Explore the detailed strategic and tactical nuances of the Battle of Marengo, Napoleon's pivotal engagement in Italy, with Dr. Graeme Callister. Understand the battlefield geography, command decisions, and propaganda impact that shaped this crucial victory.

Waterloo: The Attack of I Corps: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Waterloo-The-Attack-of-I-Corps-Paperback/p/58479

Battle: Understanding Conflict from Hastings to Hellmand: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-Hardback/p/21663

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

Keywords

Napoleon, Battle of Marengo, Italian Campaign, Military Strategy, 1800s Warfare, Austrians, French Army, Historical Battles, Military Tactics, Napoleon's Rise

Chapters

00:00 Setting the Scene for Marengo

09:39 Napoleon's Leadership and Strategy

15:29 Morale and Conditions of the Armies

18:02 Battlefield Geography and Tactical Considerations

23:07 Plans and Expectations of Both Sides

27:51 Tactical Doctrine and Decision Making

30:45 The Battle Begins: Austrian Offensive

36:49 French Forces in Distress

47:14 The Turning Point: Arrival of Reinforcements

55:41 From Defeat to Victory: The Counterattack

01:00:56 The Aftermath: A Propaganda Victory

Captured by the French, stripped of his freedom, and confined hundreds of miles from home, Royal Navy officer Charles Hare faced a challenge that thousands of British prisoners dreamed of overcoming but few ever achieved, escape.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Katherine Gazzard of Royal Museums Greenwich to uncover the remarkable story behind one of the most extraordinary survival tales of the Napoleonic Wars. Drawing on Hare’s rediscovered journal, personal belongings, and the famous uniform that accompanied him on his journey, we follow the young naval officer from his early career at sea through his capture by the French and into the dangerous world of Napoleonic prisoner-of-war camps.

How did British prisoners live in captivity? What risks did they face if they attempted to escape? And how did Hare manage to travel across enemy territory, evade capture, and make his way back to Britain?

Along the way, we explore the wider experience of naval prisoners during the wars against Napoleon, the detective work that brought Hare’s story back into the spotlight, and the extraordinary legacy of a man whose determination turned a desperate gamble into one of the great escape stories of the age.

Join us for an unforgettable journey of endurance, ingenuity, and adventure in the age of Napoleon.

For more on Dr Gazzard's research please visit Spotlight Series: Charles Hare's Great Escape – Royal Museums Greenwich Shop and also her work Buy The Art of Naval Portraiture by Katherine Gazzard – Royal Museums Greenwich Shop

Discover the fascinating world of 18th-century masquerades with cultural historian Dr. Megan Kobza. We explore the social, political, and artistic layers behind these extravagant events, revealing how masks and costumes served as tools of transgression, status, and social experimentation.

Megan's book: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300276213/the-masquerade/

Timestamps:

01:45 - The first masquerades in London: their origins and the political context

02:46 - Costume choices: character dressing, historic dress, and the domino

05:47 - The Georgian Masquerade: key features and differences from other entertainments

09:03 - Debauchery myths and the reality: episodes of flirtation and limited physical intimacy

13:01 - The real versus perceived debauchery: archival evidence and myth debunking

13:46 - Historical perceptions and fears of masquerades as sex parties and moral threats

15:23 - The political reactions: bans and the impact of earthquakes and natural calamities

16:51 - Masquerades as spaces of expression for the elite’s hidden desires

18:42 - Primary source material: diaries, newspapers, bills—and interpretative challenges

19:46 - Changing public perceptions: from scandal to entertainment

20:39 - Evolution of masquerades over the Georgian period: commercialization and accessibility

22:37 - The suppression and revival of masquerades: links to political crises and royal events

24:32 - The extravagant and costly nature of masquerades: from private commissions to public spectacles

28:41 - The role of newspapers, diaries, and visual artefacts in reconstructing masquerade history

39:26 - The suppression of masquerades outside elite spaces and legal repercussions

50:29 - The importance of storytelling and the role of visual culture in history

56:40 - How modern popular culture like Bridgerton celebrates and distorts those historical images

66:38 - The potential for masquerades to serve as spaces of resistance, identity, and societal critique

In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte abandoned an army, and abandoned a government, launching a coup which would cement his place as a pivotal figure in history. Dr Graeme Callister returns to talk us through the political chaos, key figures, and strategic planning behind the event. We also discuss the revolutionary context, the role of military and political players, and the implications for French history.

