Talk:Richard Sharpe (fictional character)

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Napoleonic Fiction Wikiproject
This page is part of the Napoleonic Fiction Wikiproject. This WikiProject was designed in an attempt to promote fiction from the Napoleonic Era, including computer and board games, and films.

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[edit] Extra Links

Welcome, Napoleonic Fiction Fans

If you are interested in Napoleonic Fiction and would like to make it more well known, then please go to:

Wikipedia:WikiProject Napoleonic Fiction:Main Page

I am in the process of making the page so any contributions are great and welcome!

ThanksEthers [talk]

There was a new two part TV special, which I believe needs adding to this. Sharpe travels to India to depose the renegade General and rescue Paddy Harper. --Gavinio 23:36, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Yes, there is. It is called Sharpe's Challenge and he goes to India to rescue Harper who dissapeared when working as a spy for the British against the Maharattas who have restarted their rebellion. Harper was posing as a horse seller, which he has a buisness on in Dublin. Sharpe is called to London to meet Wellington and told to find the spy but he refuses until he is told that the spy was Harper. In India, Sharpe reencounters William Dodd, once Lietenant in the British army but turned deserter when faced with execution charges. He goes to the Maharattas and becomes a Major General. Sharpe has to face him and the Maharattas in one of his best stories yet...

Does anyone know if Bernard Cornwall actually wrote the script, seeing as it is not a book? If you are interested in Sharpe, come to my article (above) and help me discover/write more about Sharpe and the Napoleonic era in general. I am not sure, though, if the plot should be added to this article seeing as it is not a book and the article mainly sumarises the books. Any ideas?

Thanks, Ethers [talk]

Ahh, well if the Sharpe pages are just about the books, you might be right! Maybe the page could differentiate between which of Dickie's adventures are books, which are TV specials, and which are both? No reason why all three types couldn't be on the same page. For what it's worth, Challange was alright - quite enjoyed it! --Gavinio 21:26, 26 May 2006 (UTC)

It is interesting to note that a contemporary of Richard Sharpe is Rebecca Sharp, heroine of Thackeray's Vanity Fair. Interesting, too, the parallels of the struggles of their lives, from poverty stricken childhood through social climbing in adulthood, and perhaps a happy ending.

[edit] Early Sharpe

where did Sharpe get stuck in mudflats again? His first taste of battle should be there.

Flanders but there is no book of that battle.

True yet several books make specific and undeniable mention of being in Flanders with the 33rd Foot during the Duke of York's campaign. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.66.77.162 (talk) 15:10, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Wrong?

THe article says that Sharpe saved Wellington at Assaye in India. In the TV series it is in the Portuguese campaign (first episode)87.127.69.247 20:41, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

The TV series (which has a separate page) changed the location so that they could show his commission. Sharpe's actions at Assaye occur in "Sharpe's Triumph" and are based on a historical incident where Wellington was unhorsed and nearly killed during the battle - Wellington is said to have fought off his attackers himself. Cornwell just inserted Sharpe into this incident, later explaining that Sharpe is loath to say what happened or take credit. Since the historical Wellington also refused to elaborate on what happened, it was an easy place to put him! Sharpe's telescope (a reward from Wellington) is mentioned in nearly every book and bears the date of Assaye. I think in the TV series they wanted to skip over the fact that Sharpe was an unsuccessful and indistinguished junior officer for 6 years before the events in the film. It takes away from his image. LaurenCole 15:03, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Injuries

I think it would be interesting to have a section containing all the injuries sustained by Sharpe. I'm only up to Fury in chronological order, but this is what I can recall: Scar on cheek, impaled in leg, open wound on thigh, pinned to wall by spear(?), shot in the head, shot in shoulder, slashed on waist....LaurenCole 15:28, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Order

As a reader new to the series, it'd be nice to have a list of the books in published order somewhere, for ease of reference; I'd rather read them via the order they were written, as God intended. Is there one on wikipedia? Could someone add it? Would it be a good idea? WLU 18:48, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

I second that request - I specifically came to this page looking for that information. Night1stalker 17:06, 17 May 2007 (UTC)


The infobox on each story article gives the published date of the book, but it would take a while to list them in that way. I agree that a page listing the published order of the Sharpe books would be good. Suggested heading: Richard Sharpe (fictional character) Published Order

or something along those lines.

Ethers [talk]

Such a page has now been added with the heading Richard Sharpe (fictional character) Published Order.
Ethers [talk]
This new page has been replaced with sortable functionality in the original enhanced table. :: Kevinalewis : (Talk Page)/(Desk) 16:43, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Promotions

I'm fairly sure that in Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe was ranked as a Lieutenant-colonel attached to the Dutch Army. Should this not be included in the Promotions section? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Cliste (talk • contribs) 21:08, 16 August 2007

[edit] "Fury" first or "Battle"

The chronological sequence of novels is slightly ambiguous here with one being "May 1811" and the other "Winter 1811". It all hinges on whether "winter" means December 1811 or January-February 1811. As you can see I think it redically alters the order. :: Kevinalewis : (Talk Page)/(Desk) 09:15, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

Fury does go first as it is party about the battle of barrosa on the 5th March 1811. Therefore winter 1811 refers to the early months of 1811 - and so the order on the list is correct, although admittedly ambiguous, and that has been changed.
Ethers [talk] 14:55, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Relationships and Family

Hi:

This section could use a clean up. To its credit, if it is not complete, then it is close to complete. However, it's difficult to read. Perhaps we could snip it into three sections. His early career, mid and later life. Opinions?

Andy —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.157.188.173 (talk) 03:06, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] minor text edit

I am going to change the following line

"Unlike almost all the other officers he serves with, Sharpe knows how to fight."

to

"Unlike many of the officers he serves with, Sharpe knows how to fight."

As Von Lossow, Robert Knowles, Dalembord, Major Nairn, Harry Price all fellow officers were adept at fighting also.

Sams37 (talk) 01:13, 16 May 2008 (UTC)