The Napoleonic Quarterly

1804. January… February… March… Three months in which Napoleon acts ruthlessly by abducting and killing a royalist figurehead... Both Haiti and Louisiana face momentous questions about their future... And in the forested, rugged terrain of the Balkans, a figure called Karadjordje rises to challenge the Ottomans. This is episode 49 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the murderous shedding of more royal blood sends shockwaves across Europe.[15:18] - Headline developments[34:30] - Peter Kastor on the Louisiana Purchase and Haiti[58:50] - Alan Forrest on the Cadoudal plot, the abduction of the Duc D'Enghien and the conspiracists mindset[1:19:20] - Michael Talbot on Karadjordje and the Serbian uprisingHelp us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

April 1796 - time for another critical chapter in the young Napoleon Bonaparte's legendary Italian campaign, brought to you once again by our Battlefield Despatches dream team. Clemens Bemmann presents; Rick Schneid is our battlefield correspondent; John Gill is with the Austrian command; and Graeme Callister is on Bonaparte's staff to provide the French perspective. Maps x2 can be found here.Produced by Alex Stevenson, with audio editing support from Sam Loose.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Bernie Campbell is joined by Rachel Blackman-Rogers of King's College London and Olivier Aranda of the University of Western Brittany to discuss naval strategy in the Mediterranean theatre in the 1790s, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of the Nile.The episode explores the strategic importance of the Mediterranean for both France and Britain during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, particularly focusing on the lead-up to the French invasion of Egypt and the Battle of the Nile. It highlights how each nation’s naval priorities shifted over the 1790s depending on political alliances and military objectives.Olivier Aranda explains the French dilemma of having to split their naval forces between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and how this dual-front created both opportunities and problems for the French navy. The discussion contrasts the fortunes of France’s Mediterranean (Toulon) and Atlantic (Brest) fleets, illustrating the divergent outcomes and strategic thinking.Rachel Blackman-Rogers provides insight into British strategy, emphasizing the significance of trade, power projection, and political influence in the Mediterranean. The episode also discusses Britain’s reliance on bases, alliances with smaller regional powers, and the critical impact of controlling Mediterranean routes for economic and diplomatic reasons.Both speakers detail the roles and shifting alliances of other Mediterranean powers—such as Spain, Naples, Venice, the Ottoman Empire, and the Barbary States—influencing French and British strategies. The complexity of these ever-shifting diplomatic relationships is shown to be a constant challenge for both major powers.The consequences of the Battle of the Nile are examined in terms of their profound impact on French and British strategic options. The destruction of the French fleet isolated Napoleon in Egypt, shifted the naval initiative firmly to Britain, and set the stage for changing coalitions and further military campaigns in the region.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Yes, it's the planning meeting once again - this is the third go in our festival of bureaucracy, the critical discussion which sees us sort out what each of our main episodes should include as topics for their three segments. The years 1804 and 1805 are exciting times for the podcast, as we actually hit the Napoleonic Wars proper. All roads lead to the fabled episode 56, covering the final quarter of 1805...Alex Stevenson hands over the presenting reins to Josh Provan, whilst Alex Mikaberidze and Rick Schneid (in Charles' absence) lead the debate about what we should include. Spoiler: we are going to talk about Austerlitz. And Trafalgar. Not in that order. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

1803. October… November… December… Three months in which French forces wave the white flag on Saint-Domingue... In Washington the Louisiana Purchase gets a green light from Congress - without working out the detail... And in India a series of defeats for the Marathas force Scindia to the negotiating table. This is episode 48 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the Haitian Revolution finally reaches its culmination. [11.10] - Headline developments[32.30] - Marlene Daut on independence for Haiti[53.50] - Peter Kastor on the Louisiana Purchase[1.20.00] - Ravindra Rathee on India, the Treaty of Deogaon and the end of the Second Anglo-Maratha WarHelp us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

