Redcoat History: Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Talavera (w/Marcus Cribb)

In the latest video installment of the Redcoat History Podcast I talk to Marcus Cribb (manager of Apsley House) all about the first Richard Sharpe book "Sharpe's Eagle". We follow the plot of the novel and explain which bits are true and which bits do not conform to the actual history of the Battle of Talavera. It's a really fun episode...Pls comment with your own favourite Sharpe book.
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[@anthonybrownhovelt]

I had the privilege of Commanding 46 (Talavera 1809) Air Defence Battery Royal Artillery. We had a handwritten account, by the Battery's 2nd Captain, of the battle. He went on to be a General and finished his service at Sandhurst! It was known as Sillery's Battery at that time. The Battery covered the withdrawal of allied Troops on the previous day and was then placed in the centre of the British line (within the Guard's area). There was a stream flowing In front of the Battery's position, the Battery killed so many Frenchmen that the stream was dammed by their bodies and ran red with their blood! Sillery had dysentery and was later to die of it. Halfway through the battle, there was a pause and he felt an episode coming on. The British troops were exhausted and things looked pretty dire, so the sight of a senior Officer leaving the Field could have had terrible consequences for morale! Conscious of this, Sillery marched forward of the Guns, turned to face the British line, arse to the French and had the most famous shit in British Military History! The infantry cheered him, morale restored! The Brigadier claimed it changed the course of the battle! I think he was being kind to the Gunners! The Battery had its own cocktail in honour of the occasion, champagne mixed with Port to replicate the bloody stream! Sillery was awarded a Gold medal by the King and his 2nd son, (The Grand Old Duke of York!) the head of the Army personally went to see his widow and give her the medal!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for sharing th story Anthony. Brilliant.

[@sd3457]

I like the way that Cornwell quietly changed his written description of Sharpe to match Sean Bean once he'd been cast for TV.

[@philholyman9036]

I remember when Bean was first revealed as Sharpe, he said in an interview that the best thing about Sharpe, was that nobody knew where he came from, so why not Yorkshire? Well, Sean, because anyone who knows anything about Sharpe knows that he was born in the rookerys of St Giles, London...

[@jonmcintosh1737]

Apologies don’t know what that means? Is that Yorkshire?

[@rachelhenderson2688]

No, it means that the character was described as born in some of the bad slums of London (meaning he improves himself as he gets older.)

[@julianmhall]

Actually readers did know where Sharpe was from as he was described several times as being born in the slums of London.@@philholyman9036

[@mercurio822]

Sean Bean stole sharpe as a Character. it just shows how good sean bean is as an actor.

[@julianmhall]

One thing I love in that scene was before the eagle Sharpe, recognising in Denny a proper officer who given the chance had a good future ordered him off the field, 'I want you to/have/ a seventeenth birthday!' Sadly Denny disobeyed the order and was killed.

[@achloist]

I always thought Lennox wanted the eagle to replace the lost colours. Oh, and can you do other Sharpes battles? This has been fascinating.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Graham. Yes I’m sure we may revisit this format for a future episode 👍🏼

[@ianfromnh3652]

"Major Lennox answered with his life"

[@philvanderlaan5942]

Major Hogan says you lost your head and marched over the bridge instead of destroying it , He says you then lost your nerve and ran from a small French patrol, he says you lost your honor by destroying the bridge cutting off a rescue party lead by Leftenant Sharpe , Major Hogan leaves the most damning for the last , he says you lost the kings colours

[@julianmhall]

Yes Lennox said that an eagle was equivalent to a colour - as both were regimental standards there was a parallel.

[@50TNCSA]

@@philvanderlaan5942 major Hogan is just an engineer sir...

[@copferthat]

Back in the 80's I came across two wonderful none fiction accounts of life in the British army of the Peninsular. One is ... Adventures in the Rifle Brigade by Capt John Kinkaid and the other is The recollections of Rifleman Harris, by Harris of course, which is a rare account as private soldiers were not known for writing in those days. Both are informative and compulsory reading for enthusiasts of the British army of the time.

[@RolfHartmann]

There is even a bit of a joke about that in one of the films where one of the Chosen Men considers writing a book about the war. It seems quite a men and officers from the Rifles wrote popular accounts of the war.

