Richard Sharpe and his "Chosen Men"

A Timeline for Richard Sharpe's Life

Compiled and annotated with matters Napoleonic, by Brian Timmins

Page One of Three

THE SAGA BEGINS...

1769

• 29 April: Arthur Wellesley, the future first Duke of Wellington and one of England's greatest military leaders, was the fifth son and sixth child of a family of nine born to Garrett Wesley, first Earl of Mornington and Anne Hill. The man, known during his fighting career as "Old Nosey" (an affectionate term), and during his post-Napoleonic political career, as "The Iron Duke" was born in Dublin on 1 May 1769. The family was from the Anglo-Irish ascendancy and Wellington maintained links with his Irish family and friends throughout his life. He was educated at the Diocesan School at Trim in County Meath; between 1781 and 1784 he attended Eton and then was tutored privately by the Reverend Henry Michell in Brighton.
• 15 August: Birth of Napoleon Bonaparte (Buonaparte until 1796) in Ajaccio, Corsica.

1776

• 4 July: US Declaration of Independence.

1777

• 23 June: To Lizzie Sharpe, a son, Richard. Howick Place, London. Lizzie was a prostitute and an alcoholic - father unknown.

1779

• 15 May: Napoleon enters the military school in Brienne.

1780

Lizzie Sharpe is one of 700 people in England who die in the Gordon riots. Sharpe is placed in a workhouse where he picks oakum and washes laundry.

In June 1780, England was shaken by violent anti-Catholic riots. These became known as the Gordon riots. The government had proposed a bill to reduce restrictions against Catholics. Objecting to this, the mob raged against the Catholics, attacking chapels, houses, public buildings, and even Catholic people in the streets. 12,000 troops had to be deployed to quell the uprising.

• 6 June: The Delivery of Newgate. The London mob, led by Afro-Americans, liberates prisoners by the hundreds from Newgate prison.

1789

Sharpe is sold to a sweep. He runs away and begins his life as a thief.

• 14 July: The precipitation of the French revolution - the Storming of the Bastille.

1792

War breaks out in India with the Tippoo Sultan of Mysore. The Tippoo is forced to surrender half his dominions.

• 20 September: Battle of Valmy, Dumouriez, Kellermann defeat Brunswick.
• 6 November: Battle of Jemappes, Dumouriez defeats Silbert of Saxe-Teschen.

1793

• Sharpe kills a man and runs to Yorkshire, where he takes the King's shilling.
  
  

  This event is not in the books but is a "ruse de drama" to explain Sean Bean's northern accent. His mother's death was transferred to Yorkshire as well. This pseudo-fact was used in the non-canonical film "Sharpe's Justice".

• 18 March: Battle of Neerwinden, Prince Frederick of Saxe-Coburg defeats Dumouriez.
• 21-23 May: Battle of Valenciennes, Austrians defeats Custine.
• 6 September: Battle of Hondschoote, Houchard defeats York.
• 13 September: Battle of Menin, Houchard defeats Orange.
• 15 October: Battle of Wattignies, Jourdan defeats Saxe-Coburg.
• 30 November: Battle of Kaiserslauten, Brunswick defeats Hoche.
• 18 December: Assault on Toulon, French take Toulon from the Allies, but eleven French Men-o-War are destroyed.
• 22 December: Battle of Froeschwiller, Hoche defeats Brunswick.
• 23 December: Battle of Savernay ends Vendean revolt in France.
• 26 December: Battle of Geisberg, Hoche defeats Wurmser.

1794

Sharpe is recruited by Obidiah Hakeswill into the 33rd.

• 24 May: Battle of Villiers-en-Cauchies, Anglo-Austrians defeats French.
• 18 May: Battle of Tourcoing, Souham defeats Allies.
• June: 33rd Regiment at Cork in Ireland.
• 1 June: "The Glorious 1st of June:", Howe defeats Villaret-Joyeuse in the mid Atlantic, but the grain fleet reaches France.
• 26 June: Battle of Fleurus, Jourdan defeats Saxe-Coburg.
• 26 June: Arrived Ostend in Belgium minus the Light and Grenadier Companies which had been detached for service in the West Indies. Main force under Lord Moira had arrived five days earlier and had marched off towards Ghent. 33rd, 44th and some light dragoons and a battery of artillery were dangerously isolated.
• 30 June - 1 July (overnight): Withdrew onto ships and sailed for Antwerp. Duke of York's army was in retreat.
• 15 September: Battle of Boxtel, Sharpe's first battle. 33rd see their first fighting as a reserve force - They checked a French Cavalry pursuit by Volley fire (companies firing in unison under officer's command). Commended for their steadiness by Duke of York. 33rd deployed in defensive positions along the North bank of the Waal river. Wellesley recalled briefly.

The origin of the word "Tommy" as a label for the British soldier is uncertain and much debated.

1. One explanation is that the origin was founded during the battle of Boxtel. After a fierce engagement, the Duke of Wellington, in command of the 33rd Regiment of Foot, spotted the best man-at-arms in the regiment, Private Thomas Atkins, terribly wounded. The Private said "It's all right sir. It's all in a day's work" and died shortly after. British soldiers were from then on known as "Tommy" due to their cheerfulness and bravery.
2. Another explanation is that the term arose from the little pocket ledgers served out, at one time, to all British soldiers. In these manuals were to be entered the name, age, the date of enlistment, length of service, wounds, medals, etc. for each individual. The hypothetical name selected was "Tommy Atkins". The books were instantly so called, and it did not require many days to transfer the name from the book to the soldier.
3. Personally I prefer Bernard's explanation of it originating from the bread made by sailors which was copied by the marines and thence transferred to the army. This has a degree of backing "Soft Tommy, or white Tommy; bread is so called by sailors, to distinguish it from biscuit." - Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.

