We come together to aid our enjoyment of reading Bernard Cornwell's novels. Here we can find background information on places and characters that are key to the context of the novel.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Mercian Supremacy c.800
Sussex, Kent, Essex, Gloucester all in Mercian control
Bernard Cornwell OBE (born 23 February 1944) is an English author of historical novels. He is best known for his novels about Napoleonic Wars rifleman Richard Sharpe which were adapted into a series of Sharpe television films.
Biography Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who were pacifists banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times, but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News.[1] He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a Green Card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find that there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981.[2] Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel Sharpe's Company published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) He also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British, in 1987.
After publishing 8 books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987 and a series of Sharpe television films starring Sean Bean.[3]
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and a political thriller called Scoundrel in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.[4]
Cornwell's latest work is titled Azincourt and was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. [5] However it not is about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Novel series The Sharpe stories Cornwell's best known books feature the adventures of Richard Sharpe, an English soldier during the Napoleonic Wars.
The first 12 books of the Sharpe series (beginning in chronological order with Sharpe's Rifles and ending with Waterloo, sometimes published as Sharpe's Waterloo) detail Sharpe's adventures in various Peninsular War campaigns over the course of 12 years. Subsequently, Cornwell wrote a prequel trilogy - Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe's Triumph, and Sharpe's Fortress - depicting Sharpe's adventures under Wellington's command in India, including his hard-won promotion to the officer corps.
He also wrote Sharpe's Battle, a novel "inserted" into his previous continuity, taking place during the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro. Cornwell was initially dubious about the casting of Sean Bean for the television adaptations, but was subsequently so delighted that he dedicated Sharpe's Battle to him, and has admitted that he subtly changed the writing of the character to align with Bean's portrayal.[6]
The following is the correct 'historical' order, although they are all stand alone stories:
Sharpe's Tiger: Richard Sharpe and the Siege of Seringapatam, 1799
Sharpe's Triumph: Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Assaye, September 1803
Sharpe's Fortress: Richard Sharpe and the Siege of Gawilghur, December 1803
Sharpe's Trafalgar: Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Trafalgar, October 1805
Sharpe's Prey: Richard Sharpe and the Expedition to Copenhagen, 1807
Sharpe's Rifles: Richard Sharpe and the French Invasion of Galicia, January 1809
Sharpe's Havoc: Richard Sharpe and the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809
Sharpe's Eagle: Richard Sharpe and the Talavera Campaign, July 1809
Sharpe's Gold: Richard Sharpe and the Destruction of Almeida, August 1810
Sharpe's Escape: Richard Sharpe and the Bussaco Campaign, 1810
Sharpe's Fury: Richard Sharpe & the Battle of Barrosa, March 1811
Sharpe's Battle: Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro, May 1811
Sharpe's Company: The Siege of Badajoz, January to April 1812
Sharpe's Sword: Richard Sharpe and the Salamanca Campaign, June and July 1812
Sharpe's Skirmish (short story): Richard Sharpe and the defence of the Tormes, August 1812
Sharpe's Enemy: Richard Sharpe and the Defense of Portugal, Christmas 1812
Sharpe's Honour: Richard Sharpe and the Vitoria Campaign, February to June 1813
Sharpe's Regiment: Richard Sharpe and the Invasion of France, June to November 1813
Sharpe's Christmas (short story), 1813
Sharpe's Siege: Richard Sharpe and the Winter Campaign, 1814
Sharpe's Revenge: Richard Sharpe and the Peace of 1814
Sharpe's Waterloo: Richard Sharpe and the Waterloo Campaign, 15 to 18 June 1815
Sharpe's Ransom (short story, appears in Sharpe's Christmas)Sharpe's Devil: Richard Sharpe and the Emperor, 1820-21
The Starbuck Chronicles A tetralogy set during the American Civil War. The title character, Nathaniel Starbuck, is a Northerner who has decided to fight for the South in a Virginian regiment, the Faulconer Legion. The last novel to date in the series has been The Bloody Ground, taking place during the Antietam Campaign. Cornwell has said that he plans to write more Starbuck novels, but has not done so yet.
The Warlord Chronicles A trilogy depicting Cornwell's "historical" re-creation of Arthurian Britain. The series postulates that Post-Roman Britain was a difficult time for the native Britons, being threatened by invasion from the Anglo-Saxons in the East and raids from the Irish in the West. At the same time, they suffered internal power struggles between their petty kingdoms and friction between the old Druidic religion and newly-arrived Christianity.
The Grail Quest novels A trilogy that deals with a mid-14th century search for the Holy Grail during the Hundred Years' War. An English archer, Thomas of Hookton, becomes drawn into the quest by the actions of a mercenary soldier called "The Harlequin," who murders Thomas's family in his own obsessive search for the Grail.
