Dear Bernard Cornwell, I’d actually given up getting an answer to my question, so only saw the answer today! That is not meant as a slight, because you must be very busy, so I doubted you would have time to answer me. I wasnt confusing monogamy with celibacy. It so natural for us to think mongamy is the norm nowadays, that it is surprising to find out that it wasnt always so. Like the Mormons who didnt submit to the rule of monogamy! Even in Judaism, it states that monogamy is the ideal, but multiple marriages were not made “illegal” until the reform movement in the 19th century! However, I have not found all the references to prove my point so you are right. Your book is fine as it is. PS Did I mention I was a big fan? The guys in the battalion will die when they hear you wrote to me!!

Did you know the Light infantry are being amalgamated as of Feb 1st? http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regts/the_rifles/index.htm.

Nabs

I read with interst today the announcement that the British army will be merging five battalions to form a new Rifles Regiment, which will be the largest single unit in the British Army – maybe be could have a whole new generation of budding Sharpes’ to look forward to – all credit to you for raising the profile of ‘The Rifles’ ! Gavin Collinson