• December: Harsh winter, army starving because the commissariat had collapsed. Troops stealing from local inhabitants. Officers too lazy or indifferent to control them (whole army not just 33rd.) Waal was frozen and French crossed.in final week of December. Some resistance but the British lines fractured and their troops pulled back to Ems river.
• Mid December: 33rd was on continual standby to repel sallies across the frozen Waal.
• 27 Dec: 33rd and other Battalions of Brigadier General Sir William Cathcart's brigade saw fighting around Tiel and Wadanburg.

1795

• 4 January: Five Companies of the 33rd were among the pickets taken unaware by French sortie against an outpost at Meteren. They fell back two miles to Geldermaisen and joined the rest of their Regiment plus the Black watch, the 78th Highlanders and two Howitzers. The French retired.
• Febuary (1st week): 33rd attached to Maj. Gen. Fox's division and billeted at Coevordon. General described it as a 'forlorn and unprovided situation' and dangerously exposed. Soil frozen so deep that no trenches could be dug or ramparts built. French were close and this rearguard was withdrawn.
• 17 Febuary (approx.): 33rd in Aschendorf on banks of Emms. Village flooding, but men had bread and forage.
• March: 33rd were home - no details. (Figures: 1st August 1794 mustered 985 men of whom 113 were sick. October 849 men. January 799 men. Losses In action were slight: 1 killed and 11 wounded at Geldermaisen. Bulk of casualties were the result of sickness and unhealed wounds.).
• 19 July: Quiberon Campaign, French Republicans under Hoche defeats French Royalists supported by Britain - Puisaye, d'Hervilly.
• Autumn: 33rd ordered to join reinforcements in West Indies. being mustered at Southhampton. Sailed out of Portsmouth (mid?) November but hit bad storms and was blown back after seven weeks at sea. 33rd wintered in Poole.
• 29 October: Battle of Mainz, Clerfayt defeats Pichegru.
• 24 November: Battle of Loano, Massena defeats Wallis.

1796

In April the 33rd were sent ahead of Wellesley to India. Wellesley followed in June.

• 12 May: Battle of Montenotte, Napoleon defeats Beaulieu.
• 14 May: Battle of Millesimo, Angereau defeats Provera.
• 15 May: Battle of Dego, Bonaparte defeats Beaulieu.
• 17 May: Battle of Ceva, Colli defeats Augereau.
• 21 May: Battle of Mondovi, Napoleon defeats Colli.
• 8 June: Battle of Fombio, Napoleon defeats Beaulieu.
• 10 June: Battle of Lodi, Napoleon defeats Beaulieu.
• 30 June: Battle of Borghetto, Napoleon defeats Beaulieu.
• 16 June: Battle of Wetzlar, Charles defeats Jourdan.
• 9 July: Battle of Malsch, Moreau meet Charles.
• August: Around this time Private Sharpe and the King's 33rd leave England.
• 3 August: Battle of Lonato, Napoleon defeats Quasdanovich.
• 5 August: Battle of Castiglione, Napoleon defeats Wurmser.
• 24 August: Battle of Amberg, Charles defeats Jourdan.
• 24 August: Battle of Friedberg, Moreau defeats Latour.
• 3 September: Battle of Wurzburg, Charles defeats Jourdan.
• 4 September: Battle of Roveredo, Massena defeats Davidovich.
• 8 September: Battle of Bassano, Bonaparte defeats Wurmser.
• 12 November: Battle Caldiero, Alvintzy defeats Napoleon.
• 21 December: Arrival of French fleet in Bantry Bay Ireland with troops under Hoche, they do not land.

1797

• 14 January: Battle of Rivoli, Napoleon defeats Austrians.
• February: During this month the King's 33rd and Richard Sharpe arrive in Calcutta.
• 14 February: Battle of Cape St Vincent - Jervis defeats Spanish.
• Feb: Wellesley arrived in Calcutta (Fort William).
• 23 March: Battle of Malborghetto - Massena defeats Charles.
• April: 33rd supposed to go to Manilla (from Bengal?) but did not.
• 18 May: Battle of Neuweid Lahn, Hoche defeats Werneck.
• August: 33rd sent to Malay but sent back due to French. Wellesley went to Madras (Fort St George) and 33rd back to Calcutta (Fort William).
• 11 October: Battle of Camperdown, Duncan defeats De Winter. Private Sharpe returns to Calcutta with the 33rd after the abortive Manila campaign.

1798

• 2 July: 1st Battle of Alexandria, Napoleon defeats Coraim.
• 21 July: Battle of the Pyramids, Napoleon defeats Murad, Ibrahim.
• In August Wellesley was ordered to bring 33rd down to Madras to prepare to invade Mysore.
• 1 August: Battle of the Nile, Nelson defeats de Brueys. During this month the King's 33rd sail for Penang.
• 27 August: Battle of Castlebar, Humbert defeats Lake.
• 1 September: During this month the King's 33rd transfer to the Army of Madras. Private Sharpe transferred to Madras with his regiment.
• 5 September: Battle of Collooney, Humbert defeats Vereker.
• 8 September: Battle of Ballinamuch, Cornwallis defeats Humbert.
• 9th September: The Ottoman Empire declares War on the French.
• 3 December: Introduction of Income Tax to finance Britain's War effort.
• 23 December: Col Henry Ashton leaves the stallion Diomed to Arthur Wellesley in his will.