Cornwell was planning at one point to write more books about the main character Thomas of Hookton and said that shortly after finishing Heretic he had "... started another Thomas of Hookton book, then stopped it - mainly because I felt that his story ended in Heretic and I was just trying to get too much from him. Which doesn't mean I won't pick the idea up again sometime in the future." [7]
The Saxon Stories The Last Kingdom
The Pale Horseman
The Lords of the North
Sword Song
Cornwell's latest series focuses on the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, England during the 9th-century reign of Alfred the Great, his fierce opposition to the Danes (Vikings), and his determination to unite England as one country. According to Cornwell's replies on his website bulletin board, the series will not be a trilogy like his medieval works, but will have 3 or 4 more sequels: "I'm not sure how many there will be - perhaps seven? maybe eight?"[8]
The latest in the series, titled The Burning Land, is likely to be released in Britain in October 2009 and January 2010 in the US.[9]
Bibliography 1981 - Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold
1982 - Sharpe's Company
1983 - Sharpe's Sword, Sharpe's Enemy and A Crowning Mercy
1984 - Fallen Angels
1985 - Sharpe's Honour
1986 - Sharpe's Regiment and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats)
1987 - Sharpe's Siege and Redcoat
1988 - Sharpe's Rifles and Wildtrack
1989 - Sharpe's Revenge and Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) 1990 - Sharpe's Waterloo and Crackdown
1991 - Stormchild
1992 - Sharpe's Devil and Scoundrel
1993 - Rebel
1994 - Copperhead
1995 - Sharpe's Battle, Battle Flag and The Winter King
1996 - The Bloody Ground and Enemy of God
1997 - Sharpe's Tiger and Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur
1998 - Sharpe's Triumph
1999 - Sharpe's Fortress and Stonehenge: A Novel of 2000 BC 2000 - Harlequin (aka The Archer's Tale)
2001 - Sharpe's Trafalgar and Gallows Thief
2002 - Sharpe's Prey, Sharpe's Skirmish and Vagabond
2003 - Sharpe's Havoc, Sharpe's Christmas and Heretic
2004 - Sharpe's Escape and The Last Kingdom
2005 - The Pale Horseman
2006 - Sharpe's Fury and The Lords of the North
2007 - Sword Song
2008 - Azincourt
8. "Cornwell's comments against a trilogy (but you have to "search" for the specific dialogue)". BernardCornwell.net. http://bernardcornwell.net/index.cfm?page=11. Retrieved on 2007-10-02. 9.
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Comment
Sir Walter Scott, commenting on the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814, wrote:
Although I never supposed that he [Napoleon] possessed, allowing for some difference of education, the liberality of conduct and political views which were sometimes exhibited by old Haidar Ally, yet I did think he [Napoleon] might have shown the same resolved and dogged spirit of resolution which induced Tipu Sahib to die manfully upon the breach of his capital city with his sabre clenched in his hand
The Sharpe Companion by Mark Adkin
A detailed historical and military guide to the best selling Sharpe Novels by Bernard Cornwell
The Sharpe Companion: The Early Years by Mark Adkin Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (May 10, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060738146
ISBN-13: 978-0060738143
Named "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brian" by The Economist, Bernard Cornwell is the undisputed master of historical battle fi ction, and for more than twenty years, his Richard Sharpe series has thrilled millions of readers worldwide on both the page and on television.
Now author Mark Adkin, a major in the British army, has created this indispensable guide covering Sharpe's early career, from his beginnings as an illiterate private fighting on the battlefields of India to his legendary command of the Light Company.
A treasure not only for fans of the series but also for anyone interested in nineteenth-century warfare, The Sharpe Companion includes:
A chapter devoted to each
Sharpe book
Glossary of characters, both real and fictional
Illustrations and photographs
Maps of every battle and skirmish
Full of fascinating historical details, thrilling contemporary accounts of actual battles, and impeccable research, The Sharpe Companion is a must for every student of military history and an essential addition to every Sharpe fan's library.
The Sharpe Companion
The Sharpe Companion: A Detailed Historical and Military Guide to Bernard Cornwell's Bestselling Series of Sharpe Novels
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (May 2, 2000) Language: English
ISBN-10: 0002571587
ISBN-13: 978-0002571586
An indispensable historical and military literary guide for the thousands of fans of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series. Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series is one of the best known and bestselling military series ever. The adventures of Richard Sharpe and co. in the Peninsular War and on the Indian continent have thrilled hundreds of thousands of readers over the years and over sixteen books. Now comes the book that Cornwell's fans have been waiting for: the definitive guide to the historical and military background to the characters and events of the Sharpe novels. Compulsively readable, exhaustively detailed, with a chapter devoted to each book and a complete glossary of characters, both real and fictional, this guide will be a must for every devoted reader of Sharpe. Complete with black and white plates of famous battle scenes and characters, exquisite line drawings and complete maps of every battle and skirmish fought in by Richard Sharpe, The Sharpe Companion is a wonderful and necessary addition to every Sharpe library.
