Bernie Campbell is joined by Rachel Blackman-Rogers of King's College London and Olivier Aranda of the University of Western Brittany to discuss naval strategy in the Mediterranean theatre in the 1790s, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of the Nile.

• The episode explores the strategic importance of the Mediterranean for both France and Britain during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, particularly focusing on the lead-up to the French invasion of Egypt and the Battle of the Nile. It highlights how each nation’s naval priorities shifted over the 1790s depending on political alliances and military objectives.

• Olivier Aranda explains the French dilemma of having to split their naval forces between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and how this dual-front created both opportunities and problems for the French navy. The discussion contrasts the fortunes of France’s Mediterranean (Toulon) and Atlantic (Brest) fleets, illustrating the divergent outcomes and strategic thinking.

• Rachel Blackman-Rogers provides insight into British strategy, emphasizing the significance of trade, power projection, and political influence in the Mediterranean. The episode also discusses Britain’s reliance on bases, alliances with smaller regional powers, and the critical impact of controlling Mediterranean routes for economic and diplomatic reasons.

• Both speakers detail the roles and shifting alliances of other Mediterranean powers—such as Spain, Naples, Venice, the Ottoman Empire, and the Barbary States—influencing French and British strategies. The complexity of these ever-shifting diplomatic relationships is shown to be a constant challenge for both major powers.

• The consequences of the Battle of the Nile are examined in terms of their profound impact on French and British strategic options. The destruction of the French fleet isolated Napoleon in Egypt, shifted the naval initiative firmly to Britain, and set the stage for changing coalitions and further military campaigns in the region.

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Yes, it's the planning meeting once again - this is the third go in our festival of bureaucracy, the critical discussion which sees us sort out what each of our main episodes should include as topics for their three segments. The years 1804 and 1805 are exciting times for the podcast, as we actually hit the Napoleonic Wars proper. All roads lead to the fabled episode 56, covering the final quarter of 1805...

Alex Stevenson hands over the presenting reins to Josh Provan, whilst Alex Mikaberidze and Rick Schneid (in Charles' absence) lead the debate about what we should include.

Spoiler: we are going to talk about Austerlitz. And Trafalgar. Not in that order.

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1803. October… November… December… Three months in which French forces wave the white flag on Saint-Domingue... In Washington the Louisiana Purchase gets a green light from Congress - without working out the detail... And in India a series of defeats for the Marathas force Scindia to the negotiating table. This is episode 48 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the Haitian Revolution finally reaches its culmination.

[11.10] - Headline developments

[32.30] - Marlene Daut on independence for Haiti

[53.50] - Peter Kastor on the Louisiana Purchase

[1.20.00] - Ravindra Rathee on India, the Treaty of Deogaon and the end of the Second Anglo-Maratha War

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This episode offers a deep dive into the pivotal Battle of Assaye fought on September 23, 1803, a clash that shaped British dominance in India and forged the reputation of Arthur Wellesley—better known to history as the Duke of Wellington. Host Clemens Bemmann welcomes a special panel to explore the campaign, armies, personalities, and chaos that defined one of the most dramatic battles on the Indian subcontinent during the Napoleonic era. Josh Provan is the battlefield correspondent; Zack White is the East India Company expert; Andy Copestake is the Maratha army expert. Featuring:

• The Maratha Confederacy: European mercenaries, regular brigades, and command struggles

• British Army composition: The rise of Arthur Wellesley, Indian sepoys, and logistical prowess

• Lead-up to Assaye: The Treaty of Bassein, Maratha-British diplomacy, and campaign maneuvers

• The battlefield: Terrain, climate, and strategic options

• The battle unfolds: Surprise encounters, flanking maneuvers, massed artillery, discipline under fire

• Leadership and morale: Command breakdowns vs. individual heroism on both sides

• The outcome: Heavy losses, psychological aftermath, and the reshaping of Indian and British military futures

The panel considers how the mix of European mercenaries and Indian soldiers within the Maratha army both enhanced and undermined its fighting ability at Assaye; what the leadership style of Arthur Wellesley at Assaye—and the razor-thin margin of his victory—reveal about the nature of military success and reputation in the colonial era; and, in a battle filled with confusion, split-second decisions, and shifting morale, the role of discipline, training, and individual initiative in determining battles like these.

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Rachel Blackman-Rogers and Catherine Scheybeler, both of King's College London, join Alex Stevenson for an in-depth look at one of Horatio Nelson's most famous formative battles. The Royal Navy in the 1790s was always going to do well against the Spanish Navy, but it was Nelson's decisive use of initiative - and then the double-boarding to capture not one but two Spanish ships his Captain had become entangled with - which marked this battle out.

This episode also features written contributions by Rif Winfield, co-author of Pen and Sword's Warships In The Age of Sail series. Thank you to Rif for taking part. You can read Rif's contributions in full on Patreon.

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Josh Provan is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze, with Alex Stevenson and Clemens Bemmann along for the ride, to discuss some military topics in this Q&A episode. Including:

[2:00] - The Royal Navy PR machine

[10:11] - Elite units of the Napoleonic Wars

[22:30] - Suvorov in 1799

[34:00] - Feedback on our battle episodes

1803. July… August… September… Three months in which the Maratha forces are defeated by Arthur Wellesley at Assaye… Hanover becomes the latest victim to Napoleon Bonaparte’s forces… And there’s another attempted uprising in Ireland. This is episode 47 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the British and their sepoys take another step towards Empire on the Indian subcontinent.

[07:08] - Headline developments

[20:17] - Michael Rowe on the French invasion of Hanover

[39:45] - Ravindra Rathee on the end of the Second Anglo-Maratha War

[1:01:00] - Ciaran McDonnell on Emmet’s uprising

Alex Stevenson sits down with Martin Howard, author of the newly published 'The Napoleonic Wars: A Medical History' (March 2025). Together, they dive into the real and often overlooked medical realities of the Napoleonic Wars.

The discussion explores how disease, especially yellow fever and malaria, decimated armies in places like the Caribbean, frequently eclipsing battlefield casualties. Martin Howard explains the psychological, social, and strategic impact of mass disease, highlighting how military leaders and soldiers navigated the ever-present threat of death and illness during this era. The episode also delves into medical advancements, the organization of military healthcare, and personal anecdotes that bring the human cost—and resilience—of the period into sharper focus.

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Here's a brief update on the state of the podcast. The main points:

- The podcast is temporarily slowing down its pace. There will now be a main episode, three bonus episodes and three Patreon bonuses every 42 days, rather than every calendar month; published alternating weekends / midweek, ie an episode every 10/11 days rather than every 7.

- A new super-bargain priced tier is being introduced on Patreon so those who feel short-changed have the option of downgrading. It also offers incredibly good value to those who might want to join our community of Quartermasters...

Josh Provan is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze, with Alex Stevenson and Clemens Bemmann along for the ride, to discuss all things politico-diplomatic in this Q&A episode. Including:

02:30: British dirty tricks (Warning: Grumpy Charles alert)

24:00: French brinkmanship

32:00: Poland's prospects

36:32: Napoleonic ghost stories

Link: Napoleon's little red man

41:00: Listener feedback