The Battle of Salamanca (22 July 1812) was one of the most decisive victories of the Peninsular War, where the Duke of Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese army delivered a stunning defeat to Marshal Marmont’s French forces in Spain.

In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb breaks down Wellington’s brilliant use of terrain, timing, and maneuver, including the famous counterattack that turned French overconfidence into disaster. We examine how Marmont’s risky decisions, combined with Wellington’s disciplined infantry and effective artillery, led to a crushing rout of the French army.

We also explore the battle’s aftermath: the liberation of Madrid, the strategic boost for Allied forces, and the growing legend of Wellington as a master of coalition warfare. Salamanca demonstrated the importance of initiative, observation, and decisive leadership in the Napoleonic battlefield.

If you’re fascinated by Napoleonic battles, Wellington’s campaigns, and Spanish warfare, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Queen Hortense de Beauharnais was a key figure in Napoleon’s family and political network. Daughter of Empress Josephine, stepdaughter to Napoleon, and later Queen of Holland, Hortense’s life was a mix of royal duty, personal ambition, and turbulent romance. She was also the mother of Napoleon III, shaping the future of France long after her own reign ended.

In this episode, special guest Beatrice Knight will explore Hortense’s life from her early years in the French aristocracy, to her arranged marriage to Louis Bonaparte, and her challenges as Queen of Holland. We examine her complex relationship with Napoleon, her efforts to assert independence, and the political intrigues surrounding her family during the Napoleonic Empire.

We also delve into Hortense’s later life in exile and her influence on the upbringing of Napoleon III, highlighting how her legacy extended far beyond Holland’s throne. Hortense’s story reveals the human side of the Napoleonic dynasty, where loyalty, love, and ambition intersected with politics and war.

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X/Twitter: @JBeatriceKnight, @andnapoleon

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General Lazare Hoche Foy was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most capable and underrated generals. Known for his courage, tactical skill, and disciplined leadership, Foy played a critical role in campaigns across France, Spain, and the Napoleonic battlefields of Europe.

In this episode, we explore Foy’s rise through the ranks of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic armies, his command in the Peninsular War, and his contributions to France’s military efforts in some of the era’s most challenging campaigns. We examine his leadership style, his successes in both offensive and defensive battles, and why he was respected by allies and feared by enemies.

Despite his talents, Foy often found himself overshadowed by the fame of Napoleon’s marshals. Yet his influence on battlefield tactics and the French army’s effectiveness was significant, demonstrating how skillful commanders could shape outcomes even without glory.

Was General Foy a hidden genius of Napoleon’s army, or simply unlucky to serve under the shadow of more famous leaders? This episode explores his career, battles, and enduring legacy as one of the Napoleonic Era’s most remarkable yet underappreciated generals.

If you’re fascinated by Napoleonic generals, the Peninsular War, and French military history, this episode is a must-watch.

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Armand de Caulaincourt was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s closest aides and diplomats, known for his loyalty, intelligence, and honesty. Serving as Master of the Horse, ambassador to Russia, and a key advisor during critical campaigns, Caulaincourt witnessed the triumphs and tragedies of the French Empire firsthand.

In this episode, special guest Irene Kim will explore Caulaincourt’s career, from his early military service to his role as Napoleon’s personal confidant. We examine his crucial diplomatic missions, including negotiations with Tsar Alexander I, and his efforts to advise Napoleon against the disastrous Russian invasion of 1812. Beyond diplomacy, Caulaincourt also provided insight into the Emperor’s character, writing memoirs that remain invaluable for historians today.

We also discuss Caulaincourt’s courage and dedication on the battlefield, his balancing of loyalty and conscience, and how he navigated the complex politics of Napoleon’s court. His life shows the human side of Napoleonic strategy: the men who shaped decisions behind the scenes and sometimes tried—and failed—to temper the Emperor’s ambition.

Was Caulaincourt a loyal servant, a voice of reason, or a tragic witness to the downfall of Napoleon? This episode highlights his life, service, and enduring legacy as one of the Empire’s most important yet often overlooked figures.

If you’re interested in Napoleon’s inner circle, Napoleonic diplomacy, and the personalities behind the battles, this episode is a must-watch.

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Twitter: @2econd_crossing, @andnapoleon

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The Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815) was the climactic showdown that ended Napoleon’s rule and reshaped Europe forever. Facing the combined forces of the Duke of Wellington and Prussian Field Marshal Blücher, Napoleon’s army suffered a decisive defeat that marked the fall of the French Empire.

In this episode, Marcus Cribb will break down the strategies, key movements, and pivotal moments of the battle. From Napoleon’s initial attacks on Wellington’s positions at Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte, to the timely arrival of Blücher’s Prussian forces, we analyze why the Emperor’s legendary tactics ultimately failed.

