felipi Barboza Pacheco

Hello Mr. Cornwell, First I want to thank you for your wonderful tales, especially those of Mr. Sharpe. After re-reading Sharpe's Gold, not to be pestering, but have you ever thought of putting to pen or even simply given thought to the tale of Theresa, specifically her rise to leading a force of Spanish guerrillas? There were women going for soldier in that period of wars (several in the Freikorps of Prussia), but all as men themselves. A woman leading fighting men in that age openly as a woman was at the very least equal to the successes Sharpe had in rising from the ranks. Thank your for your stories and may they continue without end. Kevin from Kentucky.

Hi In Sharpe's Company when Sharpe and Harper storm the breach at Badajoz Sharpe regained his captaincy and a Laurel badge for his uniform jacket. I thought that the sergeants who stormed a breach often received battlefield commissions and wondered why Sergeant Harper did not?
David Ackerley

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I've greatly enjoyed your Richard Sharpe (and other!) series and the vivid depiction of life in the early 1800s. I recall that Sharpe's Sergeant carried a vial of fly larvae for treating wounds. I'm doing a presentation on larval therapy for débriding wounds, and I wonder if you have any historical sources for the use of maggots in treating wounds? Like moss and spiderwebs, it's been a part of folk medicine for a long time, and there are reports of Confederate surgeons using maggots to treat wounds in the American Civil War. The first scientific studies were done in 1928, and maggot therapy found wide usage from then until the advent of antibiotics. It's recently experienced a resurgence, particularly in Great Britain. Thank you so much for your books, and I hope you go on writing for a long time. Sincerely yours, Peter J. Liepmann MD FAAFP

Mr. Cornwell, I am French and hear your books are very good, I would like to know if you believe the French version is authentic to English. thank you. Lucy Loiselle

Mr. Cornwell! Firstly I'd like to say that your books are incredible. You are able to captivate the reader on different levels compared to other authors. I have noticed you have very few criticisms which is always a plus. I have a few questions though, which you don't have to reply to, I was just bored of writing my bloody physiology essay. Firstly is it true that the Saxon invasion of Britain was more of a mass immigration, where the Briton's stood little chance due to their vulnerability after the Romans left?

Secondly, will you be making anymore references to the characters in the warlord trilogy in the Saxon stories? Because I think a point that makes you captivate readers is the way you describe the allies of the main characters as well as occasionally referring to characters such as Sansum and Arthur from the warlord books, making it seem that more epic.

Lastly will you be visiting England anytime soon for book signings? Fusing fiction and fact from the Dark ages is very enthralling as it is an era that is very blurry, I'd just like to give you another congratulation on your success so far. Chris

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I wanted to tell you I really liked the Sharpe books. I learned many things about the Napoleonic Wars just by reading this series. Will there be any more Sharpe books coming out in the future? I really like the characters Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper. How did you think up those characters? I work in a library as an adult services librarian. I have access to all your books. I want to begin reading the other series too. I don't want to take up too much of your time. I am sure you are a busy man.. Sincerely, Angela Westphal Zion-Benton Public Library

If all your heroes had to fight each other (unlikely but fun) who would win and why. I suspect it would be Sharpe or maybe Uhtred, but I would love to hear your view. I came to an evening with you at Waterstones Canterbury and was thoroughly entertained but was to nervous to ask the question. Thanks for endless hours of entertainment. Duncan Hall