The Napoleonic Quarterly

Quartermaster Productions
  • 4.8 (42)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

Taking the epic conflicts of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars three months at a time. Each episode features interviews with leading historians of the period - covering the campaigns, diplomacy and political dramas of an extraordinary 24 years.

  1. Sep 7

    1804 recap: Imperial tensions

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1804 - the year in which France gets an emperor once again, and Europe gets an imperial-sized problem. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily (just) before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which there is plenty of change - and lots of slowly developing tension. As well as Napoleon Bonaparte's coronation as Emperor following the uncovering of the Cadoudal-Pichegru plot earlier in the year, we see these themes mirrored in Britain becoming jumpy over intensifying French invasion threat, leading to William Pitt's return as prime minister. Russia breaks relations with France as a result of the deeply controversial kidnapping of the Duc D'Enghien, apparently on Napoleon's orders, whilst Britain moves against Spain by seizing its treasure ships. Old regimes like Austria are reshaping themselves with Francis becoming a new kind of emperor, whilst the United States is moving into new territory - literally - with the Lewis and Clark Expedition setting off. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

  2. Aug 29

    Scenes from a Napoleon movie (screenplay wrap-up, pt2/2)

    It is with a mixture of great embarrassment at my own over-acting and guilt at such outrageous self-indulgence that I, Alex Stevenson, presenter of the Napoleonic Quarterly, provide you, the poor suffering listeners, with an outpouring of thespian histrionics: the concluding episode of our screenplay-concocting relaunch side-project, the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly. In this episode Ben Deery, who thankfully knows a thing or two about acting, works his way alongside my own miserable efforts through the most excitable scenes from the pen of James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting. Napoleon: One Last Job may never actually get made, but at least you get to hear a grown man pretend to be both Napoleon and Josephine in the same scene. Or, perhaps more wisely, there is the opportunity to listen to the whole screenplay read by a surprisingly effective AI American lady on Patreon... Please send through any comments or questions to the usual places - the hope is that we will be able to do a listener feedback episode, as well as putting this to the professors for their verdict. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    Scenes from a Napoleon movie (screenplay wrap-up, pt2/2)

  3. Aug 22

    We wrote a Napoleon movie! (screenplay wrap-up pt1/2)

    This mini-episode unveils the end product from our Napoleon movie discussions: an actual first draft of a screenplay which tells the story of Bonaparte's rise to power. It's now available on Patreon, for the consideration of our esteemed Quartermasters. In the meantime, first James Topham and then Alex Stevenson offer their own versions of what the treatment actually looks like. With Ben Deery doing French accents in the background. Help us produce more episodes by joining the Napoleonic Quarterly community on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    We wrote a Napoleon movie! (screenplay wrap-up pt1/2)

  4. Aug 12

    1803 recap: Against the odds

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1803 - a year in which peace between France and Britain collapses, and the cause of Haitian independence is finally realised. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which, despite attack dogs and the death of Toussaint Louverture, the French are defeated on Saint-Domingue and Dessalines emerges as the leader to achieve independence for Haiti. This is the year which sees the Louisiana Purchase, an astonishing moment which turns the United States into a continental power overnight. And in Europe Britain declares war once again on France, setting up endless debates about whose fault the demise of the Peace of Amiens really was. Meanwhile the Swiss Confederation is created thanks to the signature of Napoleon Bonaparte - and in India an up and coming general called Arthur Wellesley achieves a striking victory at the Battle of Assaye which effectively ends the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1803 recap: Against the odds

  5. Aug 6

    1802 recap: Haiti's fight for freedom

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1802 - a year in which the French mission to recapture Saint-Domingue combines deception and brutality as the stakes grow ever higher. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which, whilst the main action takes place in the Caribbean, there is plenty of activity in Europe too. From the annexation of Piedmont to the invasion of Switzerland and the redrawing of the political map in Germany, the French are calling the shots across the continent. Napoleon Bonaparte takes another step towards empire by being made First Consul for life. And whilst the British are forcing the Marathas to abandon their independence hopes in India and the Peace of Amiens ends the war between France and Britain, the reality is this is not a world where anything is going to stay settled for very long. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1802 recap: Haiti's fight for freedom

