Richard Sharpe
recurringPrivate, 33rd Regiment of Foot
English (London-born; portrayed as Yorkshire in the TV series)
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
Protagonist of the entire series. Six feet tall, angular tanned face, black hair, blue eyes, with a slash of a scar on his cheek. In Sharpe's Tiger he is a young private in the 33rd Foot serving in India. To escape the brutal Sergeant Hakeswill, he volunteers for a clandestine mission into the fortress of Seringapatam, posing as a deserter to make contact with a British prisoner and scout Tippu Sultan's defences. Has a son with Lucille Castineau: Patrick-Henri who becomes a French cavalry officer.
FateSurvives the siege of Seringapatam. Wins recognition from Colonel Wellesley and begins his slow rise from the ranks.
Books
Sharpe's TigerSharpe's TriumphSharpe's FortressSharpe's TrafalgarSharpe's PreySharpe's RiflesSharpe's HavocSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's DevilSharpe's AssassinSharpe's CommandSharpe's Storm
TV Films
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's SwordSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's MissionSharpe's RevengeSharpe's JusticeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's ChallengeSharpe's Peril
Novel vs TV
In the novels, Sharpe is London-born and cockney; in the TV series, Sean Bean plays him as a Yorkshireman. Cornwell accepted the change and has said Bean's portrayal influenced his later writing of the character.
Military Career›
PrivateSharpe's Tiger
33rd Regiment of Foot. Promoted to Sergeant by end of novel.
SergeantSharpe's Triumph
Saves Wellesley's life at Assaye. Receives battlefield commission.
EnsignSharpe's Fortress
74th Regiment of Foot.
LieutenantSharpe's Trafalgar
Transfers to newly formed 95th Rifles.
LieutenantSharpe's Prey
95th Rifles.
LieutenantSharpe's Rifles
95th Rifles. Takes command after Captain Murray is mortally wounded.
CaptainSharpe's Eagle
Promoted by Wellesley after taking the French Eagle at Talavera. Given command of South Essex Light Company.
CaptainSharpe's Sword
Wounded at Salamanca.
MajorSharpe's Regiment
Promoted by the Prince Regent after Salamanca.
Lieutenant ColonelSharpe's Waterloo
Given command of 5th Belgian Light Dragoons on Prince of Orange's staff.
Obadiah Hakeswill
recurringSergeant, 33rd Regiment of Foot
English
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
The series' principal recurring villain. Tall, with a huge belly and a long scrawny neck bearing a huge scar. Jaundiced yellowish skin, baby-blue eyes, blond hair going grey. Twitches uncontrollably. Genuinely believes he cannot be killed, he was hanged at age 12 and survived. In Sharpe's Tiger he is the brutal sergeant of Sharpe's company who flogs, robs and torments his men. His personal vendetta against Sharpe begins here.
FateSurvives Seringapatam and returns in Sharpe's Triumph and Sharpe's Fortress. Eventually executed by firing squad in Sharpe's Enemy after murdering Teresa Moreno.
Books
Sharpe's TigerSharpe's TriumphSharpe's FortressSharpe's CompanySharpe's Enemy
TV Films
Sharpe's CompanySharpe's Enemy
Novel vs TV
Pete Postlethwaite's TV portrayal (in Sharpe's Company and Sharpe's Enemy) is widely regarded as definitive. The television Hakeswill is introduced in the Peninsular War; the India novels, which establish his origin as Sharpe's tormentor in the 33rd Foot, were written later and were never filmed.
Military Career›
SergeantSharpe's Tiger
33rd Regiment of Foot. Recruits Sharpe at age 16. Has Sharpe flogged.
SergeantSharpe's Triumph
Murders McCandless in the confusion of battle.
SergeantSharpe's Fortress
Final India appearance.
SergeantSharpe's Company
Returns attached to the South Essex with Colonel Windham. Frames Harper for theft. Kills Teresa Moreno.
SergeantSharpe's Enemy
Leads the deserters at Adrados. Final appearance. Tried and executed by firing squad. Sharpe commands the execution.
Lieutenant William Lawford
recurringLieutenant, 33rd Regiment of Foot (later Colonel, South Essex)
English
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
Accompanies Sharpe on the mission into Seringapatam, posing as a fellow deserter. An officer of Sharpe's own regiment and a decent man who comes to respect Sharpe's resourcefulness during their captivity inside Tippu's fortress. Rises through the ranks to Colonel of the South Essex. Wounded at Ciudad Rodrigo, losing an arm, and retires from active command.
FateWounded at Ciudad Rodrigo, loses an arm. Retires from active command of the South Essex. Survives the war.
Books
Sharpe's TigerSharpe's TriumphSharpe's FortressSharpe's HavocSharpe's Regiment
Novel vs TV
Lawford does not appear in the TV adaptations.
Military Career›
LieutenantSharpe's Tiger
33rd Regiment. Accompanies Sharpe on the mission inside Seringapatam. Teaches Sharpe to read and write in Tippu's prison.
ColonelSharpe's Eagle
Commanding officer of the South Essex.
ColonelSharpe's Company
Severely wounded at Ciudad Rodrigo, loses an arm when a mine blows. Retires from active command.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Colonel Hector McCandless
recurringColonel, East India Company
Scottish
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
A Scottish Presbyterian officer of the East India Company serving as an intelligence officer. McCandless is Sharpe's first patron: honourable, devout, and a man whose incorruptibility is the moral counterweight to Hakeswill's venom. In Sharpe's Tiger he is a prisoner of Tippu Sultan whom Sharpe and Lawford must contact inside Seringapatam.
FateSurvives Seringapatam. Returns as Sharpe's protector in Sharpe's Triumph and Sharpe's Fortress. Killed in action in Sharpe's Fortress.
Books
Sharpe's TigerSharpe's TriumphSharpe's Fortress
Novel vs TV
McCandless does not appear in any TV adaptation. The India novels were never filmed.
Mary Bickerstaff
fictionalCamp follower
Anglo-Indian (of mixed English and Indian parentage)
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
Described as a 22-year-old half-caste widow of Sergeant Bickerstaff. Sharpe's lover during his service in India. Sharpe asks permission to marry her but she eventually leaves him for another man. When Hakeswill threatens her, Sharpe's determination to protect her becomes one of the engines of the novel's plot.
FateLeaves Sharpe at the end of the novel to make a life in India rather than follow him onward. Does not appear in later books.
Novel vs TV
Does not appear in the TV adaptations.