Characters in TV/Film Sharpe Series
Richard Sharpe Sean Bean
Patrick Harper Daragh O'Malley
Daniel Hagman John Tams
Rifleman Harris Jason Salkey
Rifleman Cooper Michael Mears
Rifleman Ben Perkins Lyndon Davis
Rifleman Isiah Tongue Paul Trussell
Captain William Frederickson Philip Whitchurch
Sir Arthur Wellesley David Troughton
Duke of Wellington Hugh Fraser
Major Pierre Ducos Féodor Atkine
Sgt Obadiah Hakeswill Pete Postlethwaite
Col. Sir Henry Simmerson Michael Cochrane
Comandante Teresa Moreno Assumpta Serna
Jane Gibbons Abigail Cruttenden
Lucille Castineau Cecile Paoli
Ramona Diana Perez
Lady Anne Camoynes Caroline Langrishe
Major Hogan Brian Cox
Major Nairn Michael Byrne
Capt. Jack Spears James Purefoy
Major Munroe Hugh Ross
Major Ross James Laurenson
Col. Brand Mark Strong
El Casco Abel Folk
General Loup Oliver Cotton
Col. Leroux Patrick Fierry
Prince of Orange Paul Bettany
The Marquesa Alice Krige
Ellie Jayne Ashbourne
Lady Farthingale Elizabeth Hurley
Sharpe Series
Canon to the right of me
Battles
The following is a time line of events.
india
1784 - Parliamentary Board of Control is established to deal with political matters, the appointment of officials (except the very highest) and the management of business is left entirely in the hands of the East India Company, an arrangement that remains in force until 1858.
1792 - War breaks out with the Tippoo Sahib of Mysore. The Tippoo is forced to surrender half his dominions.
1799 - At the instigation of the French, the Tippoo takes up arms again. Seringapatam is captured, the Tippoo slain and the rest of his dominions pass into English control.
1803 - The occupation of Mysore brings the English into contact with the Mahratta States, which extend from the Deccan plains to Delhi.
1803 - 5 - First Mahratta War. English victories under Wellesley at Assaye and Lake at Laswaree establish an English protectorate over the Mahrattas.
the peninsula
1807 - Napoleon determines on the annexation of Spain and Portugal. Junot with 30,000 men enter Portugal, and the Portuguese Government flee to Brazil.
1808 - Charles IV of Spain and his Ferdinand are induced to abdicate in favour of Joseph Bonaparte. In turn, Joseph is forced to evacuate Madrid in the face of Spanish insurrections.Wellesley lands in Portugal and defeats Junot at Rolica and Vimeiro. The French agree to evacuate Portugal under the Convention of Cintra.Moore is forced to retreat to the coast by Soult, whom he defeats at Corunna (Jan 1809), but is himself killed in the battle.
1809 - The French army under Marshal Soult threaten Oporto, another under Marshal Victor moves down the Tagus. Wellesley drives Soult from Oporto and turns southwards to defeat Victor at Talavera. The victory is rendered fruitless by the arrival of Soult and his re-organised army. Wellesley retires to Portugal, where he contructs the Lines of Torres Vedras, anticipating a French invasion.
1810 - Marshal Massena invades Portugal with 65,000 men, is defeated by Wellington at Busaco and retreats from Torres Vedras.
1811 - Graham defeats Victor at Barossa.Wellington prepares to invade Spain and forms the seiges of Almeida and Badajoz, both on the frontier and held by the French.Massena, advancing to relieve Almeida, is checked by Wellington at Fuentes d'Onoro, and the fortress surrenders.Soult attempts to raise the seige at Badajoz, but is defeated by Beresford (owing to the stubborn bravery of the British troops) at Albuera, but the fortress at Badajoz is saved by the French.
1812 - Wellington suddenly storms Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz and invades Spain. He defeats Marmont at Salamanca and occupies Madrid. Soult's approach from Andalusia means Wellington has to fall back to Portugal.
1813 - The french troops are weakened in numbers and quality due to Napoleon's campaign in Russia. Wellington decides to strike at the frontier of France. The French armies falling back before him are defeated at Vitoria, and again in the Battle for the Pyrenees, they are forced back into France, closely followed by Wellington.
1814 - English victories at Orthes and Toulouse. Napoleon abdicates.
the hundred days
The Congress of Vienna is interrupted with the news that Napoleon has escaped from Elba, landed in France and the French king, Louis XVIII, has taken refuge in Brussels.A general invasion of France is agreed. The British, under Wellington, and the Prussians, under Blucher are to advance from Belgium, and the other allies from the Rhine. Organising the allies takes some time and Napoleon is able to make the first move by attacking Belgium.The allied troops need to be spead over a long line of frontier, the British from Antwerp to Charleroi and the Prussians from Charleroi to Liege.
June 15 - Napoleon collects his army on the Sambre, attacks the Prussians at Charleroi and drives them back towards Ligny.
June 16 - 17 - The Prussians are able to concentrate at Ligny and the British at Quatre Bras. Napoleon is slow to attack, and appears to wait until midday. Ney just manages to hold his own against the British and Napoleon succeeds in forcing the Prussians from Ligny. The success would be decisive except that both the Emperor and Ney summon d'Erlon's corps of 20,000. D'Erlon is confused by the contradictory orders and stays put. Napoleon makes a fatal error in the direction of the Prussian retreat. He sends Grouchy with 30,000 men to Namur, but Blucher has retreated to Wavre. The British and Belgians retire to Waterloo, ground that Wellington has selected.
