Your Questions

Q

Just a note to tell you how much I've enjoyed the Sharpe series, I'm just now finishing "Waterloo". A question for you though--I note that in the Sharpe books the "f" word is never used. I assumed that it was because it was not in use at the time. Yet in "Redcoat" it appears time and time again, so it must have been in use, at least 20 years before Sharpe joined the army. Any comment? Again let me say how much I've enjoyed your books. Tom

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

It was used all the time - it was the efficacious word that Sharpe would have used every third or fourth word. I thought about using it, but in the end decided it would offend some people and it wasn't worth giving that offence in the interests of verisimilitude. Not entirely sure it was the right decision, but too late to do anything about it now!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have to confess to being a skinflint and therefore never buy your books as new, charity shops and public lending libraries are my choice (I think you would approve of the latter). You are best known for Sharpe, yet you write so many other characters, just as colourful and better developed. From reading the forum, I wonder, have you come to dislike Sharpe, because of his popularity and do you feel you have to keep writing about him to maintain yours? I understand this may be an impertinent question and apologise, but must assure you it meant in no such way. Regards A Granddad preparing to read Cornwell to his Grandson

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I adore the man! Not tired of him at all. He might be tired of me, but that's another matter. I do think, however, that there is a limited number of Sharpe stories left, so I suspect I'll write him less often. But I always enjoy his company!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have a few questions I would really like to ask you before I go to the standard praise of your books. However I understand that you are a busy man so I won't take it amiss if you take a long time replying, or even not at all. Firstly I am really curious as to where you sourced your information for writing the Sharpe books set in India, I am personally making a game based on that time period, although probably stretching before and after it a bit further to take in the earlier Mysore wars and later Maratha wars. I have had reasonable trouble finding information on East India Company army structure, uniform and troop types, and I for the life of me can't find a picture of the tiger striped tunics you describe in Sharpe's Tiger, I have found a period image portraying the Tipu Sultan's infantry wearing a purple tunic with white diamonds, however n tiger stripes. Do you know something I don't? Or were you using some artistic license.

Also, I was wondering if you intend to cover any other time periods in subsequent historical novels, you have covered three of my four main area of interest with the Saxon era, Hundred Years war and Napoleonic wars however my other area's of interest are the Jacobite uprising, Sepoy uprising and the war of The Roses and if you ever wrote on one of those topics I probably would faint out of happiness.

Also with the Sharpe series are you ever going to introduce a French counterpart to have stories told? It's just that you're running out of British engagements that Sharpe could feasibly be in so if you were to continue the Napoleonic series it would be nice to see some French centred conflicts like Borodino, or even for that matter American's during the war of 1812, although that might be deemed too similar to your Redcoat and Starbuck books.

My last query, I didn't spot it in the FAQ since 2004 and the Sharpe movie has been released since then and so I thought you may have received some news, Is there any news on whether or not your newest Sharpe books are going to be televised? I think Sharpe's Fury would look amazing on the screen. Thanks for your time, and I would like to say that your books have provided me many hours of avid reading, my book shelf which usually only has history books on it also now houses your complete (minus one or two) set of books available in New Zealand, a feat only rivalled by C. S. Forester, Terry Pratchett and George MacDonald Fraser. Benjamin Hussey

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

The purple wool uniform with the white splodges was known as the tiger uniform. It isn't particularly like a tiger's coat, I agree, but the Tipu thought it was. I recommend Tigers Round the Throne, the Court of the Tipu Sultan, published by Zamana Gallery, 1990, top accompany an exhibition at the V and A. That book quotes contemporary sources saying that the purple coat was known as 'the Tiger jacket'.

Honestly don't know! Still have too many other things to finish, and I really haven't thought beyond Sharpe, Uhtred and Starbuck.

Me? Write about a Frenchman! Nooooooo. Leave that to someone else!!

No news at the moment.

Q

Dear Bernard I have just read Sharpe's Fury and I am so glad you wrote it. I waited all year for that book and you really made my month when I found it. I was only a little curious as to what happend to Sarah Fry, or unless I have missed something in Sharpe's Fury or Sharpe's Escape. Any way once again you have written another fantastic Sharpe novel, please never stop. Kind Regards Damien.

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

She fades away, I think. I'm not sure is the answer, except nothing bad! I never really know what happens to my characters after their appearance in a book - but maybe she'll appear again?