Buy Graeme's books at: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Graeme-Callister/a/4546

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

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Napoleon: A Coup in 1799

03:01 Napoleon's Return from Egypt: A Savior or a Coward?

06:10 The State of the Directory: A Failing Government

08:58 The Impact of Personal Relationships on Political Decisions

11:57 The Paranoia of French Politics: A Legacy of the Terror

15:01 Key Figures in the Coup: Allies and Influencers

17:49 The Role of the Military in Political Change

21:14 The Future of France: Napoleon's Vision and Ambitions

28:03 Key Figures in the Coup

32:09 Political Dynamics and Military Influence

35:10 Historical Parallels: The English Civil War

39:00 Napoleon's Rise: From Second Choice to Leader

50:14 The Coup Plan: Constitutional Manipulation

54:32 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Keywords

Napoleon Bonaparte, French Revolution, Brumaire Coup, French politics, military strategy, 1799, revolutionary France, political upheaval

Ever wanted to know what it takes to look like a redcoat? Join us as we explore the intricate world of historical military tailoring with expert James Graves. Discover the craftsmanship, research process, and challenges behind recreating authentic Napoleonic era uniforms, and get tips for reenactors and history enthusiasts alike. One of our 'Meet the...' range with leading historical experts which we usually save exclusively for our patrons. For more of these, join us on patreon.

Graves' Historical Uniforms Facebook Page - https://facebook.com/GravesHistoricalUniforms

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

Keywords

historical tailoring, military uniforms, Napoleonic Wars, reenactment, costume making, historical research, garment construction, museum collections, period textiles, reenactor tips

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

12:31 Meet the Tailor: James Graves

15:55 The Journey into Historical Tailoring

20:19 Researching Historical Uniforms

24:25 Challenges in Historical Accuracy

27:54 Navigating Historical Regulations and Contradictions

28:31 Translating Research into Garments

29:12 The Construction Process of Historical Uniforms

32:40 Balancing Modern Techniques with Historical Authenticity

37:15 Managing Customer Expectations in Historical Tailoring

41:13 The Role of Living Historians in Tailoring Development

49:28 The Future of Historical Tailoring and Personal Aspirations

The Napoleonic era was a transformative age in the development of Alchemy and Chemistry. Explore the fascinating history of alchemy from ancient Egypt to the Napoleonic era, uncovering how early science evolved and influenced modern chemistry. Join Dr. Kit Chapman as he debunks myths, highlights key discoveries, and reveals the surprising connections between alchemy, science, and history. We blow the dust off the test tubes, and pull back the curtain on turning lead into gold, to give you an insight into how much was changing in the modern understanding of science as war waged across Europe.

The Age of Alchemy by Dr. Kit Chapman - https://profilebooks.com/work/the-age-of-alchemy/

Super Heavy: Making and Breaking the Periodic Table by Dr. Kit Chapman - https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/superheavy-9781472953926/

Racing Green: How Motorsport Science Can Save the World by Dr. Kit Chapman - https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/racing-green-9781472982186/

Dr. Kit Chapman - Official Website - https://kitchapman.com

Support the show at patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Time Stamps:

00:00 The Intersection of Alchemy and Chemistry

04:49 Historical Context of Alchemy

09:59 The Evolution of Alchemy to Chemistry

15:02 The Napoleonic Era and Scientific Inquiry

20:13 War as a Catalyst for Scientific Advancement

24:47 The Role of Antoine Lavoisier

30:54 The Life and Legacy of Antoine Lavoisier

39:27 The Birth of Modern Chemistry

45:35 Humphry Davy and the Discovery of Laughing Gas

48:44 Mary Shelley and the Birth of Science Fiction

54:26 Alchemy's Resurgence in the 19th Century

56:38 Celebrating Unsung Heroes in Science

Keywords

alchemy, history of science, chemistry, Napoleonic era, Lavoisier, alchemy myths, scientific revolution, history of elements, Humphrey Davy, Marie Curie

Catriona Kennedy joins us to explore the history of Catholic emancipation in Britain, the slow shift towards toleration, scapegoating and the final Emancipation Act's social and political implications, along with the key figures involved, including the pivotal role of the Duke of Wellington, Robert Peel and Daniel O'Connell.