1799

At this time the recorded military history of Richard Sharpe began. Though the Indian novels were eventually filmed, but presumably because they were produced so long after Waterloo was, it was decided to set them after the Napoleonic wars - the gods know why, they should have had a word with George Lucas about prequels. The concomitant film discrepancies were roughly papered over (very roughly). The single film story of the Indian books is told in "Sharpe's Challenge".

• 3 Feb: Order given to invade Mysore, by Lord Mornington (Wellesley's Brother). (Due to Major Shee of the 33rd neglecting his duties, some men had no arms or eqipment.).
• 11 February: Harris begins advance from Madras to Seringapatam.
• 18 February: Wellesley appointed advisor to Nizam of Hyderabad. King's 33rd transferred to Nizam's contingent.
• 19 February: Battle of El Arish - Napoleon defeats Ibrahim Aga i Egypt.
• 7 March: Battle of Jaffa - Napoleon defeats Abou-Saad.
• 10 March: Anglo-Hyderabad right wing, Wellesley, attacked by Mysoreans.
• 18 March: Seige of Acre by Napoleon.
• 20 March: Napoleon takes Acre in Egypt.
• 21 March: Battle of Ostrach - Charles defeats Jourdan.
• 25 March: Battle of Stockach - Charles defeats Jourdan
• 26 March: 33rd came out of thick jungle at Mallavelly to see a ridge ahead crowned with elephants. 2,000 of the Tipoos troups trained by French.
• 27 March: Battle of Malavelly - Harris defeats Mysoreans.
• 30 March: Private Sharpe courtmarshalled and flogged but in a conditional reprieve it is "suggested" that he goes on a mission with Lt Lawford.
• 31 March: Sharpe, Lawford and Mary Bickerstaff captured and imprisoned by Tipoo's troops.
• 5th April: Troops enclose Seringapatam. Skirmish at Sultanpeltah Tope. Lt. Fitzgerald is killed in the fighting by a certain Serjeant Hakeswill. 12 soldiers (8 from the 33rd) are taken prisoner and excuted, bar Hakeswill. Hakeswill betrays Sharpe and Lawford. Sharpe and Lawford imprisoned.
• 6 April: Seigework begins.
• 1 May: Sharpe and Lawford join the Tipoo's army [Sharpe's Tiger].
• 2 May: Rocket Magazine blows up and creates breach.
• 3 May: Sharpe promoted to Corporal in Tipoo's army [Sharpe's Tiger].
• 4 May: The order for the assault is given. In the fighting Sharpe kills the tiger guard, escapes the dungeon, blows the Tipoo's mine, kills the Tipoo and is promoted to Serjeant. He steals his jewels, and throws Hakeswill to the tigers [Sharpe's Tiger].
• 5 May: Night attack on Sultanpetah Tope, Mysoreans defeat Harris. Battle of Magnano, Kray defeats Scherer.
• 6 May: Daytime attack on Sultanpetah Tope, Harris successful at Mysore [Sharpe's Tiger].
• 17 May: Battle of Mount Tabor, Napoleon defeats Achmed.
• 26 May: Seringapatam outworks Mysore stormed by Wellesley [Sharpe's Tiger].
• 27 May: Battle of Cassano, Suvarov defeats Moreau.
• 30 May: Harris arrive at Seringapatam Mysore.
• 4 June: Harris take Seringapatam.
• 7 June: First battle of Zurich, Charles defeats Massena.
• July: Harris' troops leave. In Decccan the 33rd in skirmishes with Dhoondiah Waugh, a bandit who had also escaped the Tippoo's prison, and the rebelious Rajah of Bellum, amongst others.
• 19 July: Battle of Trebbia, Suvarov defeats Macdonald.
• 15 August: Battle of Novi, Suvarov defeats Joubert.
• 19 September: Battle of Bergen-op-Zoom, Brune defeats York.
• 26 September: Second battle of Zurich, Massena defeats Korsakov.
• 2 October: Battle of Bergen-op-Zoom, York defeats Brune.
• 6 October: Battle of Castricum, Brune defeats York.
• 14 October: Battle of Genoa, Melas defeats Championnet.
• 19 October: Napoleon nominated 1st Consul.
• 17 November: Battle of Arcola, Napoleon defeats Alvintzy.
• 14 December: Napoleon appointed first Consul.

"Sharpe's Tiger":
At the instigation of the French, the Tippoo takes up arms again and the story revolves around the final crushing of this potentate. As the story starts Richard finds himself persecuted, bored and ready to abscond from the Army. After a particularly brutal punishment he's given the chance to escape from the tyrannical Serjeant Hawkswill, when he is sent into the midst of the enemy to rescue a senior officer from Tippoo Sultan and just possibly save the army from a crushing defeat. The whole affair takes place in and around Mysore, where Sharpe and an officer, William Lawford, go behind enemy lines and join the enemy army. While there, they attempt to find the Scottish Colonel McCandless, who is being held captive. It is their job to free him and escape. His worst enemy turns out not to be Tippoo, nor even the Tippoo's professional bodyguards, but the aforementioned Serjeant Obadiah Hakeswill who continues to harass Sharpe all through the Indian novels and into the Peninsular war.

