Who was responsible for the British losing America? George Washington? 'Gentleman Johnny' Burgoyne? Lord Howe? Clinton? Or someone else entirely? We discuss Britain's failures during the American War of Independence, whether Washington counts as British in the context of this debate, why egos matter in war, and whether this was a war that could never have been won by the British. https://linktr.ee/napwarspod British history, Military history, American History, War of Independence, American Revol...
Jul 13, 2025•1 hr 16 min
In this episode, expert John H. Gill unpacks the story of Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine armies. Created in 1806 as a new pact of German client states, the Confederation fielded some 90,000 soldiers by 1813. Gill asks if these men were patriotic allies or grumbling conscripts? He reveals how heavy recruitment and French domination stoked national resentment and even tiny principalities like Liechtenstein managed to send dozens of troops. Buckle up for frontline tales: from Württembergers ...
Jul 06, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Who was Napoleon's Greatest Marshal? We move one step closer to settling this question as Ney, Davout, Marmont, Murat, Saint Cyr and Suchet battle it out for public acclaim. Brace yourself for a shock as we delve into these titans of the French Army's greatest moments, their military record, and their wider legacy. Michel Ney , the “Bravest of the Brave,” and his heroic last stand. Louis-Nicolas Davout , the Iron Marshal—Napoleon’s most disciplined and undefeated commander. Joachim Murat , the f...
Jun 29, 2025•2 hr 12 min
To mark the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, we held a livestream of the crisis moment of the battle. We talk about Napoleon Bonaparte's last desperate role of the dice, the French forces involved, the Battle of Quatre Bras and Ligny, and the efforts of Dutch, Belgian, Hanoverian, Brunswick, Prussian and, yes, British troops involved. In all we raised £600 for the Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity. You too can support this great cause by going to www.nrwgc.com/donate....
Jun 25, 2025•3 hr 32 min
1797 was a moment of escalating international tensions and deepening domestic divisions. For eight years prior, Adams had served at the heart of George Washington’s administration, but nothing could fully prepare him for what would await him in his own presidency: the XYZ Affair, the Quasi War with France and the political firestorm unleashed by the Alien and Sedition Acts. As the young republic struggled to define itself, Adams faced enormous challenges in keeping the country out of full-scale ...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, we dive into four lesser-known but decisive moments that shaped the outcome of the 1815 Waterloo Campaign — moments that didn’t make headlines like the final charge of the Imperial Guard, but without which Napoleon’s defeat may never have happened. We begin on 15 June , as Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar takes the initiative to defend the crossroads at Quatre Bras , halting the French advance and giving Wellington the breathing room he needs to concentrate his army. Next, we move...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 26 min
In this pivotal episode, we explore the pivotal episode that is the often-overlooked day between the battles of Ligny and Waterloo — 17 June 1815 —a day of dramatic retreats, strategic decisions, and torrential rain. After their narrow escape from Napoleon’s forces at Quatre Bras, Wellington’s Anglo-Allied army began a calculated retreat north to a defensive ridge near the village of Waterloo . As storms broke over Belgium, Wellington’s rearguard skirmished with French cavalry, buying precious t...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 5 min
What happened at Waterloo? The story of the battle is well known, so in this episode we are focusing on the when and the how. How did these events overlap? On the 210th anniversary of the Waterloo campaign, we are retelling the story with the vital timestamps front and centre - we look at how these events interlink, and allow you to follow along, so that you can reflect on these events, knows exactly what happened, when 210 years ago. June 15th – Napoleon strikes first. His army crosses into Bel...
Jun 15, 2025•52 min
Military historian John H. Gill leads us through the titanic Battle of Wagram in July of 1809. In the wake of Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat at Aspern-Essling, Napoleon and Austria’s Archduke Charles race to rebuild and prepare. Gill vividly describes Napoleon’s massive fortification of Lobau Island and daring Danube crossing that thrust the Grande Armée onto Austrian soil. The episode delves into Charles’s ambitious offensive action and Napoleon’s fierce counterattacks. Gill also unpacks the famou...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 15 min
In this episode we welcome Natalee Garrett to talk about the longest-serving Queen consort in British history: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz . A powerful personality behind the scenes, Charlotte overcame the hurdles of cutthroat public opinion, inhospitable in-laws and the madness of her husband to become one of the most important people in the Georgian royal family, and one of the most influential figures in the history of the British monarchy. Find Natalee's book at https://www.routledge.c...