Arthur Wellesley
historicalColonel, 33rd Regiment of Foot
Anglo-Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
The real historical figure, the future Duke of Wellington, commanding the 33rd Foot in India in 1799. In Sharpe's Tiger he is one of Harris's subordinate commanders at Seringapatam and the officer who sanctions the mission Sharpe volunteers for. Cornwell depicts him as cold, precise and professional, already the commander he would become in Spain.
FateSurvives the siege. Goes on to become Major-General in Sharpe's Triumph and eventually Field Marshal and Duke of Wellington, appearing throughout the Peninsular and Waterloo novels.
Books
Sharpe's TigerSharpe's TriumphSharpe's FortressSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's AssassinSharpe's CommandSharpe's Storm
TV Films
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's SwordSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's Waterloo
Novel vs TV
Played by David Troughton and later Hugh Fraser in the TV series. The TV Wellington is warmer and more avuncular than the cold, reserved figure of the novels.
Tippu Sultan
historicalSultan of Mysore
Indian (Mysorean)
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
The real historical ruler of Mysore, known as the Tiger of Mysore. In Sharpe's Tiger he is the target of the British siege: a sophisticated, dangerous opponent who modernised his army with French advisers and iron-cased rockets. Cornwell portrays him closely to the historical record, including his well-attested practice of feeding prisoners to caged tigers.
FateKilled fighting at the northern gate of Seringapatam on 4 May 1799, as in history. His death ended the Kingdom of Mysore as an independent power.
Novel vs TV
Does not appear in TV adaptations.
Captain Morris
fictionalCaptain, 33rd Regiment of Foot
English
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
The indolent, drunken and venal captain of Sharpe's company, and Hakeswill's protector. Morris allows Hakeswill to run the company as he pleases in exchange for a share of the sergeant's corruption. An antagonist throughout Sharpe's time in the 33rd.
FateSurvives Sharpe's Tiger. Reappears later in the India sequence.
Books
Sharpe's TigerSharpe's TriumphSharpe's Fortress
Novel vs TV
Does not appear in TV adaptations.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
William Dodd
fictionalColonel (renegade)
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Triumph
Renegade British officer who has defected to the Maratha Confederacy. Primary villain of Sharpe's Triumph. Commands Maratha infantry against the British at Assaye.
FateKilled at the Battle of Assaye, 1803.
TV Films
Sharpe's Challenge
Novel vs TV
In Sharpe's Challenge (2006) a similar renegade British officer character appears. Dodd is the novel's version of this villain.
Simone Joubert
fictionalCivilian
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Triumph
Wife of a French officer advising the Marathas. Brief romantic interest for Sharpe during the Assaye campaign.
FateLeaves India with funds Sharpe gives her.
Colonel Pierre Joubert
fictionalColonel
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Triumph
French officer advising the Maratha Confederacy. Simone's husband.
FateKilled during the campaign.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Syud Sevajee
fictionalIndian mercenary
Indian
First appearance: Sharpe's Fortress
Indian ally who assists McCandless and Sharpe during the Maratha campaign and the assault on Gawilghur.
FateSurvives the campaign.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Captain Torrance
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Fortress
East India Company officer. Corrupt quartermaster who is the villain of Sharpe's Fortress. Exploits his position for personal gain.
Colonel Stevenson
historicalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Triumph
Historical figure. Commands a separate British column during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Cooperates with Wellesley during the Assaye and Gawilghur campaigns.
FateSurvives the campaign.
Books
Sharpe's TriumphSharpe's Fortress
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Patrick Harper
fictionalSergeant
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Sharpe's closest friend and companion throughout the Peninsular War and beyond. Immensely strong, deeply loyal, armed with a seven-barrelled volley gun. From Donegal. Initially hostile to Sharpe but becomes his most trusted ally.
FateSurvives the wars. Returns to Ireland with his wife Ramona. Appears briefly in Sharpe's Devil.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's HavocSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's CommandSharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's AssassinSharpe's StormSharpe's Devil
TV Films
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's SwordSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's MissionSharpe's RevengeSharpe's JusticeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's ChallengeSharpe's Peril
Novel vs TV
Played by Daragh O'Malley in all 16 TV films. One of the most beloved characters in the series. His relationship with Sharpe is the emotional core of both the novels and TV series.
Military Career›
PrivateSharpe's Rifles
95th Rifles. First appearance. Initially mutinies against Sharpe.
SergeantSharpe's Eagle
Promoted. Becomes Sharpe's right hand.
Regimental Sergeant MajorSharpe's Regiment
Promoted by Sharpe when the previous RSM is killed.
CivilianSharpe's Waterloo
Discharged from the army in 1814 with Wellington's signature. Comes to Waterloo as a civilian horse trader, unofficially to fight alongside Sharpe one last time.
Major Blas Vivar
fictionalMajor
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Spanish officer and passionate patriot. Sharpe's ally during the Corunna campaign. Devout Catholic. Leads a mission to restore Spanish morale with a holy relic.
FateSurvives Corunna. Returns in Sharpe's Devil as a senior Spanish official.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's Devil
Novel vs TV
Appears in the first TV film Sharpe's Rifles (1993).
Sir John Moore
historicalGeneral
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Historical figure. Commander of the British forces retreating to Corunna 1809. A respected and humane general. Sharpe admires him.
FateKilled at the Battle of Corunna, 16 January 1809. Famously buried at midnight by his soldiers.
Novel vs TV
Appears briefly in the first TV film.
Rifleman Harris
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Prey
Red-haired, ever cheerful, clever and well-read. A former schoolmaster from Lichfield. One of Sharpe's two educated chosen men alongside Isaiah Tongue. Loves philosophy and reading. His name is a tribute to the real Benjamin Harris memoirist but he is a different character.
FateKilled at Waterloo trying to save Hagman from a French infantryman. Bayoneted from behind. Sharpe came near tears when he heard.
Books
Sharpe's PreySharpe's RiflesSharpe's HavocSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's SwordSharpe's Waterloo
Rifleman Hagman
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. The best shot in the company. Older than the others. A poacher before the war, hence his marksmanship.
FateKilled at Waterloo when the Prince of Orange knocks him to the ground and a French infantryman shoots him. Harris dies trying to save him.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's HavocSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's SwordSharpe's Waterloo
Francis Cooper
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. A skilled lockpick, useful in many tight situations. Appears throughout the Peninsular novels.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's Honour
Captain Murray
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Commanding officer of Sharpe's rifle company at the start of the Corunna campaign. Mortally wounded early in the novel, passing command to Sharpe.