Film: Part of plot used in the Sharpe's Challenge film, arbitrarily set in 1817

1800

• In January, Wellington has a skirmish with Dhoondiah Waugh, the campaign culminating in final victory in September.
• 20 March: Battle of Heliopolis - Kléber defeats Yussuf Pasha.
• 1 May: First parade of the "Experimental Corps of Riflemen".
• 3 June: Battle of Stockach, Morea defeats Kray.
• 5 June: Battle of Moskirch, Moreau defeats Kray.
• 16 June: Battle of Ulm, Moreau defeats Kray.
• 9 June: Battle of Montebello, Lannes defeats Ott.
• 14 June: Battle of Marengo, Napoleon defeats Melas.
• 19 June: Battle of Hochstadt, Moreau defeats Kray.
• 24 June: Wellesley crosses the Tombuddra River.
• 25 August: Landings at Ferrol. Official birthday of the 95th Rifles.
• 10 September: Battle of Conaghull, Wellesley defeats Dhoondiah Waugh.
• 11 October: The "Corps of Riflemen" gazetted effective 23rd October.
• 3 December: Battle of Hohenlinden. Moreau defeats John.

1801

• 21 March: Battle of Alexandria - Abercrombie defeats Menou.
• 26 March - 2 April: Admiral Sir Hyde Parker with a British fleet and Admiral Lord Nelson as his second in command arrived at the mouth of the Baltic on 26th March. Nelson carried out his final reconnaissance on the frigate Amazon on the 1st April and eventually, starting at 8 o'clock in the morning of the 2nd, led the British fleet to victory over the Danes at the Naval battle of Copenhagen.

1803

• 18 January: The Rifle Corps officially becomes the 95th Rifles.
• 27 February: Wellesley appointed to command the expedition to restore the Peshwa of Poona.
• 9 March: Wellesley advances from Hurryhur towards Poona.
• 20 May: Wellesley arrive at Poona.
• 6 June: 2nd Battalion of 95th formed.
• 13 June: Restoration of the Peshwa of Poona.
• 16 June: End of Peace of Amiens, Britain declares war on France.
• 5 August: Hakeswill attacks Capt Morris with a chamber pot, blames Sharpe and gets an arrest warrant [Sharpe's Triumph].
• 8 August: Ahmednuggur, Wellesley storms the pettah Mahratta, Scindia Mahratta War [Sharpe's Triumph].
• 12 August: The Fort of Ahmednuggur, Mahratta, Scindia surrenders to the Wellesley [Sharpe's Triumph].
• 23 September: Battle of Assaye, Wellesley defeats Mahrattas Scindia, Berar. Sharpe saves Wellesley's life at Assaye and is given a field commission as Ensign. [Sharpe's Triumph].

Sharpe's Triumph: The occupation of Mysore brings the English into contact with the Mahratta States. Sharpe, now a Serjeant, first brings himself to the attention of Sir Arthur Wellesley. The story begins with Sharpe seeing a massacre of British troops in a fortress held by a traitor called Dodd. Sharpe witnesses the siege of the city of Ahmednuggur, whose garrison is commanded by Dodd. Sharpe is unknowingly pursued by Serjeant Obadiah Hakeswill, who has framed him for attacking a British officer and been given the authority to arrest him. During this battle, Sharpe and McCandless attempt to find and capture Dodd, who escapes. Sharpe rescues the wife of a French officer in Dodd's service, one Simone Joubert. McCandless decides to use Joubert for a prisoner exchange, and a chance to view Scindia's army, commanded by Anthony Pohlmann. McCandless and Sharpe later leave and attempt to bring information to Wellesley of the enemy army's decision to march to Borkardan. Pohlmann, however, decides to lay a trap for the British army at Assaye. Wellesley discovers the trap Pohlmann has laid for him, and decides to attack his army head on, despite being vastly outnumbered. In the early stages of the fight, Wellesley's aide is killed, and Sharpe takes his place. While Wellesley's troops carry the day he is unhorsed and surrounded by enemies whom Sharpe fights off alone, thus saving the general's life. Following the battle Wellesley promotes him to the rank of Ensign. Obadiah is now unable to arrest Sharpe because of his rank. Sharpe then throws Obadiah out a window and leaves him under the foot of one of Pohlmann's elephants.

Film: Part of plot used in the Sharpe's Challenge film, arbitrarily set in 1817

• 16 October: Burhampoor Mahratta taken by Stevenson.
• 24 October: Asseergurh Mahratta surrenders to Stevenson.
• 29 November: Battle of Argaum, Wellesley defeats Mahrattas Berar [Sharpe's Fortress].
• 10 December: Gawilghur Mahratta, Berar put under siege by Wellesley [Sharpe's Fortress].
• 15 December: Gawilghur Mahratta, Berar stormed and taken by Wellesley [Sharpe's Fortress].
• 17 December: Treaty of Deogaum with Rajah of Berar.
• 30 December: Treaty with Scindia ends Mahratta War.

