Discover the dramatic story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s state funeral and the return of his remains to France in 1840, nearly two decades after his death on Saint Helena. Special guest Charles Mackay joins us to explores the political symbolism, the public reaction, and the elaborate procession that accompanied the Emperor’s final journey through Paris to Les Invalides.

Learn why King Louis-Philippe agreed to bring Napoleon home, how French citizens responded, and what the funeral meant for Napoleon's legacy in French history.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow more Napoleonic history!
👇 Comment below: Should Napoleon have been buried in France or left on Saint Helena?

Bluesky: @andnapoleon.bsky.social‬, @bubblesvampire.bsky.social‬

🇫🇷👑 Charles X of France – The Last Bourbon King 👑🇫🇷

Charles X (1757–1836) was the final reigning monarch of the Bourbon line in France. Brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, Charles inherited the throne in 1824 during the Bourbon Restoration. Special guest David Montgomery joins the show to discuss his reign, which was marked by attempts to roll back the French Revolution.

Deeply conservative, Charles X pushed policies favoring the Catholic Church and the old aristocracy—earning him fierce opposition from liberals and the middle class. His controversial July Ordinances of 1830, which dissolved Parliament, censored the press, and restricted voting rights, triggered the July Revolution. Charles was overthrown and forced to abdicate, ending Bourbon rule in France.

📜 In this video, we’ll explore:

• Charles X’s rise to power

• His political struggles during the Restoration

• How his policies sparked the 1830 Revolution

• The legacy of the last Bourbon king of France

🔔 Subscribe for more history on French kings, Napoleon, and the dramatic revolutions that shaped Europe!

X/Twitter: @TheSiecle, @andnapoleon

The Battle of Bailén (July 16–19, 1808) was a shocking defeat for Napoleon’s forces during the Peninsular War—and the first time a French field army surrendered in open battle. Special guest and author Josh Provan discusses how Spanish General Castaños surrounded and crushed General Dupont’s troops, forcing over 17,000 French soldiers to lay down their arms.

This stunning Spanish victory electrified Europe, shattered the myth of French invincibility, and inspired resistance against Napoleon across the continent.

⚔️ Learn about:

• How Spanish forces outmaneuvered Napoleon’s troops

• The leadership of General Castaños

• The surrender of General Dupont

• Why Bailén changed the course of the Peninsular War

General Horace Sébastiani was more than just a cavalry officer—he was a battlefield commander, imperial diplomat, and political survivor in one of the most turbulent eras in French history. From the thunder of hooves in Spain and Russia to the quiet halls of diplomacy, Sébastiani’s career spanned empires, revolutions, and restorations.

Special guest and author Jonathan North joins the show to explore the remarkable journey of a man who wore many hats:
✅ His cavalry commands in the Peninsular War and Russian Campaign
✅ Service under Murat and participation in key engagements like Talavera and Borodino
✅ His diplomatic missions to Constantinople and role in shaping French-Ottoman policy
✅ How he navigated the fall of Napoleon, the Bourbon Restoration, and the July 1830 Revolution
✅ Why Sébastiani remains one of the most adaptable figures of the era

Whether on horseback or in the halls of power, Sébastiani was always at the center of history.

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the overlooked generals of the Napoleonic Wars!

X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

Part II of our Ultimate ranking of the Top 15 Generals of the Napoleonic Era!

Step into the boots of the greatest military minds of the Napoleonic Wars. In this episode of Generals and Napoleon, we count down the Top 15 generals of the Napoleonic Era—the brilliant, bold, and often controversial commanders who shaped European history between 1796 and 1815.

Join our brilliant panel of guests - Rachael Stark, Graeme Callister, Nick Kramer, Michael Hamel, and Jonas de Neef - who discuss everything from Marshal Davout’s iron discipline to Wellington’s defensive genius. We break down the tactics, triumphs, and legacies of iconic leaders from France, Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and beyond.

🔍 Whether you're a history buff, military strategist, or Napoleon enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights, surprises, and debates on what made these men legendary.

👉 We Include:

• Forgotten geniuses and battlefield legends

• Key campaigns that defined each general

• How Napoleon influenced—and was influenced by—his marshals and enemies

  
  

💬 Tell us in the comments: Who would make YOUR Top 15 list?

🎧 Subscribe for more on the Napoleonic Wars, epic battles, leadership lessons, and the fascinating lives of history’s greatest generals.

*Note: "The opinions expressed herein are those of the individuals and do reflect the official policy or position of the US Army, the United States Military Academy, the Department of Defense, or the US Government.”

X/Twitter: @bookish_rachael, @nkramer5812, @graemecallister, @andnapoleon

#Napoleon #NapoleonicWars #MilitaryHistory #Wellington #Davout #NapoleonicGenerals #HistoryPodcast #GeneralsAndNapoleon

🎖️ Who Were the Top 15 Generals of the Napoleonic Era?

