Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a frequent business traveller and years ago I read a newspaper review of The Winter King. Never one to be without a novel in case of a flight delay, I quickly picked up a copy...needless to say, the rest of the series was purchased asap in hardcover. I was thoroughly entranced by the detail of the story; the different perspective on the Arthurian tale, and the immense possibility that someone should write a screenplay for this trilogy...just awesome. I loved the detail and emotion which emanated from the shield wall to the the final battle (...the rings of metal in one's beard from a fallen foe's armor is intriguing, is that a documented practice of the era?). I certainly would have had a few pints of mead in my belly before a battle as you so describe. Since reading the Winter King trilogy, I've gone on to read almost everything you've written and am particularly fond of the Sharpe series. Your novels about the Peninsular War (and India) bring to life a piece of World History almost completely passed over in US history classes....sure, we know who Napolean is - but the rest ? -what a shame. Your work inspired me to also do some family research and I was fortunate to find a distant relation who had served at Waterloo: Wounded Royal Scots, third battalion Captain Robert Dudgeon, severely. 16 June 1815. This made actually seeing the French colours captured by the Scots Greys at Waterloo, displayed in Edinborough castle, extraordinarily noteworthy for me. Many thanks for some great literature...I eagerly await the 20th Sharpe novel. Regards, Kelly Dudgeon
The rings of metal in the beard? I fear that is something I made up. I do appreciate your message.