June 18 - The Battle of Waterloo
The British troops are posted on high ground from Hougemont, behind La Haye Sainte to Papelotte. The French are on the hills opposite, from Hougemont, past La Belle Alliance, to Frichermont.There has been heavy rain overnight and Napoleon chooses not to attack until almost midday. The lost hours prove to be important as Grouchy has not held the Prussians and three quarters of their force is now marching from Wavre towards Waterloo.Napoleon directs his first assault against the Chateau of Hougemont . He believes capturing this is a preliminary to the main attack. He did not take into account British stubborness in its defence and troops are engaged there all day. In the end, the French fail to capture the Chateau.At half past one, d'Erlon leads an attack on the British left between Papelotte and La Haye Sainte. The French are driven back with heavy losses.From four to six o'clock, assaults, led by Marshal Ney, are directed against the British right centre (to the west of the Charleroi road). Now the approach of the Prussians towards Plancenoit was clear and Napoleon has to cover his line of retreat. He sends some battalions of the Imperial Guard against the Prussians, troops that would be invaluable to Ney. Ney's cavalry has spent itself against British infantry squares to little effect.Between seven and eight o'clock, Napoleon orders a general assault on the British position. Ney leads the Old Guard, but is repulsed. The battle is over.
About nine o'clock, Wellington and Blucher meet at La Belle Alliance. There are heavy losses on all sides: British 13,000, Prussians 7,000, French 25-30,000.There is nothing to stop the allied advance to Paris, which they reach on July 7th.After abdicating in Paris on June 22nd, Napoleon flees to Rochefort and surrenders to the captain of the British man-of-war Bellerophon. Later he is exiled to St Helena in the South Atlantic where he eventually dies.
a glossary of military terms & relevant information
Aide de Camp Junior staff officer attached to a marshal or general
Anfrancesados Spanish natives who collaborated with the French
Baker Rifle Rifle used by Sharpe and all British rifle battalions during the Peninsular War. The rifle had a 30 inch, seven groove, quarter turn barrel and was accurate up to 250 yards although it was slow to load.
Banquette Firing step behind a parapet
Bastion Defensive work with two front faces forming a salient from the curtain wall, to allow flanking fire along the wall.
Battalion Tactical infantry unit varying between 500 to 1000 men (sometimes less)
Brigade Tactical military formation of about 3000 men and containing 2 or 3 battalions.
Brown Bess Nickname of the British smoothbore musket, originally applied to the Long Land Pattern musket. Caçadores Portuguese rifle- or infantrymen. Uniforms were brown. Translation = 'hunter' Caltrop A four pointed metal spike that was thrown on the ground, always with one spike upright. Used against cavalry horses.
Canister Artillery projectile of lead balls in a tin container. Resembled a giant shotgun cartridge and had similar effect over a short range.
Carcass Incendiary or illuminating shell of oil soaked hay, fired from a mortar or howitzer.
Carronade Large calibre short range cannon, commonly used on ships for firing canister. Cazadore (a caballo) Spanish chasseurs or light cavalrymen Chasse Maree Small coastal sailing or fishing boats.
Chasseur Light troops. Translation = 'hunter' Cheval de Frise Portable barrier of sword blades used to block breaches. Could also be made of stake- or sword studded beams.
Chosen Man Title given to a corporal in the 95th Rifles.
Colours Battalion flags which represented the honour of the unit. Usually each battalion held the King's Colour (Union Flag) and the regimental colour.
Company Basic military unit of about 50 to 100 men and commanded by a captain.
Congreve's Rockets Invented by Sir William Congreve. They looked like overgrown fireworks, were extremely erratic and not used a great deal, although Wellington used them occasionally in the Peninsula and at Waterloo.
Corps Military formation of 2 or 3 divisions commanded by a general.
Counterguard Earthwork to protect the base of a curtain wall.
Counterscarp Vertical face of a ditch around a fort on the outer side.
Crapaud French meaning 'toad', used by the British of the French in general.
Cuirassier French armoured heavy cavalry. The cuirass being a breastplate.
Cunette/Cuvette Deep narrow ditch, often filled with water, in the main defensive ditch of a fort.
Curtain Wall or Curtain Main wall surrounding a fort.
Demi Brigade French military formation consisting of part regular and part conscript battalions.
Division Large military formation of about 4000 to 6000 men, containing 2 or 3 brigades and commanded by a lieutenant general.
Dragoons Originally mounted infantry, they usually carried curved sabres, carbines and pistols.
Eagle French equivalent of the British colours. Presented to all regiments by the Emperor.
Enfilade Adjective used to describe fire coming from the flank and raking the length of a formation.
Ensign Infantry second-lieutenant.
Escalade Attack on walls of a fort using ladders.