[@bigtrev9043]

If you enjoyed those, try 'a British Rifleman' which is a collection of letters & journal entries of Lieutenant George Simmons of the 95th. It's fantastic because of its immediacy rather than a memoir from decades later. I used it as my guide when visiting the Peninsular. Apparently Simmons carried his journal inside his shako. The originals are with a private collector now

[@jennybates]

Have you tried the books by Lady Barbara Longford? She did a 2 part bio on The Duke of Wellington, The Years of the Sword, and The Iron Duke.

[@johnsowerby7182]

The 'Major Lennox paid with his life,Sir!' line is exactly what the TV show needed. It's the same a couple of episodes later, in Sharpe's Enemy (?), where Wellington reads the letter from the Prince of Wales, making Sharpe a Major.

[@redcoathistory]

Classic TV!

[@adamhill4056]

The first thing I remember on my visit to Aspley House was Sharpe books for sale. There was a demonstration of loading a Baker rifle. Great place to visit. Top video too.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Adam, sadly I haven't had a chance to visit yet (I live in South Africa), but I hope to get there and meet Marcus face to face one day!

[@Jubilo1]

Ah reenacting ! The smell of gunpowder and spitting out powder grounds after biting off a cartridge ! Interesting episode !

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks David.

[@richardmacpherson7647]

Watching this on the 2nd day of the Anniversary of the battle of Talavera ... Also would love to see more Sharpe Comparison Episodes

[@johnridge3943]

I would love to see more videos like this for other Sharpe books with similar commentary. Well done.

[@andrewhoward7200]

That was terrific, I loved the Sharpe series but didn't realise how closely it followed real events.

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Andrew. yes to be fair Cornwell did a good job.

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Loved it , cannot believe how time flew by as it all flowed so naturally and so informative, loved the “ cuckoo” story.

[@Drewbius333]

"It's a good life, if you can stay alive."

[@paddydunne774]

Really enjoyed that. Great way to start a busy week. Especially the capture of the Cuckoo 👌🍀

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Paddy - Marcus Cribb is great value and really knows his stuff...I'll try and tempt him to come on the show again.

[@mikelovelidge]

Really enjoyed the Sharpe context and comparison, informative and entertaining. many thanks.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Mike

[@ErokLobotomist]

Didn't realize this was an hour long when I clicked it, but damn what a good video. You sucked me in with Sharpe and kept me with the great presentation and solid facts again! If you're not already some kind of teacher, you should be. Cheers again from Canada!

[@GoogleUserOne]

The Eagle thing goes back to the French/Boni loving the Roman classics. In Rome losing your Eagle was worse than death.

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Napoleon was always referred to by the British as "Boney" (= Bonaparte)

[@royalirishranger1931]

I served in the 27th 87th 89th in the 1980s and carried the Regimental Colour on a number occasions including a presentation and trooping of the colour. On one occasion the adjutant chained the colours in a metal box to my arm and i was issued with a 9mm browning with clear instructions that the colours were to protected at all costs. That’s a true story.

[@redcoathistory]

Wow, what were the circumstances around the chaining of the colours to your arm? French cavalry attack?

[@andrewhoward7200]

Die you meet two Londoners, Nigel Deeks or Barry Freestone in the Royal Irish Rangers?

[@richardmacpherson7647]

Crumbs!!..bit strong 🤣

[@jamesgrcevich6277]

I bought both if your books on the Peninsula war. They are excellent. Please keep writing and your podcast are wonderful.

[@gabesimes]

YES!! You HAVE to do Flashman!!! Please please please please - it would be a ratings juggernaut! 😅 Ive introduced him to so many, and Flashy is universely loved, well, by all right-minded individuals at least 😂

[@redcoathistory]

Good idea! I’m also a big fan 👍🏼

[@gabesimes]

and of course, with one his primary weapons being his devilish whiskers - thats one uniquely neglected aspect of victorian warfare - deadliest whiskers!! massacring muttonchops... & the like 🙏🤯 it must be done....

[@melbea03]

Best part of Bernard Cornwell's Sharp novels are the historical notes at the end of each book

[@redcoathistory]

Yes, I always enjoy those too.

[@martinhogg5337]

That was a great episode! Really enjoyable format.

[@lyndonjones388]

He is confusing the 3 rounds from a musket (in the book) with the loading the rifle. Sharpe was not teaching riflemen in this situation, he had new soldiers from England.