Sharpe's Fortress: Sharpe's first story as an officer takes him to the daunting fort of Gawilghur. Sir Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) was never at his best when he had to lay siege to great fortresses, and there are few greater than Gawilghur high up on its cliff over the Deccan Plain. Wellesley's army is closing on the retreating Mahrattas in western India and Serjeant Hakeswill wants Sharpe dead. Hakeswill has powerful friends while Sharpe has only an orphaned Arab boy as his ally. And waiting with the cornered Mahrattas is yet another enemy, the renegade Englishman, William Dodd, who will not countenance defeat. Who rules in Gawilghur, it is said, rules India, and Dodd knows that the fortress is vitually impregnable. There, behind its double walls, in the towering twin forts, Sharpe must face his enemies in what will prove to be both his, and Wellesley's, last battle on Indian soil. Ultimately the fortress fell to the extraordinary gallantry of some Scottish soldiers and I fear Sharpe muscled in on their achievement.

Film: Part of plot used in the Sharpe's Challenge film, arbitrarily set in 1817

1804

• 5 February: A British infantry force, included the entire 74th, marches 60 miles in 30 hrs to Munkaiseer. Ensign Sharpe marches to Munkaiseer with the 74th.
• 6 February: Action at Munkaiseer - Wellesley surprise Mulwa Dada.
• 4 December: Spain declares war on Britain.

1805

• 10 March: Major-General Arthur Wellesley sails for England from Madras aboard HMS Trident.

Sharpe's Trafalgar: The year is 1805, the 33rd have returned to England and Richard Sharpe is also headed from India to England aboard the cargo ship Calliope. Also on board is the lovely Lady Grace Hale, whose presence promises to provide intrigue and distraction to an otherwise uneventful voyage home. They are captured by a formidable French warship, the Revenant, which has been terrorizing British nautical traffic in the Indian Ocean. The French warship races toward the safety of its own fleet, carrying a stolen treaty that could provoke India into a new war against the British and render for naught all that Sharpe has bravely fought for till now. But help comes from an unexpected quarter. An old friend, a captain in the Royal Navy, is on the trail of the Revenant, and Sharpe comes aboard a 74-gun man-of-war called Pucelle in hot pursuit. The arrival of Admiral Horatio Nelson's magnificent fleet results in a breathtaking retelling of one of the most ferocious and one-sided sea battles in European history, in which Nelson, and Sharpe, vanquish the combined naval might of France and Spain at Trafalgar.

No Film

• 10 September: Major-General Arthur Wellesley arrives back in England from India.
• 12 October: Battle of Haslach, Dupont defeats Mack.
• 14 October: Battle of Elchingen, Ney defeats Werneck, Riesch.
• 17 October: Capitulation at Ulm, Napoleon force the surrender of Mack.
• 21 October: Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson defeats Villeneuve, de Alava death of Lord Nelson.
• 21 October: Death of Lord William Hale [Sharpe's Trafalgar].
• 26 October: Occupation of Bremen by Anglo-Hanoverians Cathcart. Cathcart's force included part of the 95th and the entire King's German Legion.
• 30 October: Battle of Caldiero, Massena defeats Charles.
• 8 1October: Battle of Zell, Davout, Marmont defeats Merveldt.
• 11 November: Battle of Durrenstein, Mortier defeats Miloradovich, Dokhturov.
• 16 November: Battle of Oberhollabrunn Hollabrunn, Napoleon defeats Bagration.
• 2 December: Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon defeats Kutuzov.

1806

• In July, Sharpe joins the 95th Rifles. Sharpe is made Quartermaster by Lieutenant Colonel Wade.
• 6 July: Battle of Maida, Stewart defeats Reynier.
• 9 October: Battle of Schleiz, Bernadotte defeats Tauenzein.
• 10 October: Battle of Saalfeld, Lannes defeats Louis.
• 14 October: Battle of Auerstadt, Davout defeats Brunswick.
• 14 October: Battle of Jena, Napoleon defeats Hohenlohe.
• 24 October: General Whitelocke's force embarks for South America. Whitelocke's force included 5 Companies of the 1st Battalion of the 95th Rifles.
• 6 November: Battle of Lubeck, Soult, Bernadotte defeats Blucher.
• 18 December: Napoleon enters Warsaw.
• 26 December: Battle of Golymin, Murat meet Gallitzin.
• 26 December: Battle of Poltusk, Lannes meet Bennigsen.

1807

Sharpe's Prey: We find our hero in the heart of one of the most obscure campaigns of the whole of the Napoleonic wars - war-torn Denmark. The Danish merchant fleet was, in size, second only to Britain's and to protect it they had a quite formidable navy. Napoleon, being battered left, right and centre by the English navy and having been trounced at Trafalgar, decides to invade Denmark and "acquire" the Danish Navy. The year is 1807 and our hero's career seems to have stultified and he is seriously considering leaving the army, having been reduced to being a quartermaster. Without warning an old friend, Major General Sir David Baird, appears and invites him to undertake a secret mission to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Britain, fearing a re-enhancement of French naval power, threaten their own preemptive invasion, and Sharpe, whose errand seemed so simple - if bribery can ever be considered simple, is trapped in a web of treachery that will end only when the city, which thought itself safe, is subjected to a brutal and merciless bombardment. "Sharpie" is magnificent, bloodily weaving his way through plot and counterplot and avoiding some superbly drawn characters.

