Dear Bernard While looking forward to Sword Song I was reading your comments about Agincourt and Henry V. It did strike me that many of your commanders that your characters serve under seem to be either strongly religious or are cold and harsh or both. And the main character is always looking to gain acceptance from them. I was just curious if this was intentional or not?

And on another note the main historical battles they fight in are always military victories. Yet even Wellington lost at Burgos and Henry got one in the eye at Shrewsbury while Lee tactically lost all but one of the 7 days and Gettysburg and Alfred in his early career was known for nothing else but getting beaten. I was just curious if Sharpe will get to Burgos or Starbuck ( Surely its Sharpe’s turn to wait now its been 11yrs since the last one) at Malvern Hill and Gettysburg.

And finally I can recommend a This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson on the Beagle and its commander Fitzroy. If you have not read it get it its brilliant. yours sincerely Tony