Henry Simmerson

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General Sir Henry Simmerson is a fictional British officer in the Sharpe novels and TV series by Bernard Cornwell. He is a recurring villain, portrayed as a stereotypical aristocratic buffoon. He is narrow minded, militarily inept and cowardly. However, Simmerson has much influence at Horse Guards (army headquarters in London), which protects him to a great extent.

Colonel Simmerson is first seen in command of the South Essex Regiment of the British Army in the Peninsula Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. This regiment is part of the army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington. He blames his own disastrous military blunders on the officers and men under his command, particularly the loss of a proportion of his regiment in a stupid manoeuvre, as well as one of his regiment's two colours (presented by the king and representing the regiment's honour). He also displays blatant nepotism in favouring his nephew.

In the TV series, Simmerson, played by Michael Cochrane, proved to be a popular character with the viewers. He appeared in Sharpe's Eagle (1993), Sharpe's Sword (1995) and Sharpe's Regiment (1996). Cochrane returned as Simmerson, now an officer in the army attached to the British East India Company, in the 2006 revival, Sharpe's Challenge.