FateDies of wounds early in Sharpe's Rifles.
Lord William Hale
fictionalLord
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Trafalgar
British aristocrat travelling on the same ship as Sharpe during the voyage to Trafalgar. Antagonist. Suspicious of Sharpe's relationship with his wife.
Lady Grace Hale
fictionalLady
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Trafalgar
Lord Hale's wife. Sharpe's lover during the voyage to Trafalgar. Intelligent and unhappy in her marriage.
FateDies in childbirth shortly after the battle. The child does not survive.
Captain Chase
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Trafalgar
Royal Navy captain of HMS Pucelle. Sharpe's ally during the voyage and at Trafalgar. Courageous and competent officer.
Pierre-Charles Villeneuve
historicalVice-Admiral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Trafalgar
Historical figure. Commander of the Franco-Spanish fleet at Trafalgar. Defeated by Nelson.
FateCaptured after Trafalgar. Returns to France. Found dead in 1806, officially suicide, circumstances disputed.
Captain Joel Lavisser
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Prey
British officer who has turned traitor, working for the French in Copenhagen. Primary villain of Sharpe's Prey. Charming and dangerous.
Ole Skovgaard
fictionalCivilian
Danish
First appearance: Sharpe's Prey
Danish merchant who is a British agent in Copenhagen. Father of Astrid. Assists Sharpe during the Copenhagen mission.
Astrid Skovgaard
fictionalCivilian
Danish
First appearance: Sharpe's Prey
Ole Skovgaard's daughter. Romantic interest for Sharpe during the Copenhagen campaign.
FateSurvives. Does not appear in subsequent novels.
Colonel Christopher
fictionalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
British intelligence officer operating in Portugal. Primary villain of Sharpe's Havoc. Appears to be working for both sides. Manipulative and treacherous.
Kate Savage
fictionalCivilian
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Young British woman caught up in the chaos of the French occupation of Oporto. Sharpe protects her during the campaign.
Sir Henry Simmerson
fictionalLieutenant Colonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Commanding officer of the South Essex Regiment. Cowardly, incompetent, and vindictive. Loses the regimental colour at Valdelacasa in Sharpe's Eagle. The most persistent antagonist among British officers throughout the series. Returns repeatedly to cause trouble for Sharpe.
FateSurvives the war. Disgraced but never truly defeated.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's Regiment
TV Films
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's Regiment
Novel vs TV
Played by Michael Cochrane throughout the TV series. One of the most memorable recurring villains.
Lieutenant Berry
fictionalLieutenant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Simmerson's nephew and ally in the South Essex. Bully and coward. Antagonist to Sharpe.
FateKilled by Sharpe at the Battle of Talavera.
Major Michael Hogan
fictionalMajor
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Wellington's chief intelligence officer. Sharpe's most important patron and friend among the officer class. Clever, sardonic, and deeply capable. An engineer by training who became the Peninsula's most effective spymaster.
FateDies of fever during the Peninsular campaign. In the novels he is replaced by Major Nairn as Sharpe's main intelligence contact.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's Honour
TV Films
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's Honour
Novel vs TV
In the TV series Hogan survives throughout the Peninsular campaign. In the novels he dies of fever and is replaced by Major Nairn.
Thomas Leroy
fictionalCaptain
American
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
American-born officer in the South Essex from a Boston Loyalist family. Describes himself as an American with a French name from a Royalist family fighting for the English for a German king. Silent, watchful, invariably has a cigar in his mouth.
FateKilled at the Battle of Vitoria leading his men on foot into the village of Gamarra Mayor. Shot in the head. Dies in his first battle as Battalion Commander.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's Honour
TV Films
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's Sword
Military Career›
CaptainSharpe's Eagle
South Essex. Described as the only other decent soldier in the battalion by Lennox.
CaptainSharpe's Company
Passed over for promotion to Major in favour of Collett.
MajorSharpe's Sword
South Essex.
Lieutenant ColonelSharpe's Honour
Takes command of the South Essex after Forrest transfers to Lisbon. Killed leading his men on foot at Gamarra Mayor.
Robert Knowles
fictionalLieutenant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Young officer in the South Essex. Loyal to Sharpe. Appears in the early Peninsular novels.
FateKilled by Hakeswill at Badajoz while trying to protect Teresa Moreno. His name is sometimes listed as Knowles in early appearances.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's Company
El Católico
fictionalGuerrilla leader
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Gold
Spanish guerrilla leader in the Torres Vedras campaign. Primary villain of Sharpe's Gold. Initially presented as an ally but revealed to be brutal and self-serving. Rival for Teresa Moreno's affections.
Teresa Moreno
fictionalPartisan leader
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Gold
Spanish guerrilla fighter. Fierce, independent, and courageous. Becomes Sharpe's first wife and the mother of his daughter Antonia. One of the most important characters in the series.
FateKilled by Hakeswill in Sharpe's Enemy. He fires his musket blindly as she rides after him and the bullet catches her in the throat. She dies instantly. Sharpe and Teresa had married the day after Badajoz.
Books
Sharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's Enemy
TV Films
Sharpe's GoldSharpe's BattleSharpe's Company
Novel vs TV
Played by Assumpta Serna in the TV series.
Antonia Sharpe
fictionalCivilian
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Sharpe's daughter with Teresa Moreno. Appears as a young child. After Teresa's death Antonia remains in Spain. Her ultimate fate is not clearly described in the main series.
FateUncertain. Her ultimate fate is not clearly resolved in the main series.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Ferragus
fictionalCivilian criminal
Portuguese
First appearance: Sharpe's Escape
Portuguese criminal mastermind operating in Coimbra. Primary villain of Sharpe's Escape. Controls the black market and has connections to the French. Brutal and cunning.
Major Harold Price
fictionalLieutenant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Young officer first seen in Sharpe's Company. From Hampshire, youngest son of a shipwright. An inveterate gambler and seducer of women. Sharpe likes him despite himself. One of the most reliable junior officers in the later novels.
FateSurvives the war. Appears in Sharpe's Waterloo.
Books
Sharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's Waterloo
Military Career›
LieutenantSharpe's Company
First appearance. Shot by Hakeswill at Badajoz in the TV version.
LieutenantSharpe's Sword
South Essex Light Company.
LieutenantSharpe's Enemy
Adrados campaign.
LieutenantSharpe's Honour
Vitoria campaign.
LieutenantSharpe's Regiment
England and Pyrenees.
