Dear Bernard, I am a great fan of your work and I think I have read virtually everything you have had published except the Starbuck Chronicles, which funnily enough have never really appealed to me. I think you have inspired a whole generation of Historical fiction writers which as a voracious consumer is fantastic. I tried my son on Hornblower but it was a bit dry and dated and really it was your Sharpe Books that got his reading to take off. He is now 15 and I think he has finished the series (or at least is up to date!) I think the Grail Quest next, or maybe the Saxon stories – I love the character you have crafted for Uhtred but frequently wish that he would turn on that little prig Alfred (So different from the history I learned!) Anyway the reason for my email is to ask your advice. I have in my possession a large number of letters captured from the French baggage train after the battle of Vitoria. Many are letters concerning deployments , supplies between General Staff officers but more poignant are letters from officers to their wives back in France. Indeed some have written to both wives and Mistresses!! I have always thought they were interesting but given all your research have you any idea where we could go with them to be properly looked at and translated. I have always felt they should not be locked away but at least studied to see whether they should be on display. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to the publication of “The Fort”!
Rupert Boyd