Forlorn Hope First storming party into a breach, usually volunteers under a junior officer, who drew enemy fire. Officers and sergeants who survived were usually rewarded with promotion.
Galloper Guns 6-pounder guns drawn by horses to accompany cavalry. Glacis Open space or slope surrounding a fort.
Goddam Dates from the Hundred Years War, French nickname for the British troops taken from their extensive use of the expression. Gonfalon Banner or standard.
Gorget The crescent-shaped plaque worn around the neck by officers, a symbol of a commisioned rank and a relic from the days of armour.
Grapeshot Close range artillery ammunition
Guerilla 'little war', also a term for partisan fighters
Half Pay An officer holding a commision, but unemployed, received half pay.
Howitzer Short barrelled cannon designed for high angle fire. Imperial Guard Napoleon's elite formation of veteran troops. Kings German Legion (KGL) Formed from the old Electorate of Hanover's army after Napoleon overran the country in 1803.
Kligenthal Hand forged sword all made from one piece of steel, strong and durable.
Light Company British company composed of agile men and good marksmen, used as skirmishers. Were relied upon to use their initiative more than line troops.
Loophole Small hole un a wall, allowing defenders to fire out.
Magazine Storage place for munitions or a soldier's supplementary ammunition container.
Necessaries Issued items of personal kit.
Nock Gun 7 barrelled volley gun given to Sgt Harper by his friend Richard Sharpe. Made by Henry Nock of London and originally made for the Royal Navy.
Parole System of releasing prisoners of war.
Pelisse Hussar jacket with fur trim sometimes worn over one shoulder.
Picket (Piquet) Infantry outpost or sentry.
Provost Early military police, commanded by a Provost Marshall, universally unpopular throughout the army, but supported by Wellington.
Quartermaster Officer responsible for supplies, uniforms, stores, weaponry etc.
Ravelin Triangular outwork, built in a ditch of a fort to split the attacking force and cause confusion.
Regiment In the British Army, an administrative military unit which recruited soldiers and sent them to war in battalions. Usually two battalions to a regiment.
Roundshot Projectile of cannon, simple iron balls, they were the main cannon ammunition in the field.
Sapper Originally a soldier who dug narrow siege-trenches (or saps), but later became a generic term for engineers and those trained in siege operations.
Shako Peaked, cylindrical hat, usually made of felt and often black. Worn by all armies in the Napoleonic wars.
Shell Artillery ammunition. Hollow iron ball filled with gunpowder which exploded by means of a fuse.
Stock Leather collar worn around the neck under the jacket collar. British infantry wore them and they were universally disliked. Can also mean a fabric strip worn around the neck. Subaltern Junior officer of ensign or lieutenant rank in the British Army.
Voltiguer Light infantry companies of line battalions. Translation = 'vaulter'.
Tipoo Sultan
India
Sultan Tipoo Blunderbuss
did not help him
Sharpe's India and more
The events depicted in the Sharpe stories also take this "brilliant but wayward" soldier into conflicts other than the Napoleonic wars, for example the earliest tales take us to India under the command of the East India Company and chronicle Sharpe's years spent in the ranks.
During the late 18th Century, The British Empire would be found in a great many parts of the globe and one particular jewel in the crown was India. In the stories, Sharpe serves four years as Armoury Sergeant in Seringapatam, which was the location in 1799 of a hugely significant battle.
The Battle of Seringapatam was important because it was the final confrontation between the British and Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, who was killed when the British broke into the fortress. Because of the British victory, the fate of India changed forever, as did English dominance in the continent.
Being a fictional hero, Sharpe's creator Cornwell frankly admits he has taken license with history, often placing Sharpe in the place of another man whose identity is lost to history. These achievements include killing the Tipu Sultan at Seringapatam, saving Wellesley's life at the Battle of Assaye and personally taking command of a regiment that drives off the French Imperial Guard at Waterloo.
However, the fact that the character of Sharpe is so closely intertwined with such key events in European history means that the series has great opportunities to reveal the bloodshed, drama and European politics that erupted during this period, while at the same time spinning more cracking good swashbuckling yarns than you can shake a sword at! The Siege of Seringapatam (4 May 1799) was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore. The British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Seringapatam (as Srirangapatna was then known) and storming the citadel. Tippu Sultan, Mysore's ruler, was killed in the action. The British restored the Wodeyar dynasty to the throne after the victory, but retained indirect control of the kingdom.
Further reading
Adkin, Mark. The Sharpe Companion: A Detailed Historical and Military Guide to Bernard Cornwell’s Bestselling Series of Sharpe Novels. London; New York: Harper Collins, 1998. ISBN 0002558173, ISBN 0002571587, ISBN 0060738146.
Adkin, Mark. The Sharpe Companion: Early Years. London; New York: Harper Collins, 2003. ISBN 0007144822, ISBN 0060738146.
Bluth, B. J. Marching With Sharpe. London; New York: Harper Collins, 2001. ISBN 0004145364, ISBN 0004145372.