LieutenantSharpe's Waterloo
Officer in the Prince of Wales Own Volunteers. Worried his brother is among the casualties of Orange's foolish orders.
General Graham
historicalLieutenant General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Fury
Historical figure. Commands the British force at the Battle of Barrosa 1811. Wins a significant victory despite lack of Spanish cooperation. Sharpe fights under his command in Sharpe's Fury.
FateSurvives. Later created Lord Lynedoch.
Father Sarsfield
fictionalPriest
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Fury
Irish Catholic priest caught up in the Barrosa campaign. Assists Sharpe during the mission in Cadiz.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Brigadier Loup
fictionalBrigadier
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
French guerrilla hunter. Primary villain of Sharpe's Battle. Commands a grey-uniformed regiment specialising in counter-guerrilla warfare. Brutal and effective. One of Sharpe's most dangerous opponents.
Novel vs TV
Played by Oliver Cotton in the TV film.
Lord Runciman
fictionalLord
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
Incompetent and cowardly British officer assigned to command the Real Compania Irlandesa. Comic villain of Sharpe's Battle. More interested in comfort than soldiering.
Ramona
fictionalCivilian
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
Harper's wife. Spanish woman who follows the army. Devoted to Harper. Appears throughout the later Peninsular novels.
FateSurvives the wars. Returns to Ireland with Harper.
Books
Sharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's EnemySharpe's Waterloo
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Colonel Leroux
fictionalColonel
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
French intelligence officer and master swordsman. Primary villain of Sharpe's Sword. Has been unmasked Wellington's intelligence network. Dangerous, cunning, and a formidable fighter.
FateCaptured and imprisoned after Salamanca.
Novel vs TV
Played by Patrick Fierry in the TV film.
Lord Spears
fictionalLord
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
British cavalry officer. Charming, reckless, and ultimately tragic. Assists Sharpe during the Salamanca campaign.
FateDies during the campaign.
Isabella
fictionalCivilian
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Spanish woman who becomes Patrick Harper's wife. First appears attached to the South Essex during the Peninsular campaign. Devoted to Harper throughout the later novels.
Books
Sharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's Waterloo
Pot-au-Feu
fictionalSergeant (deserter)
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Enemy
Deserter who leads a gang of British and French deserters terrorising a Spanish village in Sharpe's Enemy. Grotesque and brutal villain.
Colonel Dubreton
fictionalColonel
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Enemy
French officer who cooperates with Sharpe against the deserters in Sharpe's Enemy. Honourable and professional, one of Cornwell's rare sympathetic French officers. Sharpe respects him.
FateSurvives. Returns briefly in later novels.
Novel vs TV
One of the most memorable guest characters in the TV series.
Major Ducos
fictionalMajor
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Honour
French intelligence officer. One of the series' most persistent villains. Calculating, ruthless, and highly intelligent. Operates behind the scenes manipulating events against Sharpe and Wellington across multiple novels.
FateKilled in Sharpe's Assassin.
Books
Sharpe's HonourSharpe's RevengeSharpe's Assassin
El Matarife
fictionalGuerrilla leader
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Honour
Brutal Spanish guerrilla leader. Villain of Sharpe's Honour. Works with Ducos against Sharpe. Sadistic and dangerous.
La Marquesa
fictionalMarquesa
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Honour
Spanish noblewoman who is a French spy. Beautiful and dangerous. Becomes entangled with Sharpe during the Vitoria campaign.
Novel vs TV
Played by Alice Krige in the TV film.
Colonel Girdwood
fictionalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion South Essex in England. Primary villain of Sharpe's Regiment. Running a crimping racket, using the battalion to press men into service while pocketing their pay. Brutal disciplinarian.
FateDriven mad by his first taste of real battle at the Battle of the Nivelle. Sharpe takes command.
TV Films
Sharpe's Regiment
Lord Simon Fenner
fictionalLord
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Secretary for War. Uses his mistress Lady Anne Comoynes to seduce Sharpe and find out what he knows. Sends assassins to kill Sharpe. Forced to capitulate when Lady Anne produces the incriminating ledgers.
TV Films
Sharpe's Regiment
Jane Gibbons
fictionalCivilian
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Sharpe's second wife. Met during the investigation into the South Essex crimping racket in England. Young, beautiful, and initially devoted to Sharpe. Later leaves him for Lord Rossendale while Sharpe is on campaign.
FateLeaves Sharpe. Becomes Lord Rossendale's mistress. Does not appear after Sharpe's Waterloo.
Books
Sharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's Waterloo
Novel vs TV
Played by Abigail Cruttenden in the TV series.
Sergeant Lynch
fictionalSergeant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Girdwood's brutal enforcer in the 2nd Battalion South Essex. Carries out the illegal floggings and intimidation that keep the crimping racket running.
FateKilled or imprisoned when the racket is exposed.
TV Films
Sharpe's Regiment
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Captain Bampfylde
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Siege
Royal Navy captain. Villain of Sharpe's Siege. Arrogant and incompetent. Commands the naval element of the Atlantic coast raid and constantly undermines Sharpe.
FateSurvives but disgraced.
Cornelius Killick
fictionalCaptain
American
First appearance: Sharpe's Siege
American privateer captain. Initially an adversary of Sharpe during the Atlantic coast raid, later an uneasy ally. Tough, pragmatic, and independent.
Captain Frederickson
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Siege
Officer in the 60th Rifles. Known as Sweet William. Missing an eye, several teeth, and part of an ear, hence the ironic nickname. One of Sharpe's most capable allies in the later Peninsular novels and in France.
FateSurvives the wars. Appears in Sharpe's Revenge.
Books
Sharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's Assassin
TV Films
Sharpe's SiegeSharpe's Revenge
Novel vs TV
Played by Philip Whitchurch in the TV series.
Military Career›
CaptainSharpe's Siege
First appearance. 60th Rifles. Known as Sweet William. Missing an eye, several teeth and part of an ear.
CaptainSharpe's Revenge
Fights his last battle at Toulouse with the 60th Rifles after he and Sharpe are detached from the South Essex.
CaptainSharpe's Assassin
Paris 1815.
Lucille Castineau
fictionalCivilian
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Revenge
French widow living on a farm in Normandy. Sharpe's enduring companion after the Napoleonic Wars. Intelligent, calm, and deeply good. Represents the peace Sharpe never expected to find. Mother of Sharpe's son Patrick.
FateSurvives. Still with Sharpe in Normandy at the end of Sharpe's Devil.
