Your Questions

Just a quick question Mr. Cornwell, as I am now reading SHARPE'S SWORD I have noticed a similarity in nearly all of your books. Almost all of your Ensigns are young, usually 16 or younger and they usually ALWAYS die. Is this a historical fact or do you just prefer killing off young inncocent children? Ryan Quint

Bernard , I really thank you for all of your books, but especially the Saxon series. I just love Uhtred, you've captured an imperfect person (as we all are) living in a violent time, but he is basically a good man, and (i think) honorable. I don't really think you are anti-Christianity, just anti the religious system of those times, and you show us the hypocrisy of most of the church leadership, and that's what Uhtred (and Bernard) don't like. And yet, Father Beocca illustrates the few sincere christian leaders. And I thank you for showing Beocca's courage in confronting the demons in Ragnars sister and setting her free, that was a master stroke. Including Beocca helps balance out the greed and un-christian lifestyles of the church leaders. I think you, like me, have a problem with organized religion, not a problem with God.

On Another note, I appreciate your subtle humor that's sprinkled all over your writings; example, when Uhtred asks a priest if there are women in heaven, and he answers :yes lord, the women saints etc" and you say, the priest smiled, pleased that Uhtred was taking an interest in theology, then Uhtred says "no, I mean women for us to hump" . I laughed for 10 minutes after that. Just wanted you to know many of us appreciate and look for those subtle humorous dialogues you inject throughout these books. Believe me, it's not lost on us.(I give one example of many). Thanks so much, I feel like Uhtred is a friend, I love the guy, and cant get enough of this series. I was ecstatic to learn it was not going to be a trilogy, and many more are planned.

So far, I've read all except the Arthur series, and the Sharpe series, they have not 'grabbed' me yet as all the others have. Are they stylistically different? or is it just me in the right mood at the right time? I know you get praise etc blah blah blah, so I wont bore you with more, I just give a heartfelt thanks to God or whatever forces gifted and shaped you into such a unique vessel to bring such enjoyment, life changing even, to so many. Thanks, Bernard Mark Gonzales Atlanta, Georgia

Mr. Cornwell, A few years back I stumbled across your book, The Archer's Tale in a local library. I am not sure why I chose to read it, but I am incredibly glad I did. Ever since I read that book, you have become my favorite author to date. I now own the Grail Quest, the King Arthur set, and now the Saxon Stories. You are the only author to produce a book, (The Archer's Tale), that I enjoyed reading twice. I just want to thank you for the great stories mixed with historical facts. I also enjoyed "Stonehenge", in that it gave me a perspective I would have never thought of on my own. I am currently serving as a 1LT in the Army and find your Sharpe series quite inspiring although I do prefer your stories of archers and blades. I just wanted to ask one quick question. I am currently reading the Saxon Stories and I recognize a few names from the Arthur Books. I was wondering if there was any relation. Thanks again for the wonderful books and please keep writing. Sincerely Austin T. Starken 1LT, IN

Dear Mr Cornwall I am currently looking at historical accounts of Sheffield - particularly the Norfolk Street Riots, 4th August 1795. After reading about the story of how the Volunteers 'dispersed' the crowd it struck a chord with me and sounded similar to part of Sharpe's Justice from the series. Was Norfolk Street a source of data that would have been used to underpin this story? Many thanks Shona Blackwell

Dear Mr.Bernard Cornwell, As I worte in my earlier comment about the next Sharpe books, could you give me a hint of what is to come and what it will be called? P.S About the Yew Bow, is it all right if I use yew from Britain as I do not have access to timber from the mediterranean or from oregon? Charlie

Dear Bernard, While looking forward to your next Viking novel I wondered if you knew what you would be writing about after that ???

And in regards to the Sharpe series, will Sharpe ever be involved the Tarragona campaign and Murray's subsequent court martial, he seems a rather wretched general, how did he gain command??? And after having Sharpe at Barossa have you thought of getting Sharpe to Grahams final action at Bergen Opp Zoom?????