Watch Tower at Gawilghur Fort
towards heaven
Lake inside Gawilghur Fort
plenty of water
Bernard Cornwell News
Only Two years to the next Uhtred noevel Comments: Received you latest Uhtred book, 'The Burning Land', this morning. Just finished reading it. I'll probably read it many times (along with the others in the series), until its successor is written/released. I feared that this would be the last of the series, but happily this is not so. I realise it has to happen at some point, but look forward to the next. Just another 2 years to wait..... again. Thank you for the hours of literary entertainment you've given me. Bob Quickenden.
Bernard Cornwell's new Saxon Series Novel Burning Land Due in Uk 1st October; US January. It will be a special during its launch in October through Waterstones and can be ordered now at a reserve price of £3.
Bernard Cornwell Dines at the Citadel May 4, 2004 The British author, Bernard Cornwell, visited the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada yesterday evening as a guest of the Board of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association (HCRA) and the officers and NCOs of the 78th Highlanders. In Halifax for a reading from the latest novel in his series featuring the adventures of the 19th century rifleman Richard Sharpe, Cornwell was treated to a repast of Beef Wellington in the Soldier's Library. Later in the evening, flanked by sentries from the 78th, the author unveiled his new book, entitled "Sharpe's Escape" at the Cambridge Military Library in R.A. Park just across from Citadel Hill.
Questions and Answers
Q: Hey Bernard! I just finished reading Sword Song and, like the rest of the Uhtred books, I loved it! However, there is something that kind of troubles me. I understand that Uhtred is a pagan and doesn't believe in God or Christian faith, and that you yourself were unfortunate enough to be raised by over zealous Christian parents, but not all of us are nut-bags like Asser or Erkenwald! Most of us are like Pyrlig (my favourite character by the way =D) or Willibald. I just hope that you don't hold any sort of resentment towards Christians. I didn't find anything in the FAQ about what your current religious standing may be, so for all I know, I'm wasting my time with this. Anyway, love the books, keep writing them, and I'll keep buying them! Andrew K. A: I give you good Christians and bad. There were some ghastly clerics, really horrible people! But I do try to be balanced, despite my distaste for all religions.
Q:Dear Mr Cornwell, Ive read all of your books and love every single one of them, the stories of Uhtred are the ones that I love most. Ive just finished reading The Burning Land and loved it, although I do get frustrated at his treatment from the church and ultimately Alfred, sometimes I wish he'd fight for the Danes and massacre Alfred's family once and for all. Thankyou so very much for all the hours of literary pleasure you have shared with all of us avid fans. A question if you will, you claimed in one of the Saxon story books that the historical rulers of The Bebbanburg were your ancestors, I was wondering if you could share how you came about this knowledge? My own surname is Saxon, going back to ancient Treowemann (faithful/loyal man)and in my romantic imagination I see my own ancient ancestor as a Saxon Huscarle in service to a Lord and would love to know if this was truly so. Also in this day and age of mostly pollution from the television are there any plans for a TV series of The Saxon Stories? I was thinking Kevin McKidd (Vorenus) would make an excellent Uhtred. If there were a series who you like to see try to fill Uhtred's mail, iron plated boots? Yours humbly and full of gracious thanks Chris Trueman A: What I know was discovered by a member of my birth family (I only met them about six or seven years ago). They were fortunate in being a prominent family . . . in Saxon times they were, first, kings of Bernicia (now lowland Scotland) then earls of Northumbria (thus the connection with Bebbanburg), and even after their fall (thanks to Cnut) they remained as county gentry in north Yorkshire . . . and the surname is distinctive enough to make them quite easy to trace through a tangle of records. No plans for a TV series. I have no clue! I'd be horrible at casting...
Q: Bernard I have just finished "The Burning Land" -- a very enjoyable continuation of a great series. Thank you. I was surprised, however, that the chart of "The Royal Family of Wessex" at the front of the UK edition shows King Athelstan as a descendant of Aethelflaed. I did enjoy your suggestion in your Historical Note that you have used your license as an author of fiction to denigrate Eathelred of Mercia despite the lack of supporting evidence. Making Athelstan the son of Aethelflaed (and presumably Uhtred) would, however, be much bigger stretch. John A: You're right - I haven't seen that genealogy table (the publishers generated it and I've only just received a copy) and I gave them the correct information, but it seems they've screwed up - sorry about that - I'll have them correct it
Q: Mr. Cornwell I was just wondering if the Burning Land is going to be the last of the Saxon stories? Or do you have whole long series planned? I hope it's the latter. Nick Donegan Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have been thoroughly enjoying your Saxon Chronicles series and am happy to hear the continuing story of Uhtred is due out soon. I have two questions concerning this series. Firstly, how many books do you envision to complete Uhtred's tale? Secondly, based on the style of it, it seems it would be ideal for making into a Motion Picture or BBC type mini-series. Any hope we may see Uhtred in more than just our own heads? Thank you for your time and Best Wishes, Karl PS- A friend of mine from Chicago went so far as to have relatives in Sweden get a copy of Sword Song from Europe and send it back to America. We couldn't wait until it came out in print here in the States. Guess that makes us true fans. Wasail! A: It is not the last book of the series - there will be more! I don't know how many yet. No plans for a film or TV series at this time.