Books
Sharpe's RevengeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's AssassinSharpe's Devil
TV Films
Sharpe's RevengeSharpe's WaterlooSharpe's Peril
Novel vs TV
Played by Cecile Paoli in the TV series.
Lord John Rossendale
fictionalLord
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Revenge
British cavalry officer. Becomes Jane Sharpe's lover while Sharpe is on campaign in France. Represents the wealthy, privileged world that Sharpe can never fully enter.
FateSurvives. Jane leaves Sharpe for him.
Books
Sharpe's RevengeSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's RevengeSharpe's Waterloo
Prince of Orange
historicalGeneral
Dutch
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Commands the Dutch-Belgian forces at Waterloo. Known as Slender Billy. His reckless and incompetent orders cost many lives during the battle. A persistent problem for Wellington.
FateWounded at Waterloo. Survives.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Novel vs TV
His incompetence is a major theme of both the novel and TV film.
General Rebecque
historicalGeneral
Dutch
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Dutch-Belgian chief of staff. Competent and professional, a sharp contrast to the Prince of Orange. Assists Sharpe during the Waterloo campaign.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Napoleon Bonaparte
historicalEmperor
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. The central antagonist of the entire series, always present as a shadow over every battle. Sharpe glimpses him at Waterloo. Meets him briefly on St Helena in Sharpe's Devil.
FateDefeated at Waterloo. Exiled to St Helena. Dies 1821.
Books
Sharpe's WaterlooSharpe's Devil
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Novel vs TV
Glimpsed at a distance in Sharpe's Waterloo TV film.
Henri Lassan
fictionalMajor
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Assassin
French officer. Brother of Lucille Castineau. Initially suspicious of Sharpe's relationship with his sister. A man of honour who comes to respect Sharpe.
FateKilled in Sharpe's Assassin.
Lord Thomas Cochrane
historicalAdmiral
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Devil
Historical figure. One of the most daring naval officers in history. Commands the Chilean independence forces in Sharpe's Devil. Flamboyant, brilliant, and unconventional.
FateSurvives. Continues his remarkable career.
Sergeant Armstrong
fictionalSergeant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Honour
One of Sharpe's chosen men in the later Peninsular novels. Reliable and experienced.
Books
Sharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's Siege
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Ben Perkins
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Young member of Sharpe's chosen men. One of the newer recruits to the group in the later Peninsular novels.
FateSurvives. Does not appear in Sharpe's Waterloo.
Books
Sharpe's HavocSharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's BattleSharpe's Sword
Peter d'Alembord
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Officer in the South Essex. One of Sharpe's most reliable subordinates in the later Peninsular novels and at Waterloo.
Books
Sharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's RevengeSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's RegimentSharpe's Waterloo
Military Career›
CaptainSharpe's Regiment
First appearance. Travels to England with Sharpe and Harper to investigate the crimping racket.
CaptainSharpe's Siege
Atlantic coast raid.
CaptainSharpe's Revenge
France campaign.
CaptainSharpe's Waterloo
Officer in Prince of Wales Own Volunteers.
Lady Anne Comoynes
fictionalLady
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Fenner's mistress, forced to prostitute herself to pay off her late husband's debts. Initially used by Fenner to seduce Sharpe, she ultimately betrays Fenner by producing the incriminating ledgers that expose the crimping racket.
FateFreed from Fenner's control when Sharpe forces Fenner to cancel her debts.
TV Films
Sharpe's Regiment
Isaiah Tongue
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
One of Sharpe's chosen men. One of the two educated men in the company alongside Harris. Appears in the early Peninsular novels.
FateKilled by the French while warning Sharpe of an ambush in Sharpe's Gold.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's Gold
Fergus Slattery
fictionalRifleman
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Irish rifleman from County Wicklow. Quiet, soft-spoken and capable. Called Slatts by his mates. Harper calls him a friend.
FateKilled at the Battle of Barrosa in Sharpe's Fury, a musket ball takes him in the throat in the closing moments of the battle.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's BattleSharpe's CompanySharpe's Fury
Parry Jenkins
fictionalRifleman
Welsh
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Welsh rifleman in the 95th Rifles. One of Sharpe's chosen men. Could have made Sergeant but Sharpe felt he lacked ruthlessness. Never disobeyed orders. Good friends with Tongue and Harvey. Loves fishing.
FateLast mentioned in Sharpe's Sword. Does not appear in later novels.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's CompanySharpe's Sword
Novel vs TV
Never appeared in the TV series adaptations.
Miranda
fictionalCivilian
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
Young Spanish woman rescued by Ben Perkins during Sharpe's Battle after being raped by French soldiers under Brigadier Loup. Becomes attached to Perkins.
FateMurdered by French agents in Sharpe's Honour. Buried in the same grave as Perkins pays his respects.
Books
Sharpe's BattleSharpe's Honour
Josefina LaCosta
fictionalCivilian
Portuguese
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Portuguese camp follower and former lover of Sharpe's. A beautiful and worldly woman. She and Sharpe have a complicated history. She reappears in Sharpe's Enemy where Sharpe nearly succumbs to her again before Teresa arrives.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's Enemy
Major Nairn
fictionalMajor General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Scottish general officer who becomes one of Sharpe's most important patrons in the later Peninsular novels. Clever, sardonic, and supportive of Sharpe. Takes over some of Hogan's intelligence role after Hogan's death.
FateSurvives the Peninsular War.
Books
Sharpe's SwordSharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's RegimentSharpe's SiegeSharpe's Revenge
TV Films
Sharpe's EnemySharpe's HonourSharpe's Regiment
Novel vs TV
Played by Hugh Ross in the TV series.
Father Curtis
fictionalPriest
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Irish Catholic priest based in Salamanca. Acts as a British intelligence agent. A loyal friend to Sharpe and an unlikely spy. Appears in the Salamanca campaign novels.
Books
Sharpe's SwordSharpe's Honour
Lieutenant Slingsby
fictionalLieutenant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Escape
Incompetent and arrogant officer posted to Sharpe's Light Company in Sharpe's Escape. Undermines Sharpe's authority and puts men's lives at risk through his incompetence. A source of considerable tension.
FateKilled during the Bussaco campaign.
Lord Kiely
fictionalLord
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
Irish nobleman commanding the Real Compania Irlandesa in Sharpe's Battle. A tragic figure, proud, alcoholic, and ultimately broken by the impossible position he finds himself in.
