Sharpe's Trafalgar facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Bernard Cornwell |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Richard Sharpe stories |
| Genre | Historical novels |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
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Publication date
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3 April 2000 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) and audio-CD |
| Pages | 288 (hardcover) 384 (paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-00-225874-9 (hardcover) ISBN: 0-00-651309-3 (paperback) |
| OCLC | 42952997 |
| Preceded by | Sharpe's Fortress |
| Followed by | Sharpe's Prey |
Sharpe's Trafalgar is an exciting historical novel written by Bernard Cornwell. It was first published in 2000. This book is the fourth story in the popular Richard Sharpe series. It's the first book in the series that takes place during the wars against Napoleon. In this adventure, the main character, Richard Sharpe, finds himself involved in the famous Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Contents
Sharpe's Ocean Journey
In 1805, Richard Sharpe is sailing from India to England. He plans to join the 95th Rifles army unit. He travels aboard a ship called the Calliope, which is an East Indiaman. Before his trip, Sharpe is tricked into buying supplies at a very high price.
When he finds out, he manages to get his money back. He also helps another person who was tricked, Captain Joel Chase of the Royal Navy. Captain Chase is very grateful. He is on a mission to destroy a French warship called the Revenant. This ship is causing trouble in the Indian Ocean.
On the Calliope, Sharpe meets Lady Grace Hale and her husband, Lord William Hale. Sharpe is surprised to see Anthony Pohlmann on board. Pohlmann was a former enemy, a Maratha warlord. He is now using a false name, Baron von Dornberg. Sharpe decides not to reveal Pohlmann's true identity.
The ship's captain, Peculiar Cromwell, notices some valuable jewels Sharpe has hidden. Cromwell insists Sharpe leave the jewels with him for safekeeping. He says this will prevent his crew from being tempted to steal them.
Sharpe becomes interested in Lady Grace. She later asks him about "Dornberg." She noticed that Cromwell and Dornberg, who claimed not to know each other, were talking often. Sharpe tries to protect Dornberg's secret.
Captain Cromwell decides to leave the safety of a slow convoy. He sails his fast ship alone. Lady Grace becomes worried because they are sailing near French-controlled Mauritius.
Capture and Escape
Suddenly, the Revenant appears. Before the Calliope is captured, Sharpe rushes to get his jewels from Cromwell's safe. But the jewels are gone. Sharpe suspects Cromwell and Pohlmann helped the French. Both men board the Revenant. A French crew takes over the Calliope and starts sailing it towards Mauritius.
The French do not punish Sharpe. One day, another ship is spotted. Sharpe cleverly cuts the ropes that control the rudder of the Calliope. This slows the ship down. This allows Captain Chase's ship, the Pucelle, to catch and capture the Calliope.
Captain Chase invites Sharpe to join his ship. Sharpe agrees when he learns that Lord Hale and Lady Grace are also moving to the faster Pucelle. Chase tells Sharpe that a French agent, likely Dornberg's "servant," has a secret treaty. This treaty is with the best leaders of the Indian Maratha people. If this treaty reaches Paris, France might send weapons to the Marathas. This could start a new war against the British.
Chase does everything he can to catch the Revenant. Sharpe trains with the Marines for ship battles. He learns about a special seven-barreled Nock gun. The Pucelle spots a ship and gives chase, but loses it.
Meanwhile, Lady Grace tells Sharpe that Lord Hale's secretary, Malachi Braithwaite, is causing trouble for her. Sharpe confronts Braithwaite. Braithwaite tries to negotiate, but Sharpe deals with him. Braithwaite is no longer a problem.
The Battle of Trafalgar
The Revenant is spotted again, and a long chase begins. Just when it seems the Revenant will escape, the combined French and Spanish fleets appear. Admiral Horatio Nelson's British fleet is chasing them. The Revenant joins the enemy fleet. The Pucelle then comes under Admiral Nelson's command. Nelson calls Chase to a meeting, and Chase brings Sharpe along. He introduces Sharpe to the admiral.
When the British attack the enemy fleet, the Battle of Trafalgar begins. Captain Chase points out the Revenant to Sharpe. Chase sends the Hales to safety, even though Lord Hale protests. Sharpe joins the Marines. The Pucelle and the Revenant fight fiercely. The Revenant is captured. Pohlmann is killed by a cannonball. Sharpe finds the French agent and throws him into the sea. The agent cannot swim. Cromwell survives. Sharpe gets his jewels back before handing Cromwell over to Chase.
Sharpe goes to find Lady Grace. He discovers that Lord Hale is no longer alive. Lord Hale had confronted his wife during the battle. Sharpe makes sure Lord Hale's body is found on deck. This makes it seem like he was killed in the fighting. Lady Grace is upset at first, but then realizes she is now free.
Key People in Sharpe's Trafalgar
- Richard Sharpe: The main hero of the story.
- Lady Grace Hale: A young woman traveling on the ship.
- Lord William Hale: A British diplomat and Lady Grace's husband.
- Horatio Nelson: A famous admiral of the British fleet.
- The "Baron von Dornberg": Actually Anthony Pohlmann, a former enemy of Sharpe.
- Malachi Braithwaite: Lord Hale's secretary.
- Joel Chase: Captain of the Pucelle.
- Peculiar Cromwell: Captain of the Calliope.
- Louis Montmorin: Captain of the Revenant.
- Clouter: A gun captain on the Pucelle.
Real People at Trafalgar and Waterloo
In his notes, author Bernard Cornwell mentions that only a few people were at both the Battle of Trafalgar and the Battle of Waterloo.
- Miguel de Álava: He was a marine in the Spanish Navy at Trafalgar. Later, he became a general and a close friend of the Duke of Wellington. He was also a Spanish ambassador to the Netherlands.
- General Antoine Drouot: He is also believed to have been at both battles.
- Some units of Napoleon's Army of the North at Waterloo were made up of former French marines who fought at Trafalgar.
Images for kids
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First edition cover
