The Battle of Bussaco: The Peninsular War Saga

On the 27th September 1810, British and Portuguese forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington defeated a French army under Marshal Massena. Dr Graeme Callister joins us for this latest instalment of our Peninsular War saga to talk through how Wellington's men fended off French attacks, discuss whether this was a battle that Wellington couldn't lose, and what this meant for the wider context of the Peninsular War.Buy Graeme's books:https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Graeme-Callister/a/4546https://www.helion.co.uk/people/graeme-callister.phpSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

The Peninsular War series meets our battle series as we deep dive the Battle of Bussaco in the first of a two-parter on Wellington and Massena's duel in the Portuguese mountains. Graeme Callister joins us to talk about the French plan of operations, why their reconnaissance was so poor, and why Massena was so desperate to attack Wellington on his mountaintop position.Get Graeme's books: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Graeme-Callister/a/4546https://www.helion.co.uk/people/graeme-callister.phpSupport the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodTimestamps00:00 Introduction to the Battle of Basarco01:47 Strategic context of the Peninsular War in 181003:50 French and Allied army conditions and morale06:49 Terrain features and geographic challenges11:12 French plans and reconnaissance errors15:06 Wellington's defensive strategy and troop deployment20:11 French misconceptions and attack plans25:00 Terrain's impact on the battle's outcome29:56 French troop conditions and leadership issues34:59 The importance of terrain in 1810 warfare39:54 French tactical errors and missed opportunities45:07 The aftermath and significance of Basarco

Josh Provan returns for another instalment of our blow by blow retelling of the Peninsular War, which this episode being the first in a triple bill of Peninsular-focused episodes. We cover the Combat at the Coa, the combobulation of Black Bob Craufurd, and 'the big bang' that ended the siege of Almeida.Buy Josh's books: https://www.helion.co.uk/people/joshua-provan.phpSupport the show at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

Wellington famously dismissed his rank and file as a band of criminals, rogues and reprobates who were hammered into a fine fighting force by the British military establishment. His infamous 'scum of the earth' comment has cast a long shadow over the reputation of the British soldiers who fought during the Napoleonic Wars. In this wide-ranging discussion, Liam Telfer and Dr Luke Reynolds dissect the reputation of soldiers during this period, separating myth and reality.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thenapoleonicwarspod

We all love to hate the Napoleon Movie - high hopes left dashed by a lacklustre storytelling, sloppy editing and a disdain for the historical. Now meet the man who wants to right that wrong! Connor O'Brien is a producer who wants to create a short film about a soldier in the Battle of Lundy's Lane, fought in Canada in 1814. His vision is for this project to be a stepping stone to a much larger production about set at the Battle of Waterloo.I sat down with him to talk about his vision behind 'The Coward' (the short film he's creating), why he is putting historical accuracy front and centre of his film making, and how, in his words, he's bringing a 'Saving Private Ryan' approach to the Napoleonic Wars.This is a fantastic project which we're very keen to support. If you would like to chip in to the fundraiser, check out the link below - you will not be charged unless the project reaches its funding goal.Support 'The Coward': https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/exorbito/the-coward-short-war-film-2026Find out more about the project: https://thecoward1812.com

Napoleon III was in equal parts implausible, hapless and ambitious. But in 1848 he finally succeeded in achieving his long-held ambition of taking power in France. In the second instalment of our exploration of Napoleon III's life, we explore how he bounced back from his second failed coup, seized the initiative in the course of the 1848 revolution, and honed his populist style of politics to appeal to all sides of the political divides. How did he reverse his fortunes as an escaped political prisoner to become President of France, and why as President did he decide to carry out yet another coup? Edward Shawcross returns to take us through this rollercoaster of French politics and intrigue.Get Edward's books: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571361304-the-peoples-emperor/?srsltid=AfmBOoomYEkfA0l83B2WxSnkmV7WFm30bUTqFFdkdxD7UlFQs7ltCPIfhttps://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571360581-the-last-emperor-of-mexico/Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodChapters00:00 Introduction to Louis Napoleon and his coups02:12 Exile in London and social life in the demi-monde03:49 Louis Napoleon's political ambitions and 1848 revolution07:08 The rise of the Second Republic and the new electoral landscape11:52 Louis Napoleon's electoral strategy and populist appeal15:49 The 1848 presidential election and his surprising victory21:05 The use of plebiscites and propaganda to legitimize power25:02 The 1851 coup d'etat and the path to empire29:57 Challenges faced by Louis Napoleon as president35:00 The expedition to Rome and foreign policy missteps40:05 Consolidation of power and the 1852 referendum44:49 The legacy of Louis Napoleon and lessons on populismkeywordsLouis Napoleon, Napoleon III, French history, populism, coup d'etat, 19th-century France, political strategy, democracy, revolution, empire

