Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Greetings. My name is Joel, and for a year now I've been a fan of your creations. It started when my father, an Amazon junkie, purchased the Sharpe DVD box set. After watching the first few episodes I became hooked and created a Sharpe group on Facebook. The group is now the largest Sharpe group on Facebook, at over 1000, and we our offering support to NOS and Sharpe Chefs. I also read your books, and just recently picked up the Saxon Tales. From the first paragraph of The Last Kingdom to the last line of Lords of the North, I was not able to put the books down. I would be nose deep in Sword Song, but it has yet to be released over here in the US. Yes, I am an American, and this brings me to my point of inquiry. As an American my understanding of the Sharpe series has been challenged by an English native who verbalized his disappointment that the group was not founded by an Englishman and said, "It is our history and culture and I defy you to truly identify with it in the same way." What are you views on this? Is there a preferred lens in which Sharpe should be viewed and identified. As Sharpe's creator I would find your thoughts most enlightening. Thank you very much. Your fan Joel D. Castro

Sirs.I am reading the "Sharpe" novels in what I thought was chronological order. Having completed "Sharpe's Sword as a "Captain" I then started on the next novel in the list, Sharpe's "Enemy" where suddenly, he is now a Major!! Have I missed a novel? if not then when did he become one? At the end of "Sword" there is only a hint of promotion rejected by Sharpe. Robert Fairburn

Dear Sir, have you considered letting us know the fate of Antonia? I have a vision she may walk up to Sharpe's farm in Normandy one day, only to have him look up and see Teresa's face staring back at him (wouldn't she look like her?). Sappy, I know, but since you have not written about her, one can only daydream. Also, although everyone loves Sean Bean (me included), I think that Paul McGann actually would have resembled the Sharpe of the books better, don't you? (do you ever get tired of answering Sean Bean questions? Did you have anything to say in his casting? When will they bring Sharpe to the big screen??? I'd buy a ticket or two!) Thanks for being so accessible. A big fan. Andrea

Dear Bernard After all the discussions on the American war of Independence I was curious on who you thought was the best British commander in that war some have say Carleton others Rawdon etc etc who do you think was the best???

I also have to ask if you have ever thought of writing on the 30rys war it was a real maelstrom that was probably more brutal than the Napoleonic wars had some of the truly great commanders of that and any other time like Tilly/Wallenstien and Gustuvas Adolphhus while many English/Scottish and Irish fought in those wars on one side or another????

On another note can you give any hints on what the next Viking novel will be set around???? Yours sincerely Geraint

I was just wondering, having just read "Fallen Angels" did it really take 2 drops of the blade? I haven't been able to find a source to confirm it. But usually everything you write only varies from history if it has to. Just Curious, Justin J Wright P.S I'm a huge fan

Dear Mr Cornwell, I've read a great many of your books and enjoyed them all. I have a couple of questions about the Sharpe series which I hope you will find time to answer. Firstly do you have any plans to write about Sharpe at a later stage of his life and will he ever see his daughter again? Secondly, what happens to Jane Sharpe, is her baby a ancestor of the Rosendales in Sea Lord? Thank You. Joan Bindloss

I love reading and re-reading all your books and I also enjoyed the abridged versions of the first three Saxon Stories on Audio CD. Is there any plans to do the same with the Arthur Books.

Steven Date

Hi - I am a long time fan and collector of Bernard's books. I recently bought a copy of Sharpe's Escape that was signed by Bernard to a fellow collector. It was ALSO signed by someone called J B Harris (I think it is J B - certainly Harris). The collector couldn't remember who Harris was, but said he thought he had something to do with the book's production. Can you shed any light? thanks - Paul Evans

Are there any plans for any other of your books to be made into a film or TV series? David Edgell

Dear Mr Cornwell Have you considered televising the "Winter King"? Has any work been undertaken for this? Best wishes, Corinne Campbell

Egbert Stone. Question & Answer dated 11 Sep 2007. "Coombe Street" is not a village but a street in the village of Penselwood. I have recently photographed the nearby boundary stone at the meeting of Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset, and can send you a .jpg if you are interested. It is in very boggy ground right beside the River Stour (which of course rises at Stourhead) with perhaps one metre of stone above ground and who knows how much below ground out of sight. It looks as though the stone is possibly of greensand, but it's well covered by mosses or lichens. It's on private land and not supposed to be publicly accessible (!) Is it the "Egbert Stone" though? After all this time who can tell? Graham Hoddinott