The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

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

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/thenapoleonicwarspod
Catriona'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/9783030559274
Women, Politics and the Irish Public Sphere in the Age of Revolution - https://www.oxford.com/academic/works/9780198807474
University 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.page
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Katrina Kennedy
01:00 Historical context: Catholic persecution from the Reformation to 1829
02:25 The legal status of Catholics in Britain in the late 18th century
05:36 Reasons behind the relaxation of anti-Catholic laws in the 1790s
08:55 Impact of the French Revolution on British attitudes towards Catholics
11:03 The shifting concept of Britishness and Irish identity
21:44 The rise of Daniel O'Connell and the Catholic campaign in Ireland
24:19 Wellington's opposition and the political crisis of 1829
33:05 The relationship between King George IV and Wellington during emancipation
37:53 Public opinion, prejudice, and the social impact of emancipation
42:07 Modern parallels: anti-Catholic prejudice and othering
49:43 Conclusion: The social and political legacy of Catholic emancipation

Keywords
Catholic emancipation, British history, Irish history, Act of Union, Daniel O'Connell, Wellington, Irish immigrants, 19th century politics

In this Battle Series episode of the The Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we head to southern Italy to unpack the dramatic and sometimes misunderstood Battle of Maida with historian Richard Hopton author of 'The Battle of Maida, 1806: Fifteen Minutes of Glory'.
We set the stage with the wider Mediterranean campaign before diving into the opposing commanders, John Stuart and Jean Reynier, and the bold decisions that brought both armies into open battle.
From the geography of the Maida plain to the eerie “awful silence” before bayonets clash, we reconstruct the battle moment by moment. At its heart lies the famous “fifteen minutes” that shattered the French attack, was this a triumph of fire discipline, leadership, or something more complex?
We also tackle one of Napoleonic history’s biggest debates: line versus column. What really happened on the day, and how did Maida become a textbook case albeit accurately or not?
Finally, we explore the aftermath, its strategic impact, its place in British military memory, and whether Maida deserves its reputation as a pivotal moment.
A fast paced, myth busting deep dive into one of the era’s most fascinating battles that may have set up some of Britain's most decorated commaders for sucess in future campaigns.
For more on Richard’s published works and where to find them, please click here Richard Hopton - Author | Historian | Journalist - Richard Hopton

In this second instalment we return to the saddle with historian Josh Proven to uncover the hidden mechanics behind cavalry warfare during the Napoleonic Wars.
This episode goes beyond the charge to explore how cavalry actually functioned under the chaos of battle. How did commanders maintain control over fast moving formations at Waterloo or Eylau? Were signals, discipline, and doctrine enough or was unpredictability inevitable?
We then dive deep into the lifeblood of cavalry, horses. From vast remount systems in France, Austria, and Britain to Russia’s reliance on native herds, we examine the logistical and economic struggle to keep armies mounted. How were horses sourced, trained, and conditioned for the terror of gunfire and close combat? And how did different cultures, from European cuirassiers to Cossacks and Tatars shape the relationship between rider and mount?
Finally, we explore the often overlooked realities of campaign life, feeding, shoeing, transporting, and caring for thousands of horses. With limited veterinary support and immense logistical strain, cavalry effectiveness often hinged on equine survival.
If Part 1 was about how cavalry fought, Part 2 reveals what made it possible.
More of Josh's work can he found here Home - Joshua Provan