1800. July... August... September. Three months in which the British seek to feel less insecure in southern India... in the Baltic the Russians look to muster Danish and Swedish forces against the Royal Navy... and as the United States patches things up with France, domestic tempers fray amidst the election of 1800. This is episode 35 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three worrisome months for the British as the Second Coalition hangs by a thread.

David Hollins concludes his three-part deep dive into the military action of Q2-1800 with a full hour devoted to the Battle of Marengo, a big victory for Napoleon Bonaparte over the Austrians. There is more to this battle than meets the eye, however, and here David talks us through the detail. These more in-depth explorations are the first of their kind for this podcast; please let us know your views by emailing napoleonicquarterly[at]gmail.com.

In the middle episode of this three-parter covering the fighting of Q2-1800 in more detail David Hollins talks through the siege of Genoa, Napoleon Bonaparte's famous crossing of the Alps and the critical role of the spy Carlo Gioelli - all in the build-up to the battle of Marengo.

Here's a deep dive into the fighting of 1800 in southern Germany which culminated in the battle of

This is the first part of a multi-part episode, with more to come on the fighting south of the Alps and the battle of Marengo. Stay tuned!

[4:16] - French and Austrian military planning in Q1-1800

[26:23] - who was Jean-Victor Moreau?

[33:10] - description of the campaign

[49:50] - the Battle of Höchstadt

Liam Gauci, curator at the Malta Maritime Museum, interviews Sakis Gekas, Associate Professor in the Department of History at York University. Dr Gekas is Hellenic Heritage Foundation Chair of Modern Greek History.

Following their conversation about the establishment of the Septinsular Republic on April 2nd 1800, Liam and Sakis explore the subsequent story of the Ionian Islands under French and British rule; their strategic significance for the Royal Navy; and the role of 'King Tom', Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Maitland, who ruled both Malta and the Ionian Islands.

Listen to the Hellenic Heritage Foundation's series on Greek independence here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rZzkaIwLI53F2HCbQeHNx

1800... April... May... June... Three months in which Generals Desaix and Kellermann help Napoleon to victory against the Austrians at Marengo... French hopes in Egypt receive a big setback with the assassination of their commander, General Kleber... and in the Ionian Islands off mainland Greece, a new republic emerges out of political turmoil. This is episode 34 of the Napoleonic Quarterly, in which the French succeed not only in north Italy but also in southern Germany with a decidedly underappreciated breakthrough.

[06:55] - headline developments

[09:08] - extended introduction in which Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze discuss the political and strategic importance across Europe of the Marengo and Hochstadt victories

[32:18] - David Hollins on the fighting in south Germany and north Italy, including the battles of Hochstadt and Marengo

[54:10] - Charles Mackay on the French in Egypt, including the Battle of Heliopolis and the assassination of General Kleber

[1:16:29] - Liam Gauci interviews Sakis Gekas on the establishment of the Septinsular Republic in the Ionian Islands

Professor Emeritus Elise Wirtschafter of CalPolyPomona is joined by Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile to discuss the unique nature of Russian imperialism; and the challenges and responsibilities of being historians in times of war.

1800. January... February... March... Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte familiarises himself with the levers of power... French general Jean-Victor Moreau's battle plans clash with those of his new boss... and the election to choose a new Pope becomes delayed by division. This is episode 33 of the Napoleonic Quarterly, covering three months in which the world gets used to its new century - and France to its new leader.

Featuring an extended introduction with Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze looking ahead to the two years covered by season 5 of the podcast. Plus:

[25:05] - William Doyle on Bonaparte's to-do list as France's new leader

[45:54] - David Hollins on military planning for the coming year's campaigning

[1:02:57] - Mary Robinson on the Papal Election

Bernie Campbell is joined by Charles, Alexes x2, Josh and a host of contributors and Patrons to assess the rather disappointing Hollywood blockbuster 'Napoleon'. Discussion points included:

-how Spain played absolutely no part in the Napoleonic Wars whatsoever

-the hitherto unappreciated importance of trenches at Waterloo

-why Josephine shouting 'you are fat! ' is one of the most important cinematic moments of the 21st-century

-precisely what they got wrong about those uniforms...

Become a Patron! https://www.patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

This third edition of 'Napoleonic Qs', our listener Q&A format, was recorded on 19 November 2023. Thanks to all those who have commented or left questions!

Introductory section: Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their thoughts on director Ridley Scott's attacks on historians.

[13:30] - On abusive language targeting Prof Esdaile

[23:47] - Mystery guest @liamgauci13 pops up to share some exciting news about this auction lot: https://www.auction.fr/lot/lempire-1-collection-jean-louis-noisiez-74470974?utm_source=alertes&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-Fri-2023-11-03

[35:32] - why the British (probably) made the fabric used for French uniforms

[39:07] - books!

[50:50] - the diplomatic lay of the land in the Nordic countries during the period

[1:00:25] - moral relativism, 18thC 'war crimes' and modern connections to historic slavery

[1:08:23] - why no French scholars on the podcast?

[1:10:42] - nice words about the Napoleonic Quarterly - including some nice words of our own about The Napoleonic Wars Podcast's Zack White.