Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have been an avid reader of your books for many a year and read "The Last Kingdom" with the usual enjoyment. As something of an Anglo-Saxon enthusiast, I was interested in your description of Alfred's Wessex flag as a white dragon on a green background. I have seen reference to the Wessex flag as a white dragon on a red background and of a golden dragon on a red background. But I cannot find details of the green background you mention. I've talked to some other Anglo-Saxon enthusiasts and they aren't sure of the origin of the green background either. I would much appreciate if you could tell me the source of where you found this information if you have it at hand anywhere. Keep up the superb work and I look forward to reading "The Pale Horseman". leeghancock

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

Honestly don't have a clue. I've got it in a notebook, so I copied it down from somewhere, but as I keep explaining (and apologising) I rarely note my sources because they aren't really relevant to an historical novelist. I'll keep an eye out though, and if I come across the reference again I'll make sure to let you know.

Q

Loved your Arthur books as I said before in previous letter. Are there any plans for a book or series about the roman invasion/occupation of Britain? It's rarely talked about in historical fiction genre, at least in a good way. Also which of the rebellious kings (as well as other character in the series) in the Winter King are based on real historical characters. Because all I have found on Gundleus and Gorfyddyd are christian saints when ever I google their names. Thanks. Scott Stamper

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

The names are real - but almost nothing is known about these people. And early regal lists are hopelessly unreliable. And if you google them you will probably be stymied that the spellings differ so enormously. I just tried Guthred, a 9th century king of York, and came up empty, but eventually tracked him down under Guthfrith.

Roman invasion? I don't know - maybe someday? But not anytime soon.

Q

Bernard, I am aware from your excellent Sharpe books that both Richard Sharpe and his trusty sidekick Harper were both over six feet tall. How tall was the average foot soldier in the early nineteenth century? I am sure that I read somewhere that the average soldier was only 5' 6" tall during WWI. Mitch, Liverpool

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

I think the average height was about 5' 4" or 5' 5", though the Highland regiments were supposedly a bit taller.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I wrote to you before with a rather stupid question but I've been wondering this for a while now and wanted to know: If Sharpe was a real character and everything that you've written about him was true, then would he be one of Britain's great historic heroes and we would have heard of him or would he just be another brave soldier in the Napoleonic wars? Considering that he did save Lord Wellingtons life, survived the war with India and France, managed to take an eagle and rose from the ranks! P.S. Look forward to your reply, I think your work is unbelievably brilliant and can't wait to read more. Carrie Overthrow

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

I suspect that the great heroes of history tended to be of high rank - I can think of very few lower rank folk who made the pantheon. There was no newspaper coverage of the Napoleonic Wars other than reprinting the general's despatches, and even then only when there was a victory to be announced. Wellington disapproved of men like Sharpe, so he was unlikely to mention him in despatches. Sharpe would doubtless have been notorious inside the army, but that reputation is most unlikely to spread beyond unless and until he held high enough rank to send his own (immodest) despatches.

Q

I recently began reading the Sharpe series in chronological order and am currently enjoying 'Sharpe's regiment'. First my congratulations on a wonderfully satisfying series. As a Christian I have to love / forgive my enemies until judgement day but in fantasy enjoy the instant, usually well deserved punishment the soldier pro exacts. I decided to buy the dvd series and note the 'Hong Kong' pirates have been busy copying them. What do you think about that? Thanks for hours of reading enjoyment ... Tony

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

I suppose it's quite flattering! I don't approve, naturally, but there's not a whole lot my disapproval achieves.

Q

I am reading Rebel now and have almost finished it. I was delighted to find that you used Amherst and Nelson Co. as your back drop for the book. I assume you have visited Seven Oaks and the area. I hope you liked it and enjoyed your visit. I live in Charlottesville now but have lived in Middleburg, Warrenton, and my family lives in the Valley at New Market, Virginia. When you wrote this series did you know of the tunnel built by Claudius Crozet near Rockfish Gap? It was completed in 1858 and used by Stonewall Jackson to move troops between the Valley and the Piedmont. You probably know this and have used it in the series somewhere. Please excuse my impertenance, then. You make my ancestors come alive with this series. Yes, I had a few foolish ones too. I also wanted to tell you that you introduced me to the Wellington campaigns in a delightful way with the Sharpe series. In my schools, the war of 1812 was covered very quickly and didn't develop much desire in students to explore it. Now, I understand more about the involvement of the USA in that era. Thank you for that. I do look for more Sharpe books, though. Irene Peery

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

I don't think I've heard of the tunnel - but it sounds fascinating. I have visited all the right places! And really enjoyed it - I remember one magical November evening in the Valley when I was driving down a counbtry road, a slight mist in the early twilight, and suddenly a troop of Confederate cavalry appeared over the brow of the hill. Quite magical!

Q

Good'ay from Downunder. Any chance that Richard Sharpe could be detached for special duty with the Regiments in the developing Australian colonies? Ian

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

Never thought about it! But who knows?

Q

Hi Bernard. Reading through a lot of the questions and answers on your website I notice you mention Derfel and Bedivere etc. as being mentioned in the earliest Arthurian stories/sources. I read a lot about Arthurian stories, the research of others etc. but alas I have not any reference to Derfel except in a guide to Arthurian characters and places. What sources mention him? Many thanks, Andrew Moore.

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

I wrote these books so long ago, and my notes are in storage somewhere, so I can't give you a proper answer, except to say that he's mentioned in early Welsh sources . . . he becomes a saint (!) and supposedly distinguished himself at the battle of Camlann.

Q

Dear Bernard, Just finished Sharpe's Escape-Brilliant as ever. I am intrigued to know if you imagine Sean Bean now as you write or do you imagine your original dark haired Sharpe (and red haired Harper for that matter) Would love to know. Thanks again for your inspired writing. Neil Brownlee

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

I still picture him as I originally described him - but I do hear Sean's voice.

Q

Bernard , thank you for the many happy hours of reading you have given me .I have just finished reading your latest book, I think that I have read just about every thing that you have published . Have you considered writing any world war one sags ? the possibilities seem endless. looking forward to your nexst release in October . regards John H.

Submitted June 28, 2005

A

No, I'll stick to the more ancient past.