The British Army attacks Ciudad Rodrigo, a fortress guarding the northern path into Spain.

Unfortunately, Sharpe's commander and friend, Colonel William Lawford, is severely wounded when a mine is detonated.

Meanwhile, Sharpe's promotion to captain is finally rejected; the long delay in the verdict was due to being confused with another officer who died.

Sharpe desires to join the Forlorn Hope so that, despite the high chance of death, he may be promoted again, and so that, should he die, Antonia can be proud of her father.

Sharpe reverts to the rank of lieutenant, but Windham attempts to cheer him up by telling him vacancies will soon become available, as Wellington is determined to attack the formidable fortress at Badajoz as soon as possible, and casualties are expected to be high.

Sharpe leaves the baggage to visit his company, and when Rymer attempts to talk to him, the French attack.

Windham is furious with Sharpe for abandoning his post, and is further angered when he discovers that a prized portrait of his wife has been stolen.

When the Light Company takes longer than expected, Windham orders Sharpe to find out the cause of the delay - stressing he is to do nothing else - and report back as soon as possible.

He also orders the riflemen to abandon their rifles, which Rymer, at Hakeswill's prompting, blames the mission's failure on, as well as their green jackets.

Meanwhile, Knowles has managed to reach the top of the French wall and leads his men into the city, during the 3rd Division (United Kingdom)'s diversionary assault.

Hakeswill complies, but though Harper, Sharpe, and Teresa all attempt to kill him, they interfere with each other, allowing him to escape by leaping out a window.

A 1994 TV adaptation of the same name was produced by Central Independent Television for the ITV network in the UK starring Sean Bean, Daragh O'Malley and Assumpta Serna.

[1] This battle is where Cornwell thought he might begin his "series of tales about the adventures of a British rifleman in the Napoleonic Wars"[2] before realising he would need to write a couple of novels to warm-up for it first.