FateDies during the campaign, suicide or killed in battle.
Lady Kiely
fictionalLady
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
Lord Kiely's wife. Caught up in the events of Sharpe's Battle. Connected to Loup and the French in ways that complicate the campaign.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
General Thomas Picton
historicalLieutenant General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Historical figure. Commander of the 3rd Division throughout the Peninsular War. A ferocious, unconventional general known for fighting in his nightcap. Appears in several Peninsular novels.
FateKilled at Waterloo leading his division against D'Erlon's corps. One of the most senior British officers to die in the battle.
Books
Sharpe's CompanySharpe's SwordSharpe's Waterloo
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Marshal Massena
historicalMarshal
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Escape
Historical figure. Commander of the French Army of Portugal during the Torres Vedras campaign. Sharpe operates against his forces during Sharpe's Escape and Sharpe's Fury. Wellington's most formidable opponent in the Peninsula.
FateRecalled to France after failing to break the Lines of Torres Vedras.
Books
Sharpe's EscapeSharpe's Fury
Marshal Marmont
historicalMarshal
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Historical figure. Commander of the French Army of Portugal at Salamanca 1812. Wounded at the critical moment of the battle.
FateWounded at Salamanca. Survives.
Colonel Brian Windham
fictionalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Commanding officer of the South Essex who replaces Lawford in Sharpe's Company. Brings Hakeswill back into the regiment. Killed by Leroux during his escape in Sharpe's Sword.
FateKilled by Colonel Leroux in Sharpe's Sword.
Books
Sharpe's CompanySharpe's Sword
Novel vs TV
Replaced in the TV version of Sharpe's Sword by the character Colonel Berkeley.
Matthew Dodd
fictionalCorporal
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. Goes missing in action after the Battle of Bussaco in Sharpe's Escape, last seen escaping from the French after being surrounded. His fate is never resolved.
FateMissing in action after Bussaco. Fate unknown.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's Escape
Christian Gibbons
fictionalLieutenant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Simmerson's nephew and accomplice in Sharpe's Eagle. A bully and coward who backs up Simmerson's incompetent command. Antagonist to Sharpe. Appears only in Sharpe's Eagle and does not recur.
FateKilled by Sharpe at the Battle of Talavera.
Anthony Pohlmann
fictionalColonel
German
First appearance: Sharpe's Triumph
German mercenary who commands the Maratha infantry at Assaye. A former sergeant in the East India Company army who has risen to high command in Maratha service. Intelligent and dangerous.
FateSurvives Assaye. Fate after the battle uncertain.
Major Joseph Forrest
fictionalMajor
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Second in command of the South Essex. Inexperienced and nervous but basically decent, unlike many of Simmerson's officers. Supports Sharpe where he can. Takes temporary command after Lawford is wounded at Ciudad Rodrigo and again after Windham's death, leading the South Essex at Salamanca. Later transferred to a staff position in Lisbon.
FateTransferred to a staff position in Lisbon before Sharpe's Honour. Survives the war.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's CompanySharpe's Sword
Novel vs TV
Despite being a prominent recurring character in the novels, Forrest was omitted from the TV series entirely.
Captain Lennox
fictionalCaptain
Scottish
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
Officer of the South Essex Light Company in Sharpe's Eagle. A Scotsman who retired from the army after India but rejoined after losing his wife. Mortally wounded during Simmerson's foolish action at Valdelacasa when the King's Colour is lost. As a dying request, he asks Sharpe to take a French Eagle to erase the shame.
FateMortally wounded at Valdelacasa. Dies of his wounds.
Novel vs TV
His rank is given as Major in the TV film rather than Captain.
Major Jack Collett
fictionalMajor
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Friend of Colonel Windham who takes the vacant majority in Sharpe's Company ahead of the more deserving Leroy. Small man with a clipped moustache, cropped grey hair and bowed horseman's legs. Often seen at Windham's side.
FateKilled during the assault on the breach at Badajoz.
Novel vs TV
Appears younger in the TV adaptation than described in the novel.
Patrick-Henri Sharpe
fictionalCivilian
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Sharpe's son with Lucille Castineau. Named after Patrick Harper. Born after the Napoleonic Wars on the farm in Normandy.
FateSurvives. Becomes a French cavalry officer, much to his father's chagrin.
Books
Sharpe's WaterlooSharpe's Devil
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Christopher Cresacre
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. Appears in the Peninsular novels as part of the core group of riflemen.
FateKilled during the Battle of Badajoz in Sharpe's Company.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's Company
Major General David Baird
historicalMajor General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
Historical figure. Commands alongside Wellesley at Seringapatam 1799. A hard-nosed, experienced commander who had previously been a prisoner of Tippu Sultan.
FateSurvives Seringapatam. Loses an arm at Corunna 1809.
General Blücher
historicalField Marshal
Prussian
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Commander of the Prussian Army at Waterloo. His arrival in the late afternoon saves Wellington's position. Sharpe has a brief interaction with him in Sharpe's Waterloo.
FateSurvives Waterloo. Dies 1819.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Rifleman Sean Donnelly
fictionalRifleman
Irish
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men in the early Peninsular novels. One of the 31 riflemen separated during the retreat to Corunna.
FateKilled in Sharpe's Havoc while on watch duty by a French sharpshooter.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's Havoc
Rifleman McNeill
fictionalRifleman
Scottish
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. One of the core riflemen from the retreat to Corunna who serve with Sharpe through the early Peninsular campaign.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's HavocSharpe's Eagle
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Rifleman Harvey
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. One of the riflemen from the retreat to Corunna. Friends with Jenkins and Tongue.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's EscapeSharpe's Company
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Rifleman Carter
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Escape
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. Appears in the Peninsular novels as part of the core riflemen group.
FateSurvives as of Sharpe's Escape.
Books
Sharpe's EscapeSharpe's BattleSharpe's Company
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Rifleman Gataker
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men from the retreat to Corunna.
FateKilled during the Battle of Talavera in Sharpe's Eagle.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's Eagle
Rifleman Pendleton
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men from the retreat to Corunna. One of the younger riflemen alongside Perkins.
FateKilled during the Battle of Talavera in Sharpe's Eagle.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's Eagle
Rifleman Williamson
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. Turns deserter and flees to the enemy.
FateKilled by Sharpe for desertion and fleeing to the enemy in Sharpe's Havoc.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's Havoc
Lord Uxbridge
historicalGeneral
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Wellington's second in command at Waterloo. Commands the Allied cavalry. Has a famous exchange with Wellington after losing his leg to a cannon ball near the end of the battle.
