Your Questions

Firstly, thank you for your wonderful books, my wife Pat and I have read all and treasure them. You will see from my name that my family arrived from France (about 1860) but the name is derived from Regenbald the priest who was chancellor to Edward the confessor. Have you ever come across this name in your research? Thank you again. Brian Regimbeau.

Hello There, It's horrible, I'm trying to put it out of my mind but there it remains like some blue-mould on a sandwich you're halfway through...page 161 Sharpe's Devil: "Sharpe, seeing his very first sea fight,". Would you forgive me for defacing my copy just so that Sharpe's Trafalgar doesn't seem like a dream or an ad-lib! Also, I was wondering if the spelling of my name (pronounced Alan..despite years of childish "Olwyn" taunting) stood out when you signed my copy of Heretic (thank you muchly for that)? I am born and raised in Northern Ireland but it seems the name is Welsh. Any chance of naming a character for me, go on, I'll be your best friend and promise not to claim any likeness rights! Thank you for taking the time to read this, I have spent years enjoying your work (have read everything except the thrillers and Redcoat and my collection holds 22 first editions of your works) Your grateful fan Allyn Mills

Mr Cornwell Let's suppose Richard Sharpe's triumphant return to England after Waterloo is rewarded with the full rank of Colonel and command of the South Essex. What happens next...... does the scoundrel Sir Henry Simmerson get his just deserts and does the Lady Jane finally get her wonderful and final come-uppance? Does Sharpe, prior to retiring to an idyllic lifestyle in Normandy, put down an Irish rebellion (with the help of Harper) that was masterminded by Simmerson thus saving the Prince Regents life?&&. No? Ok&.can I please know what happened to Simmerson and the Lady Jane after Sharpes Waterloo (loose ends you know&.) Cheers Paul Dixon

Dear Mr Cornwell - I loved The Last Kingdom and cannot wait until the Pale Horseman is published. I will definetely be at one of your London book signings, a real shame you are not doing a talk at either of them. I particularly liked the parts of the book set in the north east of England - I often visit Lindisfarne as my family are from up there. I just had a couple of questions. 1) was the Bamburgh Castle of the 9th century a substantial building or was it very small in comparison to todays huge building? 2) a really small point but in the book it said that Uhtred gallops along the sea to Bamburgh Castle after the sacking of Lindisfarne and the sea was crashing on his right hand side. Would it not be on his left left hand side? This may be a typo or did he set off from elsewhere? 3) Will you ever be going to Lindisfarne for more book research? All the best, Nick

I have read several books in your "Sharpe" series and just finished "The Last Kingdom" which I enjoyed very much. After reading your disclaimer on this web-site I'm disappointed that you are not going to provide me an agent and publisher. I suppose I can also forget about a birthday present. Naturally, I am looking for all three. A number of agents have stated that historical fiction is difficult to sell. Has this been your experience? I have been attempting to find marketing data on recently published historical fiction. Un fortunately historical fiction is not a literary class like mystery, science fiction or romance. Any suggestions of where to even look? I'm looking forward to the sequel to The Last Kingdom. Ward Harris

I'm a massive fan and have read almost all your books. I went to Normandy recently and it struck me that you could write a brilliant book about the Battle of Hastings/the year 1066. Its got everything! Its very well known about (though few specific details so you could get away with a few 'tweaks'), got TWO battles, and has some great historic figures that you could bring to life.(Harald Hardrada comes to mind). Plus you could write from the English, Dane or Norman perspective. (or all of them!) Please consider it as a possible future idea. Max Samson P.S. I promise I won't sue you if you use it, but please reply because if you don't I might.
Max Samsom

I have just started to read the Sharpe series of books and started with Sharpe's Rifles, as it was the first book in the TV series. I would like to continue reading the series but am confused as to what order I should read them in? I can't decide as to whether I should go back in time to read the books in the order they were written, or read them in the chronological order? Apologies if this has already been answered before! Thanks and keep up the good work! Simon

hello Mr Cornwell, I have read all of your Sharpe books as well as some others of yours. I was wondering what the role was of the RSM in a Regiment, and who had more influence with the men, the RSM or the officers? Thankyou for taking time to answer my question. Josh

Just a fan letter I'm afraid, nothing world shattering except...I remember reading a novel years ago set in the Peninsular war and I remember really enjoying it. The thing is it featured an episode in which a character used pages from (I think ) a bible as cigarette papers. Something similar happens in a Sharpe book I think...did you read that same novel yourself ? Was the use of such papers a common thing in the army? did I imagine the whole thing? Just keep up the excellent books!
Mark Tomlinson

I enjoy your books very much, especially the Sharpe series. How would you describe the type of sword that Sharpe is given by the wounded officer in Sharpe's Rifles? I recently started watching the video series and I haven't seen another weapon like that one. Thanks again for the great stories. Leon Schnabel