No Film

• 25 January: Battle of Mohrungen - Bernadotte defeats Markov.
• 8 February: Battle of Eylau - Napoleon defeats Bennigsen.
• 6 June: Napoleon makes his brother Joseph the new king of Spain. This provokes open rebellion, particularly among the peasantry and Catholic Church.
• 10 June: Battle of Heilsberg, Napoleon defeats Bennigsen.
• 14 June: Battle of Friedland, Napleon defeats Bennigsen.
• 26 July: The Baltic Expedition sails. All available companies of 95th sail with the Baltic expedition as part of Wellesley's brigade.
• 29 August: Battle of Kjoge, Wellesley defeats Castenskiold. 95th Rifles fight under Wellesley for the first time.
• 2 September: Siege of Copenhagen Peimann by Cathcart.
• 5 September: Surrender of Copenhagen Peimann to Cathcart.
• 18 October: Napoleon determines on the annexation of Spain and Portugal. 30,000 French troops, under Juno, cross the border into Portugal. The Portuguese Government flees to Brazil.
• 4 November 1807: Battle of Pancorbo. France led by Lefebvre versus Spain led by Blake. French victory. the first battle of the Peninsular War.
• 1 December: The French capture of Lisbon marks the beginning of Napoleon's military involvement on the Iberian peninsula. Three months later, an army under Marshal Murat moves into Spain, supposedly to restore order as the king, Charles IV, struggles for control against supporters of his son Ferdinand.

1808

Early in 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte sends troops into Spain, sparking the Peninsular Wars, a conflict that pitted Spain and Portugal, allied with the British, against the invading French.

• 16 February 1808: Fall of Pamplona. France led by Darmaignac versus Spain.
• 29 February: Fall of Barcelona. France led by Lecchi versus Spain.
• 19 March: A popular uprising induces Charles IV to abdicate and the throne is passed to his son, who becomes Fernando VII (Ferdinand VII).
• 22 March: Charles IV retracts his abdication, claiming it was made under duress; however, Ferdinand is still considered king.
• 23 March: French occupy Madrid.
• 2 May: citizens of Madrid rebel - "Le Dos Mayo" - against the occupation of the French, but the revolt is suppressed.
• 6 May: Ferdinand VII is forced by Napoleon to abdicate and Charles IV again becomes king, although he immediately abdicates a second time, handing the kingdom over to Napoleon.
• 6 June: Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, is proclaimed king of Spain as José I. First Battle of the Bruch. France led by Schwartz versus Spain led by Franch. Spanish victory.
• 7 June: Battle of the Bridge of Alcolea. France led by Dupont versus Spain led by Echavarri. French victory.
• 20 June: First Siege of Gerona. France led by Duhesme versus Spain led by Junta composed of del Rey & Bolívar. Spanish victory.
• 14 June: Second Battle of the Bruch. France led by Chabran versus Spain led by Pamies. Spanish victory.
• 15 June to 15 August: First Siege of Saragossa. Saragossa's defence was led by a Junta headed by Palafox. Lefebvre. was seemingly successful at first, were eventually compelled to lift the siege and retreat north, their 61-day effort ending in defeat. By then the unconquerable Palafox had become legendary in Spain.
• 26 June - 28 June: First Battle of Valencia. France led by Moncey attacked Spain led by Saint-Marq. Spanish victory.
• 14 July: Battle of Medina del Rio Seco, Bessièresdefeats Cuesta/Blake.
• 16 July: Skirmish at Mengibar. France led by Gobert versus Spain led by Reding. Spanish victory.
• 19-22 July: Battle of Bailén. France led by Dupont versus Spain led by Castaños. The French surrender - Spanish victory.
• 27 July - 20 August: Second Siege of Gerona. France led by Duhesme versus Spain led by Del Palaccio. Spanish victory.
• 1 August: Spain and Portugal have been forced to close their ports to British ships as Napoleon tries to impose the Continental System across Europe. So the first British troops landed at Mondego Bay. 4 Companies of the 2nd Battalion of the 95th Rifles involved in landingsn so 2nd Lieutenant Sharpe QM almost certainly involved.
• 8 August: Wellesley completes the landings at Mondego Bay. He has 13,000 troops ashore. The British were re-inforced with 2,000 Portuguese troops who were placed under the command of a British Officer, one Colonel Nicholas Trant. After a week spent organizing his commissary, Wellesley began his march on Lisbon and in a skirmish at Obidos, routs the first French forces he encounters on the peninsula, marking the onset of the six-year Peninsular War. Lieutenant Bunbury, 2nd Battalion of the 95th Rifles is the first British officer killed in the Peninsular War. This will put a severe strain on Napoleon's chain of command and impose a major drain on his resources.
  "Adversity is the midwife of genius" - Napoleon.
• 17 August: Battle of Rolica. The British Army attacks a French force led by Delaborde coming out from Lisbon. After a battle in which Sir Arthur Wellesley's troops show great 'enthusiasm', the French fall back onto their reinforcements. Opening battle of the British Peninsular campaign.
• 21 August: Battle of Vimiero. Covering a landing from the sea by the rest of his troops, the British army posted on two hills is attacked by the entire French army under Marshal Junot. The enemy is routed by the steady fire of the redcoats and Wellesley's firm leadership. The French sue for peace, and leave the Peninsula, but Wellesley is recalled home. First, Sir Harry Burrard, then Sir Hew Dalrymple replace Wellesley. French troops repatriated under the Convention of Cintra.
• 23 August: Sir John Moore's force lands at Peniche.
• 6 October: Sir John Moore arrives in Lisbon.
• 26 October: British forces under Baird land at Corunna. The remaining companies of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 95th Rifles arrive with Baird.
• 29 October: Battle of Zornosa. France led by Lefèbvre versus Spain led by Blake. French victory.
• 5 November: Battle of Valmaceda. France led by Vilatte versus Spain led by Blake. Spanish victory.
• 6 November - 5 December: Siege of Rosas. France led by Saint-Cyr versus Spain led by Reding. French victory.
• 7 November: Skirmish at Guenes. France led by Villette versus Spain led by Blake. French victory.
• 8 November: Napoleon returns to Spain with the Grande Armee of 200,000 men.
• 10 November: Battle of Gamonal. France led by Bessières/Soult versus Spain led by Belvedere) French victory.
• 10-11 November: Battle of Espiñosa. France led by Victor versus Spain led by Blake. French victory.
• 14 November: Fall of Reynosa. France led by Soult versus Spain led by Blake. French victory.
• 23 November: Battle of Tudela, Lannes defeats Castanos.
• 30 November: Battle of Somosierra, Napoleon defeats San Juan.
• 4 December: Napoleon re-takes Madrid and restores Joseph, beats multiple uncoordinated Spanish armies. Wellesley guards approaches to Lisbon with 40,000 men.
• 10 December: British army under Sir John Moore advances from Salamanca.
• 16 December: Battle of Cardadeu. France led by Saint-Cyr versus Spain led by Reding. French victory.
• 20 December: First Battle of Saragossa. France led by Moncey versus Spain led by Palafox. French victory.
• 20 December: 2nd siege of Saragossa the Spanish again under Palafox laid siege to by Moncey.
• 21 December: (Cavalry) Skirmish at Sahagun. France led by Debelle versus Britain led by Page/Henry. British victory.
• 21 December: Molins de Rey. France led by Saint-Cyr versus Spain led by Reding. French victory.
• 24 December: Moore begins the retreat from Sahagun to Corunna.
• 26-29 December: Skirmishes at Benevente. France led by Lefèbvre-Desnouettes versus Britain led by Page/Henry. British victories.