FateLoses his leg at Waterloo. Survives.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Novel vs TV
In the TV film Sharpe nearly threatens him with his sword before Price warns him who he is.
Tobias Simmerson
fictionalPrivate
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
One of the South Essex soldiers. Minor background character.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Marshal Soult
historicalMarshal
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Historical figure. One of Napoleon's most capable marshals. Commands French forces in Portugal and Spain during much of the Peninsular War. A persistent opponent of Wellington throughout the campaign.
FateSurvives the Napoleonic Wars.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's HavocSharpe's Fury
Marshal Ney
historicalMarshal
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Known as the Bravest of the Brave. Commands French forces at key moments in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo where he leads the great cavalry charges against Wellington's squares.
FateSurvives Waterloo. Executed by firing squad in Paris December 1815 for treason.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
General Cambronne
historicalGeneral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Commands a battalion of the Old Guard at Waterloo. Famous for his response when called upon to surrender, either the single word Merde or the longer defiant speech. His exact words remain disputed by historians.
FateWounded and captured at Waterloo. Survives.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Major Warren Dunnett
fictionalMajor
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Prey
Rifle officer. Sharpe's original company commander before the retreat to Corunna. Commands the company at Copenhagen and the early Peninsular campaign.
FateSurvives. Appears briefly in Sharpe's Waterloo.
Books
Sharpe's PreySharpe's RiflesSharpe's Waterloo
General Hill
historicalLieutenant General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Historical figure. Known as Daddy Hill by his troops for his concern for their welfare, a rare quality among generals of the period. Commands the 2nd Division throughout the Peninsular War. One of Wellington's most trusted subordinates.
FateSurvives the Napoleonic Wars. Later becomes Commander-in-Chief of the British Army.
Books
Sharpe's HavocSharpe's EscapeSharpe's Fury
Sergeant Williams
fictionalSergeant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
One of the 95th Rifles sergeants during the retreat to Corunna. Killed during a battle in Sharpe's Rifles.
FateKilled in Sharpe's Rifles.
Tomas Vivar
fictionalCount
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Brother of Don Blas Vivar. The Count of Mouromorto. Primary antagonist of Sharpe's Rifles, has allied himself with the French against his own country for political reasons.
The Prince Regent
historicalPrince Regent
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Regiment
Historical figure. The future King George IV. Appears in Sharpe's Regiment when Sharpe presents the 2nd Battalion South Essex to him at Hyde Park. Promotes Sharpe to Major.
FateBecomes King George IV in 1820.
TV Films
Sharpe's Regiment
Helene Leroux
fictionalCivilian
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Sister of Colonel Philippe Leroux. A French agent operating inside British lines in Salamanca. Beautiful and dangerous. Sharpe's love interest in Sharpe's Sword. At the end of the novel she gives Sharpe a replacement telescope in a rosewood box, a gift from Napoleon to his brother Joseph, King of Spain.
FateSurvives. Her subsequent fate is not described.
Novel vs TV
In the TV adaptation of Sharpe's Sword her role is replaced by the character Lass, a traumatised novice nun played as a completely different character.
Captain Rymer
fictionalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Officer who purchases a captaincy in Sharpe's Company and is given command of Sharpe's light company over Sharpe. Described as good looking and fair haired but fatally indecisive in battle. Harper says his worst crime as a commander is that he cannot make up his mind.
FateKilled during the assault on Badajoz.
Captain Mungo Munro
fictionalMajor
Scottish
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
British intelligence officer who works alongside Hogan and later assists Sharpe during the Salamanca campaign in Sharpe's Sword. Investigates the French spy network operating inside British lines.
Books
Sharpe's SwordSharpe's Enemy
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
General Craufurd
historicalMajor General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Escape
Historical figure. Commander of the Light Division throughout the Peninsular War. Known as Black Bob for his ferocious discipline. One of the finest light infantry commanders of the era, trained at Shorncliffe like the 95th. Worshipped and feared by his men in equal measure.
FateMortally wounded at the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo January 1812. Dies of his wounds.
Books
Sharpe's EscapeSharpe's FurySharpe's Company
General Beresford
historicalMarshal
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Fury
Historical figure. Appointed by Wellington to rebuild and command the Portuguese Army. Transforms it into an effective fighting force. Commands at the bloody Battle of Albuera 1811.
FateSurvives the Peninsular War.
Ned Tarrant
fictionalRifleman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
Member of Sharpe's chosen men. Wounded in action during the French victory at Oporto in Sharpe's Havoc and is unable to walk. Sharpe is forced to leave him behind.
FateMissing in action as of Sharpe's Havoc. Left behind wounded at Oporto. Fate unknown.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's Havoc
Private Batten
fictionalPrivate
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Rifles
One of the riflemen from the retreat to Corunna. A complainer and malingerer, the least popular man in the company. Sharpe tolerates him because he is a good shot.
FateSurvives the early Peninsular campaign.
Books
Sharpe's RiflesSharpe's EagleSharpe's Gold
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Jorge Vicente
fictionalLieutenant
Portuguese
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Portuguese officer and lawyer who joins Sharpe during the Oporto campaign in Sharpe's Havoc. Intelligent, principled, and idealistic. Becomes one of Sharpe's most trusted allies in the early Peninsular novels. Struggles with the violence of war given his civilian background.
FateSurvives. Appears in subsequent Peninsular novels.
Books
Sharpe's HavocSharpe's GoldSharpe's Escape
Sally Clayton
fictionalCivilian
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
Wife of a South Essex soldier. Hakeswill pursues her with sinister intent in Sharpe's Company after his attempt on Teresa fails.
General Loison
historicalGeneral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Historical figure. French divisional commander in Portugal during the Peninsular War. Known for brutal reprisals against the Portuguese civilian population. One of Massena's subordinates during the Torres Vedras campaign.
FateSurvives the Peninsular War.
Books
Sharpe's HavocSharpe's Escape
Appah Rao
fictionalCivilian official
Indian
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
Indian official in Mysore who assists the British during the Seringapatam campaign. Provides intelligence and support to Wellesley and McCandless.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Major Davi Lal
fictionalServant
Indian
First appearance: Sharpe's Triumph
Sharpe's servant boy in India. Killed along with his six men during the massacre at Chasalgaon perpetrated by William Dodd.
FateKilled at Chasalgaon in Sharpe's Triumph.
