Sharpe's Eagle (novel)

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**Sharpe's Eagle**

Author	Bernard Cornwell
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Series	Richard Sharpe Series
Genre(s)	Historical novels
Publisher	Harper Collins
Released	9 February 1981
Media Type	Print (Hardcover and Paperback) and audio-CD
Pages	266 (hardcover edition)) 304 (paperback edition)
ISBN	ISBN 0-00-221997-2 (hardcover edition) ISBN 0-00-617313-6 (paperback edition)
Preceded by	Sharpe's Havoc
Followed by	Sharpe's Gold

Sharpe's Eagle is a historical novel, the 8th (chronologically) in the Richard Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell, set in July 1809. The events in this novel do a great deal to establish both Sharpe’s and his faithful companion Harper’s legacy as heroes.

[edit] Plot introduction

The capture of a regimental eagle from a French regiment is possibly the most noteworthy event in the career of these two rascal soldiers. The novel also provides an excellent historical insight into the life of soldiers in the Peninsular War.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The following is a description of the plot of the TV movie of Sharpe's Eagle. Although much of the novel's complexity is omitted in this version, the major plot elements are the same.

Prior to the Battle of Talavera, Richard Sharpe and his small group of riflemen are attached to a newly arrived regiment call the South Essex. Commanded by the fop and bully Sir Henry Simmerson, the South Essex as a raw, inexperienced unit that has been drilled mercilessly with frequent use of the lash. Fearing for their future our hero takes in hand this bunch of wasters and gradually welds the oridinary solders into real fighting men. 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 who claims to be without scruples earning his money from slavery.

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.

Sharpe must decide whether to fulfill this request or avoid this insane task. In true heroic form Richrd 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. Simmerson himself turns out to be a coward and seeing his first French column advancing, turns tail and runs from the field of battle.

[edit] Characters in "Sharpe's Eagle"

Richard Sharpe – the main protagonist, currently Lieutenant
Patrick Harper – Sharpe's longtime ally
Captain Lennox – who makes the "dying" request of Sharpe (in the TV adaptation, he was a major)
Sir Henry Simmerson – bully and commander of the South Essex
Christian Gibbons – Lieutenant and relative of Simmerson

Richard Sharpe stories

by Bernard Cornwell (in historical order)