Jun 08, 2025•58 min
Professor Kevin Linch joins us again for what is Act 1 covering all things rank and file recruitment, join us as we uncover the truth behind 'Sharpe's Regiment'. Professor Linch is a Professor of Modern History at the University of Leeds. He specialises in the history of Britain in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, focusing on the history of Britain's armed forces and their relationship to wider political, social, and cultural trends. He is the author of the recently published, Temp...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min
The long awaited semi finals of the Battle of the Marshals are here, as Berthier, Massena, Soult, Lannes, Bernadotte and Oudinot all face off in an epic balloon debate. Fan favourites will fall and laughter abounds in a lively debate as we strive to find Napoleon Bonaparte's greatest marshal. One of the most enduring questions in military history, now plays out on the Napoleonic Wars Podcast. Support our work at and get exclusive bonuses at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod...
Jun 01, 2025•2 hr 16 min
Today we're joined by historian Terry Crowdy to discuss all things French Light Infantry. In 1792 France unleashed a new form of warfare in Europe. Faced with the well-drilled Austrian and Prussian armies, the French introduced the tactic of mass skirmishing. Soldiers were thrown forwards and told to fight in open order. Moving quickly and making use of cover, they fired on the enemy line, annoying it, goading it, and all the time distracting it from the infantry columns coming up behind, bristl...
May 28, 2025•53 min
As the world reeled from the blistering success of Napoleon's winter offensive in the Iberian Peninsular in 1808-1809, how would the Spanish, Portuguese and British respond to the catastrophic collapse of the front in the face of Napoleon's onslaught. Josh Provan joins me to talk about how pockets of Spanish resistance proved that the war was not going to be over that quickly. We also discuss how the Spanish also managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at the Battle of Medellin, and ho...
May 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min
How did the Corps of Colonial Marines act as a force multiplier in the War of 1812? Did freed slaves help burn down the White House? And what happened to these folks once the war was over? Matt Taylor returns with the final chapter of the Black Redcoats. Buy Matt's book at: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Black-Redcoats-Hardback/p/49346 Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod https://linktr.ee/napwarspod...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Who was Louis-Alexandre Berther, one of the most famous, most popular, and most indispensable marshals? Is it fair to describe him as Napoleon's right hand man? What would the Napoleonic Wars have looked like without him? Rachael Stark returns to talk about the life and impact of this master of the logistical and staff elements of warfare, looking at his legacy, and his impact for military history as well as his relationships with Napoleon, the other marshals, and that contentious question of wh...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's best friend, Marshal Jean Lannes takes centre stage for the second instalment of a run down of his life. Rachael Stark reopens the discussion talking about his exploits in Egypt, we also discuss the Battle of Friedland, and the tragic end to the life of a man who was so close to the Emperor that Napoleon wept when this Marshal of France was mortally wounded. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod https://linktr.ee/napwarspod...
May 11, 2025•53 min
Marshal Jean Lannes - a fiery marshal, and a savvy commander, is the focus of a two parter on his life, as we explore the man's military origins, his early life, and how he fell into Napoleon's orbit. What impact did this man have on the history of the French Revolutionary Wars, and how crucial would he be to Napoleon as he rose to become Emperor of France? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod https://linktr.ee/napwarspod...