General Junot
historicalGeneral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Historical figure. Commands the French forces that invade Portugal in 1807. Defeated at the Battle of Vimeiro 1808 by Wellesley. His army is repatriated to France under the Convention of Cintra in controversial circumstances.
FateRecalled from Portugal. Later goes mad and dies in 1813.
Captain Gillespie
historicalCaptain
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Tiger
British officer at Seringapatam. Historical figure. Major General Rollo Gillespie later became famous for his own Indian campaigns but appears as a junior officer in the Seringapatam action.
FateSurvives Seringapatam. Later killed at Kalunga 1814.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Marshal Victor
historicalMarshal
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Fury
Historical figure. Commands French forces at the Battle of Barrosa 1811 where General Graham defeats him. Sharpe fights in this battle in Sharpe's Fury.
FateSurvives the Peninsular War.
Sergeant Huckfield
fictionalSergeant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
One of the South Essex sergeants during the Peninsular campaign. Background character appearing in several novels.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's GoldSharpe's Company
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Private Clayton
fictionalPrivate
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Company
South Essex soldier. Husband of Sally Clayton. A decent man caught up in Hakeswill's schemes in Sharpe's Company.
Colonel Sir Augustus Farthingdale
fictionalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Enemy
Elderly British officer in Sharpe's Enemy. Commands the garrison at Adrados. More interested in his young wife than in soldiering. His incompetence and absence of authority allows the situation with the deserters to deteriorate.
Lady Isabella Farthingdale
fictionalLady
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Enemy
Young wife of Colonel Farthingdale in Sharpe's Enemy. Her capture by the deserters is one of the catalysts for the plot. Much younger than her husband.
General Miguel Bautista
fictionalGeneral
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Devil
Spanish royalist Governor of Chile. Primary villain of Sharpe's Devil. Ruthless, corrupt and politically cunning. Has imprisoned Don Blas Vivar and is using his position for personal enrichment. Sharpe travels to Chile to investigate Vivar's disappearance and finds Bautista behind it.
Captain Ardiles
fictionalCaptain
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Devil
Spanish naval captain commanding the Espiritu Santo, the ship that takes Sharpe to Chile. Initially an antagonist, arrogant and hostile to Sharpe. Ultimately a man of honour who finds himself on the wrong side of history.
FateKilled during the Chilean campaign.
George Blair
fictionalCivilian
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Devil
British consul in Valdivia, Chile. Assists Sharpe on his arrival in Chile. A pragmatic man who has to navigate between the Spanish royalists and the Chilean independence forces.
General San Martin
historicalGeneral
Argentine
First appearance: Sharpe's Devil
Historical figure. Commander of the South American independence forces alongside Cochrane. One of the liberators of South America. Mentioned in Sharpe's Devil as part of the wider independence struggle.
FateSurvives. One of the great figures of South American history.
Midshipman Harry Collier
fictionalMidshipman
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Trafalgar
Young midshipman aboard HMS Pucelle during the voyage to Trafalgar. One of the junior officers who encounters Sharpe. Survives and flourishes.
Llewellyn
fictionalLieutenant
Welsh
First appearance: Sharpe's Trafalgar
Marine officer aboard HMS Pucelle during Sharpe's Trafalgar. Works alongside Sharpe during the battle.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Colonel Lanier
fictionalColonel
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Assassin
French royalist officer in Sharpe's Assassin. Connected to the La Fraternite assassination plot against the restored Bourbon monarchy. Operates in Paris 1815.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Lucille Castineau's mother
fictionalCivilian
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Assassin
Lucille's mother. Lives on the Norman farm. Present in the later novels set in France.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Aksel Bang
fictionalCivilian
Danish
First appearance: Sharpe's Prey
Danish villain in Sharpe's Prey. Works with Lavisser against the British mission in Copenhagen. Dangerous and fanatical.
Captain Vandal
fictionalCaptain
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Storm
French officer and antagonist in Sharpe's Storm. Commands forces opposing Sharpe during the southern France campaign 1813.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Colonel Tissot
fictionalColonel
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Command
French commander encountered during the Sharpe's Command mission in Spain 1812.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
General Anstruther
historicalBrigadier General
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Havoc
Historical figure. Commands British forces at Vimeiro 1808 alongside Wellesley. One of the generals present at the controversial Convention of Cintra.
FateDies of illness in Portugal 1809.
Lieutenant Ayres
fictionalLieutenant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Gold
South Essex officer who files a charge against Sharpe after Sharpe threatens him. Used by Simmerson to try to have Sharpe court-martialled.
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
Colonel Fletcher
historicalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Escape
Historical figure. Wellington's chief engineer in the Peninsula. Responsible for designing and constructing the Lines of Torres Vedras. One of the most important officers in Wellington's army.
FateKilled at the siege of San Sebastian 1813.
Sergeant Read
fictionalSergeant
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Eagle
One of the South Essex sergeants during the Peninsular campaign. Background character in the early Peninsular novels.
Books
Sharpe's EagleSharpe's Gold
Some details unverified, corrections welcome via our contact page.
General Foy
historicalGeneral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Historical figure. French divisional commander in the Peninsular War. Wounded at Salamanca. One of the more capable French commanders Sharpe encounters.
FateSurvives the Peninsular War and Waterloo.
Books
Sharpe's SwordSharpe's Waterloo
General Clausel
historicalGeneral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Sword
Historical figure. Takes command of the French Army of Portugal after Marmont is wounded at Salamanca. Conducts a skilled fighting retreat that saves the army from complete destruction.
FateSurvives. Commands French forces at Waterloo.
Doña Juanita
fictionalCivilian
Spanish
First appearance: Sharpe's Battle
Female French agent operating in Spain. Steals Ben Perkins' green jacket when Sharpe paroled her after capture, it was the only one small enough to fit a woman. Appears in Sharpe's Battle.
FateParoled by Sharpe. Subsequent fate uncertain.
General D'Erlon
historicalGeneral
French
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Commands the French I Corps at Waterloo. His attack on the Allied centre at 1pm is repulsed by Picton's division and the cavalry charge of the Scots Greys. A pivotal moment in the battle.
TV Films
Sharpe's Waterloo
Lord Fitzroy Somerset
historicalColonel
British
First appearance: Sharpe's Waterloo
Historical figure. Wellington's military secretary throughout the Peninsular War and at Waterloo. Has his arm amputated after Waterloo. Later becomes Field Marshal Lord Raglan and commands in the Crimean War.
FateLoses his arm at Waterloo. Survives.