This year, Matthew Taylor worked in partnership with Apsley House to create a 'Waterloo Weekend' commemoration, featuring talks by top historians hosted in the Waterloo banquet room in the Duke of Wellington's London Residence, Apsley House - also known as 'Number One, London.Featuring Graeme Callister, Michael Rayner, Luke Reynolds, Matthew Taylor, and some reprobate called Zack White, the Napoleonic Wars Podcast was privileged to be given exclusive access to the event to record the talks, which we now present for your viewing pleasure. So be prepared to shout 'Vive L'Empereur', 'God Save the King', and declare that 'Now is your time' as we recount the Battle of Waterloo, revisit the Waterloo Banquet, remind ourselves of Wellington's crime and punishment nightmares, and consider the experiences of black soldiers in the Napoleonic era in a two hour extravaganza.Visit Apsley House: https://www.wellingtoncollection.co.ukSupport our work at patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Who were the Royal Engineers? How were they formed? What did they do? And why do they matter in the context of the Napoleonic Wars? The world's leading expert on the Royal Engineers during the Napoleonic Wars, Dr Mark Thompson, returns to the show to discuss this unit, their impact, and their controversies during the Napoleonic era. We discuss everything from crime to animosity with 'Black Bob' Craufurd and notable figures such as John Fox Burgoyne.Mark's Books:https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Mark-S-Thompson/a/2446https://www.helion.co.uk/people/mark-s-thompson.phpKeywordsRoyal Engineers, Napoleonic Wars, military engineering, John Fox Burgoyne, Wellington, siegecraft, military history, engineering legacyChapters00:00 Introduction to the Royal Engineers02:29 The Origins of the Royal Engineers05:05 Engineering Duties in the Napoleonic Era10:04 Reputation and Perception of the Royal Engineers14:01 Promotion and Structure within the Royal Engineers19:51 Characteristics of Royal Engineers22:51 Behaviour and Discipline of Royal Engineers31:29 John Fox Burgoyne and His Legacy31:39 The Legacy of John Fox Burgoyne35:30 Burgoyne's Role in the Royal Engineers38:17 The Napoleonic Wars: Engineers in Action46:08 Challenges Faced by Military Engineers52:03 The Controversy of the Waterloo Map01:01:27 Memoirs and Historical Accounts of Engineers01:05:09 The Evolving Reputation of the Royal Engineers

What if the British army wasn't actually that British? Alistair Nichols joins us to look at the Foreign troops who took the 'King's Shilling' and served under the British flag. We look at their motivations, their contributions and whether they have been saddled with an unjustified reputation for desertion.Buy Alistair's books: https://www.helion.co.uk/people/alistair-nichols.phpSupport the show at: www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodKeywords: British Army, Napoleonic Wars, foreign soldiers, Swiss Regiment, German Legion, military recruitment, desertion, prisoners of war, foreign regiments, military historyTimestamps00:00 Introduction to Foreign Troops in the British Army02:49 Perceptions and Stigmas Surrounding Foreign Soldiers05:59 Stereotypes and Positive Accounts of Foreign Soldiers09:08 Diverse Sources of Foreign Soldiers12:00 The Multinational Nature of the British Army15:03 Reasons for Recruitment of Foreign Soldiers17:47 The Longevity and Future of Foreign Regiments29:10 The Evolution of Foreign Regiments in the British Army31:24 The Risks of Joining the British Army34:53 Desertion and Recruitment of Foreign Soldiers40:35 French Emigres and Their Role in the British Army43:34 The Stories of French Soldiers in British Service54:35 Life After Service for Foreign Soldiers

France's experiment with Bonapartism did not end in 1815. Edward Shawcross joins us to explore the baffling and improbably life of Napoleon III - the nephew of the Emperor who seemed to have all of the ambition, and none of the talent, of the original Napoleon.Get Edward's books: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571361304-the-peoples-emperor/?srsltid=AfmBOoomYEkfA0l83B2WxSnkmV7WFm30bUTqFFdkdxD7UlFQs7ltCPIfhttps://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571360581-the-last-emperor-of-mexico/Support us at: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Napoleon III and his historical context01:54 The family background and early life of Napoleon III07:06 Myth vs. reality: Napoleon III's perception and legacy14:52 The political landscape of 19th century France and Bonapartism25:01 Napoleon III's early attempts at power and exile39:56 The farcical coups and escape attempts of Napoleon III54:59 The political ideas and ambitions of Napoleon III in prison01:04:49 Conclusion: The legacy and myth of Napoleon III