The Baker Rifle is perhaps the most famous firearm of the Napoleonic era, propelled to a legendary status by the exploits of a certain Richard Sharpe in the novels by Bernard Cornwell.But how practical a weapon system was it? Was it really that revolutionary? And how did the British come to adopt this firearm in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars?We were privileged to be invited to the Royal Armours in Leeds to interview Peter Smithurst, and gain exclusive access to handle the real, antique weapons that we have all heard so much about.Was this weapon key to defeating Napoleon? Why didn't Napoleon Bonaparte adopt them? What did the soldiers themselves make of this new gun? We explore all these questions and many more.With huge thanks to the Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK.Peter's books: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Peter-G-Smithurst/a/5933Royal Armouries: https://royalarmouries.org/leeds

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.phpSupport 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/4546Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:43 The Plan for the Coup of 179904:16 Isolation and Support Strategies09:19 When the Directory Realizes the Threat12:33 Napoleon's Near-Miss and Panic Moment17:27 The Chamber Clearance and Final Overthrow22:50 The Role of Lucien Bonaparte and Military Force27:54 The Aftermath and Consolidation of Power36:44 The New Constitution and Legitimacy42:45 Napoleon's Decision-Making and Political Skill50:01 International Reactions and European Perspective55:54 Closing Remarks and Episode Sign-offkeywordsNapoleon, 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/58479Battle: Understanding Conflict from Hastings to Hellmand: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-Hardback/p/21663Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodKeywordsNapoleon, Battle of Marengo, Italian Campaign, Military Strategy, 1800s Warfare, Austrians, French Army, Historical Battles, Military Tactics, Napoleon's RiseChapters00:00 Setting the Scene for Marengo09:39 Napoleon's Leadership and Strategy15:29 Morale and Conditions of the Armies18:02 Battlefield Geography and Tactical Considerations23:07 Plans and Expectations of Both Sides27:51 Tactical Doctrine and Decision Making30:45 The Battle Begins: Austrian Offensive36:49 French Forces in Distress47:14 The Turning Point: Arrival of Reinforcements55:41 From Defeat to Victory: The Counterattack01:00:56 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/4546Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodChapters00:00 The Rise of Napoleon: A Coup in 179903:01 Napoleon's Return from Egypt: A Savior or a Coward?06:10 The State of the Directory: A Failing Government08:58 The Impact of Personal Relationships on Political Decisions11:57 The Paranoia of French Politics: A Legacy of the Terror15:01 Key Figures in the Coup: Allies and Influencers17:49 The Role of the Military in Political Change21:14 The Future of France: Napoleon's Vision and Ambitions28:03 Key Figures in the Coup32:09 Political Dynamics and Military Influence35:10 Historical Parallels: The English Civil War39:00 Napoleon's Rise: From Second Choice to Leader50:14 The Coup Plan: Constitutional Manipulation54:32 Conclusion and Future DiscussionsKeywordsNapoleon 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/GravesHistoricalUniformsSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspodKeywordshistorical tailoring, military uniforms, Napoleonic Wars, reenactment, costume making, historical research, garment construction, museum collections, period textiles, reenactor tipsChapters00:00 Introduction to the Episode12:31 Meet the Tailor: James Graves15:55 The Journey into Historical Tailoring20:19 Researching Historical Uniforms24:25 Challenges in Historical Accuracy27:54 Navigating Historical Regulations and Contradictions28:31 Translating Research into Garments29:12 The Construction Process of Historical Uniforms32:40 Balancing Modern Techniques with Historical Authenticity37:15 Managing Customer Expectations in Historical Tailoring41:13 The Role of Living Historians in Tailoring Development49:28 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.comSupport the show at patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodTime Stamps:00:00 The Intersection of Alchemy and Chemistry04:49 Historical Context of Alchemy09:59 The Evolution of Alchemy to Chemistry15:02 The Napoleonic Era and Scientific Inquiry20:13 War as a Catalyst for Scientific Advancement24:47 The Role of Antoine Lavoisier30:54 The Life and Legacy of Antoine Lavoisier39:27 The Birth of Modern Chemistry45:35 Humphry Davy and the Discovery of Laughing Gas48:44 Mary Shelley and the Birth of Science Fiction54:26 Alchemy's Resurgence in the 19th Century56:38 Celebrating Unsung Heroes in ScienceKeywordsalchemy, 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/thenapoleonicwarspodCatriona'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/9783030559274Women, Politics and the Irish Public Sphere in the Age of Revolution - https://www.oxford.com/academic/works/9780198807474University 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.pageChapters00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Katrina Kennedy01:00 Historical context: Catholic persecution from the Reformation to 182902:25 The legal status of Catholics in Britain in the late 18th century05:36 Reasons behind the relaxation of anti-Catholic laws in the 1790s08:55 Impact of the French Revolution on British attitudes towards Catholics11:03 The shifting concept of Britishness and Irish identity21:44 The rise of Daniel O'Connell and the Catholic campaign in Ireland24:19 Wellington's opposition and the political crisis of 182933:05 The relationship between King George IV and Wellington during emancipation37:53 Public opinion, prejudice, and the social impact of emancipation42:07 Modern parallels: anti-Catholic prejudice and othering49:43 Conclusion: The social and political legacy of Catholic emancipationKeywordsCatholic emancipation, British history, Irish history, Act of Union, Daniel O'Connell, Wellington, Irish immigrants, 19th century politics