Hello Mr Cornwell,

I have been a fan of your books since 1987 when I first found Sharpe’s Eagle in a local newsagent,and you are obviously a man who loves and studies history.I have read and heard your comments about King Alfred being acclaimed The Great by common consent of historians,and how you would include Elizabeth 1 in the same category and would like to know why? A ruling monarch has three prime expectations from their subjects,to make a marriage of state for the benefit of the kingdom at large,to beget an heir, ten if possible and to defend the realm from all aggressors.I know she never married or had any children,and from what I have read it seems we would all be speaking Spanish if Drake and Raleigh didn’t take it on themselves to attack the armada,please correct me about that if I am wrong because we don’t learn english history in Australia.I probably sound like a smartarse,but am not trying to be, I really want to understand why the English love ER1 so much,because I just don’t get it.I have read all your books and watched all the tv productions of Sharpe and Uhtred (even have a complete first edition of Sharpes series) and really want to hear your thoughts on Elizabeth. Thanks for listening and look forward to a reply,

regards

Mark