What did it take to survive the Napoleonic Wars? How did soldiers withstand the privations of campaign? And how did they balance the need to carry their worldly possessions on their shoulder, with the need to remain comfortable, and follow army regulations?

Away from the famous battles and privileged lives of commanders, daily survival depended on clothing, equipment, and constant improvisation.

In this episode, historian Dr Zack White sits down with Napoleonic historian, re-enactor, and British army veteran Liam Telfer to explore the reality of life on campaign for Napoleonic soldiers. We examine what they carried, from uniforms and packs to weapons and personal items, and how practical—or impractical—their kit often proved to be. From worn shoes and heavy coats to the constant struggle to stay dry, fed, and healthy, were uniforms a burden as a badge of identity?

The episode also looks beyond the battlefield to what truly mattered when the fighting stopped: food, shelter, firewood, repairs, and rest. We discuss how soldiers adapted their equipment, modified their uniforms, scavenged for supplies, and relied on camaraderie to endure long marches, harsh weather, and relentless campaigning.

By focusing on the ordinary soldier rather than the generals, this episode reveals how endurance, routine, and resourcefulness were just as vital as musket and bayonet in surviving the Napoleonic Wars.

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#LifeOfASoldier
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The French Imperial Guard has a reputation as the elite, all conquering crack troops of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. But how justified is that reputation? Dr Graeme Callister joins us to talk about the formation of the Guard, its reputation, organisation, combat record and discipline, to unpick the myth from the reality.

Get exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

Professor Kevin Linch joins us for a deep dive into how the British Army waged war. We discuss the army's organisation, the role of regimental guns, infantry tactics, the challenges faced by cavalry, and the importance of artillery innovations. The conversation also explores the complexities of combined arms operations, the integration with allies, and the significant influence of the Royal Navy on military campaigns. Throughout, the discussion highlights the lessons learned from both successes and failures, emphasising the resilience and adaptability of the British Army over time.

Support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/thenapoleonicwarspod

Keywords

British Army, Napoleonic Wars, military structure, tactics, artillery, cavalry, combined arms, regimental guns, Wellington, history

Chapters (Timings approximate)

00:00 The Structure of the British Army

07:57 Artillery and Regimental Guns

12:44 Infantry Tactics and Formations

17:19 Defensive Strategies and Perceptions

21:31 Combined Arms Operations

26:13 The Role of Corps and Divisions

30:26 Cavalry Effectiveness and Challenges

32:05 The Doctrine of the British Cavalry

36:54 Artillery Innovations and Tactics

41:05 Commanders in Crisis: Successes and Failures

45:38 Professionalization of the British Army

53:34 Integration with Allied Forces

01:00:00 The Role of the Navy in British Military Success

01:06:34 Lessons Learned: Resilience and Adaptation

The climax of our epic 'Battle of the Marshals' showdown arrives tonight, as the man who has come to define perceptions of a Chief of Staff, Louis-Alexandre Berthier, and the Iron Marshal Nicolas Davout go head to head in our grand final.

After hours of discussion, pitches from our most loyal fans, votes, lobbying, balloon debates and back stabbing, we have whittled France's most exalted commanders of the Napoleonic era down to just two. Who wins? You decide.

Professor Edward Coss, Emeritus Professor of the United States Command and General Staff College champions Bethier, whilst the maestro of the Marshal series Rachael Stark fights for Davout in an extended debate that ranges widely on these men's skills, flaws, greatest success, and biggest embarrassment. Who take the crown is in your hands. Comment below, vote on social media, share with your friends, and get involved in the discussion, to see your favourite take one of the greatest titles in Napoleonic history: Napoleon's Greatest Marshal.

Merry Christmas to all our fans, and a huge thanks to everyone who has been involved in this incredible series.

Support out show: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thenapoleonicwarspod

We delve into the historical context of the British defence during the early 19th century, focusing on the Fencibles, a unique military formation. The discussion highlights the origins, roles, and significance of the Fensibles in Scotland, their impact on British identity, and the complexities of soldiering during this period.

Rory Butcher, PhD candidate at the University of Leeds, provides insights into how the Fencibles were formed as a response to military needs and how they navigated issues of loyalty, identity, and service.

Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

Find out more on Rory's work at: https://x.com/RMB_History

Chapters (Timings Approximate)

00:00 The Context of the British Defence

08:53 Understanding the Fencibles

17:46 The Role and Responsibilities of the Fencibles

25:01 Cultural Impact and Legacy of the Fencibles

35:32 Regimental Justice and Discipline

38:46 Desertion and Its Implications

41:14 The Nature of Soldiering Contracts

46:07 Professionalism in the Army

50:51 British Identity and the Fencibles

55:45 The Complexity of Military Identity

Keywords

British Defence, Fencibles, Scottish History, Napoleonic Wars, Military History, Home Defence, British Identity, Soldiering, 18th Century, Jacobite Rebellion

In our first episode of this new series, Dr John McAleer and host Dr Zack White delve into the history and significance of the East India Company, exploring its origins, its role in the British Empire, and its impact on India and the world. We discuss the complexities of trade, competition, and the transition from a mercantile enterprise to a military power, culminating in the pivotal events leading to the Battle of Plassey.

Support the show on patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thenapoleonicwarspod

Takeaways

The East India Company was a major player in global trade.

It significantly impacted the lives of millions across continents.

The company laid the foundations for the British Empire in India.

Understanding the East India Company is crucial for grasping Britain's multicultural society.

The company's rise was not inevitable; it faced many challenges.

The Mughal Empire was a sophisticated political entity during the company's early years.

European rivalries influenced the dynamics of trade in India.