1809

• 1-14 January: Retreat to Coruna.

Sharpe's Rifles:
Richard Sharpe and the French Invasion of Galicia. The beginning of the Peninsular War - the battles between 1808 and 1814 to expel the French from Portugal and Spain. The Peninsular Campaign occupies a large art of the Sharpe series and this book begins during the infamous retreat to Corunna, but ends in a purely fictional battle. Sharpe meets Patrick Harper and the core group of the Chosen Men for the first time. Running along in the background is the another Irishman, Major Hogan, who appears for the first time at the very end of the novel. Sent out to find the British army's paymaster, Rothschild, most of the 95th rifles are cutdown by a squadron of French regular cavalry due to the incompetance of the commander. In this book, he sees Captain Murray's heavy cavalry sword as clumsy and cumbersome, yet in India he wishes he had had such a heavy sword to butcher people with. During his time India he used a claymore which he found less cumbersome than the cavalry sword. From then on the story follows the small band of the surviving riflemen as they try to foment an uprising in the city of Santiago de Compostela. Sharpe's Spanish ally is Major Blas Vivar and they are fighting the Don's brother, the Count of Mouromorto.

Wellington	Hogan	Harper	Teresa	Blas Vivar	Count of Mouromoto

Film Discrepancies:
The 'Rifles' film screenplay was modified to suit the production company so Richard Sharpe enters as a Serjeant and on saving Wellington's life is rewarded, as Wellinton puts it by being done "a damned bad turn" by being made a lieutenant in the 95th rifles. Teresa Moreno - Sharpe's eventual first wife - appears for the first time in this film, whereas in the novels she does not appear until Sharpe's Gold. Also, Hogan makes his appearance at the beginning, rather than at the end, of this episode.

• 13 January: Battle of Uclés. France led by Victor versus Spain led by Venegas. French victory.
• 16 January: Sir John Moore, given command, takes the small British army through Portugal and into Spain to support the rumored Spanish uprising and relieve Madrid. When this proves to be false, Moore has to retreat over and through terrible snow covered mountains of Galacia pursued by Bonaparte himself with a massive army. Though saving Spain from full occupation and conquest by the French, he partially loses control of his army and scenes of drunkenness ensue. Battle of Coruña (Battle of La Corogne, Battle of Elviãn) At Corunna harbor Moore defeats the French pursuit under Marshal Soult but is killed at the moment of victory.
• 17 January: Moore's army evacuated. Napoleon leaves the Peninsula, never to return. His brother Joseph and the Marshals are left in charge; but there were four separate armies and they never could work out coordination.
• 18 February: Battle of Igualda. France led by Saint-Cyr versus Spain led by Castro. French victory.
• 19 February: Battle of Valls. France led by Saint-Cyr versus Spain led by Reding. French victory.
• 20 February: Second Battle of Saragossa. France led by Lannes versus Spain led by Palafox. French victory. Palafox surrenders to Lannes at the 2nd siege having suffered 35,000 casualties (both army and civilian).
• 14 March: Battle of Chaves. France led by Soult versus Spain led by Silveira. French victory.
• 17 March: Battle of Meza de Ibor. France led by Victor versus Spain led by Del Paarque. French victory.
• 20 March: Battle of Braga. France led by Soult versus Portugal led by Eben. French victory.
• 21 March: Battle of Miajadas. France led by Subervie/Bordesoulle versus Spain led by Henestrosa. Spanish victory.
• 29 March: Battle of Medellín. France led by Victor versus Spain led by Cuesta. French victory.
• 29 March: First Battle of Oporto. France led by Soult versus Portugal led by Parreiras/Vittoria. French victory - the French sack Oporto.
• 18-25 April: Battle of Amarante. France led by Loison versus Portugal led by Silveira. French victory.
• 22 April: Wellesley returns to Portugal and takes command of the British Forces.

