Your Questions

Having read all of the Sharpe books, I was wondering if there are plans to take Sharpe to Flanders, as this seems to be an area missing from Sharpe's history. James Constable

Hello - I am currently trying to get through the Sharpe series as fast as possible, currently on 'Havoc'. I was fascinated how since you went back and wrote prequels to 'rifles' how everything seems to fit in. In so much as how he became an officer his first meetings with characters who appear later who you had written had first met sharpe in INdia and such like. It s incredible how everything seems to match up. Had you always planned to write these earlier books about Sharpe's early career, and thus deliberately left people gagging to find out about his exploite during this time? Also, are there any plans to write about his exploits in Flanders before India, or between Copenhagen and Spain, and Waterloo and 'Sharpe's Devil'? Or even post 1820/1? David Berry

Dear Mr Cornwell Did you know from the beginning that Sharpe's marriage to Jane would be a disaster, or did you at first intend them to live happily ever after and then realise a book or two later that that wasn't what happened (perhaps when you introduced Lucille)? Carole PS - I love the quote from Lincoln about lawyers on your contact page. Carole

Bernard, a quick question - where did you find the name "Ceinwyn" from? It's a lovely name but haven;t seen it in any baby-name books (and I have reached that stage in life!) Marcos

Loved your Desert Island Discs. In particular the story about meeting the Literary Agent in New York. Who was he? ... and does he still represent you? Neville Burrell

Dear Sir, I have read a few people on your site expressing interest in your decision not to continue with Thomas of Hookton. This is a decision you have made and I'm not enquiring as to why you made the decision. However, I have read that a few people would love to see Thomas at Agincourt. However, and correct me if I'm wrong but if Thomas is 18 in 1342 when the treasure of Hookton is stolen and the battle of Agincourt wasn't until 1415, wouldn't that make Thomas 91 if he were to be at the battle? A bit old for our Tom to be splitting froggies don't you think? Kind Regards, David down under.

dear MR CORNWELL, I'm just writing this e-mail just to say thank you for the many happy hours reading your books and they really kept me going during my time in the British army on operations. Have just finished 'the Bloody Ground' is there anymore Starbuck chronicles in the pipe line? cause Sharpe is hogging the limelight! azz

Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment!! Never much of a reader until a copy of Rebel cought my eye at a second-hand bookstore, I know've read almost all of your books. I loved Starbuck, Hookton, Sandman, and what I've read so far of Sharpe. (I'm up to Havoc, but would be further if I hadn't read Trafalgar three times back-to-back-to-back.) I also liked the first chapter of The Last Kingdom and eagerly await its release. But my first love remains Starbuck. In some of your replies you mentioned that there will not be a new Sharpe next year. Could that mean- how I hope and pray that it does- that Starbuck, Truslow, Swynyard, Potter, Sally, et. all will march again in 2005? Tom Stewart

Dear BC I am currently reading Sharpe's Enemy & I have a question about Fusilier's. What exactly is a fusilier? What makes it different from a musket? Also I must compliment you on the scene where Sharpe releases a barrage of rockets, head first, into the large French column. Pure brilliance! Kindest regards Michael Hromek

Dear Sir Bernard (surely only a matter of time??), many thanks for your reply regarding the influence of the series by yourself, just another question, were you offered a cameo?? Also, I read before about how the more you wrote Hakeswill, the more you based him upon Pete Postlethwaite's performance in the series, did you find yourself doing the same with Dan Hagman and John Tams? I find them uncannily similar. Don't stop writing. James Trethowan

Dear Mr. Cornwell I love your books! Especially the grail quest series and the Arthur books. In Harlequin I noticed the many descriptions of the coats of arms of various knights. I am a big fan of Heraldry and would therefore like to ask if you "made up" the coats of arms or if there is a list were you got them from? I have been looking for an image of the coat of arms of Sir Guillaume, because I've been trying to draw it, but I just can't get it right. Thanks a lot for creating such splendid books! I can't wait for some new series! Sincerely Matt D.