Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell, Having read The Pale Horsemen, I am now left with a large void. I have read all your works! I would ask you a question of your style. How, when and what are the circumstances that determine whether you write in 1st or 3rd person. I have two favorites that differ on how the story is told. Of course the Arthur series is 1st person but I loved the Starbuck series in 3rd. Thanks for your attention. John Hooper Tennessee

Hi Bernard. Not feeling too good today so I've been at home researching the Post Roman period in Britain through to late Anglo Saxon period for my illustrations. Happened to come across a BBC TV re run of a series called Meet the Ancestors in which an Archaeologist called Julian Richards tries to uncover the stories behind burials. One in particular reminded me of the scene in The Last Kingdom in which Ragnar sacrifices his horse prior to the campaign; the remains of a Saxon warrior was unearthed complete with weaponry, shield etc... and his horse! What reminded me of the said scene was the fact that the horse had been sacrificed with a blow to the forhead (sound familiar?). However, the specialist horse bone specialist pointed out a fact which I was wondering if you had heard before: horses are very difficult to kill with such a blow! What usually happened was the horse was stunned with a massive blow to the area between the eyes and then its throat was cut, often with such force that the blade would cut right through the flesh to leave marks in the backbones. Had you found evidence to the contrary as Ragnar kills the horse with a blow to the head only, or was this simply artistic license? I would be interested to hear your views. Regards Andrew Moore

You tell us in your insightful comments for first time writers to stick to the story and not educate. With the advent of the Internet, why is it that authors do not write novels with links to a web site where the reader can go and educate himself more about any point of interest - be it history, art, culture, or anything else? It seems that adding this additional dimension to a novel is the best of both worlds - it can unclutter a novel and free up and speed up the story and action, while at the same time allowing a reader to delve as deeply, or not, into any particular item of interest. Just a thought, and am interested to hear your views, particularly given the type of novel that you so expertly craft.
James Hugo

Dear Mr. Cornwell, are you thinking of doing any more stand alone books, if so do know what thay maybe about? Thanks for the wonderful books. Good luck and good health. Alex

Just a thought here,on a recent antique programme on UK tv the presenter was talking about formal dinners held by the Duke of Wellington known as the the "Waterloo Banquets"... do you think that Sharpe might have received an invite to one of them? David Voy.

I am far too impatient to wade through the FAQ and other missives, but not so impatient as to wait for your response. "In your own time" to quote Rimmer to Kryten in "Red Dwarf". I'm fascinated by your novels, of course, but am wondering whether you feel an affinity to your characters. I'm not suggesting any ethereal connection, such as reincarnation, but I'm quite curious about your interest in your homeland's history. I appreciate your efforts to pour light into the dark recesses of history's corners. I just wonder wherefrom your inspiration wells? Thankyou for helping me discover a passion for English history (though only a lowly born American) and the vagaries of chance that have created our current world. By the by, any thoughts regarding 1066? Thankyou, Philip L. Watness

Just found out that ITV is making a new series and I can't wait till it flies over to the Netherlands :) My question is, after reading Sharpe's Fortress. Is Sharpe ever going to get revenge on Morris (Sharpe's Captain in the 33rd)? Couldn't you get Morris into the Spainish campaign and Sharpe ends up with him? Brendan Ringenoldus

Bernard, just a quick question- Have you ever thought about writing a story on Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot? It is said that he enjoyed "considerable fame among soldiers", and served under Colonel Bostock at the Battle of Nieuport in 1600. I think you would probably have an interesting take on the story-given the distain your characters have for corrupt lawyers, politicians, tax collectors and religious zealots. Have you ever considered it? What's your opinion on the Fawkes legend in general? R. Kulb

Hey Bernanrd. Just finished Sharpe's battle I loved Runcimann, what a fellow. Where did you get the name and idea from for this jolly character? Also did Sharpe sleep with the Donna Junita? I know he has a soft spot for the ladies and she did take Perkins rifleman jacket, going along with the fact she had a wardrobe full of uniforms from the men she'd bedded. Sharpe usually gets the women, will he kiss and tell on this one? See you at the SAS bash hopefully. Thomas Sheard

Good Evening Sir, I would firstly like to say that I really enjoyed your Arthur Books & think that you did a really wonderful adaptation of the stories, thank you, they were one of the best Arthurian adaptations I have ever read & was really disapointed & indeed sad when I closed the final page of Excaliber. On that note, I have recently heard from a friend of mine, that he read an article in a magazine ( in a dentist's waiting room ), that the series is to be filmed for a television adaptation. I have so far been unable to either confirm or disprove this, can you help at all please? I really hope this is the case as I think it would be one of the most interesting things to come to the small (or even the big) screen for years. I Live in Britain & am of Celtic descent & was raised on stories of King Arthur, hense my interest. I wish you every success with your future writings & thank you once again. Hope you can be of some help. Yours sincerely, Bill.