Your Questions

Hi again Mr. Cornwell. When you write your Agincourt novel, are you going to just tell the straight story, or will there be some extra-historical plot line like in the Grail Quest? Also, will it be told from the viewpoint of a longbowman, or from that of someone else? Alan Kempner

Bernard, Can't find the answer to my question in the FAQs or bulletin board, though it may well have been answered before. I listen to most of your books on audio CD or cassette. Half the readers pronounce your first name in the British style with the stress on the first syllable, the same as "Bernard Manning". The other half put the stress on the second syllable and lengthen it so it sounds like "Bernardo" without the "o". What pronunciation do you prefer? Best, Neil

I love the Sharpe books. I started to read them after I saw Sean Bean on Masterpiece Theater. I enjoyed them as well. My question is in a different area. You did some writing set during the civil war and I would like to know if you are a fan of Bruce Catton or Shelby Foote? I think they are outstanding writers and have learned much about the civil war reading their books. My great-grand father was a member of the 6th Wisconsin volunteers of the Iron Brigade. We still have the rifle that he carried during the war. Will keep reading your books, you have a life long fan. Thank you. Glen.

Hi Bernard, I'm called Marcus and I'm a 19 year old student of Sanskrit. I've been reading your books (especially Sharpe) from a young age, and I still re-read them regularly. I just discovered Sharpe's Skirmish and I think it's brilliant! like a low-fat bare bones version of a normal Sharpe. I read your little note saying that you can't read ideas for stories, but please read this very very brief one (barely more than a title). After all, if I did sue you, you have a written disclaimer from me right here. I understand that in this age of over restriction trust is restricted too. ok, so the story is to be called Sharpe's Son. Unsurprisingly, the protagonist is to be Sharpe's son, Patrick. When thinking about the plot I did some reading on the Victorian era. I'd forgotten how boring it was! Robert Peel, penny stamps, Dickens and stern vicars. You can't imagine it being sunny in Victorian Britain (well, maybe on the Isle of White). no wonder they all buggered off to...the colonies. And that is where Patrick Sharpe should go. To the India which his father first tried to tame, but which remains untamed, simmering and erupting with energy. India has treasure, tigers, beautiful women and cruel magic, djinns and strange tongues. Please, I beg you, send Patrick Sharpe to India. If you haven't got the energy to write a full-length book (I pray that you do) then maybe a little pamphlet one, Sharpe's Skirmish style. Anyway, let me know what you think. Hope all's well, Marcus. p.s. I've been meaning to ask you - does Sharpe hate lawyers, or do you? think about that...

Hi Mr Cornwell, You have kindly taken the time to reply to a couple of questions of mine recently concerning one of my favourite historical characters Banastre Tarleton. As no-one else seems to have an interest in writing a novel about him I've decided to have a go myself, but would be grateful for a few pieces of advice. Firstly I want to humanise a character that has mostly had bad press, at least in the States, and like you I think he was a superb cavalry soldier and agree with your thoughts that the Americans disliked him because he was as enterprising as them. However although I feel he was probably a humorous and colourful man, a bit of an all round party animal etc, the bit I feel I'm going to struggle with is his staunch defence of slavery! It goes without saying this was a deplorable trade, and I suspect much of the reason he supported it was the wealth of his home city of Liverpool was built upon the money involved, as was some of the wealth of his family. My dilemma is how to portray him as an affable chap which in many ways he seems to have been, without whitewashing out this darker side to his political views? Any ideas?

Secondly, I want to write in a kind of first person perspective, as if he is looking back on his life. His own memoirs are a useful tool, but by God they are a dry old read! I was thinking of making my work more humorous and want to write in a similar style to one of my favourite authors George MacDonald Fraser, but am aware of the fact that I don't want it to become a carbon copy in style in the Flashman novels ( please don't think I am saying it would be as good, it would take some writer to ever match Mr Fraser! ) The trouble is we all have our writing influences and it must be difficult not to drift into using certain styles without realising. How can this be avoided, and how do you develop your own style? Does it just kinda happen naturally? I suppose nothing is totally original but a kind of marriage of lots of different influences, fair comment? Appreciate your help on these questions. Kindest Regards, N.Pearce.

Dear sir, First let me open by saying thank you for the wonderful gift of Starbuck. Those books (and Sharpe) were what first inspired me to take my own plunge into novel land; I am deeply in your debt. My first question for you is that my character before the Civil War was part of the Irish Jasper Greens which a militia company from Savanna Georgia and fought with them in the Mexican War. But the trouble is that I cant find much about them before they joined the Confederacy. I googled them about a thousand times but still can find nothing about their Mexican War experience. Do you have any suggestions to help me track this information down?

Also I was wondering if you had thought about war reenacting? It is a great experience that really adds to your knowledge to what the individual solider (and civilian) went through during the war. If you did what war do you think youd reenact?

Lastly why did you choose to make Starbuck a Confederate? Did something draw you to the theology of the Lost Cause? Thank you for your time and insight.

PS: Is there any trick to writing battle senses? I want to write it like it really was, a bloody, smoke filled afire but I also dont people to have to my book down because they are weak in the stomach! Is there anyway way tell that youve gone too far? Adam Azzalino

Mr Cornwell: Loved your Arthur books, and am loving your Saxon/Viking series. I've had a very small business selling Viking artifacts for some years, and I just bought a Viking bronze mount with a distinctively individual face. I'm wondering if in your reading you've come across any period physical descriptions of Viking leaders? You're welcome to take a look at the mount if you'd like at www.vikingsandsaxons.com. To me, the face looks like Ubba. I hope you continue with the Saxon series for quite a while. I'm now eager enough to get a copy of the new book to order it from England, rather than waiting for its US release date. Sad addiction! Regards, David M

My daughter has come across a Waterloo Medal for a Sgt in the 2nd Battalion? 69th Regiment of Foot and has been told that the 69th eventually became Royal Regiment of Wales. He obviously survived the massacre at Quatre Bras. In 'Sharpe's Waterloo' you indicate that it was a Regt that recruited in Lincs. Please could you recommend a source where she can find the answer? Richard Jonas

Dear Mr Cornwell, May I start my offering my apologies for posting several question to your good self over the last few months. But, as a fan it does mean a great deal to us to have you take the time out of your busy schedule to read and answer our questions. May I ask a final question, after which I will leave you alone. I appreciate that it has been many years since you have gone into research for your wonderful Sharpe novels. But may I ask, if you can remember, where did you find reference to soldiers spitting balls down musket muzzles in the loading process? Im quite sad in the fact that I have a modern copy of the 1764 drill book. I cannot find a reference to spitting balls, in fact, the books orders soldiers to bite away the folded end of the cartridge (instead of biting the bullet away) and after priming the pan, they were to pour the powder down the muzzle, followed by the paper and ball. Now I know this is some 40 yrs before our Sharpe time, I dont think the drill book would have changed that much though, considering the conservative nature of our army. I have also read many Osprey titles, and again I can find no reference to spitting. Please do not take this as criticism, as I do not wish to say youre wrong, far from it. Its just that I have found no reference to it and I was wondering if you can help. Thank you again for your time sir. Andrew

hello, this might come as a bit weird asking the most prominent and best historical writer, but have you ever thought of writing a modern day war novel .ie the gulf war ,Iraqi war? It's just your unique take on battle scenes could bring life and highlight a topical subject. Aaron O Sullivan