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

Catriona's Work:

Narratives of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Military and Civilian Experience in Britain and Ireland, 1793 to 1815 - https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030559274

Women, Politics and the Irish Public Sphere in the Age of Revolution - https://www.oxford.com/academic/works/9780198807474

University of York - Catriona Kennedy Profile - https://www.york.ac.uk/history/people/academic-staff/katrina-kennedy/

University of Southampton Special Collections - Wellington Papers - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/archives/collections/wellington-papers.page

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Katrina Kennedy

01:00 Historical context: Catholic persecution from the Reformation to 1829

02:25 The legal status of Catholics in Britain in the late 18th century

05:36 Reasons behind the relaxation of anti-Catholic laws in the 1790s

08:55 Impact of the French Revolution on British attitudes towards Catholics

11:03 The shifting concept of Britishness and Irish identity

21:44 The rise of Daniel O'Connell and the Catholic campaign in Ireland

24:19 Wellington's opposition and the political crisis of 1829

33:05 The relationship between King George IV and Wellington during emancipation

37:53 Public opinion, prejudice, and the social impact of emancipation

42:07 Modern parallels: anti-Catholic prejudice and othering

49:43 Conclusion: The social and political legacy of Catholic emancipation

Keywords

Catholic emancipation, British history, Irish history, Act of Union, Daniel O'Connell, Wellington, Irish immigrants, 19th century politics

In this Battle Series episode of the The Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we head to southern Italy to unpack the dramatic and sometimes misunderstood Battle of Maida with historian Richard Hopton author of 'The Battle of Maida, 1806: Fifteen Minutes of Glory'.

We set the stage with the wider Mediterranean campaign before diving into the opposing commanders, John Stuart and Jean Reynier, and the bold decisions that brought both armies into open battle.

From the geography of the Maida plain to the eerie “awful silence” before bayonets clash, we reconstruct the battle moment by moment. At its heart lies the famous “fifteen minutes” that shattered the French attack, was this a triumph of fire discipline, leadership, or something more complex?

We also tackle one of Napoleonic history’s biggest debates: line versus column. What really happened on the day, and how did Maida become a textbook case albeit accurately or not?

Finally, we explore the aftermath, its strategic impact, its place in British military memory, and whether Maida deserves its reputation as a pivotal moment.

A fast paced, myth busting deep dive into one of the era’s most fascinating battles that may have set up some of Britain's most decorated commaders for sucess in future campaigns.

For more on Richard’s published works and where to find them, please click here Richard Hopton - Author | Historian | Journalist - Richard Hopton

In this second instalment we return to the saddle with historian Josh Proven to uncover the hidden mechanics behind cavalry warfare during the Napoleonic Wars.

This episode goes beyond the charge to explore how cavalry actually functioned under the chaos of battle. How did commanders maintain control over fast moving formations at Waterloo or Eylau? Were signals, discipline, and doctrine enough or was unpredictability inevitable?

We then dive deep into the lifeblood of cavalry, horses. From vast remount systems in France, Austria, and Britain to Russia’s reliance on native herds, we examine the logistical and economic struggle to keep armies mounted. How were horses sourced, trained, and conditioned for the terror of gunfire and close combat? And how did different cultures, from European cuirassiers to Cossacks and Tatars shape the relationship between rider and mount?

Finally, we explore the often overlooked realities of campaign life, feeding, shoeing, transporting, and caring for thousands of horses. With limited veterinary support and immense logistical strain, cavalry effectiveness often hinged on equine survival.

If Part 1 was about how cavalry fought, Part 2 reveals what made it possible.

More of Josh's work can he found here Home - Joshua Provan

Historian and Rifles veteran Tim Saunders joins us to delve into the history, ethos, and legacy of the 95th Rifles, a distinguished unit of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. We discuss their formation, training, and the impact of their unique weaponry, including the Baker rifle. The discussion also explores the challenges faced by the unit, their portrayal in popular culture through Bernard Cornwell's 'Sharp'e series, and the lasting influence of the 95th on modern military practices.

Tim's books: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tim-Saunders/a/227

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

Keywords

95th Rifles, Napoleonic Wars, British Army, light infantry, military history, Tim Saunders, Baker rifle, green jacket, Peninsula War, legacy

Time Stamps: All timings approximate

00:00 Introduction to the 95th Rifles

02:17 The Formation and Evolution of the 95th Rifles

12:20 The Ethos and Character of the Rifle Corps

19:09 Training Regimen and Marksmanship of the 95th

27:08 The Baker Rifle: A Game Changer for the 95th

32:59 The Evolution of Wellington's Army

41:35 The Significance of the Green Jacket

42:06 The Impact of the Peninsula War

49:34 Challenges and Failures of the 95th

55:06 The Legacy of the 95th and Popular Culture