Your Questions

Hello Bernard, I read with interest in the latest SAS bulletin about your visit to the set of Sharpe's Challenge - given that it's not based on any of your books, what are your thoughts? Will it live up to expectations? Best regards, Lindsey

Have recently finished The Pale Horseman, and am anxiously awaiting the installment in the series. Is there a publishing date for the next book?
Thom

Mr. Cornwell, I have read most of your books and love them all. My question is about the Arthur series. Throughout it there is reference to magic but I had always managed to pass it off as possible (possibly through my lack of knowledge in the area of science) and I actually rather enjoyed this 'magic' aweing the people of the Dark ages. So when it came to the final novel of the trilogy and the for want of a better description 'voodoo body', I must confess I was bitterly disappointed and I simply wished to know whether 'true magic' was your intention throughout the novels or whether you decided to throw it in at the end and if so, why?
John Emmit

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am big fan of your stories and it's a pity you don't want people to give ideas for stories. But I can understand that. So that leaves me to only asking a question. In one of the Sharpe stories you've mentioned that he was one of the invaders of Walcheren (Zeeland). Are you going to that time of his life? Please don't you ever stop writing!
Rob Regter

Dear Bernard, In a reply to the question posted by Chris on the continued French use of the column in David Chandler's book On the Napoleonic Wars he does mention a little known fact that in the Battle of Madia in 1806 the French fought in Line. And of course at Albuera they used a mix of both column and line which came very close to winning.

On a complete tangent in all the archer novels I noticed that most of the famous battles are set ala Crecy and the future Agincourt book you mentioned are against the French with Niveilles Cross made out as the exception rather than the rule. Yet the fighting with Scots was far longer/tougher and more bitter yet in Vagabond the English and Scots seemed to get on like jolly good chums after the fight. Robbie even became Thomas' side kick - I wondered if that was deliberate dare I say do you see the French as the politcally correct enemy that's ok to hate and fight?? Or have you ever considered writing about the Border Fighting and thought about writing about the Archer victory's at the Battles of Falkirk or Halidon Hill??????

I know one of the modern issues bought up in the country at the moment is the famous West Lothian question and the resentment this is causing in England which has suddenly turned Gordon Brown who wants to be the next PM into a Brit rather than a scot. I wondered what your thoughts were on the whole issue??

Finally on another tangent/recommendation - Have you read Frank Kitson's duology on Prince Rupert which cover both his fighting on Land and less known but argubly more enduring (for the navy at least) time at Sea and have you ever thought about the Dutch wars of the 1600's with the Napoleonic wars a bit saturated ???? Anyway all the best Tony P.S Others have mentioned the battle of Hastings. Let me say you are considered Britain's most famous writer of historical fiction what better topic to write about than Britain's most famous battle! Tony

I'm a massive fan (cliche but has to be said) having read all the Sharpe series (a few times!), The Arthurian Books, The Grail Quest and I'm about to start on the Saxon Stories having just finished Stonehenge. Where else is there to go in British History? I wait with baited breath!! With regards to Stonehenge what are your thoughts on Geoffrey of Monmouth's link between King/Warlord Arthur and the stones? Were you tempted to make a link between this book and your Arthurian Series? (dis-regarding his absurd notion of Giants carrying them from Africa!!) Duncan Mercer

I am a Yorkshireman living in West Cork in the Republic of Ireland for nearly ten years and one thing I have learnt over here is that the Irish love a good story in which they kick lots of English arse, what do you think? Ireland has lots of sword wielding heroes to play with. I am sure that Sgt Patrick Harper would be forever in your debt. Philip Newton

I have read most of your books and have loved them all. My question concerns the Sharpe films. While I understand the need of the producers to scale everything down for financial reasons, and I now understand the film of Sharpes Gold having read the answer in the FAQ section, I am still puzzled to why they changed the books so much? While I greatly enjoyed the films I think the series could have been considerably better had they stuck to the order and storyline you wrote in the books and I was wondering why they changed it?
Tom

dear Bernard. First of all thanks for the amazing books you have written. I started on the Warlord chronicles, next came the grail quest and I am halfway through the Starbuck series while I wait for the third book of the Saxon series. The title of the book, Lords of the North kCountry, fills me with hope that the area I live and grew up in features strongly in either this or the fourth book of the series. Can you confirm or deny that the area around Wakefield Yorkshire plays a part in the demise of the vikings? Daniel Kirwan

I have read all the Sharpe books and thoroughly enjoyed them although the fine points of battles during the Napoleonic era sometimes elude me. Your characters are so memorable that I look forward to meeting them in each new book. I have one question: I just finished reading "Sharpe's Escape" and I wonder if there is an anachronism in it. On page 55 you refer to bedsprings twice. Were there actually springs in beds in 1810? Thanks for your reply! Ruth Doak