This episode offers a deep dive into the pivotal Battle of Assaye fought on September 23, 1803, a clash that shaped British dominance in India and forged the reputation of Arthur Wellesley—better known to history as the Duke of Wellington. Host Clemens Bemmann welcomes a special panel to explore the campaign, armies, personalities, and chaos that defined one of the most dramatic battles on the Indian subcontinent during the Napoleonic era. Josh Provan is the battlefield correspondent; Zack White is the East India Company expert; Andy Copestake is the Maratha army expert. Featuring: The Maratha Confederacy: European mercenaries, regular brigades, and command strugglesBritish Army composition: The rise of Arthur Wellesley, Indian sepoys, and logistical prowessLead-up to Assaye: The Treaty of Bassein, Maratha-British diplomacy, and campaign maneuversThe battlefield: Terrain, climate, and strategic optionsThe battle unfolds: Surprise encounters, flanking maneuvers, massed artillery, discipline under fireLeadership and morale: Command breakdowns vs. individual heroism on both sidesThe outcome: Heavy losses, psychological aftermath, and the reshaping of Indian and British military futuresThe panel considers how the mix of European mercenaries and Indian soldiers within the Maratha army both enhanced and undermined its fighting ability at Assaye; what the leadership style of Arthur Wellesley at Assaye—and the razor-thin margin of his victory—reveal about the nature of military success and reputation in the colonial era; and, in a battle filled with confusion, split-second decisions, and shifting morale, the role of discipline, training, and individual initiative in determining battles like these.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Rachel Blackman-Rogers and Catherine Scheybeler, both of King's College London, join Alex Stevenson for an in-depth look at one of Horatio Nelson's most famous formative battles. The Royal Navy in the 1790s was always going to do well against the Spanish Navy, but it was Nelson's decisive use of initiative - and then the double-boarding to capture not one but two Spanish ships his Captain had become entangled with - which marked this battle out. This episode also features written contributions by Rif Winfield, co-author of Pen and Sword's Warships In The Age of Sail series. Thank you to Rif for taking part. You can read Rif's contributions in full on Patreon.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Josh Provan is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze, with Alex Stevenson and Clemens Bemmann along for the ride, to discuss some military topics in this Q&A episode. Including: [2:00] - The Royal Navy PR machine[10:11] - Elite units of the Napoleonic Wars[22:30] - Suvorov in 1799[34:00] - Feedback on our battle episodes

1803. July… August… September… Three months in which the Maratha forces are defeated by Arthur Wellesley at Assaye… Hanover becomes the latest victim to Napoleon Bonaparte’s forces… And there’s another attempted uprising in Ireland. This is episode 47 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the British and their sepoys take another step towards Empire on the Indian subcontinent.[07:08] - Headline developments[20:17] - Michael Rowe on the French invasion of Hanover[39:45] - Ravindra Rathee on the end of the Second Anglo-Maratha War[1:01:00] - Ciaran McDonnell on Emmet’s uprising

Alex Stevenson sits down with Martin Howard, author of the newly published 'The Napoleonic Wars: A Medical History' (March 2025). Together, they dive into the real and often overlooked medical realities of the Napoleonic Wars.The discussion explores how disease, especially yellow fever and malaria, decimated armies in places like the Caribbean, frequently eclipsing battlefield casualties. Martin Howard explains the psychological, social, and strategic impact of mass disease, highlighting how military leaders and soldiers navigated the ever-present threat of death and illness during this era. The episode also delves into medical advancements, the organization of military healthcare, and personal anecdotes that bring the human cost—and resilience—of the period into sharper focus.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Josh Provan is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze, with Alex Stevenson and Clemens Bemmann along for the ride, to discuss all things politico-diplomatic in this Q&A episode. Including: 02:30: British dirty tricks (Warning: Grumpy Charles alert)24:00: French brinkmanship32:00: Poland's prospects36:32: Napoleonic ghost storiesLink: Napoleon's little red man41:00: Listener feedback

Seven years before the Napoleonic Quarterly got going properly, a single interview was recorded in 2013 - in the Palace of Westminster, of all places. A young Alex Stevenson, then a lobby journalist, spoke to Professor David Andress of the University of Portsmouth about his new book, 'The Savage Storm - Britain on the brink in the age of Napoleon' (it was subsequently retitled 'Beating Napoleon' - for obvious Bonaparte-googling reasons). David kindly returned to the podcast once it hit its stride in 2020, but it's a great pleasure to finally get around to releasing this outlier. Twelve years might be some sort of record...Quartermasters - keep a look out on Patreon for more from this interview from David, where he discusses the situation in the first half of 1803.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

