Your Questions

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell, OBE: My question is about your mention of a Mortimer Percussion Pistol with a rifled barrel as used by Lord John Rossendale (and subsequently broken by Sharpe) in Sharpe's Waterloo. I know of no percussion pistol in use at that time, and I wonder if you had a source for the use of that pistol at that time, or if this was merely fictional license? I enjoy your writing immensely and I especially appreciate your efforts in trying to stay true to the historical record as much as possible. Congratulations on the OBE. I look forward to your response. Yours truly, Sheldon Clare

Mr Cornwell, I love the sharpe books, and i read them all a couple of times each, but i love reading new ones and the release of Fury was great timing with the end of my AS levels this summer and I really enjoyed it. I was just wondering how many more you are roughly planning on writing? Please let me know!! I look forward with anticipation for future releases!! Yours, Charlie. ps also are you planning on writing any more set in England, as I really enjoyed Regiment.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Noticed that someone asked about places to go see that were mentioned in your books. Among the places you suggested was Rye. I just spent a couple nights in Rye last month. Never gave your books a thought at the time. (Actually I did see a copy of one of the Saxon books in a bookshop window, but the shop was closed.) Which books should I have recalled when I was wandering about there? Also stopped at the Portsmouth and saw the Victory. It was a good trip although rainy. Wonder if I can take credit for ending the dry spell England suffered through this summer. It rained 15 of the 18 days I was there. Eileen

How did you get started writing historical novels? History student in school? Inspired by other novels? Perry Van

Mr. Cornwell, I have only recenlty become aquainted with your books and am enjoying your Sharpe's books to no end. This summer I was able to watch most of the television series on BBC America and it led me to read the books ( which are of course much better ). I am in the middle of Sharpe's Fury and it is tremendous fun. I was wondering if you have any plans to do an American Tour and if so will you be coming to to Northern California? Andrew Roberts - a new fan.

Hello, Mr. Cornwell! Greetings from the small hick town of Clifton, Tennessee! I wanted to drop a line and let you know how much I love reading your books! I have visited our local library quite often lately in pursuit of any of the Sharpe series and any of your other novels. I have read several and enjoy them very much (the next time you see Sean Bean, tell him thank you - my adoration of him led me to your brillant work!). I was wondering if you are perhaps going to be in the US, more particularly in the Nashville, TN area for a book signing? I live in an extremely rural area (population for the entire county is about 2500 people) and Nashville has our nearest and largest book stores. I have wanted to purchase your novels but have found that in my area, unfortunately, you are somewhat obscure. So, I am saving my pennies and biding my time until I can purchase some of them online. Well, enough for now. Thank you for your work, and I look forward to the next Sharpe Novel (Sean Bean, sigh!). Sincerely, Melissa Franks

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I want to thank you for rekindeling my love of reading. My favorites are the Arthur novels and Stonehenge. I have just finished The Lords of the North that I bought on Amazon.uk(I couldn't wait for the U.S. release in January;). So my question is, will you be writing a fourth novel of the Saxon Stories since Aelfric the Usurper is still in controle of Bebbanburg and not Lord Uhtred. I am also curious about Iseult's prophesy in The Pale Horsman that Uhtred will rule Bebbanburg again with a queen of gold. Is Gisela the "golden" queen? You have described her are "dark." Is that a clue of a fourth book? I don't mean to be a pest but I am to curious. Thank you in advance. Sincerly, Amanda

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have enjoyed reading your books. Can you recommend any other authors of historical fiction (other than CS Forester & Patrick O'Brien)? I need to fill the time as I wait for your future novels. Thanks, Matt Dorfman

After finishing the third installment of the saxon stories, 'Lords of the North', I was left with an absence of desirable reading matierial when I discovered that I could delve no further into the life of Uhtred, Ragnar and Alfred, having already read the entire Sharpe, grail quest,warlord chronicles, and starbuck series'. Stonehenge was also a joy to read. however, my point; please could you inform me if a sequel to 'Lords of the North' will be on the shelves in the near future, and if not, do you have any recommendations for reading matierial?this would be much appreciated, and my preference would be toward novels similar to the warlord chronicles and saxon stories. thank you for your time,keep up the fantastic work. Robert Goss

Hi, I have just discovered your books and can't wait to read more, but I thought maybe you could give me some advice on your Sharpe novels. Should I read them in any particular order? I have read the first two in the Saxon series and await the third, but I wouldn't advise reading them out of order. Eric Zander

Dear Sir I have finished the Starbuck books and have been blown away by them! I have enjoyed these books and could not wait to start the next, I have been left wanting more! I have read on your website how you stopped to write Sharpes epic adventures but I was wondering if you had any plans to write the last Starbuck book about the battle which is the bloodiest battle in american history? Yours hopefully Barry Williams

I was wondering if you had considered writing any books about the English Civil War? It's a period that (as an Englishman) I feel I should know about, but I find incredibly difficult to get into. The Starbuck chronicles were (for me at least) akin to Keat's 'On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer'. I had a very enjoyable journey into a period of history I had hitherto missed out on. I really would like it if you were to write a book set in the ECW as it seems to have all of the colour and villains that I have come to love from your novels. Another aside - thank you for not continuing the Grail Quest series. I enjoyed these immensely - "Heretic" has the dubious honour of being the only hardback book I have ever bought ...I tried to wait for the paperback, but the temptation was too great. Back to the point however; thank you for leaving Thomas alone. Enough ramblings ...thanks for the pleasure you have given me over the years ...although God alone knows the damage you and Richard Sharpe did to my revision schedule for my finals at Uni. Best of luck with the new books ..including that one about the ECW :) John Platt

I was wondering how many more Sharpe's books are in store (a lot I hope)? Also, will Sharpe ever find Antonia or meet his father? Is his father English? Thanks for all the stories! David

Mr Cornwell,A question has been buzzing around in my mind for some time, the answer may very well lie in your new book, (this I have on order). If it does I don't wish to know the answer to my question I'll find out for myself.) Question: Sharpes daughter, where has she gone or what has happened to her? In the books I have read there is hardly any mention. I realise your stories are based around battles and the life of a soldier etc but shouldn't a significant person such as his daughter be present. It seems such a shame to write a great love story between Sharpe and Teresa then not follow it up. Apologies if you have and I have missed it. I have read most but not all of the Sharpes books, but I am getting there! Thank you for your time, and thank you for giving many hours of imaginative entertainment. Caren Hutton