Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard First may I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now for the questions, I know from previuos responses that you have used a great number of sources for your Sharpe series, however, can you tell me if you number Richard Holmes amoungst them and, if you, have read his books Redcoats and Sahib, what you think of them and whether you have actually met Richard and what he thinks of your books?

Have you ever considered writing a factual book based around the Sharpe era? Best wishes Steven

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I have read everything Richard Holmes has written and will read everything he does write. I've met him a couple of times, we get along just fine, but I've never asked him for an opinion on my books, nor will I!!!

Yes, and when I consider it I generally lie down until the thought has passed. Fiction is MUCH easier!!! And I'd rather leave real history to the real historians.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering what types of shields the celtic people would have used around the 5th century? Like the Warlord chronicles, what type of shield would Arthur and them have used? Would it have been small and round, or a large oval shaped shield, or rectangular like the romans? John

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

Almost certainly large and round - something large enough to stop a slashing attack with a sword or a thrust by a spear.. Probably made of limewood, and maybe edged with leather.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My name is Louis Sulek, I'm 25 years old, Canadian, and presently finishing up a degree in education in Cairns Australia. I have discovered a love for historical fiction thanks to your books. Dick and Dervel (my favorites) are pretty much a part of my subconscious; in times of indecision I find myself asking what I would do if I were them! I just wanted to pass along that I dearly love your books and am a big fan. Naturally, I have a request to go along with the flattery. I am seriously considering a trip to Europe sometime around May, once my studies are finished. Naturally, I'd like to do the Sharpe tour, perhaps starting in Flanders or Britain, but I'm flexible of course.. You've suggested many books and publications for the extra keen in your forwards and historical notes and I have noted all of these, but I wanted to ask if you would recommend any specific books/sources above all others? I am viewing this adventure as a historical pilgrimmage of sorts, so what should be my bible? I hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Louis Sulek

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I hope you enjoy your tour - Salamanca is wonderful, and the indispensable guide is Wellington's Peninsular War, Battles and Battlefields by Julian Paget (Leo Cooper, London, 1990 - updated since). There's was a lot of roadbuilding going on to the north of the Salamanca battlefield and I found the access difficult a few years ago, but if you follow signs to the village of Arapiles you can't go wrong, and Sir Julian Paget's guide gives you every site, details of how to get there, what to see and a useful narrative of every action.From there go east to Ciudad Rodrigo. Once there you have Almeida and Fuentes d'Onoro to explore. Don't miss Fort Conception (north of the battlefield).

Q

SIR COULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING THE HERETIC WITH A BOOK ABOUT JEANNETE AND THOMAS FINDING THEY COULD LIVE TOGETHER. AND SHE PERHAPS MIGHT MARRY HIM TO PREVENT BEING FORCEDTO TO TAKE AN ASSIGNED HUSBAND WHO WOULD TAKE OVER HER RESOURES.
Charles Segler

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I'll consider it, but I really do think Thomas of Hookton's tale is told, so I suspect the answer, disappointingly (sorry), will be no.

Q

Bernard, I have read the majority of your books and have enjoyed every single one!... But the Grail quest is my favorite series of all time.. Could you please put me out of my misery and write another book with Thomas as the main character, reading has never been the same since the day I put down Heretic. Liam

Dear Mr.Cornwell.I'm from Brasil. I don't speak english very well but I love all your books. I read THE ARTHUR BOOKS, THE GRAIL QUEST and five first books of SHARPE in portuguese and the other in english.

QUESTION 1) Do you plan write other book about Thomas of Hookton?

QUESTION 2)When was Derfel Cadarn dead?

QUESTION 3) The Sharpe's adventures will have a finish? Please answer my questions and sorry for grammatical errors. Fernando Martinelli from Brazil.

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

Thomas of Hookton? Probably not. I like him, and it's tempting, but I think his story is probably finished.

Don't know!!!! Sometime in the middle of the 6th Century? The Dictionary of Saints (for such he became) can only guess 6th Century and I fear I can't help further.

Yes, at some point...

Q

sitting on-call all night in x-ray so this might be a silly question.on inside cover of Sharpe's Fury says first french eagle was taken at Barrosa,then in the novel says Sharpe and Harper took eagle already to get uniform badge.is this just me getting senile? thanks Chris. p.s. massive fan just doing my head in.

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

No, you're not getting senile (as far as I know...). it's just that I allowed Sharpe and Harper to take a fictional eagle at the battle of Talavera. The Barrosa eagle, in truth, was the first.

Q

Have enjoyed your books for many years now & am an avid fan of the Sharpe series especially, but not exclusively!!! Are the books "Sharpe's Fury" & Lords of the North" available in Ausralia presently. If not, when is the release likely? Keep up the great work Cheers Steve

Submitted December 18, 2006

A

Yes, I do believe both books are available in Australia. Let me know if you have a problem finding them.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell Thank you for answering my question concerning Johnston(s)in Copperhead. I've just finished reading Bloody Ground. Awesome. I was introduced to your work by Dr Rutz, my professor for Interdisciplinary Studies 175 "Political, Societal, and Intellectual Revolutions in Early Modern Britain (1600-1850). I read Redcoat was captivated. Then, for my Honors Composition course I read Rebel for the final paper (the class theme is the American Civil War) Seeing as how I just finished Starbuck, I'm moving on to Sharpe. I know you probably get asked this all the time, but is there any chance of a Starbuck series, like Sharpe? Tyrone Elbe

Submitted December 18, 2006

A

I assume you mean films? There are no plans for Starbuck films at the moment.

Q

Mr. Cornwell--Having finished all the Sharpe series (in chronological order), it seems the only story left untold is the first one. How about telling us how Sharpe became a soldier and fought in the battle of Flanders & was then posted to India. Thanks for the great ride! Jerry F. Prater

Submitted December 18, 2006

A

I'm disinclined to take Sharpe back again in time - but who knows? Never say never!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been a fan of the Sharpe television series for many years, yet had not made the effort to read any of your novels. I'm cursing myself now for not discovering the works earlier. I have no particular favourite, they are all good. I hope that you don't mind, but I would love to know whether or not you have a team of researchers to assist you with the almost perfect historical details, or are you just a smarty pants?! Please keep writing, I'll keep buying. Best wishes, Tim Gorst Carlisle UK

Submitted December 18, 2006

A

No team, just me.