Sharpe's Havoc:
This is set during the French invasion of Portugal in 1809 and Sir Arthur Wellesley's devastating counter-attack. Patrick Harper is back, as is Captain Hogan. Though isolated from his side's main forces, Sharpe and his unit defend Oporto, Portugal from Napoleon's armies. The city and the surrounding area is home to the famous red wine and numerous influential English red wine-exporting families. His superior, Captain Hogan, assigns Richard to keep safe the Beautiful wine heiress Kate Savage and keep an eye on slick Colonel Christopher. As Richard and his commandos perform their current mission, the French attack them. Portuguese irregulars led by philosopher poet Lieutenant Vicente save the beleaguered English. The two units consolidate, heading to Kate's winery only to arrive, as she is to marry the treacherous Colonel Christopher. Sharpe strives to return his company back to British lines, but not before he helps take part in the daring liberation of Oporto from the massive French army.

No Film

• 25 April: Battle of Amarante. France led by Loison versus Portugal led by Silveira. French victory.
• 6 May: Third Siege of Gerona. France led by Verdier/Augereau versus Spain led by Alvarez. French victory.
• 5-19 May: Battle of Monzon. France led by Habert versus Spain led by Perena. Spanish victory.
• 11 May: Skirmish at Grijon. France led by Mermet versus Britain led by Wellington. British victory.
• 12 May: Second Battle of Douro. France led by Soult versus Britain led by Wellington. Wellesley takes Oporto after the battle where Marshal was Soult defeated.
• 14 May: Battle of Alcantara. France led by Victor versus Portugal led by Mayne. No conclusive result.
• 21 May: Battle of Alcaniz. France led by Suchet versus Spain led by Blake. Spanish victory.
• 22 May: Combat near Santiago. France led by Maucune versus Spain led by Carrera. Spanish victory.
• 8 June: Battle of River Oitaben (Battle of Ponte Sampaio). France led by Ney versus Spain led by Norona. Spanish victory.
• 15 June: Battle of Maria. France led by Suchet versus Spain led by Blake. French victory.
• 18 June: Battle of Belchite. France led by Suchet versus Spain led by Blake. French victory.
• 27 June: Skirmish at Casa de Salinas. France led by Lapisse versus Britain led by Wellington. No conclusive result. (Wellington was almost captured).
• 3 July: British army under Wellesley enters Spain.
• 6 July: Wellesley appointed Marshal-General of Portugal.
• 28-29 July: Battle of Talavera. Sir Arthur Wellesley, with Spanish troops promising to help him, accepts battle unwillingly at Talavera and is attacked by the combined French armies.

Sharpe's Eagle:
Prior to the Battle of Talavera, Richard Sharpe and his small group of riflemen are attached to a newly arrived regiment called the South Essex. Commanded by the fop and bully Sir Henry Simmerson, the South Essex is a raw, inexperienced unit. His real problem turns out to be the officers, most of whom appear to be in the lap of Simmerson. Only two appear to have any real experience: Major Lennox, whom Sharpe has met before at the Battle of Assaye in India; and Captain Leroy, an American. Love rivalry appears surrounding the presence in the company of the Contessa Josefina which causes conflict between Sharpe and partners in crime and gambling Lieutenant Christian Gibbons (a relative of Simmerson's) and Lieutenant Berry. On a straightforward mission to blow up a bridge, Simmerson makes elementary tactic errors, losing a skirmish with a small unit of the enemy, also losing a number of men, an experienced officer in Major Lennox and, 'worst of all' the King's Colours. As a dying request Lennox asks Sharpe for an Eagle. An Eagle is a standard used by a French regiment and each one was "touched by the hand of Napoleon" himself. Distinguishing himself during this skirmish Sharpe finds himself gazetted Captain and must do much to confirm this rank in the company of an officer corps still largely drawn from the aristocracy and the ranks of English gentlemen. In true heroic fashion Richard Sharpe and the 'chosen men' rise to the challenge and avenge the loss of the colour with the capture of an French Imperial Eagle during the height of the Battle of Talavera.

Josefina	Lennox	Leroy	Simmerson	Wellington

Film Discrepancies:

• 8 August: Battle of Arzobispo. France led by Soult versus Spain led by Albuquerque. French victory.
• 11 August: Battle of Almonacid. France led by Sebastiani versus Spain led by Venegas. French victory.
• 4 September: Wellesley becomes Viscount Wellington of Talavera and Wellington. Wellesley plans his defence of Portugal, ignoring any Spanish promises and entreaties.
• 18 October: Battle of Tamames. France led by Marchand versus Spain led by Del Parque. Spanish victory.
• 19 October: Battle of Ocaña. France led by Soult versus Spain led by Areizago. French victory.
• 20 October: Wellington starts building the Lines of Torres Vedras.
• 29 November: Battle of Alba de Tormes. France led by Kellerman versus Spain led by Del Parque. French victory.