The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

Zack White
  • 4.9 (121)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? What was his legacy on history? And why, more than 200 years later, does the conflict which he gave his name to still matter? Join award-winning Napoleonic historians Dr Zack White, Dr Luke Reynolds, and Liam Telfer as they host Europe's leading show devoted to the American War of Independence, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. From interviews with leading researchers, to deep dive debates on some of the big questions, this show is ideal for those who want to start building their knowledge or deepen their understanding of the period.

  1. 5H AGO

    Marshal Massena

    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 relationship between the two men, and the peaks and troughs of his career, stymied by ill health. This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Marshal Massena, a prominent figure in the Napoleonic Wars. The discussion covers his early life, rise through the military ranks during the French Revolution, his command style, significant victories in Italy, and the challenges he faced during the Peninsular War. The conversation also explores his retirement, return to service, and the impact of his health on his later years, culminating in his death in 1817. Throughout, the complexities of his character and the perceptions of his legacy are examined. Chapters 00:00 The Legacy of Marshal Massena 03:00 Early Life and Military Beginnings 05:45 Rise to Prominence in the Revolutionary Army 09:09 Command Style and Relationships with Peers 12:10 Key Contributions in the Italian Campaigns 14:53 Controversies and Command Challenges 18:03 Strategic Brilliance in Switzerland 20:46 Post-Genoa and Retirement Life 23:55 Return to Service and the Peninsular War 35:12 The Impact of Mental and Physical Strain 36:22 Injuries and Their Consequences 37:15 Elevation to Prince of Essling 38:48 Challenges in the Peninsula War 40:34 Expectations and Realities of Command 42:08 Resource Limitations in Spain 43:45 Reputation After the Peninsula War 46:20 Napoleon's Disappointment with Messena 50:31 Return to Napoleon's Side in 1815 54:54 The End of Messena's Military Career 58:51 Legacy and Historical Perception

    1h 4m

  2. MAR 8

    Most powerful woman of the Napoleonic era

    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 Napoleonic era, focusing on the influence of women such as Josephine, Queen Louise of Prussia, and Dorothea von Lieven. The discussion explores the distinctions between hard and soft power, the role of women in shaping political landscapes, and the legacy of these influential figures. Through engaging pitches and lively debate, the guests highlight how these women navigated a male-dominated world to exert their influence and power. Beatrice de Graaf joins the usual gang to debate this topic. Chapters 00:00 The Riddle of Power 02:57 Defining Power: Hard vs. Soft 05:53 Influence Behind the Throne 08:47 The Role of Women in Power Dynamics 12:01 Napoleon's Circle: Who Influences Him? 14:52 The Power of Memory and Propaganda 18:00 Pitching Powerful Women of the Era 21:07 The Case for Dorothea von Lieven 23:48 Queen Louise of Prussia: A Political Force 27:02 Josephine: The Empress Behind the Emperor 30:07 The Legacy of Powerful Women

    1h 34m

  3. MAR 1

    Redcoat Light Infantry

    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 John Moore and the relentless field standards of Robert Craufurd, the leadership culture that forged units like the 43rd, 52nd, 68th and beyond into something entirely new. Not riflemen, but line infantry trained to think, move and fight independently, screening armies, probing terrain, harassing columns, and shaping the battlefield before the main line ever fired a volley.How did they train? How did they fight without rifles? Where did they succeed, and where did the system crack under campaign pressure? And why does popular history still misunderstand them?Finally, we assess their true legacy in the victories of the Duke of Wellington and why the Redcoat light infantry may have been a decisive instrument of British warfare in the Napoleonic age.For more on Rob's work, please visit ⁠https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Rob-Yuill/a/3769To support the show go to https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

    1 hr

  4. FEB 22

    Napoleon's Unified Europe?

