Special Sub-Topic: Sharpe's Battles Click Here To Play: Sharpe's Battles

In which novel did the battle of Talavera take place?

Sharpe's Eagle. Sharpe famously took an Imperial eagle from the French at Talavera. Sharpe is, of course, a fictional character. In real life, no eagle was taken at Talavera.

'Where are we going?' in Sharpe's Company?

Badajoz. On the march to Badajoz, the men keep shouting 'Where are we going?' as they enjoy the shout 'Badajoz' with a spit at the finish.

Sharpe plays a vital role in the seige of Gawilghur in which novel?

Sharpe's Fortress. Sharpe spots a possible route into the formidable fort and leads a successful attack. Bernard Cornwell took his inspriration from the 94th Light Company who led the actual attack in 1803.

During the seige of which city did Sharpe kill the Tipoo Sultan?

Seringapatem. Chronologically the first of Sharpe's adventures.

No prizes for guessing which battles took place in Sharpe's Trafalgar and Sharpe's Waterloo but who is the only recorded historical character to have fought in both battles?

Miguel de Alava. He was an officer in the Spanish Navy at the time of Trafalgar and so fought on the side of Napoleon. By 1815, Spain was a British ally and General de Alva, as he had become, was Wellington's Spanish Liaison Officer.

Where does Sharpe track down Ducos to reap his revenge?

Naples. Fredrickson, in true detective style, goes to Paris and tracks Ducos down through his optician, using the spectacles which Sharpe had taken from his enemy and ground underfoot.

In which novel does Sharpe lead his men in the Vitoria Campaign?

Sharpe's Honour. The British Army took a huge amount of plunder at Vitoria. Sharpe and Harper found their fortunes, though Sharpe later lost his to his faithless wife, Jane.

Where is Sharpe fighting in Sharpe's Devil?

South America. Sharpe and Harper finally meet the Emperor Napoleon.

In Sharpe's Enemy, the battle fought is fictional but what do we learn Sharpe's favourite food to be?

roast potatoes. This is the only Sharpe novel featuring a fictional battle.

On what date did Sharpe save Arthur Wellesley's life at the battle of Assaye?

23rd September 1803. Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, did indeed come close to death at the Battle of Assaye after losing his horse. As Sharpe is a fictional character, it seems likely he defended himself with his sword rather than being saved by a dashing Sergeant.