[@philvanderlaan5942]

I fell upon Richard Sharpe on PBS one night and , then fell down the rabbit hole , never got into Hornblower , but I devoured all of Dudley Pope’s Lord Nicolas Rammage books . Having gone through all the sharpe books makes me wish that George MacDonald Fraser’s Harry ‘ Flashy ‘ Flashman was born about 30-40 years earlier.

[@edforbes1563]

Love flashman. The bolitho books aren't bad too.

[@Oscarspoem]

Brilliant. Thanks.

[@chickennugget8880]

Just found this channel, this is everything I have been interested in since a boy. I used to get the Sharpe books from the library as a young boy in the 80's. Will be buying your book. Many thanks for the channel, love it.

[@redcoathistory]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@andrewjames5738]

as ever an excellent video on a brutal battle, great format with Marcus.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Andy. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ronaldwhalen8143]

I could listen to you guys all day . Love the history and how everting worked and how everyone worked or didn’t work. Great stuff from the USA .

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Ronald!

[@DBNwargaming]

Just found this, really enjoyed it, 'Good Stuff'

[@colonelrexford]

Outstanding episode Christian! Cheers! Really enjoy this format.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - glad you liked it!

[@julianmhall]

'Daddy' Hill was described by Cornwell as looking to Sharpe like a genial gentleman farmer. Black Bob Crauford OTOH was 'irascible'.

[@johnclarke9498]

Very very very good, Besides the good way you both read from the book i luved the small stats told, The Cuckoo well allways stand out the most lol Great pod cast and pressing on to my reenactment friends, Merry Christmas and a better new year.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks John, same to you. Here’s to a great 2021 🤞🏻

[@rod058]

Reading Sharpes exploits in the early 90s definitely inspired me to join the British Army. Great Vblog really enjoyed watching and hearing your thoughts.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Rod, that's great to hear.

[@alanbarnett-vx4ty]

Entertaining and informative ,thankyou

[@garryhynds4870]

Well done Sir: loved it, keep up the great work.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot, Garry.

[@wyyrdojim]

Richard Sharpe, the Captain Kirk of the Peninsula Wars!😎

[@patricklamshear6662]

Read them all,seen all the tv shows,love them all

[@OscarGomez-hx8zc]

Just bought your books Chris, thank you for this fascinating history facts… BTW I love Sharpe series!

[@redcoathistory]

Great. I hope you enjoy them. I still need to write the third instalment 👍🏼

[@jonathonlewis118]

I watch the full sharp series on KZbin for free in order, very grate show! Wish they would make more like it, so much amazing britsh war history

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

I like this style on Sharpe and Talavera.

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

One was the Pyrenees as heard by Wellington.

[@simonlear3529]

really interesting post - thanks and subscribed !

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Simon.

[@DidMyGrandfatherMakeThis]

I totally agree with your statement about reenactment adding to history. It's one thing to read about being charged by horses, but when you stand in a shield wall by Hastings and the ground is moving around you, you may feel impervious in maile and with a sword, shield and spear but you really want to run, you feel the urge to break and run and you know in fifty yards or however long a safe distance they will peel and cross your sides, you don't care. Those fifty yards or so seem like millimeters.

[@martyn8116]

Brilliant vid. I've never seen the like before. The Aubrey-Maturin & Sharpe novels are easily the 2 book series I've enjoyed most. Liked and subscribed! Please keep up the good work. (Your Rorke's Drift from the air vid popped up in my recommendations, I love battles). Btw, someone mentioned the microphone in the comments. Just to say, it wasn't an issue at all for me. The sound quality didn't cross my mind once, it was fine.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. Appreciate the feedback re. microphone....Have invested in some kit now so hopefully in the future it will continue to get better quality.

[@martinroberts1110]

Found this by accident. I thought it would end up arse numbingly boring but it wasn't. In fact B good!. MORE!

[@redcoathistory]

Great - welcome. I hope you enjoy the other videos too 👍🏼

[@jamescstanley5018]

All the Sharpe series is available on YT on the Crusher channel, the soundtrack in the English original with subtitles. THe pre and post Waterloo episodes are covered.