Q: Hi, being naturally extremely excited about the new Uhtred book, I've just listened to the unabridged audiobooks of the first two as a quick re-cap and was wondering when the third and fourth will be released in the same format? Elsewhere in the questions section you seem to suggest that they should already be available in this format, but I can't find them on Amazon.co.uk or Audible.co.uk (which has the other two). Am I missing something? PS: I think Tom Sellwood is a great narrator for them. Cheers. Ed Prior A: Both The Lords of the North and Sword Song are available unabridged through BBCaudiobooks (Chivers). I don't know if you can get them from Amazon, but maybe from the BBC website?
The Burning Land Book Cover
new book released
New Book Released: Burning Land
The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell £9.49 - List price: £18.99 - You save: £9.50
Synopsis The latest in the bestselling Alfred series from number one historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell. In the last years of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in failing health, and his heir is an untested youth. The Danes, who have failed so many times to conquer Wessex, smell opportunity! First comes Harald Bloodhair, a savage warrior leading a Viking horde, who is encouraged to cruelty by his woman, Skade. But Alfred still has the services of Uhtred, his unwilling warlord, who leads Harald into a trap and, at Farnham in Surrey, inflicts one of the greatest defeats the Vikings were ever to suffer. This novel, the fifth in the magnificent series of England's history tells of the final assaults on Alfred's Wessex, that Wessex survived to become England is because men like Uhtred defeated an enemy feared throughout Christendom.
Book details Format: Hardback 352 pages Date of publication: 01/10/2009 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd ISBN: 9780007219742
Bernard Cornwell with his Wife
Dining Out
House of York
House of York Country England Parent house House of Plantagenet Titles Duke of York, King of England Founder Edmund of Langley Final ruler Richard III of England Current head Francis Fitzherbert Founding year 1385 Ethnicity English, French
Yorkist—Dukes of York Duke Portrait Birth Marriages Death Edmund of Langley(House of York founder)1385–1402
5 June 1341
Kings Langley son of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Isabella of Castile1372 3 children
Joan de Holland no children
1 August 1402 Kings Langley age 61 Edward of Norwich 1402–1415
1373 Norwich son of Edmund of Langley and Isabella of Castile never married
25 October 1415 Agincourt age 42 Richard Plantagenet 1415–1460
21 September 1411 son of Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge and Anne de Mortimer -Cecily Neville 1437 13 children
30 December 1460 Wakefield age 49 Edward Plantagenet
1460–1461 28 April 1442 Rouen son of Richard Plantagenet and Cecily Neville - Elizabeth Woodville 1 May 1464 10 children
9 April 1483 Westminster age 40 Edward Plantagenet became Edward IV in 1461, thus merging the title of Duke of York in crown.
Yorkist—Kings of EnglandMonarch Portrait Birth Marriages Death Edward IV 4 March 1461 –3 October 1470
11 April 1471–1483 28 April 1442 Rouen son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville Elizabeth Woodville Grafton Regis 1 May 1464 10 children
9 April 1483 Westminster Palace age 40 Edward V 9 April–25 June 1483 2 November 1470 Westminster son of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville unmarried c. 1483 London age about 12 (traditionally: murdered) Richard III 26 June 1483–1485 2 October 1452 Fotheringhay Castle son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville Anne Neville Westminster Abbey 12 July 14721 son 22 August 1485 Bosworth Fieldage 32 (killed in battle)
Sharpe Peril
blown up again
Sharpe News
USA Release Both Sharpe's Challenge and Sharpe's Peril have been sold to United States broadcaster WGBH and will be shown across the United States, probably early in 2010.
Bernard Cornwell: Fallen Angel and A Crowning Mercy
Title: Fallen Angels
Title: A Crowning Mercy Fleeing from her strict Puritan household and an unbearable arranged marriage, Dorcas seeks her fortune in 17th century London and falls in love with a charming aristocrat. Left an intricately wrought seal by her unknown father, she must follow the course of her father's legacy to find her destiny.
