Your Questions

I have a question regarding the Grail series I've been wondering about since I finished the books. It has been a long time since I read the books and I hope you know what I'm referring to but I believe in Vagabond Thomas is tortured by the inquisitor who only uses fire and brands. If I remember correctly it was said inquisitors were only allowed to use fire becuase it did not draw blood. I'm wondering was this the guidlines all inquisitors were given or was it just a story telling device? I can't resist and forgive my flattery but I want you to know those books created a swarm of warm memories I will not forget. I enjoyed every passing hour immersed in those books.
Daniel Morin

Dear Bernard In regards to future projects most of your books cover soldiers on land but have you ever considered a Naval series.Admittedly the Napoelonic wars have been done to death but have you ever thought of the 3 Anglo/Dutch wars of 1600's. The Dutch were a much tougher enemy than the French Navy and those wars in a way were descisve since ended Dutch domination of the sea's and bought about British control.

BTW In noticed in Fury that Sharpe apart from killing the odd person in battle (where its fair) is remarkbly restrained and does not really kill anyone. Has Sharpe gone soft???? BTW If you ever write about the Siege of Burgos have you ever considered bringing Hakeswill back one last time to make Sharpe's life a misery??
Geraint

I have just read all 3 of the "Uthred" Saxon Novels in a week! My wife bought me The Pale Horesman as a present and fortunately my father in law had the other 2 so I was able to read them in sequence. Incidently he has probably read everyone of your books and owns copies of most ( I must ask him if he has any early Sharpe's)? Anyway the reason for contacting you, other than to say how much I enjoyed the books is to see how long one will have to wait for the 4th in the series? Many thanks. Bamber Price

I have just bought and read The Last Kingdom,The Pale Horseman and The Lords of the North in hardback.I thoroughly enjoyed all three and there is a hint of the storyline continuing.I know The Lords of the North has only just been published here in the UK but I was wondering if another chapter in the story is been written when is it likely to appear on the bookshelves? Great entertainment, many thanks,best wishes, Gary Hall.

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I would just like to say a big thank you for signing my books in Plymouth last Wednesday - you might remember me, I had an old edition of Sharpe's Eagle, and I think you said something along the lines of "I can't remember this one at all". I also have a question. I have just finished Sharpe's Gold, where Sharpe meets his old friend, Tom Garrard - is this the last time we see Tom, or is he killed in the destruction at Almeida? Many thanks.

Jamie Kearns

Dear Bernard, I am writing to inquire of the United Kingdom's military ranks back in the days of Sharpe. I've been doing google searches for it for quite some time, but haven't been provided with the answers I'm searching for. I was mainly wondering what the next advancement is from sergeant. Also, I was wondering about the rank of an ensign. Would that be above or below sergeant? Thank you for the help! -Pim P.

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a great fan of your writing and through the Sharpe books you have ignited a dormant interest in antique weapons, but may I ask an unrelated question, in the Pale Horsemen, english version, is the picture of the hill fort just that, a picture drawn or is it an aerial photograph? Graham Reinelt

Hi Bernard, Firstly I would like to thank you for giving us so many fantastic characters over the years, my favourites being Uhtred and Thomas of Hookton. I have one question - when you are writing a series and get to the third installment do you ever have to go back and read the first to remind yourself of some of the smaller points in the story or do you have it "all in your head"?
Steve Bunn

I admire the historical accuracy of the Sharpe books, so I assume your depiction of the English officer class at the time is also accurate. My question is, with such incompetent officers, why was the army so successful? Was it because all other countries at the time had a similar process where nobles simply bought commissions? Regards, Peter Jennett

Dear Bernard i was recently reading up on the 95th on www.wikipedia.org due to reading your books and came across an interesting story about an Irish rifleman named Plunket who shot a french general at a range of between 400 and 800 yards and then at the same range shot a frenchman who came to the generals aid.What struck me as odd about the story was the description of the riflemans stance when he fired it was said that he lay on his back rifle butt under his right arm and barrel resting upon his crossed feet I found this an odd way to fire a rifle it was described as the regiments approved method of firing I wondered if this was a mistake or if you knew anything about this method of firing the rifle? Richard PS. Keep all the books coming they are all brilliant and very enjoyable and hope you will soon have Starbuck marching again.

Hi, I have just seen you in Waterstones, Bath. Several mentions were made of the Sharpe TV series, and its future. Are there any plans to televise any of your other books? The Arthur series would be ideal for TV. (Small armies of soldiers would be easier to portray than 120,000 soldiers at Waterloo!). All the best Simon