[@lukedelport8231]

My ansestor fought in this battle with the Germans we have his shaco still there is a musket ball in it right on the cap badge He was originally from York but live in Germany for a few years and joined the kings German because he could not join a York regament because he developed a accent

[@redcoathistory]

Wow - sounds like an interesting story.

[@bigtrev9043]

That's fantastic! Did you ancestor serve with the KGL?

[@fessorjespersen5437]

Really, really well done! 😁 Informative, well researched and beautifully presented 👍😊 Being a bit nitpicky, I would mention the absolutely crazy idea of anyone spitting bullets into their musket or rifle. Such a move would be insanely dangerous, never mind the waste of energy resulting from a bullet not even being a quarter of the way down the barrel when firing 😉

[@BrentfordGary]

Fantastic

[@tmdatdco]

I haven't gone through all the comments at this point, but I was working on a production of "Treasure Island" with a local theatre company and I did find reference to pirates in the early 1700's using the spit method to reloading muskets as a terror tactic to make merchantmen think they had a lot more forces on board then they actually did. I do think that having Sharpe use pirate tactics works well with his character even if it was limited to a few Buckaneers out of Hispanola a century before.

[@tmdatdco]

It's also important to note that this was pre-cartridge, so the pirates would hold multiple bullets in their mouths and spit and tap after pouring powder from their flasks or horns. They could only get 3-5 shots off before the barrel fouled, and they needed a ramrod to clear it, but 3-5 volleys was usually enough to get a civilian vessel to strike their colors.

[@benburkin7942]

Lenox's death request for a French Eagle, is to make amends for losing the King's Colours.

[@andrewvanveen1804]

This episode was so good - I bought the book. and asking me about which is the best Sharpe book? I believe that there are 24 books. Can't say. Wish Cornwell had got him fighting in Canada during the war of 1812. Your work is excellent and I very much enjoyed your episodes on the Anglo-Zulu war. Very interesting to actually see the ground.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Andrew. Appreciate the feedback...You'll be pleased to hear that I have a new Anglo-Zulu war video coming out on Thursday afternoon.

[@julianmhall]

*chuckle* in the series when he was sent to the 95th Rifles as a Lieutenant Sharpe was warned the Major was old school and may not be 'polite' - referring to Sharpe being from the ranks. Simmerson was even more blunt.. mind you he was /supposed/ to be an arrogant sod. OTOH Lawford who Sharpe had known since India is described as a few times as everything Sharpe hated about the upper class yet he liked Lawford. Probably because it was reciprocated and even as a Private Sharpe had known Lawford liked the men he led.

[@josephturner4047]

As Sharpe said, spit and tap was for cavalry. You did it or died. I saw some reenactors test it and it worked. Remember, Harper (TV) fired his rammer in the rush.

[@melmoore6885]

Vinegar and best brown paper, alongside a good cup of tea, cures everything.

[@aa-uq1qj]

Good video, guys. I got Sharpe's Eagle at an Op Shop a little while ago, haven't read it yet, but I will now ;)

[@redcoathistory]

You will love it - it is a classic!

[@julianmhall]

I love Fredrickson's reply when Sharpe asked him what makes a good soldier.. 'Keeping his mouth shut when asked damn fool questions by an officer.. Sir!' *LOL* Even Sharpe liked that.. I suspect they shot that scene a few times as you can see Sean Bean's mouth twitch in amusement. Also when Fredrickson says 'Hair belongs to a horse sir' and lifts his wig off..

[@alganhar1]

Two things I really considered, both in the first ten minutes. Certain maggots are actually used to combat infected wounds even today, though obviously in a far more clinical fashion that Sgt Harper would have applied! The maggots used are incapable of attacking healthy tissue, so only attack the dead or dying muscle and skin tissue, making them ideal for preventing the spread of such infections. These days they are applied using special bandages which are changed regularly, as allowing the maggots to pupate and potentially die in the wound would counter the benefits. I have read accounts also by WWI soldiers trapped out in no mans land while injured being recovered, or crawling back to their lines with maggot infested wounds, the maggots in most cases saving their life, and often the limb in question by ensuring the spread of sepsis was slowed down drastically. When looking at casualty ratios between WWI and the Peninsular Campaign you do have to be careful. WWI was the first war in the British Army's history where combat casualties were greater than non combat casualties through disease and infection. So while the overall ratio of casualties over the entire Campaign may, on average be roughly equivalent, in WWI more of those would have been combat casualties and far fewer casualties to disease and infection when compared to the Napoleonic era. Of course, it was not until the 30's when Penicillin was discovered, so even WWI casualties to infection were shockingly high in comparison to today, or even WWII.