The East India Company transitioned from trade to military power in the 18th century.

The company became a state in disguise, exerting political control.

The Battle of Plassey marked a turning point in the company's history.

Chapters (timings approximate)

00:00 The Rise of the East India Company

11:03 Understanding the Impact of Imperialism

21:00 Navigating Competition in the Indian Ocean

29:51 Cultural Perceptions and Misunderstandings

31:44 The East India Company: A Historical Perspective

35:46 Understanding the Mughal Empire's Influence

40:33 European Rivalries and Diplomatic Maneuvers

45:39 The Tenuous Position of the English Company

49:49 Transition to Military Power

54:38 Proxy Wars and Political Intrigues

59:44 The Metamorphosis of the East India Company

KEYWORDS

East India Company, British Empire, imperialism, history, trade, globalization, colonialism, Mughal Empire, military history, 18th century

What was a mutiny? Why did they matter? And once you started mutinying against your officers, how did you try to ensure that you weren't executed for your troubles?

Dr Callum Easton sits down with our very own Zack White to discuss mutinies in the Royal Navy and the East India Company Army as they compare and contrast the language, aims and management of these seditious acts.

Buy Callum's book at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-98840-0?source=shoppingads&locale=en-gb&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18594397130&gbraid=0AAAAADu685NMss3J-EAb3lpHn8W_5Vewg&gclid=CjwKCAiA3L_JBhAlEiwAlcWO5xKSiyBlZglKfhzAiVZjaxCo3gkrLjt1QW0v0utISfpk5P9kFpVPtBoChQUQAvD_BwE

Support our work at: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thenapoleonicwarspod

On the 18th June 1815, three fires broke out in central Belgium, that would go down in the annals of military history.

The first, and perhaps least well known, would actually prove to be pivotal in the scale of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, delaying the arrival of Bulow’s IV Prussian corps to the point that it would take them 12 hours to march from Wavre to Plancenoit on Napoleon’s right flank, arriving at a time when the Emperor was hopelessly over committed to the fight against Wellington’s Anglo-Dutch troops. The second is often sidelined to a passing comment in the story of the defence of La Haye Sainte, as the Kings German Legion defenders of the farm, one of Wellington’s three forward positions at Waterloo, scrambled to douse the flames with their camp kettles whilst coming under fire from the French.

The third holds an almost mythological status – Hougoumont. The siege within a battle that saw a multination force of Coldstream, and Scots Guards, alongside Hanoverian and Nassau troops. As they did so, the chateau famously bruned around them.

There are few things more disconcerting than trying to defend a burning building from a few thousand angry French, whilst also trying to not die as a result of the flames. But what was it actually like for the defenders for hougoumont? What were their bodies going? How did the fire spread? And what could they actually do to try and deal with the literal conflagration around them?

In the latest instalment of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast, firefighter, veteran and historian Liam Telfer joins us to discuss how you fight a fire while under fire.

Join our mailing list at: ⁠https://linktr.ee/napwarspod⁠

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#Hougoumont #HougoumontFarm #BattleOfWaterloo #Waterloo1815 #NapoleonicWars #Wellington #DukeOfWellington #ColdstreamGuards #HistoricalBattlefields #MilitaryHistory #NapoleonicHistory #HistoryPodcast #BritishArmyHistory #HoldTheGates #Fire #Firefighter

In this episode, we dive into the fierce two-day struggle that became one of the defining moments of the Peninsular War: the Battle of Talavera. From the blazing July heat to the confusion of night assaults, we examine how Sir Arthur Wellesley—soon to become the Duke of Wellington—held his fragile Anglo-Spanish line against repeated French attacks.

We explore the drama behind the battlefield: the strained coordination with General Cuesta, the bold French offensive under Victor and Jourdan, and the tactical decisions that turned Talavera into a brutal contest of discipline, firepower, and sheer endurance. Through narrative storytelling and clear military analysis, this episode brings you into the smoke, the volleys, and the human cost of one of Wellesley’s earliest—and hardest-won—victories.

Find out more about Josh's work at: ⁠https://www.helion.co.uk/people/joshua-provan.php⁠

Join our mailing list at: ⁠https://linktr.ee/napwarspod

Support out work at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

#BattleOfTalavera #Talavera1809 #PeninsularWar #NapoleonicWars #Wellesley #DukeOfWellington #SpanishWarOfIndependence #MilitaryHistory #HistoryPodcast #NapoleonicBattles

In this episode, historian Josh Provan joins us to trace the tense, twisting campaign that led to the Battle of Talavera—a confrontation born not just of French ambition, but of uneasy alliances, political blunders, and the grinding realities of Peninsular warfare.

We explore how Sir Arthur Wellesley set himself and his men on a collision course with both Joseph Bonaparte’s French army and his own Spanish allies. From logistical nightmares to clashing personalities, from the chaotic advance toward Madrid to the stubborn stand on the banks of the Tormes, this is the story of how a campaign fraught with mistrust and miscalculation forged one of Wellesley’s most hard-fought victories.

Expect deep context, sharp analysis, and the human side of the campaign—the commanders, the soldiers, and the decisions that shaped the battlefield even before a single shot was fired at Talavera.

Find out more about Josh's work at: https://www.helion.co.uk/people/joshua-provan.php

Join our mailing list at: https://linktr.ee/napwarspod

Support the show and get episodes early at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

#NapoleonicWars #PeninsularWar #BattleOfTalavera #Wellesley #ArthurWellesley #SpanishWarOfIndependence #MilitaryHistory #HistoryPodcast #NapoleonicWarsPodcast #Talavera1809