The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

What did it take to survive the Napoleonic Wars? How did soldiers withstand the privations of campaign? And how did they balance the need to carry their worldly possessions on their shoulder, with the need to remain comfortable, and follow army regulations? Away from the famous battles and privileged lives of commanders, daily survival depended on clothing, equipment, and constant improvisation. I...

The French Imperial Guard has a reputation as the elite, all conquering crack troops of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. But how justified is that reputation? Dr Graeme Callister joins us to talk about the formation of the Guard, its reputation, organisation, combat record and discipline, to unpick the myth from the reality. Get exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

Professor Kevin Linch joins us for a deep dive into how the British Army waged war. We discuss the army's organisation, the role of regimental guns, infantry tactics, the challenges faced by cavalry, and the importance of artillery innovations. The conversation also explores the complexities of combined arms operations, the integration with allies, and the significant influence of the Royal Na...

The climax of our epic 'Battle of the Marshals' showdown arrives tonight, as the man who has come to define perceptions of a Chief of Staff, Louis-Alexandre Berthier, and the Iron Marshal Nicolas Davout go head to head in our grand final. After hours of discussion, pitches from our most loyal fans, votes, lobbying, balloon debates and back stabbing, we have whittled France's most exalt...

We delve into the historical context of the British defence during the early 19th century, focusing on the Fencibles, a unique military formation. The discussion highlights the origins, roles, and significance of the Fensibles in Scotland, their impact on British identity, and the complexities of soldiering during this period. Rory Butcher, PhD candidate at the University of Leeds, provides insigh...

In our first episode of this new series, Dr John McAleer and host Dr Zack White delve into the history and significance of the East India Company, exploring its origins, its role in the British Empire, and its impact on India and the world. We discuss the complexities of trade, competition, and the transition from a mercantile enterprise to a military power, culminating in the pivotal events leadi...

What was a mutiny? Why did they matter? And once you started mutinying against your officers, how did you try to ensure that you weren't executed for your troubles? Dr Callum Easton sits down with our very own Zack White to discuss mutinies in the Royal Navy and the East India Company Army as they compare and contrast the language, aims and management of these seditious acts. Buy Callum's...

On the 18th June 1815, three fires broke out in central Belgium, that would go down in the annals of military history. The first, and perhaps least well known, would actually prove to be pivotal in the scale of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, delaying the arrival of Bulow’s IV Prussian corps to the point that it would take them 12 hours to march from Wavre to Plancenoit on Napoleon’s right flank, a...

In this episode, we dive into the fierce two-day struggle that became one of the defining moments of the Peninsular War: the  Battle of Talavera . From the blazing July heat to the confusion of night assaults, we examine how Sir Arthur Wellesley—soon to become the Duke of Wellington—held his fragile Anglo-Spanish line against repeated French attacks. We explore the drama behind the battlefield: th...

In this episode, historian Josh Provan joins us to trace the tense, twisting campaign that led to the  Battle of Talavera —a confrontation born not just of French ambition, but of uneasy alliances, political blunders, and the grinding realities of Peninsular warfare. We explore how Sir Arthur Wellesley set himself and his men on a collision course with both Joseph Bonaparte’s French army  and  his...

Following the lively debate that sprang up around our episode on 'Who was better: Wellington or Napoleon', we took the time to sit down and carefully consider some of the interesting questions and counter arguments made by our listeners. Who was Wellington's Berthier? Is criticising Wellington anti-British? Was Wellington's political career really that bad? Was Napoleon really bett...

By 1815, London had long considered itself the centre of Britain and the wider Empire, so how did it respond when “the greatest victory which History records” (The Chester Chronicle) occurred a mere 200 miles from it? By co-opting it, naturally. Moving away from previous work on the Waterloo Banquet and Vauxhall’s Waterloo fete, this talk explores some of the ways in which ordinary Londoners exper...

Who was the better battlefield general? Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, or Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington, and darling (sort of) of the British army. Recently famed author of the Sharpe's series of novels Bernard Cornwell set the social media sphere ablaze by once again igniting this age old discussion. The response, predictably, divided social media, but what happens wh...

