Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I'd like to know more about Frederickson! If (or when) you have occasion to include Sweet William in a future Sharpe novel (perhaps the siege of San Sebastian?) please have him reveal something about his background, military service before he met Sharpe, how he lost his eye, ear, teeth, etc. Thanks, Alan Kempner

In The Last Kingdom hardback version page 166, you write Wird Bith ful araed (my translation!) does it literally translate to fate is unstoppable? Kind regards. Graham

I have read nearly all of your books, and friend them a great read especially as the books are different from the dvd's. My questions are these - Will there ever be a book written about Richard Sharpe first joining the army and his problems with Hakeswill during his very first months in the army. And I suppose it would be sad, but very interesting to have a book recording the final death of Sharpe. Any thoughts.
Rob Cottrell

Hello. I was just wondering what some of your favorite movies are regarding the peninsular wars, the hundred years war, or the Arthur movies. Although the Sharpe films weren't exactly true to your books, I did still enjoy them. A. Sehic

Bernard, I've just been the MSN groups website dedicated to Richard Sharpe fans and there is a link to another site that has news of forthcoming films. This site says that Sean Bean will be starring in a new movie to be called Sharpe's Challenge and filming will start Autumn 2005 in India. Is this true? Ed Harvey

Dear Bernard, I'm currently reading my way through Enemy of God, the second volume in your Warlord Chronicles. While I am greatly enjoying it, my question in fact refers to the cover designs of your novels, rather than the texts. I am curious to know how much influence you yourself have on the theme and design, for all your works. I would especially like to know, if you could tell me, the origins of each of the artefacts on the three Warlord Chronicle novels - in particular the impressive helmet on the first, as I'm sure I've seen it before. Are these items supposed to have any particular relevance to the books? I would greatly appreciate any feedback you could give me about these covers, and in the meantime I will continue to soak up the fantastic tales you've weaved between them. Many thanks, Heather.

Bernard, I am an avid reader of your books, I began with the Archer's Tale, then the Warlord Trilogy, which by far is my favorite series of books. Anyway, I just recently finished the Last Kingdom (which I read in 2 days) and had to write to tell you that you've done it again. I think you have created your most interesting character in Uhtred, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Now for a few questions, I'm curious as to the pronunciations of the two old english letters that you used in the book, I obviously can't type them but you know which ones I mean. Secondly, I really enjoy historical fiction in the period of the Romans to the dark ages, any suguesstions for more titles in this genre? Also read Scoundrel recently, really enjoyed that as well. Well you keep them coming, and I'll keep reading.
Russell Faroni

Thank you for the many books you have written, and I have spent reading. I have a question. What is the term you have used for those armies or troops who first enter a breach? I know it has something to do with their very low life expectancy. An acquaitance of mine likened them to the 95% of soldiers in Iraq who break down a door. I look forward to your next historical adventure. Sincerely, Michael Murdock

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. This one will require a little creative speculation on your part. Let's hypothesize that you had written the Sharpe series chronologically, starting in India and going all the way to the end, instead of starting in the middle, going to the end, and then working your way backwards. What are some of the major things that might have happened differently in Sharpe's career? Alan Kempner

Dear Mr Cornwell, Was Sgt/Ensign Charles Ewart, of Waterloo fame, part of the inspiration for Sharpe? I was deeply moved by your interpretation of his action in Sharpe's Waterloo. I had to reread the section several times before I could move on. As a very reluctant conscript in 1970 I became the full stop at the end of long line of Ewart military heros. I am proud of their exploits but I am bloody glad I did not have to add the the family "glory". Thank you! Rob Ewart