Your Questions

Dear Bernard Cornwell I am planning a trip to Portugal and Western Spain using the Sharpe novels as a framework. I have a few questions and comments. It wont be a military history purists analysis of the battlefields, though I will include most of them in my travels not Barossa or Vitoria, and possibly not Burgos, though I hope so. However, most of my travels have been inspired or informed by books I have read, and particularly by the towns and scenery described in your case, very vividly. I am greatly enjoying cross checking your Sharpe novels including your recommendations on places to see, such as Fort Concepcion, my 1:800,000 map of Spain and Portugal, various guidebooks and Julian Pagets Wellingtons Peninsular War (I managed to find a copy here in Canberra, Australia thank you for the reference). So thank you for another source of pleasure from your Sharpe series. Strange that so many of Sharpes battles occurred in places that rate three Michelin stars! At last, with Sharpes Gold, I think I have found the area he travelled through, if Casatejada where Teresa and her family lived, is the one on the road from Plasencia to the E90 near Navalmoral de las Mata. Have I got it right? In Sharpes Rifles, you dont, I think, mention any places by name, including where Sharpe and his remnant Rifles were separated from Sir John Moore. Assuming that they were separated somewhere west of Astorga and as they were heading toward Vigo, but ended up at Santiago, I have deduced that they were struggling though the mountains in the triangle bounded by the Ponferada/la Coruna road and the Benavente /Vigo road. Is this about right, or irrelevant? Did you deliberately name Major Blas Vivar after the town where El Cid originated? I have just checked through Havoc (chronological order no 7, set 1809, published 2003) and Enemy (no 15, 1812, 1994). Your wrote about Marechal Pot au Feu, a former Sergeant Deron, in Enemy (first) and I have just noticed that in Havoc (written later), Marshal Soults chef was also a Sergeant Deron, who reasoned with him about the evening meal and said the breakfast would have been better eaten when just cooked. Are these two intentionally the same person, before and after his desertion, or did you just re-use the name? Many thanks again, Elizabeth, Canberra, Australia

Dear Mr Cornwell, just finished reading the three saxon novels and really enjoyed them, especially the insults they used to hurl at eachother! Being a west countryman I also enjoyed the first book in which Some of the action takes place in Devon and North Somerset. My father hails from the fishing village of Appledore in N Devon and on the road into that village there is a corner known to locals as "Bloody Corner". In the wall is mounted a small stone with a grill around, which is known as "The Hubba Stone" and commemorates the death in battle of a viking warrior on a raid. I was wondering whether you had come across this site and whether it ties in with any research you may have done- could Hubba be the "Ubba" of your novel? Looking forward to the next installment , but I have your other series to get into yet! regards Andrew Down

Hi Bernard, I started with the grail quest series, and loved it. Picked up the Warlord series, and they were the best books I've ever read...seriously. The depth of your charactors and authentic time period portrayal are what make your writing fantastic. When I'm reading, I feel like I'm there. When I'm not, I wish I were. I was very pleased when I discovered the Saxon series, and eagerly await the next chapter. Please don't stop at 4. Uhtred is the man!! I am going to start the Sharpe series while waiting for the next instalment of Uhtred. I was wondering if I should read them in the order they were published, or chronologically...or does it even matter? Keep writing, and I'll keep reading. Gilbert Carter

Hello Bernard, I was wondering if you have read Kim Novaks 'Temeraire' series yet? I believe she based her captain Laurence on Russell Crowe playing Jack Aubrey in 'Master and Commander' (I hope that made sense). It's set during the Napoleonic war but with a twist, namely dragons. Also LOTR's Peter Jackson has optioned them for a series of movies. (I wish he'd take a look at your Warlord trilogy!)They help fill the time between your books. Regards, Alex.

Hello Mr. Cornwell, you have chosen wisely living in lode Cape Cod. I am sure that when you travel around the Boston area , at times it must feel like home, at least as far as the place names are concerned. I live in Essex which of course is just south of Gloucester. Which allows me to segue to my question. I can't pronounce half the words in the Saxon series (the first I have read from you-not the last). I am trying my best, but I am sure it is not as Alfred or Ragnar would have spoken them. Any chance you could get your publisher to put a sound byte on your website so that we could hear the proper King's English ? Thanks, and I'm thrilled to see that there will be a fourth book in the series !! Stephen C. Palm

Sir: With regards to Sharpe's nemesis, Pierre Ducos.... I've not seen it mentioned or alluded to, of Ducos' earlier history. It's trivial, I know, but I've been curious.... Could Ducos have learned & polished his craft during prior service with Robespierre or any of the other French revolutionaries? -I'm just curious if you had created a back history for the character, if even for your own references. He was certainly ruthless enough,hm? -Just curious, Terry L. Rockhold

Hi Bernard, Just wondering if you have any plans to see the cricket world cup as it's in the Windies this year? Also as Sharpe is a demon bowler would you consider a couple of chapters with Shape involved in a cricketmatch against an agtagonistic officer's team, another triumph for "Sharpie" one hopes. Lee

Sir, I am finding the Saxon stories an excellent read and as enjoyable as the Sharpe books. I would be fascinated by your thoughts on the prowess of the various armies through the ages of the British Isles. Rightly or wrongly I always feel the Romans were a superb fighting army and often wonder atw what stage in our history that there is a comparable army to their prowess. For instance would the Saxon armies be able to cope with a Romand Army or indeed would the armies of the English Civil wars even with gunpowder be able to resist ? Alec Davis

Bernard, I heard your interview on BBC radio before Christmas and decided to try out the Arthur series. Not sure of what to expect, it was a real eye opener for me! To read a totally different and yet realistic interpretation of the Arthur legend was like a breath of fresh air. Now I'm up to date with the Saxon stories and, like everyone else, I am looking forward to the next installment. What is it that draws you to the dark ages? The brutality of this period in our history or the fact we have so little of the 'real' stories from this period. It would be really interesting to hear if you had any ideas to undertake a similiar project about 11th century England and the Norman conquest. Dean Tams

Dear Mr Cornwall, My names is Jordan Bishop and im 14 years old. I am a huge fan of the Sharpe books and i have just finished reading the entire series start to finish, so far. Sharpe is such a hero to me and since i got Sharpe's Eagle a couple of years ago i havn't put the books down. I have to say my favourite book is Sharpe's Enemy even though it included the death of Hakeswill. I'm sure you get asked this all the time but it would be a great honour if in one of your next Sharpe books you could name a character after me. I look forward to reading your future works. Regards, Jordan Bishop