Josh Provan returns for the newest instalment of our blow by blow exploration of the Peninsular War, as we look at the Autumn of 1809. The Talavera campaign might have been over, but the suffering of the British Army was far from at an end. We open by looking at what one history described as 'the misery of the Guardiana', before turning once again to the Spanish perspective. One thrust on Madrid might have been over, but the Spanish were far from inclined to give up on independence. We explore the Battles of and Ocana, alongside political developments in the UK and Spain to understand why, by Christmas 1809, you might have been forgiven for thinking that the Peninsular War was all but over.

Josh's books: https://www.helion.co.uk/people/joshua-provan.php

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

Explore the intricate details of Napoleon's 1799 coup d'état, its strategic planning, execution, and the international reactions that shaped European history. Dr. Graeme Callister provides expert insights into this pivotal moment, in which Napoleon reached for power, and very nearly let it slip from his grasp. This is the story of the Brumaire Coup, the second instalment of our two parter on Napoleon's bid for power.

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

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:43 The Plan for the Coup of 1799

04:16 Isolation and Support Strategies

09:19 When the Directory Realizes the Threat

12:33 Napoleon's Near-Miss and Panic Moment

17:27 The Chamber Clearance and Final Overthrow

22:50 The Role of Lucien Bonaparte and Military Force

27:54 The Aftermath and Consolidation of Power

36:44 The New Constitution and Legitimacy

42:45 Napoleon's Decision-Making and Political Skill

50:01 International Reactions and European Perspective

55:54 Closing Remarks and Episode Sign-off

keywords

Napoleon, Coup of 1799, French Revolution, European History, Military Strategy, Political Manipulation

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