Interview with Bernard Cornwell on the Battle of Waterloo

One of the world’s great historical novelists takes us back to one of the most dramatic and consequential moments in European history. Bernard Cornwell is our guide to the Battle of Waterloo.
Waterloo. That single word is enough to conjure up images of Napoleon with his great bicorn hat and the daring emperor’s nemesis, the Duke of Wellington. Over the course of twelve or so hours on a Sunday at the start of summer, these two commanders met on a battle in modern-day Belgium, to settle the future of Europe.
For a battle so vast in size and significance, it still has some elusive elements. Historians cannot agree on when it started. The movement of the troops is still subject to debate. Wellington, who might have been best qualified to answer these riddles, preferred not to speak of Waterloo. His famously laconic verdict was simply that it was ‘the nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life.’
Few people are as qualified to analyse this tangled history as Bernard Cornwall. For forty years he has been writing about this period of history through his ‘Sharpe’ series of books.
As Cornwall publishes his first new Sharpe novel for fifteen years, we take the opportunity to ask him about the battle that was central to all. Over a brilliantly analytical hour, he walks us through the battlefield, in three telling scenes.
Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe’s Assassin is published this week.
Scene One: Sunday June 18th, 11.10 am. Napoleon orders his grand battery to start firing
Scene Two: Sunday June 18th, 8.00 pm. Napoleon sends the Imperial Guard to save the battle.
Scene Three: Sunday June 18th, 10.00 pm. Wellington weeps over the casualties.
Memento: A heavy cavalry sword, carried in an attack at Waterloo
People/Social
Presenter: Peter Moore
Guest: Bernard Cornwell
Production: Maria Nolan
Podcast partner: Colorgraph
Follow us on Twitter: @tttpodcast_

[@rachelhenderson2688]

The lecture about Waterloo by Bernard Cornwell was brilliant! I have read several books about it, but that brought it to life. Well worth listening to! Thank you! I think I shall start reading 'Sharpe' books next!!

[@TravelsThroughTime]

Thank you!

[@fran87blacon]

I was a massive fan of the tv show and once I got round to completing the books I have to say the books are a million times better and I wish they stuck closer to the book material. As for the characters I to would hear/read the books in the voices of Sean bean and Daragh O’Malley etc etc. The casting for the actors was 100% correct

[@blchamblisscscp8476]

The Last Kingdom is pretty good too. I had to find an Anglo-Saxon dictionary for that series.

[@howwwwwyyyyy]

books are always better

[@tomturchiano9993]

When is this new book coming out? Do we get a title?

[@johanvink8482]

I should recommend Veronica Baker-Smith’s book “Wellingtons hidden heroes” as a alternate read on Waterloo.

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Thanks; that sounds interesting!

[@RagdollRalph]

The intro music is wonderful. Can i find it on spotify?

[@TravelsThroughTime]

Thank you! You'll only find it on our podcasts, I'm afraid. It's a great original piece.

[@howwwwwyyyyy]

Pity Napoleon didn't have cavalry to support the guard,but they'd been wasted earlier

[@Danbutch24]

Glad Uhtred got a small mention. Destiny is all.

[@chuckruckus3648]

Write more books

[@joncash49]

31:55

[@joncash49]

54:43

[@j.dunlop8295]

Putin's been thinking he's like Nepoleon or Peter the great, that's truly demented, twisted reality! 🛩️🇺🇦🚀🌉

[@j.dunlop8295]

Definitely, very thankful for Cornwell's books! Beans obsessed with the time period! Down with the inquisition! And Boney!