  6. Jul 30

    1801 recap: Making war and making peace

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1801 - a year in which Britain and France make peace, despite a widening canvas of war spreading across from Europe across the globe. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which Napoleon Bonaparte, having secured a Concordat with the Catholic Church, sends troops to recapture Saint-Domingue and gets himself elected president in Italy. Russia's League of Armed Neutrality is thwarted by Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Copenhagen before Tsar Paul's assassination prompts a change of course in St Petersburg. The British are on the offensive in Egypt and in India, but William Pitt resigns as Prime Minister. Thomas Jefferson is finally elected President and the US is fighting the first Barbary war... and there's the War of the Oranges between Spain and Portugal as well. Is this a winding-down year? No - it's one of the most dramatic of them all. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1801 recap: Making war and making peace

  7. Jul 22

    Power without dignity: Napoleon's Brumaire sacrifice (screenplay plotting, mins 105-120)

    In the eighth and final 15 minutes of our screenplay treatment, Napoleon really is trying to get this one last job done by completing the Brumaire coup. But his bid for his ultimate goal requires an unexpected sacrifice and is dependent on an essential contribution from his now thoroughly beloved Josephine. With a new framing device underlining the crucial role of Paul Barras in this story as the antagonist, we're sprinting for a finish line - and a certain comfy chair for our leading man. Yes, it's episode nine of our screenwriting escapade, in which we complete our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have tried their uppermost to come up with the magic themselves. As our resident artificial aide-de-camp NAIpoleon Bot-aparte puts it: [02:27] The Recap of the "Rotten Pear": James catches us up on Act Three so far, featuring Napoleon’s desertion from Egypt, a "titanic" row with Josephine, and a dinner with Barras that changes everything. [12:12] History is a Farce: Alex reads from Zamoyski’s biography, revealing the hilarious historical reality of the coup: a bucking horse, a stress-induced facial rash, and a very "undone" Napoleon. [17:03] Dramatic Masterstroke or "Sh*tshow"?: The team debates whether Napoleon’s historical bungling of the coup is a screenwriting disaster or an ironic opportunity for a "stunning performance." [19:13] The Ultimate Sacrifice: Alex pitches a thematic climax where Napoleon trades his "Great Man" dignity and romantic ideals for the grubbiness of actual power. [21:45] The Novella as a Blunt Instrument: Ben suggests a high-action alternative involving Napoleon beating a man unconscious with his own rolled-up novella manuscript. [28:35] The Framing Device Rabbit Hole: A deep dive into the art of the framing device, featuring references to The Princess Bride, Amadeus, and the "triangle" used in the World Snooker Championship. [33:10] Perspectives on a Dinner: The hosts pitch a circular narrative structure that uses a dinner with Barras to show how the "urbane puppet master" became the man who "owes Napoleon everything." [43:03] Marinara in the Sticks: Exploring the "fitting end" for Barras—sidelined to a provincial town like Ray Liotta at the end of Goodfellas with nothing but bad pasta sauce for company. [45:28] The Bonaparte Whisperer: Josephine finally gets an active role in the heist, proving she is a master survivor who knows exactly how to handle smitten Directory presidents and resignation letters. [52:36] The Dictator’s Comfy Chair: The team lands on a final image involving a circular seating arrangement, an enigmatic grin, and the most crucial question of the production: "Who is going to play the pug?" Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    Power without dignity: Napoleon's Brumaire sacrifice (screenplay plotting, mins 105-120)

  8. Jul 18

    1800 recap: From Marengo to Moreau

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1800 - a year in which Napoleon Bonaparte achieves one of his greatest victories to consolidate his new position of power in France. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which Bonaparte's victory at Marengo ensures success in the Italian campaign - but it's Moreau's big result at Hohenlinden later in the year which arguably proves more decisive. Ultimately 1800 is a year in which there are lots of developments bubbling up all over the place: the US election, the British busy against the French in Egypt, the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland, the Septinsular Republic formed in the Ionian Islands, Tsar Paul forming the League of Armed Neutrality... and a proto-car bomb very nearly ending Bonaparte's life to round things off. Everything, everywhere, all at once. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1800 recap: From Marengo to Moreau
See All (193)

Trailers

4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

Taking the epic conflicts of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars three months at a time. Each episode features interviews with leading historians of the period - covering the campaigns, diplomacy and political dramas of an extraordinary 24 years.

Information

  • Creator
    Quartermaster Productions
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    193
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Quartermaster Productions
  • Show Website
    The Napoleonic Quarterly

You Might Also Like