Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard, I am a new fan of Sharpe and in just two months I have joyously sailed through the first 12 books (chronological order). I have enjoyed reading Sharpe's story from the early days in India, but the hole I find in Sharpe's life seems to be the period where he is trained in using the Baker Rifle. From what I've read the first time he holds a rifle is in India when he is asked to shoot McCandless. There is mention of Wellesly telling Sharpe about his new assignment as a skirmisher, (for which Sharpe is morose) but the actual time period where Sharpe is trained in using the Baker Rifle is a story I haven't read yet. Did you write about this period and have I just missed that book? Or is it a possibility that there will be a book about this episode in Sharpe's life, just you haven't had the time yet with the work you're doing on all the other wonderful projects you are writing. Might I recommend drinking tea to increase your stamina for writing? Keep those books coming - and take care of that wonderful brain of yours! Rose Haisty

Submitted March 6, 2007

A

I haven't written of his training time in Shorncliffe and, to be honest, I'm not sure I will. Maybe a short story one day?

Q

Subliminal Advertising? How many times is Coffee mentioned in The Starbuck Chronicles? I hope they paid you well. Martin Croucher

Submitted March 6, 2007

A

The name has nothing to do with the coffee - it's an old New England name (mainly from Nantucket), and, of course, it's the name of the Pequod's first mate in Moby Dick.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I Just started reading your grail quest series after reading all of the Sharpe and Saxon Books. I have to say I love them all. I noticed that both Thomas and Uhtred seem to have a strong belief in fate. Is that your personal beliefs coming through or just a coincidence? Thanks of for taking the time to read this. Brooke Morey

Submitted March 6, 2007

A

It was a very common mediaeval belief! Uhtred keeps quoting wyrd bid ful araed, which is a quotation from an Old English poem, while Thomas would have firmly believed in the Wheel of Fortune, a very pervasive mediaeval idea! I believe in genetic predisposition!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm one of your scary Sharpe fans ...(Oh God not another one he thinks) :-) I have two questions if I may trouble you - When you were thinking of our lovable rouge what made you put him in the 95th - was it just the romanticism of that regiment or did you want the Baker Pattern of rifles to make an appearance or was it a mix of random things that came together into one big glorious jumble that is Richard Sharpe? Keep up your brilliant work and may Sharpe and Harper march again. Your fan always - Andrew

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

I think the original thought (so long ago) was that a rifleman would have slightly more freedom of manouevre on the battlefield, which turned out to be partly true and mostly irrelevant. Then there is, of course, the unique qualities of the Baker Rifle, which were irresistible, and do, I think, add to the stories.

Q

Have just finished Lords of the North, another cracker!! Is there any chance of Uhtred coming in contact with my ancestors who were Norsemen from the Orkneys?? Could you also please try and answer this little poser that has cropped up during beer fuelled evenings on literary villans... who would win in a fight between Obadiah Hakeswill, (find a way to bring him back!!! )and Hannibal Lecter?? Thanks for some of the best books ever, David.

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

Uhtred might well meet your ancestors! Can't swear to it, but they are in my mind. As to the beer-sodden question, the whiskey-fuelled answer is, of course, Obadiah!

Q

There's nothing in the "What's coming" section. Is this just an error on the website? I don't really mind what's coming next as long as something is! Sharpe, Starbuck, Uhtred they're all excellent. The first book I read of yours was The Winter King, as soon as Derfel crosses the river I was hooked, and have since read everything you've written. Consistently superb, hours of great reading. Thanks!
Carl Farmer

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

The fourth book of the Saxon stories is coming - but as we don't have a title or book cover for it yet, it hasn't been posted. Keep an eye out though - we'll get it up soon I hope!

Q

Hello Bernard, I like very much your books. Im from Brazil. Is it true that you collect maps? Enzo

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

I do, but nothing arcane or rare or precious. Maps are an incredibly useful tool for research, so I have shelves of the things.

Q

Dear Mr.Cornwell, I would like to ask whether you have plans to ever come to Maine for a book signing? I live in Gorham, a small town outside of Portland and have been wishing for you to come. I have read Starbuck, working on Sharpe and have read "The Archer's Tale." I personally prefer Sharpe and Starbuck, with their smoke-filled battlefields and canister ripping through the ranks.

Just one more question... when I come across currency, I have no idea what each thing amounts to. Could you please explain to an ignorant American how guineas compare to dollars? I know this is long-winded and I appreciate any responses. Thank you. Ryan

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

No plans for a book signing in Maine right now, but I love to visit Maine so it could happen!

One pound was twenty shillings. A guinea, perversely, was twenty-one shillings. There was no pound coin in the 18th century (or 19th), but there was, of course, a guinea. A ridiculous unit of currency! Not sure what the exchange rate was between pounds and dollars in the Napoleonic era. At a guess (I stress, GUESS) ten dollars to one pound? That could be wildly wrong...

Q

new fan of your writing; I first read The Pale Horseman, then The Last Kingdom and just finished The Lords of the North. Most enjoyable! Hope the series continues. Any plans for a future Celts or Britons story, perhaps in the times of the Roman Legions, Hadrian's wall period? Your my new favorite Author! : )
Kevin Barry Mason

Hi Mr Cornwell, I would like to ask you if you have ever planned about writting on Boudica the Brittish queen that fought the Romans? I think it would be a very good novel. Thanks for the attention and sorry for the english errors(I´m brazilian and don´t speak english very well). Lucas

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

Not from me, at least I don't think so! I sort of took a decision to leave the Romans well alone - plenty of other good writers dealing with them!

Q

I have read all your Sharpe books including your short stories. I am currently re-reading Sharpe's Enemy and I am intrigued how 80 ranks of 50 men can equal "a great rectangle of 8000 men"? Perhaps maths wasn't a strong suit of Napoleon's Portuguese Army. Any way I love the books! Trudie

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

Must be a misprint! I also failed Maths O-Level five times.