1803… April… May… June… Three months in which war once again breaks out between Britain and France… American negotiators worrying about Louisiana’s future get an unexpected offer from the First Consul… And on Saint-Domingue, General Jean-Jacques Dessalines unifies resistance to the struggling French expedition.This is episode 46 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months which sees the beginning of what will become known as the Napoleonic Wars.[04:25] - Headline developments[16:25] - Graeme Callister on the resumption of war between Britain and France[39:40] - Peter Kastor on the Louisiana Purchase[1:01:20] - Marlene Daut on the Arcahaie Agreement, the anti-French slide and progress towards Haitian independence on Saint-Domingue

Liam Gauci, Senior Curator at the Malta Maritime Museum in Valletta, returns for another conversation about Maltese history, this time with the goal of planning a future visit by the Napoleonic Quarterly to the 'crossroads of the Mediterranean'.This episode is sponsored by Heritage Malta, whose support for the podcast is enormously appreciated. Liam's book Morte o Fortuna: Corsairs in Malta 1747-1798 is out now. 

What led to the Louisiana Purchase, one of the most important territorial acquisitions in world history? Prof Peter Kastor of Washington University in Saint Louis describes the build-up all the way to the negotiations in Paris, which we'll cover off in our main episode on Q2-1803 (out Wednesday 2nd 2025).

We're very excited, after such a long time working on this concept, to bring you the pilot for our new approach to battle episodes. Given 1802-4 is relatively quiet in military history terms, we're going to use this period to work our way through some of the key battles of the 1796 campaign, beginning with Bonaparte's victory at Montenotte in April. Clemens Bemmann presents; Rick Schneid is our battlefield correspondent, reporting from Montenotte itself as the day develops; Graeme Callister is in the studio with Clemens as our French Army expert; and John (Jack) Gill is alongside him as our Austrian Army expert.The result is our attempt to present battles in a novel audio format, bringing an immediacy to the story. This remains a work in progress, of course - we'll keep improving it to make it even better, and please let us know if you have any feedback to help with this by dropping us a line to napoleonicquarterly [at] gmail.com.We'll aim to produce one of these every couple of months or so, so bear with us!Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

1800. January… February… March… Three fateful months for the Hapsburgs, for Austria, and for the patchwork of territories east of the Rhine… In Switzerland the French impose a revised settlement in a bid to end years of unrest… And in the interior of modern-day Sri Lanka the Kingdom of Kandy is ready and waiting for the British as the ill-fated redcoats make their advance… this is episode 45 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three historic months for Switzerland and for Germany. [06:17] - headline developments[25:40] - Michael Rowe on the Imperial Recess, the Reichsdeputationhauptschluss and the dividing-up of Germany[51:40] - Biancamaria Fontana on the Act of Mediation and the re-establishing of cantonal government in Switzerland[1:13:30] - Josh Provan on the British offensive against the Sri Lankan Kingdom of KandyHelp us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Ravindra Rathee's first book True To Their Salt wouldn't have come about without the extensive research he'd undertaken into the military career of his grandfather. The result is a fascinating study of the role Indian soldiers played in supporting the British, and in this discussion with Josh Provan Ravi reflects on elements of the complex dynamic between the two countries explored in the book. As we work our way through 1802-3 and beyond the Napoleonic Quarterly is paying careful attention to British ambitions in India, making this a timely exploration.

Bonaparte's decision to intervene in Switzerland in 1802 after years of unrest with the French-imposed Helvetic Republic led to a return to the kind of localist, cantonal government which the Swiss had always been more comfortable with. This bonus episode with Biancamaria Fontana of the University of Lausanne tells the story all the way up to the Act of Mediation, which features in episode 45 of this podcast - a positive story which, seen in isolation instead of the context of European affairs at the time, seems to reflect itself much more positively towards Napoleon than the British would have liked - or accepted.

Modern-day Germany was at a turning point in the Napoleonic period, with the French Revolutionary Wars prompting an enormous shake-up in which its various small-scale secular and ecclesiastical entities were gobbled up by bigger states. The change marked something of a no-going-back point for the Austrian-led Holy Roman Empire, and its historical resonances continue to this day - as regular listener and contributor Hans-Karl Weiss describes in this episode. He got to put his points to our interviewee, Dr Michael Rowe of King's College London, who was able to explain why this period was so important.This bonus episode will be followed by a segment in ep45 on the Reichsdeputationhauptschluss, the key moment when the negotiations about the redrawing of the political map east of the Rhine was determined.