Your Questions

Hi Mr. Cornwell, it's James Eadie again. Okay, okay. Maybe my last question could be counted as idea material but I simply must have asked it the wrong way round. Don't think I'm troublesome, I'm a major fan! The question I meant to ask you is do you think you'll go back in time with Sharpe again as early as Flanders? In the books I've read he always seems to be talking about when he was in Flanders. Or do you think you might even be able to fill in the four year gap in India between Sharpe's Tiger and Triumph? I hope this was asked the right way this time! I loved Sharpe's Escape by the way and I'm on Sharpe's Fury now. Cheers! - James

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I was wondering, where did you learn all of your info on Napoleonic military inner workings? I know you will advise me to read everything I see. The reason, I'm attempting to write my own novel but I don't know an amazing amount about the inner workings. i.e. when did battalions go onto piquet duty, how did they sort out who was officer of the day, what did battalions do when in camp - where they allowed to just swan about or where they constantly being drilled? Stuff like that really. Is there any spec. books or information sources you could suggest to help? Also, just quickly if I may. Please could you help me with another question? I know the organisation of regiments and battalions and who was who etc... But I'm a bit confused about the generals. Now assuming I'm correct in guessing that a Brigadier General commanded a Brigade (I could be wrong) Do you happen to know what jobs Lieutenant Generals and Major Generals were given in the field? Many Thanks for your time sir. All the best Andrew

Mr. Cornwell, I was recently reading about the various battles during the Peninsular War, and came across a couple that were very interesting but Sharpe hasn't participated in them that we know of. Vimeiro, Rolica, and Albuera. I remember that Sharpe mentioned Rolica in one of the books, but I can't remember which one. Does Sharpe fight in these battles? Erik

Hi Mr Cornwell, just finished reading Gallows Thief and it was brilliant. Like all your books it was hard to put down, and I love to hear more from Rider. On page 338 of the paperback copy, Sandman mentions how one time when he had been attacked, he 'only escaped because a Greenjacket officer had chanced by with a dozen men who had used their rifles to drive the horsemen away'. I wanted to ask if this rifleman was a certain Richard Sharpe...? I certainly hope so, as I had great delight in reading the line 3 or 4 times, thinking (hoping...) it was! Many thanks for your time, and I look forward to reading your future work. Daniel

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm from the Netherlands, and I wanna know how you say/pronunciation of "Cadarn". regards, Robert

Dear sir, I just finished the Sharpe series, Sharpe's Devil was exemplary. As a writer, do you ever find that when you're writing a book that you come up with something you'd rather write? That happens to me quite a lot. Do you think I should switch to the new ideas or stay with the old? Thanks for your page on writing advice, it has helped me improve my writing quite a lot. Will McMahon

Dear Bernard. Am finishing of Sword Song which I am enjoying immensely. But it has raised an interesting question if Uhtred went up against Finan who would win since they both seem very great swordsmen! Btw more of Stepa in future books please he is a great character and like Harper to Sharpe and Truslow to Starbuck is a great partner for Uhtred. BTW at the moment Uhtred is in the south when are you going to get him back up north where the adventure is??????

P.S If you ever do another archer novel Any chance of writing about the battle's against the Scots or the various civil wars in England why just stick with the french who it must be said were a poor enemy until Joan of Arc came along??? And finally I know you have said you do not want to get Sharpe to the war of 1812 but Sharpe is a rifleman supposedly best of the best yet Sharpe has never met another rifleman which the Americans had and the French did not. Surely he can only be the best if fights and beats the best ie other riflemen. If a football team claimed to be the best in England with out beating one of the big 4 they would be laughed out the room surely the same applies to Sharpe. Yours sincerely Tony P.S If you have not read them Fix Bayonets and Charge a welch fusiler at war by Donald.e.Graves and By Fire and Sword by Peter Ried on warfare during the hundred yrs war both worth reading.

Well, for start I just wanna say I simply love your books, you're the man! =) I'm 20, from Brazil, and was wondering if you know when the third and fourth books of Saxon Stories are going to be available in here. Thank you for your time, and please, don't die! Write forever! Just joking. ;) PS: I'm sorry about any English mistakes. Fellype

Hi Bernard, I thought no-one could beat Sharpe as my all time favourite fictional hero - but Uhtred has absolutely taken me by storm and I love to read his stories. Long may they both fight on! One question. If there was a period in history you could go back to what and where would it be?

Tony Quinn

Dear Bernard, The trouble with Sword Song is that is was so good, I didn't want it to end. I enjoyed it but thought the ending was rather abrupt. You didn't show us Alfred's reaction ... nor did you tell us about all those babies who were expected. ...but I imagine all of these children will have a role in later books. So finally, here is my question, will the next book take place directly where this one leaves off and have you started writing it yet? Ann Madonna