The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

The Baker Rifle is perhaps the most famous firearm of the Napoleonic era, propelled to a legendary status by the exploits of a certain Richard Sharpe in the novels by Bernard Cornwell. But how practical a weapon system was it? Was it really that revolutionary? And how did the British come to adopt this firearm in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars? We were privileged to be invited to the Royal Armou...

Josh Provan returns for the newest instalment of our blow by blow exploration of the Peninsular War, as we look at the Autumn of 1809. The Talavera campaign might have been over, but the suffering of the British Army was far from at an end. We open by looking at what one history described as 'the misery of the Guardiana', before turning once again to the Spanish perspective. One thrust on...

Explore the intricate details of Napoleon's 1799 coup d'état, its strategic planning, execution, and the international reactions that shaped European history. Dr. Graeme Callister provides expert insights into this pivotal moment, in which Napoleon reached for power, and very nearly let it slip from his grasp. This is the story of the Brumaire Coup, the second instalment of our two parter...

Explore the detailed strategic and tactical nuances of the Battle of Marengo, Napoleon's pivotal engagement in Italy, with Dr. Graeme Callister. Understand the battlefield geography, command decisions, and propaganda impact that shaped this crucial victory. Waterloo: The Attack of I Corps:  https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Waterloo-The-Attack-of-I-Corps-Paperback/p/58479 Battle: Understanding C...

Captured by the French, stripped of his freedom, and confined hundreds of miles from home, Royal Navy officer Charles Hare faced a challenge that thousands of British prisoners dreamed of overcoming but few ever achieved, escape. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Katherine Gazzard of Royal Museums Greenwich to uncover the remarkable story behind one of the most extraordinary survival tales of t...

Discover the fascinating world of 18th-century masquerades with cultural historian Dr. Megan Kobza. We explore the social, political, and artistic layers behind these extravagant events, revealing how masks and costumes served as tools of transgression, status, and social experimentation. Megan's book: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300276213/the-masquerade/ Timestamps: 01:45 - The first mas...

In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte abandoned an army, and abandoned a government, launching a coup which would cement his place as a pivotal figure in history. Dr Graeme Callister returns to talk us through the political chaos, key figures, and strategic planning behind the event. We also discuss the revolutionary context, the role of military and political players, and the implications for French history...

Ever wanted to know what it takes to look like a redcoat? Join us as we explore the intricate world of historical military tailoring with expert James Graves. Discover the craftsmanship, research process, and challenges behind recreating authentic Napoleonic era uniforms, and get tips for reenactors and history enthusiasts alike. One of our 'Meet the...' range with leading historical exper...

The Napoleonic era was a transformative age in the development of Alchemy and Chemistry. Explore the fascinating history of alchemy from ancient Egypt to the Napoleonic era, uncovering how early science evolved and influenced modern chemistry. Join Dr. Kit Chapman as he debunks myths, highlights key discoveries, and reveals the surprising connections between alchemy, science, and history. We blow...

Catriona Kennedy joins us to explore the history of Catholic emancipation in Britain, the slow shift towards toleration, scapegoating and the final Emancipation Act's social and political implications, along with the key figures involved, including the pivotal role of the Duke of Wellington, Robert Peel and Daniel O'Connell. Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarsp...

In this Battle Series episode of the The Napoleonic Wars Podcast , we head to southern Italy to unpack the dramatic and sometimes misunderstood Battle of Maida with historian Richard Hopton author of 'The Battle of Maida, 1806: Fifteen Minutes of Glory' . We set the stage with the wider Mediterranean campaign before diving into the opposing commanders, John Stuart and Jean Reynier, and the bold de...

In this second instalment we return to the saddle with historian Josh Proven to uncover the hidden mechanics behind cavalry warfare during the Napoleonic Wars. This episode goes beyond the charge to explore how cavalry actually functioned under the chaos of battle. How did commanders maintain control over fast moving formations at Waterloo or Eylau? Were signals, discipline, and doctrine enough or...