A Crowning Mercy
Book by Bernard Cornwell
Warlords Book Cover
Turkish Edition
Warlords Cover: Turkish Edition
This is the cover art that I made for the book named "Enemy of God" by Bernard Cornwell (The Arthur Books series). This cover was made for the Turkish Edition of the book. Warlords picture
Tolkien, J. R. R.; Finn and Hengest: The Fragment and the Episode Bately, Janet M. (1986). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition. Vol. 3: MS. A. Cambridge.. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer. ISBN 0-85991-103-9. Campbell, James; John, Eric & Wormald, Patrick (1991). The Anglo-Saxons. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-014395-5. Ekwall, Eilert (1947). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Clarendon Press. OCLC 3821873. Hunter Blair, Peter (1960). An Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England (3rd ed. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (2003 edition: ISBN 0-521-83085-0) Hunter Blair, Peter (1966). Roman Britain and Early England: 55 B.C. - A.D. 871. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-00361-2. Keynes, Simon; Michael Lapidge (2004). Alfred the Great: Asser's Life of King Alfred and other contemporary sources. New York: Penguin Classics. ISBN 0-140-44409-2. Lapidge, Michael (1999). The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Anglo-Saxon England. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0-631-22492-0. Savage, Anne (1997). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Gadalming: CLB. ISBN 1-85833-478-0. Swanton, Michael (1996). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-92129-5. Kings and Kingdoms of Early Anglo-Saxon England by Dr Barbara Yorke Formby Parish Boundary by Reginald Yorke and Barbara Yorke Nunneries and the Anglo-Saxon Royal Houses (Women, Power & Politics) by Barbara Yorke Wessex in the Early Middle Ages (Studies in the Early History of Britain) by Barbara Yorke The Conversion of Britain: Religion, Politics and Society in Britain, 600-800 by Barbara Yorke The Anglo-Saxons (Sutton Pocket Histories) by Barbara Yorke The King Alfred Millenary in Winchester, 1901 (Hampshire Papers) by Barbara Yorke Bishop Aethelwold: His Career and Influence by Barbara Yorke A History of the Vikings By T. D. Kendrick Kings and Vikings: Scandinavia and Europe, A.D. 700-1100 By P. H. Sawyer
The Count of the Saxon Shore by Alfred J. Church
Books on the Templars and the Grail
The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest by Karen Ralls-MacLeod, Karen Ralls, John Matthews (Foreword by) About this title: The result of 11 years of research, this well-documented book surveys various theories about the Knight Templers' quest and lets readers decide what is fact. Includes rare photos from the Rosslyn Chapel Museum (Scotland). 2 illustrations, 18 photos.
The Grail: A Secret History by Dr. John Matthews About this title: What is the Grail? Is it a stone? Is it a chalice? Or is it something even more powerful--an enduring idea that has captured humanity's imagination across the centuries? Fictional accounts of the Grail have topped best-seller lists over the years, "The Da Vinci Code" being only the most recent among them. But the truth about the Grail--where truth can be brought to light--is even more electrifying than the most exciting novel ever written. This informative and beautifully illustrated book recounts the Grail's story, from its early appearances in ancient myths to its many references in Examines the part the chalice plays in Christ's PassionTells stories of the secret societies that guarded the Grail's mysteries Explores Grail theories that speculate on the holy bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and on an alternate theory of the Grail as the philosopher's stone Describes modern Grail seekers, and reveals why even the Nazis sought it These and hundreds more fascinating details will keep readers turning pages to the book's final chapter. Approximately 90 color photos.
The Grail: Quest for the Eternal by John Matthews About this title: Explore a truly astonishing range of interests, philosophies, religions, and cultures -- from alchemy to angels, Buddhism to Hinduism, myth to magic. The distinguished authors bring a wealth of knowledge, visionary thinking, and accessible writing to each intriguing subject in these lavishly illustrated, large-format paperback books.
Books
"Marching with Sharpe" by B J Bluth, this book is beautifully illustrated and contains everything you wanted to know about life in Wellington's Army in the Napoleonic Wars
non-fiction, non-sharpe
The Recollections of Rifleman Harris - edited and introduced by Christopher Hibbert (published by The Windrush Press) Not the Rifleman Harris of book and series fame, but memoirs of a soldier of the 95th who was there!
Wellington's War - A Living History by Paul Lewis Isemonger with an introduction by Richard Rutherford Moore. This book covers all aspects of life as a soldier or sailor at the time of the Peninsular campaign, illustrated with the help of re-enactors.
Uniforms of Waterloo by Philip Haythornthwaite, Jack Cassin-Scott, Michael Chappell - 80 colour plates of all forces at Waterloo, beautifully illustrated with full descriptions of the uniforms and historical information. Included are a summary of the campaign, an order of battle and a full bibliography.
Wellington-The Years of the Sword (Published by Weidenfelt and Nicholson in 1969) SBN29717917 -
Lady Elizabeth Longford. This book covers the years 1769-1815.
Wellington - Pillar of State (Written in 1972) ISBN 0.297-00250-3 -
Lady Elizabeth Longford. Although written sometime ago, these are highly recognised books and worth trying to get hold of. Lady Longford is a member of Wellington's family and considered to be an authority on him.
Wellington in India - Jac Weller (Pub: Greenhill Books) ISBN 1-85367-141-X
Wellington in the Peninsular - Jac Weller (Pub: Kay and Ward) ISBN 0-7182-0730-0
Written in 1962. Covers the years 1808-1814. Weller is another noted authority on the Iron Duke.
The Duke - Philip Guiadalla. No further information on this at the moment.
We are a friendly group affiliated to the Bernard Cornwell Group on Shelfari a book reading site for all book lovers. Here we are adding background, maps, pictures and all to do with the books we are reading in Old English, Middle English,Icelandic Sagas,Myths and Legends etc
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