[@steveconway1948]

A very unusual example of someone who was not of the gentry that rose to high rank was Sir John Elley who actually led a cavalry squadron charge at the battle of Talavera. There are many examples of ordinary rank soldiers being promoted to officers but most of these could not mix with the gentry that supplied most of the officer corps not only from an inability to mix socially but also they frequently could not afford the lifestyle of many officers. Many of those promoted from the ranks ended up as adjutants as they had a greater knowledge of regimental soldiering; having come up through the ranks as NCO's. I have also read that doing regimental duty as an adjutant meant that the officer was able to keep busy and out of the way of the social life carried on by other officers and also enabled them to do something very useful within the regiment. Many also ended up doing administrative roles such as barracks master.

[@davidsaville5239]

The Spanish Armies did capture some French Eagles during the Pennisular Wars before 1811

[@redcoathistory]

True - but my understanding is that they were handed over at Bailen rather than captured in battle? Also this is a podcast on the British army so I can be guilty of not taking deep dives into other nation's feats...I try but it's not my speciality.

[@markallen7924]

I think all episodes except the later two set in India are on UK Play.

[@heria_shg7225]

👍👍

[@julianmhall]

I can sum up Valdelacas in a few words.. 'Simmerson made a pig's ear of it, and lost the King's Colour' besides his head, sense of honour, etc.

[@PalleRasmussen]

Guldhornene fra Gallehus; two large and beautifully decorated gold horns from 6th century Denmark was stolen and melted down. We have replicas, but what a loss. A bit as if the Sutton Hoo grave finds had been nicked.

[@julianmhall]

One crucial element the series lacked - other than the obvious condensing of some books, omitting others, and one entire episode just invented - was Cornwell's Historical Notes where he tried to redress the balance of fact and fiction, e.g. X did this not Richard Sharpe, this event was later / moved for the narrative,

[@julianmhall]

IIRC Wellesley hated night actions because the one time he was involve in one in India it went badly and he was almost beaten.

[@jimpack1066]

I do a spot on Sgt. Hakeswill. Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill SIR!! At your service!!! SIR!! I do him right and proper. Ask mother. She'll tell ya. Its true. Says so in the scriptures.

[@billybowen3023]

You must check out " Flintlock Mustet: Napoleonic tap loading- Fiction and Fact" on KZbin. Great one loved this vid 👍

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers Billy - I'll look that one up.

[@billybowen3023]

@@redcoathistory sorry musket not mustet! I think i got the link from Britishmuzzleloaders years ago, so it can't be bad.Merry Christmas and thanks for the reply.

[@idontknowpreston3673]

I don't know if someone has commented, but I believe Lenox wanted the Eagle to make up for his sense of honor lost with the loss of the King's Colours. Captain Lenox in the book, by the way.

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Never read the books, but I would agree with you from what I know of military attitudes of the time!

[@chaosincarnate380]

Wonderful stuff! I'd been a fan of the TV show for some years, finally got around to the novels a year or two ago whilst working a do-nothing night shift and needed something to stave off cabin fever. Good times. :)

[@redcoathistory]

Nice one - glad you liked it.

[@josephturner4047]

I always thought that if the Guards ran out of Black Bears, the Belgic Shako would be a suitable replacement.

[@grahamdominy8309]

There are mentions in some of the Sharpe novels of his first military campaign as a young private soldier in Flanders in the 1790s, before he goes to India. I don't think Cornwall has ever written a Sharpe novel about that. Would be interesting. I think the British were led (and I use the word loosely) by the "Grand old Duke of York" who had 10 000 men and marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again. Put a boy Sharpe in that environment of ineptitude and confusion would be fascinating.

[@aeliusromanus9338]

I read all the Sharpe's saga while travelling by train around China for, at least, 9 years on business.

[@julianmhall]

In one book Sharpe reloads the rifle and wonders why bullets were not supplied ready wrapped. Interesting that sometimes they were.

[@julianmhall]

Hornblower overlapped starting earlier than Sharpe in the late 1780s / early 1790s and ended 1813 or thereabouts.