Finally although slightly left of field but due to the fact you write about archers and they were involved, ever any chance of writing about the battles of Falkirk and Bannockburn??? Yours sincerely Tony

P.S Two really good books on the Napoleonic wars out if you have not already read them but Glorious Field of Grief by Micheal Oliver and Richard Partridge on the battle of Albuera and Adam Zaymoski's new book Rites of Peace the fall of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna are both worth a read or two if you are interested.

Dear Mr Cornwell, Like most who visit your site I have enjoyed reading many of your novels. The Sharpe series are my favourite, but I also enjoyed Redcoat, as I have an avid interest in the American Rev war.I wrote as part of a thesis a study of Banastre Tarleton a much maligned but extraordinary cavalry commander on the British side. I am surprised no-one has written a novel about the guy as he led quite some life! My question is, and forgive me if I've missed something, as I have not read quite all the Sharpe novels, but did he fight in the war of 1812 against the USA? I believe elements of the 95th did, and if he hasn't turned up there yet I feel it would make a great story and a change of scenery. Have you, or would you consider it? The Americans may not like it though, if I remember correctly the enemy in the film Master and Commander was changed from the Americans to the French to placate the American audience.. This is a shame but the brits always seem to get a raw deal in many historical films....The Patriot springs to mind, the bad guy in that was based on Tarleton and was a total injustice to his character. Anyway kind regards, and I look forward to your views on Sharpe in America?
N. Pearce

Dear Bernard, Having read most of your books(I'm currently halfway through "Redcoat")and being a Welshman,I was wondering.Will you be attending any of the Rugby World Cup matches in September?I write this having just watched my team the Ospreys,lose in a cracking Anlo-Welsh cup final to Leicester Tigers.Anyway keep up the good work. Nick Grant.

Hi Bernard I have a comment and a question. Firstly, I have always personally felt that your portrayals of early religious figures and religion is one of the most accurate and honest that I've ever read. I never thought of it as anti-christian, just realistic. That being said, I wonder if you've ever had a publisher/editor tone down (or attempt to) any of the ways in which you've dealt with organized religion, or if you ever have to deal with angry or combative religious people? Thanks Mike Seckla

Hi, I love reading your books, you are a true bard when it comes to story telling, and maybe singing too but I wouldn't know. I heard a rumour sometime ago that your Arthur series were to be made in to a film, is that true? If so hurray, we might get an Arthurian film worth watching for a change!!! Are there plans for any of your other books to be made in to films or TV shows? Also, I get a sense from reading your books, of the eternal hero, like a blood line running through your stories. Do you see all your main characters as springing from the same family tree all be it generations apart? Thanks for all your efforts both in writing and research, I'm really looking forward to the next Saxon installment. Gary

Hello, I've just started reading the Sharpe series again and at the moment I'm reading Sharpe's Enemy. At the end of Chapter Five Colonel Dubreton informs Sharpe that he was at the Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers, France, with none other than Sir Arthur Wellesley. Unless I am mistaken, this would mean that Dubreton was an officer in the French army before the Revolution? I'm intrigued by the idea that Dubreton become part of the French officer class through privilege in the days of the Monarchy, yet after the Revolution he attained the rank of Colonel through his merit... if I am correct in thinking that is what happened. It's also interesting how a man like Nicholas Soult, a private in Old France's army, could become a Marshal whilst officers of the old regime could still prosper under a meritocracy. I was reminded of Napoleon Bonaparte, and how he was an Artillery Officer in the pre-revolutionary Royalist army (and a member of the Corsican minor nobility, I think I read somewhere). I then wondered how common it was for the officers of Old France's army to serve (as officers) in the army of New France, considering many of them might have fled the country for practical reasons like saving their necks or ideological reasons such as monarchism, religious convictions etc. etc. Furthermore, would the Republican army have been as welcoming a place as the Napoleonic army for an officer of the old Royalist army? Thank you kindly, Matt.