Your Questions

Q

First off I just want to thank you for the great body of work you have created in the Shapre series. I have been reading C.S. Forrester for many years, and never thought there could be a writer that could out write the Hornblower series. I will admit not knowing about your work until 8 months ago, but I can also tell you that after reading a couple of the books out of order, I have now gone to read them in order and am now on Sharpes Gold. You make my time on airplanes and in airports fly and for that I am very thankful. One question I do have is are you considering another book that would fill in Sharpes time with Grace after their return to England. As the period seems to have a major impact on Shape to flush it out would only add to your great body of work. thank you for your time, regards, Larry Rubenstein, Annandale VA.

I have much enjoyed you Sharpe series and the warlord series. I was wondering would ever write anything about the life of the young Sharpe before he joins and joining the army?

Andy Ayres

A

I'm not very sure I want to go backwards in Sharpe's life again - it throws up too many continuity problems, but I never say never.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I am an avid reader of your books. Especially the Sahrpe ones, being a history buff. I have yet to read so well researched books. If you ever have time to visit my country, please contact me. I will show you around this island that has more history than anyone would care to mention. I have to say that the greatest story NEVER told in fact or fiction was our great siege of 1565. How about 5000 knights of Malta defeated an 80,000 Turkish army. And despite the ravages of the next hreat siege of 1942, which ravaged Malta, it is all still there, still mostly pristine, and still waiting for an author of your calibre. Interested? Best regards Mario Debono, Malta

A

I'm very interested - I read about the siege a long time ago and keep wanting to do more on it, so who knows? And I promise to let you know if we visit Malta!


Q

Dear sir I am a 16 yr old boy from South Africa. I just want to ask do you believe ARTHUR to be connected to the Sarmation Knights? I don't know if you do any more research on him. Also could you please tell me what your favourite military unit is (eg infantry, cavalry etc). I told you I want to be a writer and was so impressed and surprised when you replied.Thank You. Your books and your characters (especially Derfel) are a great inspiration to me. Regards Kyle

A

I think, actually I'm sure, that Alfred had about as much to do with the Sarmatian knights as I do, or Popeye the Sailor does. It was Hollywood who made that up!

The 95th Rifles - of course!


Q

Dear Bernard, With reference to one of my lectures about biography, do you think it would be fair to argue that the Sharpe novels are a fictional biography of Wellington? Also, for my Final Year Project I am doing a creative writing piece set in England in the Nineteenth century. Are there any good websites/critical texts that would point me in the right direction? Thankyou - and keep writing Sharpe! They're undeniably brilliant! Sarah

A

I don't think it's fair! Maybe it's fair to say Sharpe parallels Wellington, but a long way away! Websites? Don't know any, and am not sure what texts you're asking about. I'm probably being dim.


Q

Hello there. This question was firstly going to be about the next book in the series of Last Kingdom, but you answered that a few questions ago, thankfully. I wanted to know if you had ever considered writing anything about Hereward the Wake, who I consider a character as great as the legend of Robin Hood, and we know this one existed. I'm not entirely sure how long after the resistance on Ely crumbled Hereward still fought on as a rebel, but that's more your area I guess. Also let me take another opportunity to thank you for the great books. Due to the lack of anything to my tastes to read around the late BC/ early AD era to write anymore, having read everything I can get from Simon Scarrow too now. I've rediscovered my love for the Sharpe books, and I'm reading rifles again at the moment. P.s.Just out of interest, for all the people who wanted to know Derfel's final fate, have you ever mentioned the legend of Derfel Cadarn? The one where he founded the monastry house in Wales, became a saint for it, and finally the town was named Llanderfel. There's a very interesting story about a wooden carving of him in the town, but I've wasted enough time, so thanks! :)

Andy S.

A

I haven't been considering Hereward the Wake, but it is a good tale, so who knows? And yes, I do know the story of the town named Llanderfel. Thanks for your message.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have first discovered your books by a mistake from the EBC who sent me one Sharpe episode since then I have read a lot. Because even for a frog your stories are great. I am now reading the Sharpe's Triumph and in this one the lieutnant Joubert family is living apparently in a city in France called Lyons and I simply would like to know if it has anything do to with Lyons la Foret in Normandy ? Simple curiosity because I am coming from this area. And then of course if it is really Lyons la foret why ? Best regards Stephane Bailleul

A

I think I probably meant Lyon of the Rhone departement - which is misspelt Lyons by the Brits.


Q

Mr Cornwell, Apologies, and I'm sure someone will have already mentioned it, but in 'Stonehenge' you mention nettles twice, I was under the belief that the nettle was brought to the British Isles by the Romans... As I say apologies - but I would like to thank you for all the Sharpe books, of which I've read most if not all and thoroughly enjoyed them. Kind regards Ed Alcock

A

I'd not heard that nettles were brought by the Romans - maybe they were? I'd love to know.


Q

I recently purchased Sharpe's Justice on DVD. I have looked through my collection and on line and I find no book "Sharpe's Justice" Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Charles Andersen

A

There is no book. And there is no book for the film 'Sharpe's Mission'. Both were written by screenwriters for the tv series.


Q

Just finished Sharpe's Devil (enjoy the series very much) and have been fascinated by your historical note that Cochrane actually sent a ship to fetch Napoleon from St Helena. I've been unsuccessfully searching for reference. Can you cite some reliable sources I may find that support this? Thank you. Jean Reese-Gibson

A

I can't find my notes - I wrote the book a long time ago - but I do remember that Cochrane sent an officer to Napoleon - I think his name was Lt Col Charles (sounds like a Brit), but Charles arrived after Napoleon's death, so the whole scheme for a United States of Southern America with Napoleon as Emperor came to nothing. I would be almost certain that my source for that would have been Donald Thomas's book Cochrane, which you should be able to find - it was published by Andre Deutsch in London in 1978.


Q

New reader but don't worry I bought them all. I read that there was a miniseries of the Sharpe series.IS there a way to purchase the DVDS/tapes?? Thanks.RP

A

Yes - go to the Sharpe books page of this website, click on the link for 'Suggestions for Further Reading', scroll down to the 10th listing and you will find the Sharpe films along with links to either Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. Hope you enjoy them!