[@ronaldweir712]

For my sins I have read them all. I read 5 while cruising the Med about 15 years ago. Then of course I watched the television series.

[@julianmhall]

Bit of a problem. If the South Essex was a single battalion, how were Fenner and Simmerson clipping the SECOND battalion in Sharpe's Regiment? Had it been allowed to recruit since?

[@redcoathistory]

Long time since I’ve read it but wasn’t that the point of the book? They were using the name to recruit and then selling the soldiers to less fashionable regiments ie it wasn’t an official second battalion.

[@julianmhall]

@@redcoathistory It was known in Spain to be recruiting /for/ the first battalion, that's why Sharpe and Harper went to England - to see where the hell their reinforcements were.

[@julianmhall]

IIRC Welllington knew Lennox rallied the Scots (the 78th?) at Assaye and knew he was a fine soldier as well as officer. Thus Lennox death at the hands of an incompetent infuriated him. For that same incompetent to then try and blame Lennox.. yeah.. not Simmerson's best move ever..

[@steveconway1948]

At 1:04 or so, just a historical point, Dutch regiments did not carry Eagles even though they served in the French Army as a brigade. Dutch regiments that were incorporated into the French army after the dissolution of the Dutch Kingdom in 1810 where they formed - from memory the - 124th to 126th Line would have carried Eagles eventually.

[@adrianburchell8075]

New Sharpe book, Sharpe's Assassin, comes out tomorrow, set shortly after Waterloo, as far as I know.

[@redcoathistory]

Oh great - I didn't know it was so soon...I'm nervous to read it though in case it isn't very good...Some of the later books I have struggled with a little.

[@julianmhall]

[Sorry to keep bombarding questions] Marcus mentioned platoon fire, something the books mention, but the size of a platoon is never mentioned. In Sharpe's Tiger (I think) a battalion was quoted as 760 men, so a company would be 76. As a platoon is about 30 men, would that be the same as a 'half company volley', also mentioned?

[@stevenrickett4333]

Platoon at this time was not an organisational unit as it was later to become but just a half company used in manoeuvre and firing. A company at full strength was 100 men but on campaign would be less, sometimes as low as 400, until the next draft arrived. Some Regiments had more men available in Britain and so could keep numbers up, like the guards. Other recruited locally, like the 95th, so about 1/3 were Spanish and Portuguese.

[@julianmhall]

It's only just occurred to me - not sure why - I recall an order before a battle 'Colours to the rear!' so shouldn't they be out of harm's way anyway? Or was that 'Oh hell save the colours!' and it was a panicked order?

[@chriscolabella880]

That was before the final French advance of the Imperial Guard, no less, at Waterloo. Wellington was so sure he was about to lose that he ordered his colours back and used the 30,000 prime troops held in reserve deployed to cover his line of retreat. In the end the lind held, though this was probably more to do with Blucher and the Prussians arriving on Napoleon's right flank and rolling up his line.

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

Read every one of the Sharpe books, long before the TV series.

[@redcoathistory]

Top man.

[@julianmhall]

Hmmmm.. is there a parallel between Sharpe's gazette promotions not being confirmed, and Wellington having to wait until he returned to London to have his titles confirmed in writing? Could there - fictitious of course - have been some sympathy for Sharpe's position?

[@julianmhall]

Question, maybe for Marcus too. Wellington had more freedom than others to chose the senior officers under him in the British Army. What about foreign troops foisted on him by politics, such as the fictional Real Compania Irelandesa?

[@kaiserjoe2316]

Interested to know what you think of Iain Gale's series. Worthy, or just a Cornwell rip-off set during the Spanish Succession?

[@redcoathistory]

I’d have to look them up - not aware of them to be honest. Thanks

[@julianmhall]

Is the column v line issue morale related? If the man in a line looked at the advancing column, didn't do the mathematics and just thought 'there are thousands of them!' so panicked and ran. Also it was easier for the front rank of a line to run as they only had one or two men to pass, but a column's front rank could have 40 or 50 pushing the forward? Was the French v British the first time the French faced professional soldiers, whose senior officers /had/ done the mathematics?

[@rachelhenderson2688]

The French used columns, the English preferred 'Line ' formation.

