Your Questions

OK. This is the big one. In your opinion, overall who was the best leader, tactitian, and bigger genius; Arthur Wellesley or Horatio Nelson? I say Wellington, but my best friend says Nelson, we have agreed it's best to put aside our differences and let you decide, whatever you say, we'll agree with. Thankyou, James Trethowan

Bernard, we've got Sharpe's Escape and The Last Kingdom is on it's way - what's next, and when will it be ready? Chris. PS - I guess rugby is off the conversation list for a while? CP

Mr Cornwell, firstly may I give thanks for the endless hours of enjoyment you have given to me over the years, starting with Sharpe's Eagle back in 1991 I think, or thereabouts and then subsequently the rest before and after that book in chronological order, they are amazingly detailed and very well researched. I know this was your forte for the BBC but you actually transport me back to that time with your ability to set the scene, as a result you have given me a real sense that that these people even exsisted, not Sharpe I mean but the men on the battlefield. You see I had this quaint little view of these uneducated unsophisticated little people from history books before but now they have been firmly placed into my mind as real tangible people. My question really is how do you go about researching the everyday lives of these men, I don't mean details of battles because this can be gotten from historical writings etc , no I mean the men and the way you seem to understand them enough to make your characters seem real. You are truly an artist in in the purest form and I applaude you sir. Tony Willetts Southampton UK

Hi, I'm sorry bothering you, you're probably trying to do something important, but, being my usual pedantic self, I've got to ask whether the Sergeant Deron who cooks breakfast for Marshal Soult in 'Sharpe's Havoc' is the same Marshal Pot-au-Feu that features in 'Sharpe's Enemy'. Sorry bothering you, (!) I hope to hear from you when you get back. Thanks, and please keep writing ad infinitum, William Aspinall

Dear Bernard first off like others I am disappointed that England lost 2-1 though sadly not suprised (what do they expect when they sit back and just defend 1 nil lead for 45 mins). Anyway I was wondering after reading Havoc what happened to the rather brave Major Dulong??? Also wondered if you had John Le Couteurs journal Merry hearts make Light days of his time fighting during the Napoleonic wars and whether if you might be persuaded to get Sharpe to Canada and the battle of Lundy's Lane. P.S Here's hoping we do better against the Swiss. Geraint

I notice that for some time your stories make slight references to Freemasonry. I just wonderd if you picked up any good sources of masonic activity on your travels? The french masonic prisoners of war or the MILLITARY LODGES IN THE STATES and Spain etc. I am a freemason in the Uk (strong man Lodge no 45 ) I also wondered if you ever came across Thomas Topham ( 1702 -1749) the Islington Strong man on your travels. I am a masonic journalist and correspondant in the Uk formerly a director of the London Press club moved from Islington to Essex of all places. Many thanks for the joy of your books, Kind regards Bernard Williamson

Hello, I have just been looking at the cover art of my Sharpe books. Most have the artwork of the eighties (artist name absent (awol?)), which I personally think is the best cover-art the Sharpe series ever had. I have a print of Sharpe's Gold on the wall, signed by the artist, Gino D'Achille. The rest are post-photographic covers. I was wondering what your favourite cover-art is? Any chance of showing all the cover-art, of say, Sharpe's Eagle, plus any foreign language covers? One last thing, do you know of any continental authors writing a similar series on the Napoleonic wars from the viewpoint of the Austrians, Dutch , Russian or Germans? If so, any English translations available? Thanks, Adrian.

Mr Cornwell, I recently gave up reading a book called Credo by Melvyn Bragg but found it slow and I was wondering if you have read it? Also if you have, would you consider returning to the dark ages and write another book (or series) but focusing more on the religion and the way Christianity was introduced into Britain. Thanks, Lewis.

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have a question about language in your books. Obviously, your stories are placed in different eras and different countires; what sources do you use to get get an accurare rendering of contemporary speech? Is it a major concern? Thanks a lot. Matt

I loved your Arthur books. I see that a new Arthur movie is going to be released soon. Did you have anything to do with that movie? I hope so. Kathryn Brown