Your Questions

Hello again Bernard, I've got a very quick question for you: If you had a time machine that could only be used once (there and back) to view any event in history, which would you choose? and why?

Oh, and when you do the next Sharpe, do you think it will be a prequel involving everyone's favourite Sgt?...Hakeswill? Cheers, Nick

First I want to be thankful to him to write. Second I like who said to me that opinion has of the Spaniards in the wars of Napoleon, in my country we have the sensation of which it describes to us like cowardly idiots. Jose Ortiz Gonzalez

Hi, Have read most of your books. Loved the Sharpe series and currently reading "The Last Kingdom". Would it be possible for you to print your maps on a fold out page so the reader is able to refer to it without having to being distracted by having to open the book to the page with the map? Thank you, Looking forward to going on another adventure in your writings. Not expecting a reply ; ) Doug Matthews

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I have just finished Lords of the North, and like the first three of the Saxon Stories it was great. But could you please put a few more maps in the front of the book. It is very useful to have all the map information in one place. I think that the geographical data was a little spotty, at least in this third volume. This made following all the detailed movements difficult to follow. Thanks for listening. Stanley

Dear sir, First let me open by saying thank you for the wonderful gift of Starbuck. Those books (and Sharpe) were what first inspired me to take my own plunge into novel land; I am deeply in your debt. My first question for you is that my character before the Civil War was part of the Irish Jasper Greens which a militia company from Savanna Georgia and fought with them in the Mexican War. But the trouble is that I cant find much about them before they joined the Confederacy. I googled them about a thousand times but still can find nothing about their Mexican War experience. Do you have any suggestions to help me track this information down?

Also I was wondering if you had thought about war reenacting? It is a great experience that really adds to your knowledge to what the individual solider (and civilian) went through during the war. If you did what war do you think youd reenact?

Lastly why did you choose to make Starbuck a Confederate? Did something draw you to the theology of the Lost Cause? Thank you for your time and insight.

PS: Is there any trick to writing battle senses? I want to write it like it really was, a bloody, smoke filled afire but I also dont people to have to my book down because they are weak in the stomach! Is there anyway way tell that youve gone too far? Adam Azzalino

Mr Cornwell: Loved your Arthur books, and am loving your Saxon/Viking series. I've had a very small business selling Viking artifacts for some years, and I just bought a Viking bronze mount with a distinctively individual face. I'm wondering if in your reading you've come across any period physical descriptions of Viking leaders? You're welcome to take a look at the mount if you'd like at www.vikingsandsaxons.com. To me, the face looks like Ubba. I hope you continue with the Saxon series for quite a while. I'm now eager enough to get a copy of the new book to order it from England, rather than waiting for its US release date. Sad addiction! Regards, David M

My daughter has come across a Waterloo Medal for a Sgt in the 2nd Battalion? 69th Regiment of Foot and has been told that the 69th eventually became Royal Regiment of Wales. He obviously survived the massacre at Quatre Bras. In 'Sharpe's Waterloo' you indicate that it was a Regt that recruited in Lincs. Please could you recommend a source where she can find the answer? Richard Jonas

Dear Mr Cornwell, May I start my offering my apologies for posting several question to your good self over the last few months. But, as a fan it does mean a great deal to us to have you take the time out of your busy schedule to read and answer our questions. May I ask a final question, after which I will leave you alone. I appreciate that it has been many years since you have gone into research for your wonderful Sharpe novels. But may I ask, if you can remember, where did you find reference to soldiers spitting balls down musket muzzles in the loading process? Im quite sad in the fact that I have a modern copy of the 1764 drill book. I cannot find a reference to spitting balls, in fact, the books orders soldiers to bite away the folded end of the cartridge (instead of biting the bullet away) and after priming the pan, they were to pour the powder down the muzzle, followed by the paper and ball. Now I know this is some 40 yrs before our Sharpe time, I dont think the drill book would have changed that much though, considering the conservative nature of our army. I have also read many Osprey titles, and again I can find no reference to spitting. Please do not take this as criticism, as I do not wish to say youre wrong, far from it. Its just that I have found no reference to it and I was wondering if you can help. Thank you again for your time sir. Andrew

Hi, could you please tell me if and when the new Sharpe book and the Saxon books will be available (in 2007)?
Ryan O'Shea

Hello - just wanted to say I have really enjoyed reading your books, just finished the Arthur series. My husband is reading Sharpe which I will probably start soon. Will you be writing any more Arthur or Grail Quest? Thanks for your time, and please write faster LOL, Pam

I have been enthralled by the Saxon series and noted that in you footnotes you implied that you were a descendant of an Utred. How do you know this from so far back? Have you been able to trace the history? I am looking forward to the next story. I also loved the grail quest. That kept me going for ages with anticipation. Thank you for your absorbing stories. Jane Bayes