Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I just love the Sharpe books and have read them many times. I was wondering if you have ever been approached or thought of a computer game based on The Sharpe serie? In these days of RPG's FPS & strategy games it would be very nice to have a chance of following Sharpe into battle, after all it has been a nice little earner for Tom Clancy. M Wyllie

Submitted February 23, 2006

A

It's been talked about, but so far nothing seems to have come of it.

Q

You say that Uhtred, like Derfel, is writing his stoy as an old man. But he says he still has to take back Bebbanburg from his enemies and you say you'll end the series at Brunanburgh. So has Brunanburgh happened when Uhtred is writing or will the series carry on when we reach that point and, maybe, have him revenging himself on his enemies? Thanks for answering this and for all the books. Max

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

One or the other. I haven't got there yet! I do know he gets Bebbanburg back, but whether that's before or after Brunanburh will have to wait till I write the book.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the continuous and lasting entertainment that all of your various series have given me. Having read previous questions, I know that you plan on returning to Nate Starbuck after Sharpe gets his well deserved rest. While I hate to think of a world without new Sharpe adventures, I anxiously await Starbuck's next adventure. But I have wondered for a while now, whether you had any plans to give some insight into Patrick Lassan's life. Maybe I'm a little sentimental, but I'd love to read how Sharpe's boy followed in his father's footsteps...sort of. Thank you for your time and talent! Sincerely, Nick Cooper Pittsburgh, PA

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

Maybe one day? I do want to write something about Sharpe's family, so it'll probably happen.

Q

I am absolutely delighted to hear that Sharpe is making a comeback to our TV screens.Sean Bean is a fantastic actor and it is amazing how well he fits the character,as one reads the novels Sean is easily transfered onto the page.I must thank you for your kind replies to me in the past regarding my attempts to write an historical book and I am glad to say that my efforts are growing into something almost plausible.I wonder if you could advise me on the best(and most economical) ways to see the battlefields of Spain as I would love to see the main areas of the Peninsula.Thank you for your time and keep up the good work.
Matt Patrick

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

The best? Probably to join a battlefield tour. I'm not sure when the next Sharpe Appreciation Society tour of the Peninsula is, but you can look at their website. Holts Battlefield Tours are good - go to http://www.holts.co.uk/ht329.html and you can see details - there are other companies as well, and a Google might come up with something else. If you go on your own then you'll need a car, and you'll definitely need Julian Paget's book Wellington's Peninsular War. I don't know how economic you want to be - but if you concentrate on Salamanca, Ciudad Rodrigo, Fuentes d'Onoro you can do a lot in a short time. Truly a guided tour is best!

Q

Mr Cornwell, I live with a couple of other big Sharpe fans, and there is a question we are all a bit puzzled over. What is Leroux's, from Sharpe's Sword, first name? Do you remember. Thank you for your time. Sarah

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

Philippe. I do remember.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell. Sorry to bother you with yet another question on French tactics, but I was wondering if the French column has ever beaten a British line? And also, why didn't the column just simply charge the line? If they waited until the redcoats fired their muskets at about 50 yrds, then the column could charge. This is a tactic that work during the Jacobite rebellion. The French had numbers on their side, and the redcoats would never have been able to contest with the bayonet. Thank you for taking time to read this. Chris

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

The column never did beat the line. And the huge difference between the Jacobite era and the Napoleonic era is in the bayonet. The redcoat facing the Jacobites had a 'plug-bayonet' which fitted into his musket muzzle like a cork into a bottle so, once it was fitted, the gun couldn't be fired. Wellington's men could go on firing with bayonets fixed. They were also better trained and fired faster (three shots a minute is fair). Why didn't the French just charge like the Jacobites? First they were facing much better opposition. Their ranks were being pounded by artillery, skirmish fire and volley fire. They couldn't just charge, because their path ws obstructed by dead and dying men (read John Keegan's The Face of Battle). The Jacobites came faster, faced less opposition, and were armed for the melee. Believe me, if the French could have done it, they would. But they couldn't.

Q

Hello Dear Bernard, thanks so much for your wonderful books, the stories are brill and I love the historic details: Today I learned where the phrase to 'toe the line' came from! I am currently reading Fallen Angels and am sure I've come across the name "Skavadale" before - was it mentioned in Gallows Thief? (I came on your website to try to find out.) I am really enjoying your books and plan to go through them all, though I'm a slow reader. Well done for giving us such brill entertainment; it helps me through when things get tough in life ..... I'm a working mum/wife and we have illness in the house. I look forward every day to 'rest-time' when I can escape away with your lovely books. Thanks! from Sally Channon (Sal).

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

Was it? I honestly can't remember. I do tend to recycle names I like, so it's very possible.

Q

Hi Bernard, Just thought I'd drop you a line to thank you for writing such excellent books. As an archaeologist and a keen student of history, I've enjoyed your range of novels greatly. I currently just finishing the 'The Last Kingdom' and was wondering if the 'Battle of Benfleet' AD 894 will make an appearence? I live just down the road from Benfleet in Essex, in Hadleigh, so it would nice to have a mention... I've noticed you were spent some time in Essex, and have spotted in the Arthur and Saxon novels your references to the county and that has just added my enjoyment of your work. Best Wishes, Jamie

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

I grew up just down the road from Benfleet - in South Benfleet - so yes! It will feature largely!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am re-reading Sharpe's Devil again (I re-read all of your books in a never-ending circle) and noticed that Sharpe and Harper were mentioned to have visited Paris after the battle of Waterloo. As a lazy amateur historian, I rely on you to educate me on nineteenth century European and North American history in the context of your fictional novels and was wondering if you might consider taking us, the readers who follow you avidly, to Paris after Napoleon's final defeat. I understand that the Duke of Wellington was posted there for a short period of time and, although I am sure that you are constantly barraged with requests and suggestions, I wonder if this might provide a suitable platform to fill a portion of the five years between Sharpe's Waterloo and Sharpes Devil? I have never been to Paris and will probably never have the opportunity to go, but cannot think of a better period of time or more interesting setting for our two heroes to get into another gutter fight, even if the guilding is somewhat tarnished after Napoleon's exile to St. Helena. Thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to read this long-winded E-mail from another devoted fan of your enjoyable and informative books. Sincerely, Paul Higgins Bowmanville, Ont.

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

I think that's very likely to happen. We all have this idea that Waterloo ended Everything, but it didn't, and there was some campaigning afterwards, and I've always kept that in mind for a Very Last Never Again Sharpe story, so it will happen, and they will get to Paris. Wellington, of course, was ambassador there after Toulouse (before Waterloo), but of course was there after Waterloo again. Paris surrendered to the allies on July 4th, a date much celebrated here in Cape Cod.

Q

Sir, in the last few years I have become a huge fan of your stories. I am currently working my through the Sharpe's series, up to Siege. I have also read the Scoundrel and the Starbuck Chronicles, which leads me to my question. I know it has been a while since you released the 4th book in the Starbuck Chronicles, but do you plan to finish this series? It just seemed that you left the story hanging. I really enjoyed this series, the first I read of your books, before my father got me hooked on the Sharpe's stories. Anyway, was just curious if there was going to be anymore in teh Starbuck series. Thanks V/R Eric Buechler SSG, US Army

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering why you haven't written a Starbuck book in ten years? I was hoping for a little more satisfying ending than them being discontinued. By the way I can't wait for the new Uhtred book. Your fan, Alex Harn

Submitted February 21, 2006

A

Once the Sharpe series is done I hope to return to Starbuck. I'm glad to know you enjoy my books - thanks for writing!