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have read and very much enjoyed your Arthur and Saxon books. I generally feel you handle the competing religions of the periods accurately, however in terms of plot why isnt there more balance between the effectiveness of paganism and Christianity? For example, you have quite noted examples of pagan spells curing the sick such Alfreds son and Derfels partner but there are few if any examples of Christian miracles. All I can think of is Bishop Emrys praying for the rain to stop and it does! I accept there were many rotten Christians around during these times however Christian miracles did happen or at least there is a much evidence for them as anything pagan. All I ask is that you give some consideration to this as you write the next Uhtred. Sorry, instead of a question this must seem more like a moan. It is not meant to be. I am a big fan Your Starbuck Chronicles are on my Christmas list! Peter

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

Well, I'll think about that! But there's a lot of evidence that even in heavily Christianised societies the common folk depended more heavily on pagan remedies (magical remedies). And, in my own defence, Beocca's actions at the end of Lords of the North are very Christian and very effective, so perhaps the imbalance isn't as unequal as you fear? I hope not.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have two quick small questions. I love all your books but I think my favourite just might be the Arthur books, one of the main things I love about the Arthur series is the way you've made all the events and characters believable, the questions are 1. Were you ever tempted to do what everyone else does, and add magic into the story, to make Arthur this magical knight and Merlin a old wizard? Was it hard not to fall onto that? and 2. What made you want to write a story including these characters in the first place? Thank you for your time. Sarah

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I think I was tempted and yielded to temptation (certainly in Excalibur) - and what tempted me in the first place? I think the centrality of the Arthur stories to the history of Britain - it seems to me they lie at the taproot of our story, and so it was irresistible to attempt a retelling- but one that did try to place the tales in a realistic 5th and 6th century setting.

Q

Mr. Cornwell: I love all your books and I find it so interesting that my two favorite authors share the same last name, i.e., John le Carre's real name is David Cornwell. Any relation there? (P.S. Please keep writing). Val

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I've no idea! I was born a Cornwell, but was adopted into another family, and I was only reunited with my original family about 5 years ago, and I really haven't trraced all their connections. An interesting thought, though? And what about Patricia and John? Do all Cornwells write?

Q

This is an impertinent question. I should say first - however - that I have enjoyed some of your work, particularly the final novel in the Grail series. The image of the rescued heretic girl dancing amidst the thunder will stay with me for a long time. You seem, unlike many so-called 'historical' writers, to be aware of Christendom as Christendom, i.e. amongst other things, to admit the possibility of religious motivation in the characters you place in that time frame. My question is not to do with that however, but with the propriety of calling yourself 'Britain's Storyteller' whilst almost entirely ignoring the specifically Celtic past. Arthur turns up in a very Anglicised form: a novel series entitled 'Lords of the North' (which I freely admit I have not read) appears to be about Norsemen in the north of England: your obvious fascination with 'outsiders' doesn't seem to extend itself to the real outsiders in Anglo culture - the Highlanders. Yours impertinently.... Hamish Robertson

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

It was someone else who called me that, but I do use it. Arthur Anglicised? Wow, think that and you can think anything. Highlanders? All over the Sharpe books, especially the Indian ones. Still, your point is taken.

Q

Dear Bernard, I have enjoyed your Sharpe novels immensely. They are among the best historical fiction I have ever encountered. As an American, I am personally grateful that Sharpe never made it to our shores. As a reader it would have been a severe case of divided loyalties! In fact, knowing Sharpe as I think I do, he himself would have faced a crisis of loyalties, perhaps even joining the Revolution. What do you think?

By the way, in Sharpe's Company you dedicate the book to the Harper Family (including Patrick). Are they in any way an inspiration for the wonderful Harper character? Thank you, and may Richard Sharpe live on! Raymond

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

He'd have been too young!! I've no doubt that had Sharpe been born in the thirteen colonies he would probably have joined the rebels, but having said that, I'm not really sure! Might have depended on his family. After all a great number of Americans were loyalists, so perhaps he'd have ended up in Canada? Dunno is the answer!

Yes is the short answer. The son was called Patrick, but my Harper is based on his father, Charlie.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I hope you don't mind me asking this but I'm trying write a book of my own yet when a try to write fight scenes they always seem rather awkward and clumsy to me. Is there any sort of design or format that you use when you write to make fights/battles run smoothly? P.S. Hope this isn't any trouble or you can't say for copyright reasons.
Alex Firman

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

To be honest, no. You have to prepare the ground carefully so the reader knows where everything is, but after that it's purely instinct. This is not a helpful answer, and I apologise.