We also explore the myths behind the fight: Napoleon’s command decisions, alongside the courage and sacrifice of soldiers on both sides. The battle’s outcome had lasting consequences, ending Napoleon’s Hundred Days, restoring the Bourbon monarchy, and shaping European politics for decades.

Was Waterloo simply a tactical blunder, or the inevitable result of coalition pressure, logistics, and exhaustion? This episode dives into the lessons, myths, and realities of one of history’s most famous battles.

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Sir John Kincaid was an officer in the British army who served with distinction during the Peninsular War. Best known for his memoirs, Kincaid provides one of the most vivid and detailed firsthand accounts of life on campaign, the battles of Wellington’s army, and the daily realities of Napoleonic warfare.

In this episode, special guest Luke Reynolds will explore Kincaid’s military career, from his early enlistment to his experiences in Spain and Portugal. We highlight his role in key battles, his observations on soldiers, officers, and battlefield tactics, and the human side of campaigning—courage, hardship, and camaraderie in the face of war.

Kincaid’s memoirs remain a crucial resource for historians and enthusiasts alike, offering an intimate window into the Napoleonic Wars that goes beyond strategy and tactics. His writings reveal the challenges of logistics, morale, and leadership, and provide context for the victories and setbacks of Wellington’s campaigns.

If you’re interested in British military history, the Peninsular War, and firsthand Napoleonic accounts, this episode is a must-watch.

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X/Twitter: @lureynol, @andnapoleon

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Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais was more than Napoleon’s first wife—she was a key figure in the social and political life of Napoleonic France. Known for her charm, elegance, and intelligence, Joséphine influenced the Emperor, the court, and even French fashion, leaving a lasting legacy on history.

In this episode, special guest Rachael Stark explores Joséphine’s early life, her first marriage, and rise to prominence in Revolutionary France. We examine her relationship with Napoleon: the passion, the political alliance, and the heartbreak of their eventual divorce. Beyond romance, Joséphine’s role as Empress included hosting influential parties, fostering diplomacy, and supporting the arts, all while navigating the pressures of empire and court intrigue.

We also explore her personal style, her role as a mother, and her enduring influence on the Bonaparte dynasty, including her impact on Napoleon III. Joséphine’s life reveals the human and emotional side of power in the Napoleonic Era, where love, ambition, and politics often collided.

Was Empress Joséphine merely a socialite, or a subtle political force who helped shape Napoleonic France? This episode delves into her life, influence, and legacy as one of the most fascinating women of the era.

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Sir John Moore was one of Britain’s most important—and often overlooked—generals of the Napoleonic Wars. A reformer, battlefield commander, Moore helped shape the modern British Army long before his famous last stand in Spain.

In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb explores Moore’s military career, from his early service in the French Revolutionary Wars to his role in transforming British infantry training, where he emphasized discipline, initiative, and light infantry tactics. These reforms would later become the foundation of British success in the Peninsular War.

The story culminates with Moore’s daring winter retreat across northern Spain and his final battle at Corunna (1809), where he was mortally wounded while securing the evacuation of the British army. His death turned him into a symbol of sacrifice, professionalism, and duty—praised even by his enemies.

Was Sir John Moore a tragic hero, a military innovator ahead of his time, or the true father of Wellington’s army? This episode examines his life, leadership, and lasting impact on British military history.

If you’re interested in Napoleonic Britain, British generals, and the early Peninsular War, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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La Fayette is an intriguing figure - he participated in not one, but two major world revolutions. The American Revolutionary War went well for him, but the French Revolution did not. He was also frequently at loggerheads with Napoleon and his empire. We walk through his story with special guest Emmanuel Dubois.

X/Twitter: @lafayettepod, @andnapoleon

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Czar Alexander I of Russia was one of Napoleon’s most powerful and complex rivals—the monarch who ultimately helped bring down the French Empire. Idealistic, deeply religious, and politically shrewd, Alexander played a central role in the wars that reshaped Europe.

In this episode, special guest Alexander Mikaberidze will explore Alexander’s rise to the Russian throne, his shifting relationship with Napoleon—from enemy to uneasy ally after Tilsit, and back to bitter opponent during the 1812 invasion of Russia. We examine his leadership during Russia’s scorched-earth defense, the fall of Moscow, and how perseverance and coalition warfare turned Napoleon’s greatest campaign into catastrophe.

The story continues with Alexander’s transformation into the driving force behind the Sixth Coalition, his march into Paris, and his influence at the Congress of Vienna, where he helped determine the post-Napoleonic order of Europe. Along the way, we explore his personality, beliefs, and the contradictions that made him both visionary and unpredictable.

Was Alexander a reluctant warrior, a moral crusader, or Napoleon’s most dangerous political opponent? This episode breaks down his role in defeating Napoleon and shaping Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.

If you’re interested in Napoleon’s greatest enemies, the Russian campaign of 1812, and coalition warfare, this episode is a must-watch.

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