Show notes
Who were the Royal Engineers? How were they formed? What did they do? And why do they matter in the context of the Napoleonic Wars? The world's leading expert on the Royal Engineers during the Napoleonic Wars, Dr Mark Thompson, returns to the show to discuss this unit, their impact, and their controversies during the Napoleonic era. We discuss everything from crime to animosity with 'Black Bob' Craufurd and notable figures such as John Fox Burgoyne.Mark's Books:https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Mark-S-Thompson/a/2446https://www.helion.co.uk/people/mark-s-thompson.phpKeywordsRoyal Engineers, Napoleonic Wars, military engineering, John Fox Burgoyne, Wellington, siegecraft, military history, engineering legacyChapters00:00 Introduction to the Royal Engineers02:29 The Origins of the Royal Engineers05:05 Engineering Duties in the Napoleonic Era10:04 Reputation and Perception of the Royal Engineers14:01 Promotion and Structure within the Royal Engineers19:51 Characteristics of Royal Engineers22:51 Behaviour and Discipline of Royal Engineers31:29 John Fox Burgoyne and His Legacy31:39 The Legacy of John Fox Burgoyne35:30 Burgoyne's Role in the Royal Engineers38:17 The Napoleonic Wars: Engineers in Action46:08 Challenges Faced by Military Engineers52:03 The Controversy of the Waterloo Map01:01:27 Memoirs and Historical Accounts of Engineers01:05:09 The Evolving Reputation of the Royal Engineers