    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 perspectives on gender roles during this period. The guests, Alexander Mikaberidze and Doina Harsanyi, provide insights into their edited volume, discussing the motivations behind the conference that led to its creation and the diverse contributions from scholars in the field. Get the books: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-96467-1 https://academic.oup.com/book/43775 https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-97340-7 Support the show at patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

    1h 19m

  5. FEB 15

    Fighting like Napoleon's Men: French drill 1789-1815

    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 the importance of immersion in reenactment to better understand military history and the evolution of drill practices across the French Empire. Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Napoleonic Wars and Drill 02:56 The Importance of Drill in Military Training 05:49 Challenges of Teaching Drill to Soldiers 09:02 Historical Context of French Drill Manuals 11:56 Evolution of French Military Tactics 15:04 The Role of Drill in Revolutionary France 18:01 Adapting Drill for Mass Mobilization 20:57 The Impact of Continuous Warfare on Training 24:00 The French Army's Response to Changing Tactics 26:55 Standardization of Drill Across the French Empire 29:47 Post-War Evolution of Military Drill 33:04 The Value of Immersion in Reenactment 35:45 Future of Immersive Events in Military History Keywords Napoleonic Wars, French army, military drill, historical reenactment, military tactics, training, immersion, revolutionary France, drill manuals, military history

    1h 6m

  6. FEB 8

    Battle of Cape St Vincent

    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, and understand how this battle managed to forge the reputations to two men, and quash another invasion threat before it could get under way. The conversation delves into the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, exploring the context, key commanders, and the pivotal role of Nelson. It highlights the strategic maneuvers, the impact of weather, and the aftermath of the battle, including the consequences for both the British and Spanish navies. The discussion emphasizes Nelson's bold actions that led to a significant British victory and the subsequent effects on naval morale and strategy during the Revolutionary War. Keywords Battle of Cape St. Vincent, naval warfare, Nelson, Jervis, Cordoba, maritime history, Revolutionary War, British Navy, Spanish Navy, naval strategy Chapters 00:00 Setting the Stage: The Battle of Cape St. Vincent 05:47 Commanders and Their Styles: Jervis vs. Cordoba 20:02 The British Fleet: Strengths and Weaknesses 21:00 Opening Moves: Nelson's Strategic Advantage 32:55 The Battle Unfolds: Chaos and Confusion 34:10 The Spanish Fleet's Response 34:59 Nelson's Bold Maneuver 38:55 The Turning Point of the Battle 41:47 The Aftermath of Victory 49:00 The Impact on Naval Reputation 54:58 Mutinies and Morale in the Navy

    1h 4m

  7. FEB 1

    The Battle of La Boissiere Ecole: The 1815 Allied Invasion of France through two sets of eyes and two sets of cameras

    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.  Drawing on their experiences at the La Boissiere Ecole immersive campaign, they relate what they remember, what they have forgotten, and what they learnt in the course of a weekend of hard marching and frenetic fighting (or in Zack's case filming). We also discuss the role of immersive events, what they lend to the study of history, and drop a teaser about an idea that the podcast has in the pipeline. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

    1h 18m

  8. JAN 25

    Sharpe's Greatest Hits

    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 the Napoleonic era'. What do you think? What did we miss? Leave your thoughts in the comments! Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod?vanity=user Chapters (All timings approximate): 00:00 Introduction to the Sharpe Series 01:43 Debating the Greatest Sharpe Book 02:55 Liam's Pitch: Sharpe's Storm 18:40 Louie's Pitch: Sharpe's Tiger 32:41 Zack's Pitch: Sharpe's Waterloo 38:43 The Dynamics of Sharpe and Waterloo 41:22 Character Development and Historical Context 44:29 The Appeal of Historical Drama 46:12 TV Adaptations: A Mixed Bag 55:54 Imagining Future Adaptations Tags: Sharpe series, Bernard Cornwell, Napoleonic Wars, historical fiction, book review, character analysis, Sharpe's Storm, Sean Bean, military history, emotional depth.

    1h 15m
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4.9
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About

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? What was his legacy on history? And why, more than 200 years later, does the conflict which he gave his name to still matter? Join award-winning Napoleonic historians Dr Zack White, Dr Luke Reynolds, and Liam Telfer as they host Europe's leading show devoted to the American War of Independence, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. From interviews with leading researchers, to deep dive debates on some of the big questions, this show is ideal for those who want to start building their knowledge or deepen their understanding of the period.

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