Historian and Rifles veteran Tim Saunders joins us to delve into the history, ethos, and legacy of the 95th Rifles, a distinguished unit of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. We discuss their formation, training, and the impact of their unique weaponry, including the Baker rifle. The discussion also explores the challenges faced by the unit, their portrayal in popular culture through Ber...

In a world first, Sean Bean and Bernard Cornwell sit down to share their memories about how they shaped Sharpe, and how Sharpe shaped them. Will Sean reveal where the inimitable use of 'bastard' came from? Does Bernard settle the argument on which Sharpe novel is the best? Where did the idea of Sharpe come from. From fan questions, to an exclusive reading from the new Sharpe novel featurin...

What does it take to make a Marshal of France. Of the 26 individuals that Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte elevated to the highest military rank of the first French Empire, there were a myriad of similarities and differences - ostentatious, arrogant, specialists, administrators, inspirational figures, princes and paupers. To delve into the characters of these exalted figures of military and Napoleonic h...

In this episode of the The Napoleonic Wars Podcast , we saddle up and ride into part 1 of the dramatic world of cavalry warfare during the Napoleonic Wars with historian and author Josh Proven . From the thunderous heavy cavalry charges to the lightning fast scouting of light horsemen, we explore how mounted troops shaped battlefields across Europe and beyond. Josh breaks down the different cavalr...

In an emergency recording Gareth Glover sits down with Zack to discuss a major auction of Napoleonic letters, the importance of preserving historical documents, and how the community can help save these invaluable pieces of history from private collections. The episode emphasises the significance of public access and proper preservation of military heritage, and the way that listeners can chip in...

Who was the 'Darling Child of Victory'? What characterised his style as a commander? What were his greatest moments? And why was he such an inveterate looter? Marshal Massena is the focus of the latest episode as the Marshals series makes a welcome return to the Napoleonic Wars Podcast. Rachael Stark holds court as we discuss how he compared to other marshals and to Napoleon himself, the r...

To mark International Women's Day we ask 'Who was the most powerful woman of the Napoleonic era?' 'Did women weild 'soft power', 'hard power' or just plain old power?' and 'have women been quietly weilding the power for years, while the men fail to notice?' This episode of the Napoleonic Wars Pod delves into the complex dynamics of power during the Napol...

In this episode of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we sit down with author, reenactor, and historian Rob Yuill to pull the Redcoated light infantry out from the long shadow of the Rifles. Why did the army convert ordinary battalions into specialist skirmishers? What problem were commanders trying to solve on the battlefields of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars? We explore the reforming vision of...

This conversation delves into the themes of Napoleonic governance and the integration of Europe, exploring the complexities of Napoleon's legacy, the cultural superiority perceived by the French, and the responses of various nations to French rule. The discussion highlights the interplay between idealism and pragmatism in governance, the lasting impacts of the Napoleonic Code, and the nuanced...

Marc Middleton joins us for a conversation that delves into the evolution of military drill within the French army during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring its significance in transforming ordinary citizens into disciplined soldiers. The discussion highlights the challenges of teaching drill, the historical context of French drill manuals, and the adaptation of tactics over time. It also emphasizes t...

In the mists off the coast of Portugal February 1797, daring disobedience, lacklustre leadership and discipline under fire came together to produce a timely and reputation-defining victory for the British at the Battle of Cape St Vincent. Naval historian Kate Jamieson takes us for a blow by blow journey through the gunsmoke and splinters to help us separate the myth from the historical reality, an...

How much do soldiers really remember of battle? What influences that memory process? And what was it like to be in the midst of the maelstrom of combat? Napoleonic re-enactor Liam Telfer, and Napoleonic historian Zack White sit down with the expert on the history of memory Luke Reynolds for an interview on how a living history immersive event can change the way that we understand conflict.  Drawin...

In the run up to our hotly anticipated interview with Sean Bean and Bernard Cornwell (titled Sharpe's Confession), Zack, Liam and Louie sit down to discuss some of the greatest moments from the Sharpe franchise. From best books to most diabolical villains we dissect the series to discuss the high points of the novels and TV series which we have so often described as 'the gateway drug into...