[@julianmhall]

I don't think it was preference @@rachelhenderson2688 . Wellington understood that line allowed more guns to bear at the same time than the same number of men in column where those in the middle and back couldn't shoot. The French continued to use what /had/ previously worked against the rest of Europe and didn't adapt.

[@kensmith8152]

I loved the TV show a lot, but the main problem I always had was that he healed to quickly! He’d get shot, stabbed and or slashed and he’d be out fighting the very next day! Also, he never seemed to suffer any repercussions from his wounds!

[@TheKielbasaKid]

He made up for that once he started doing movies. 😎

[@BigBWolf90]

*"YOU LOST THE COLORS OF THE KING OF ENGLAND! YOU DISGRACED US SIR! YOU SHAMED US SIR! AND YOU WILL ANSWER!"*

[@redcoathistory]

Best scene!

[@BigBWolf90]

@redcoathistory it's between that outburst & thus dialog for me; Simmerson: I have a cousin at Horse Guards and I have friends at Court. Wellington: the man who *loses the King's colors loses the King's friendship*

[@kronckew]

The French eagles were essentially the same as the legionary standard of the Roman Legions, same 'religious' importance and unthinkable top lose one. See also the movie 'The Eagle'...

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Is that based on an excellent book by Rosemary Sutcliffe, actually titled "The Eagle of the Ninth" . Favourite of mine for more than 60 years!

[@Echo_Recon_01]

I just want to ask this question. Do the 60th and 95th rifles recruit other nationalities in their ranks. Like Spanish or portuguese. 🤔

[@redcoathistory]

Yes they did. The 5/60th in particular was mainly Germans (I have an entire film on it that you may enjoy)

[@Echo_Recon_01]

@@redcoathistory Thanks for this, never thought that some Russians and Hungarians joined the this Regiment. 👍

[@julianmhall]

IIRC the habit of aristocracy was first son inherited - oldest to survive anyway :) - second into the clergy, third etc into the army. IIRC Arthur Wellesley was third?

[@alganhar1]

During the Medieval period yes, by the Napoleonic era though that tradition had mostly gone by the wayside. By that era the burgeoning Empire meant that the Civil Service was an excellent option for non inheriting sons, as well as the military. The clergy was not considered by most.

[@rachelhenderson2688]

I'm disappointed that nothing has been mentioned about Georgette Heyer! Wrote historical novels in the 30/40s . Her military knowledge and descriptions of battles are all accurate, but because she wrote a few lighter books with no battles etc., she is dismissed. (Also, no sex scenes; how boring!) She knew so much; pity her books are ignored now. They used to be recommended reading for Army cadets, especially the battle of Waterloo; which is how the Napoleonic wars became my favourite historical period. Her biographer tells how she was explaining a model of the Battle of Waterloo to her son, not realising that she had collected an interested group of listeners (including some army cadets). Being a very modest lady, she stopped speaking, and was begged to continue (don't think she did, though.) She also wrote about Sir Harry Smith and his Spanish wife. I did my 2nd year Teaching Practice in Wisbech, where Harry Smith;s family lived; there were several schools etc named after him, all of which made it more interesting.

[@tomtom21194]

You mean you're not a GENTLEMAN Sharpe?! This will not do Sir!

[@SepticBoM]

½ ** 18:16 😮

[@julianmhall]

Just a thought re spitting the ball down the barrel.. OK as long as the lips weren't touching the hot barrel?

[@kensmith8152]

Sharpe in the film did not answer Lennox, and Colonel Lerox reminds Denny that sharpe did not promise anything.

[@adrianburchell8075]

Captain Leroy, the Loyalist American one of Sharpe's few friends.

[@danforbes4513]

whats with the 1 dislike ? why would any one put a dislike on it?

[@davidsaville5239]

Maybe because of sound problems!

[@kronckew]

Maggots and leaches are still used.

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Leeches.

[@danforbes4513]

just think putting ye head on the ground and hearing the sound of the thump of guys marching to you then knowing the is going to be one hell of a fight a head. i would of had to have a piss or a shit at that point and then think what i had done wrong in my life to end up there :(

[@aidanmargarson8910]

ok the thing about sharpe .. plot armor much?

[@TermiteUSA]

Sorely missing Sharpe and all Cornwells characters after seeing that pathetic attempt if a movie about Napoleon. Ridley Scott missed his target by a long nine shot.