May 07, 2025•54 min
The 18th century Way of War series continues with an exteamly special episode. Dr Alexander Burns, Professor of History at the University of Steubenville, joins us to discuss his incredible new book Infantry in Battle 1733 - 1783. Infantry in Battle rewrites the story of combat in the 18th century by placing enlisted infantrymen, the rank and file and their experiances at centre stage. What was it like to recieve artillery fire, or conduct a bayonet charge? What were the relationships like betwe...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Marshal Michel Ney, described by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte as 'the bravest of the brave' is one of the most popular figures in Napoleonic history. But is he overrated as a military commander? What was he like as a person? And what was his impact on the history of the Napoleonic Wars? Rachael Stark returns to talk about the epic life of Marshal Ney, from his temperament and success, to his failures and tragic demise. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod ht...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 26 min
The Napoleonic Wars Channel unveils its latest investment - incredible musical compositions written exclusively or the channel, as Lee Boyes, the master magician musician, talks through the process of creating music that evokes the turn of the 19th century.Support the show and attend more sessions like this at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod?redirect=true Find out more about Lee's work and commission him yourself at https://auralabstudios.myportfolio.com/demo-reel...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Marshal Joachim Murat, was unquestionably the most flamboyant of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's marshals. A skilled cavalry commander, but impetuous and hot headed, he had a habit of charging with suicidal bravery at problems, and yet miraculously coming off unscathed. Was this well known, almost iconic figure, really that good a military commander? Why was his private life so tempestuous? And what was his impact on the history of the Napoleonic Wars? Rachael Stark joins us to talk about th...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Silvia Gregorio-Sainz returns to the show to talk about some of the key figures of the Guerrilla struggle that was a key part of the Peninsular War. Folks discussed include Agustina of Aragon, Espoz y Mina, and the enigmatically named El Cappuccino... Zack and Liam also lower the tone by giving each other Guerrilla names... Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod https://linktr.ee/napwarspod...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 15 min
How did the British manage to help an entire Spanish army escape from Central Europe so that they could be shipped home to fight in the Peninsular War? John Marsden joins us to explore the story of 'Napoleon's stolen army', and how these Spanish troops and British intrigue managed to pull off one of the most audacious and little known operations of the Napoleonic Wars. Support the show at patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod Buy John's book at: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/napoleo...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 22 min
What did the Founding Fathers really want the government to look like? Peter Kastor's new digital history project - "Creating a Federal Government" - looks beyond the elected politicians at the top to provide some answers to this and other questions . He joins Josh and Luke to talk all about it. Check out the project here ....
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Rory Butcher, Liam Telfer, William Fletcher, Beatrice de Graaf and Karen Robson join Luke, Zack and Josh for a series of Vox pops live from the Wellington Congress, organised by the University of Southampton's Special Collections Department. Special Collections (Wellington Papers): https://www.southampton.ac.uk/archives/index.page Rory Butcher: https://x.com/RMB_History William Fletcher: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/william-fletcher#:~:text=He%20is%20an%20elected%20Associate,Historical%20Researc...
Apr 13, 2025•46 min
Professor Kevin Linch joins us again for our second part of episode covering all things British Officer. Professor Linch is a Professor of Modern History at the University of Leeds. He specialises in the history of Britain in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, focusing on the history of Britain's armed forces and their relationship to wider political, social, and cultural trends. His is the author of the recently published Pen and Sword Books: The British Army, 1783–1815 - Hardback a...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Happy Birthday to the Napoleonic Wars Podcast! We see in the fifth year of the show with a special State of the Union episode, in which we get heated about the extent to which the British firebombing Copenhagen was justifiable, Zack and Luke go off on one about the 1857 India Mutiny (yeah, I know, Liam was exasperated too), and The Beau asks supposedly important questions about medals and cloak chains... We also feature a few of you lovely people talking about what the show means to you. https:/...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 26 min
In the next instalment of the Birth of America series, Sara Georgini joins us to discuss one of America's most contested and most consequential elections. Check out her Sara's book here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/household-gods-9780197647219
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
The Peninsular War is one of our most consistently demanded topics on this podcast. Following recent requests to make access the series easier, we're compiling the 1808 related interviews into one epic 8 hour saga of an omnibus episode. Time stamps below. Topics include: where the Peninsular War came from, if Napoleon should have gone to war or could have avoided it, what happened at the Battles of Bailen, Rolica, Vimeiro, and Corunna, the controversial convention of Cintra, and whether the Peni...
Mar 26, 2025•7 hr 52 min
