Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell. After looking through this website's archive I was delighted to find that others have drawn a similar conclusion to mine about a Patrick Lassan of the Starbuck Chronicles and a certain rogue English rifleman. A lovely touch. Will you continue the story of Lassan, or leave it to wild imagination? Great stories! Alyssa.

Hello again Mr Cornwell. I've just finished reading the Starbuck Chronicles for the second time, and possibly enjoyed them even more than the first time I read them. Initially I'd read them before I'd come across the Sharpe novels - this time around I was able to spot all the Sharpe references through the wonderful character of Patrick Lassan. I love the way you've managed to link the tales, have you done this with any other characters? I've a feeling that Rider Sandman's path briefly crosses Sharpe's in Gallows Thief, or was that a figment of my imagination?! So anyway, I've decided to go on hunger-strike until you write the next Starbuck novel....

Phil Dean

You have set a number of your books all or partly in the area I live - Marlborough, Wiltshire - Stonehenge, The Alfred series. Your narrative so clearly describes the terrain - do you visit all the 'locations' for your stories?
Phil Mobbs

Dear MR Cornwell, First of all, I'd like to say that I've read all your books ( at least all the books available here in Brazil) and that they are all great books, specially the Saxon Stories. And my question regards to that book. Could you tell me how many books do you intend to make about the saxon stories? As far as I'm aware, only 4 are confirmed. Well, to finish, I'd like you to know that I love military history, specially from the medieval period and that in your books you describe battles, costumes, the culture of that period like anyone else, just the way I imagined how you feel to live during that time. PS: Sorry about my english, it's not perfect. Joao Paschoal

Mr. Cornwell I really love your books because of how detailed your battles are. How come you do not have more of your books turned into movies? I Can't wait for "Sword Song" to be published. Is this going to be the last in the Saxon Stories?
Erik Duffy

Mr Cornwell, I should like to flatter you regarding the Sharpe books that I have read but I fear you get that all the time - but I do enjoy them and on the strength of that will look at your other series. My query relates to a one-liner you dropped in Sharpe's Trafalgar. When the Pucelle joins the British fleet off Trafalgar and you "call the roll", you mention that the Bellerophon was constructed at a cost of £30,232 14s 3d. This number is of interest to me as, for a work related research project (Australian Department of Defence), a colleague and myself are looking at the cost of military equipment over very long time periods. My colleague is concentrating on seagoing vessels, armour, and other mechanised equipment while I have been concentrating on aircraft, small arms and radios. In the small arms field I have managed to find prices for small arms (British) as far back as 1573. I also did the research for older vessels but only managed to get back to 1848. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to let me know where you found this price or alternatively if it is fictional. Cheers Alan Scheckenbach

Hello, I absolutely LOVE your books, I started off reading the Sharpe series then a friend introduced me to the Arther trilogy, and my personal favourite the Saxon stories. I just have one problem I finished reading your latest novel Sword song (fantastic btw) but now am left desperate for more! Please could you tell me if there is a 5th coming and if so when? Thanks.
Charlotte Hoque

hello mr.cornwell I have recently finished sword song it was utterly amazing will there be any more saxon stories? yours sincerely Gareth

Bernard, just devoured 'sword song' - yet again its a great book. Planning on re-reading the Saxon series from the start once again. Don't appear to be greedy but when is Uthred going to get his next outing? many Thanks

Jonathan Woodward

Hi There Bernard, Would you be able advice if Sharpe will be returning to the small screen or to that matter the big screen! Or was Challenge the last ever episode :( Cheers for now Nick

Hello Mr Cornwell, just been reading your Uhtred series and I have a couple of questions for you. I'm slightly puzzled by your portrayal of Alfred, and I get the impression that you don't really 'like' the man very much. Do you really think someone as ineffective and uninspiring as the Alfred of your novels would have been remembered as 'Great'? Also I am intrigued to know why you choose to give the lion's share of the credit for Alfred's military victories such as Ethandun to the fictional Uhtred?? Thanks for any reply! David

Bernard, am late middle aged or whatever that conveys. Longtime reader of Sharpe series but enjoy Starbuck. High school history teacher in another life with graduate degree from NYC University. Former member {ACW} 124th NYSV. Enough of me. You have given me hours of pleasure with your work. Enjoy. Prefer "musket and ball" stories. Bring back Starbuck. How about a "stand alone novel" ie. French Irish Brigade perhaps Lally in India with Clive? Thanks Again. Bill McVey

Dear Mr Cornwell, In the Sharpe series, one enduring and attractive aspect of the French armies is their meritocracy. I know that Napoleon said that every private carried a Marshall's baton in his knapsack but who is your favourite marshall? Worse still, who is your least favourite? For what it's worth, mine are Ney and Bernadotte respectively. Keith Harris, Retford, Notts.

Dear Mr Cornwell, My name is Liam Prince and I am a 16 year old student, currently studying for an A level in English literature. Part of this A level requires me to compare two books for my coursework, and my first choice of book has been Harlequin/The Archer's Tale written by yourself. I loved this book from start to finish, and I have a deep interest in historical fiction which is why I enjoy your books so much. My question is: Do you you know of any book that I could compare Harlequin to? There must be a link between the two books which will enable me to compare them, revenge for example is a key theme in the book, as well as descriptive battle scenes and of course the middle ages setting. Many Thanks!