Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am 16 and have been reading your Sharpe books for the past 2 years, I also enjoy the TV show. I was just wondering if the TV show Sharpe's Challange was based on the book Sharpe's Tiger, as I believe the plot to be very similar. I'd also like to take this time to thank you for the hours of enjoyment you have gave me whilst reading the Sharpe books, thank you Daniel McEvilly, Redditch England

I'm running out of your books to read. I am very glad that there will be a new Sharpe's book sold here in the U.S. in September. I was wondering if there are any plans to have the Arthur trilogy in a downloadable form. I have read the books twice and listened to them once on cassette. I would love to be able to hear them on my iPod. Every once in a while I like listening to these fine stories. Arthur has never been presented better!
Bob Sablotny

Mr. Cornwell, For me, one really great aspect of your books has been their ability to stimulate my interest in various subjects, which has led to some personal research on topics like Arthur, Danes, Celts, Scots-Irish, Napolean, etc. After doing this research, however, I find myself with a burning question, and so I thought I would turn to you for an opinion. I recognize it's probably unfair to ask this because any answer would be biased or speculative at best, as well as way too long for this format... but here goes anyway!

"Despite the fact that they are separate nations, taken as a whole, the English, Scots and Irish have very violent histories and have demonstrated enormous capacity and talent for warfare (even after they migrated to the New World.) Due to their distinction of having such a huge and lasting impact upon world history, is it safe to say this group comprises probably the most potent fighters the world has ever known?"

Hopefully this question doesn't seem dumb. I know we've had the Greeks, Ottomans, Mongols, Japanese, etc., but the peoples of the UK seem to stand out in history in this regard. Again, if the answer would need to be too long and time consuming (for you) for this format, I'll certainly understand that. Thanks so much for your books. George Murray Boise, Idaho

Sir, I am in a bit of an argument about the use of the term Claybeg, I have seen on many sites where they say it was the term for the basket hilt claymore. In my understanding of this subject the term Claybeg does not exist in the Gaelic language and was introduced by a gentleman that had no understanding of the language itself. I have also received info from the Oakeshott Foundation that the term Claymore meant only Large blade and did not refer to any particular size sword either Two-handed or one-handed,The term Claymore actually refered to and meant Broadsword. I send you a copy of the note forwarded to myself from the Oakeshott Foundation.

"In reference to the Gaelic sword references, the only historical terminology of the language regarding either the single or double edged single hand or two handed sword was the `claidheamh mhor` (or Anglicized `claymore`). This was not in reference to the type of sword or its size but purely in reference to the blade as in it being broad, wide, big, as Mhor has such a general meaning which only becomes specific in context. Even in English terminology, a backsword is a type of broadsword, but a broadsword need not be a backsword! There were no such Gaelic terms used in reference to either the single edged blade or the smallsword specifically. These have been affectations of Anglicized Lego language, where terms in other languages are made up in order to satisfy the structural norms of English. Hope this helps. Yours Very Truly, Macdonald"

Could you give me your feelings on this? Thank You Barry K. Shepherd Sitka Alaska

Dear Bernard In reply to the May the 4th query on what was considered the best British unit on the American revolution then the fairly universal opinion considered is that debatebly the best of EITHER side is the loyalist unit the Queens Rangers led by John Simcoe which was a mix of both Light cavalry and Riflemen/skirmishers and was argubly the percursor to units the 95th and used with great success for skirmishing and counter-insurgency operations which would have some relevence in this modern age. This leads into the question in that since the French had no rifle units whether you considered sending Sharpe to Canada in the war of 1812 (before the promise)to fight American rifle-units to see how Sharpe would fare Could he handle the big leauges He beats Musket units all the time but would he still be able to be best of the best against another rifleman-unit??? btw If you ever write about the Siege of Burgos will Hakeswill since he is alive at the time make a final appearance to make Sharpe's life a misery? all the best Geraint

Dear Mr Cornwell I enjoy your books tremendously and find them not only a thoroughly enjoyable read and interesting from the military history point of view. I wonder if you have ever considered a series about Mehmet the Conqueror, an intensely interesting man who virtually kick-started the Renaissance by capturing Constantinople. I have never seen anything about this man other than history though he had an immense impact on Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Not only that there were his enemies such as Georg Skanderberg and Jan Hunyadi and perhaps a very young Vlad Tepes. These are real people who, like your characters, were very interesting from the stand point of history and of character. Though since you have so many series going one more may not be possible.
Paul

The books on Uthred "and friends" are really captivating, even compared to your other enjoyable and fascinating body of works. You really are the Patrick O'Brian (God rest his soul) of the "Historical land conflict Saga", which even though such a comparison is pretty inappropriate (you are trying to achieve different things), I think demonstrates a distinction you both share with respect to the historical novel. That being, that in this genera where you are both clearly ahead of everyone else in your respective fields in a way evident to both the lay-enthusiast and academic/"literati". First of all I was wondering whether Uthred's son will see the Norman invasion in his late 70's if I have done my sums correctly - with his son fighting on the Hill near Hastings - bringing the series full circle between the two different invaders of these shores. I am presuming this would make a good sequel to "Thee Lords of the North" ? The historical records of these events are very well established I am guessing compared to the material you had to draw on to authenticate the Uthred trilogy ? the researching of material may be more straight forward and allow for more 'detailed and authentic fictional account' (if you get what I mean in my contradiction). It occured to me that the books 'Last Kingdom' and 'Pale Horse rider' would make a great single film, or perhaps with all the material in all the books, a grand trilogy akin to the Lord of the Rings Film adaptation for film. Best regards Dr Edward Jack

That American Amazon won't sell that 'Growing up Peculiar' in blighty!! can something be done? Ben

Have you ever thought of writing a stand alone book on the war for Texas's Independence? Alex

Dear Bernard, I recently re-read Sharpe's Eagle (that is, I read it for the second time) and this time, knowing that it was your first book, noticed that you describe things that happened in Sharpe's past, but which you hadn't then written about. For example, you mention how Sharpe learned to read while captive in the Tippoo Sultan's dungeons. I've since noticed that you do this frequently throughout the series. When you were writing Sharpe's Eagle (if you can remember) did you just throw these references in as a convenient way of explaining an aspect of Sharpe's character? It seems to me that by doing so you're creating a potential consistency nightmare for the earlier books, which of course you wrote after Eagle. But I must say that you managed it very well! Did you find it difficult achieving that consistency in the (chronologically) earlier books, or did you actually plan out Sharpe's life up to the time of Eagle, to make sure that he could actually be where you said he was? It's complicated just asking the question! Many thanks, Chris