The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

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