Step onto the blood-soaked fields of October 1813 as we revisit the Battle of Leipzig, the titanic clash that earned the title “Battle of the Nations.” In this episode of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast , we sit down with acclaimed historian John H. Gill to unravel the epic story of the largest battle in Europe before the First World War. Gill guides us through the dramatic build-up after Napoleon’s d...

CONTENT WARNING : There is very strong language, and discussion of topics of a sexual nature from the very start and throughout this podcast. Listener discretion is advised. Why is the idea of 'normal' sex a bit of a myth? What does it mean to be 'sexually deviant', and who gets to make that call? What happens if you are found to be 'sexually deviant'? And why did the power...

On 2nd December 1805 Napoleon achieved what was perhaps his greatest victory. Over the course of the short winter's day he shattered the coalition force arrayed against him on the Pratzen heights, in a victory that would help him to usher in a new order in Europe. But what actually happened on that bitterly cold day? Who was responsible for this crushing victory? And how the has the battle bee...

In this episode of The Napoleonic Wars Podcast , we’re joined by world renowned historian Dr. Alexander Mikaberidze, acclaimed author of The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History , for the first of a two part deep dive into one of Napoleon’s greatest triumphs: the Battle of Austerlitz. Part One, The Eve of Austerlitz , sets the stage for the clash that would reshape Europe. How did we get here? Dr. Mi...

The Battle of Assaye has been called Arthur Wellesley’s first great victory, a clash that set the stage for his later fame as the Duke of Wellington. Outnumbered six to one by the mighty Maratha Confederacy, Wellesley’s 6,500 men faced a storm of cannon fire, disciplined infantry, and thousands of cavalry in a battle that could easily have ended in disaster. Instead, through bold gambles, ruthless...

Ready to blast through the walls of Napoleonic history? In this pounding episode of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we talk to Dr Zack White about his edited collection An Unavoidable Evil - Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon. Discover how the era of Napoleon wasn't all about Austerlitz and Waterloo; from the fortresses of Izmail and Braila to Wellington’s Peninsular sieges, we uncover the dramatic...

Have you ever wondered how Britain’s redcoats marched across Europe with full bellies, coin in their pockets, and plenty of ammunition? In this episode, award winning historian Professor Kevin Linch returns to our British Army series to help us break down the gritty reality of military logistics behind the lines. We explore what was in a soldier's daily ration and how it was cooked up on campa...

Why did Britain break its mould with the Waterloo medal? Were medals really that rare? And why do they matter? Expert auctioneer Robert Wilde-Evans joins Luke and Zack to discuss how you tell the real ones from the fakes, and what a Waterloo medal really represents. We discuss how they highlight a shift in attitudes to how the British soldier is viewed during the time, what the Holy Grail is when...

What did ordinary Britons really think about the American and the French Revolutions as war erupted across the globe? In this lively episode of The Napoleonic Wars Podcast , we’re joined by Professor Emma Macleod of the University of Stirling to dig into the fascinating world of 18th Century Britain through the letters of two remarkable men: Rev. James Wodrow, a Scottish minister in Ayrshire, and...

Following the disaster of the Corunna campaign, we again turn our attention to Portugal for the next phase of our Peninsular War saga. We talk about Napoleon's unrealistic ambitions for the second French invasion of Portugal, Britain's uncertainty about committing more troops to the defence of Spain and Portugal, and the challenges that both French Marshal Soult, and British General Arthur...

How do you celebrate a war hero? Both during and in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, Britain had to find an answer to this complex question. The answer took many forms, one of which was monuments to the fallen 'heroes'. Abercrombie, Moore, Nelson and many others became the focus of a multi-million pound national project to instal monuments to their memory in St Paul's Cathedral. A...

Professor Kevin Linch joins us again for what is Act 2 covering all things rank and file careers, join us as we uncover the truth behind how a British soldiers career prgressed through pay, promotion and punishment. Professor Linch is a Professor of Modern History at the University of Leeds. He specialises in the history of Britain in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, focusing on the...