Richard Sharpe

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Sharpe is a renowned veteran of the peninsular wars who has served under the Duke of Wellington and, because of his service, is known personally to the Duke. After twenty-two years of war service he has retired from the British Army on half pay and, being unemployed, he accepts a request to join the Prince of Orange's staff who offers him a promotion to the rank of colonel.

Sharpe was born the illegitimate son of a prostitute and only escaped from a life in the gutter and the inevitable gallows by enlisting in the 33rd Regiment of Foot. He rose to be a sergeant and because of his bravery in battle was promoted to the officer ranks and is one of the few men of his background to achieve this distinction in the British Army. Since his wife left him he has lived in Normandy...