Step into the greatest military minds of the Napoleonic Wars. In this episode of Generals and Napoleon, we count down the Top 15 generals of the Napoleonic Era—the brilliant, bold, and often controversial commanders who shaped European history between 1796 and 1815.

Join our brilliant panel of guests - Rachael Stark, Graeme Callister, Nick Kramer, Michael Hamel, and Jonas de Neef - who discuss everything from Marshal Davout’s iron discipline to Wellington’s defensive genius. We break down the tactics, triumphs, and legacies of iconic leaders from France, Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and beyond.

🔍 Whether you're a history buff, military strategist, or Napoleon enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights, surprises, and debates on what made these men legendary.

👉 We Include:

• Forgotten geniuses and battlefield legends

• Key campaigns that defined each general

• How Napoleon influenced—and was influenced by—his marshals and enemies

  
  

💬 Tell us in the comments: Who would make YOUR Top 15 list?

🎧 Subscribe for more on the Napoleonic Wars, epic battles, leadership lessons, and the fascinating lives of history’s greatest generals.

*Note: "The opinions expressed herein are those of the individuals and do reflect the official policy or position of the US Army, the United States Military Academy, the Department of Defense, or the US Government.”

X/Twitter: @bookish_rachael, @nkramer5812, @graemecallister, @andnapoleon

#Napoleon #NapoleonicWars #MilitaryHistory #Wellington #Davout #NapoleonicGenerals #HistoryPodcast #GeneralsAndNapoleon

Discover the untold story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s parents — Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino — and how their influence shaped the future Emperor of France. 🏛️

Special guest John Kuehn joins the show to help us dive into the lives of this Corsican couple:

• Carlo Buonaparte, a lawyer and political opportunist, who navigated the turbulent politics of 18th-century Corsica.

• Letizia Ramolino, Napoleon’s strong-willed mother, known for her resilience and discipline, who raised one of history’s most iconic military leaders.

From their noble Corsican roots to their roles during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Empire, learn how their ambitions, struggles, and values molded young Napoleon’s character, drive, and identity.

💡 Perfect for fans of history, Napoleonics, and those curious about the family behind the legend.

X/Twitter: @jkuehn50, @andnapoleon

In this episode, we explore the Battle of Trafalgar, the decisive naval clash of October 21, 1805, where Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and the Royal Navy shattered Napoleon Bonaparte’s hopes of invading Britain. Learn how Nelson’s bold tactics, including the famous two-column attack, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets under Admiral Villeneuve, securing British naval supremacy for more than a century.

Special guest Josh Meeks will break down the strategy, key commanders, ships of the line, and turning points, from HMS Victory to Nelson’s legendary signal — “England expects that every man will do his duty.” Discover why Trafalgar mattered beyond the battlefield, how it shaped the Napoleonic Wars, and why Nelson’s death turned him into a national hero.

Perfect for fans of military history, naval warfare, Napoleon, and British history

X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

Patreon: patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of General Jan Henryk Dombrowski, the Polish patriot who fought to restore his nation’s independence—on and off the battlefield.

From the formation of the Polish Legions in Italy to his leadership under Napoleon Bonaparte, Dombrowski became a symbol of national resilience and pride. Special guest Jonathan North joins the show to examine his key military campaigns, his relationship with the French Empire, and how he inspired Poland's national anthem.

Was he a freedom fighter, a pragmatist, or a pawn in Napoleon’s larger ambitions? Join us as we uncover the story of a general who fought not just for victory—but for the very soul of Poland.

X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

In this episode, we examine the Battle of Talavera (July 27–28, 1809), a hard-fought clash of the Peninsular War where Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, won his first major battlefield victory over Napoleon’s marshals in Spain. Facing the French armies of Marshal Victor and King Joseph Bonaparte, British and Spanish forces held firm against repeated attacks under brutal summer conditions.

Special guest Josh Provan discusses the key phases of the battle, including the fighting on Cerro de Medellín, French night assaults, and Wellington’s disciplined defensive tactics. Learn why Talavera earned Wellesley his peerage, exposed the limits of Spanish cooperation, and revealed the challenges Britain would face in Iberia—despite tactical success.

Ideal for listeners interested in the Napoleonic Wars, Wellington, Spanish campaigns, and 19th-century warfare.

X/Twitter: @LandOfHistory, @andnapoleon

In this episode, we break down Napoleon’s military strategies and the battlefield principles that made him the most feared commander of the Napoleonic Wars. From the corps system and rapid maneuver to central position, decisive battle, and relentless pursuit, Napoleon reshaped how wars were fought across Europe.

Special guest & podcaster Jonathan Abel explores how Napoleon used speed, deception, and concentration of force to defeat larger coalitions at battles like Austerlitz, Ulm, and Jena–Auerstedt, while also examining the limits of his system in Spain and Russia. Learn how logistics, artillery, and flexible command allowed the Grande Armée to dominate—and why these same strategies eventually failed against adaptive enemies.

Perfect for fans of military history, strategy and tactics, and operational-level warfare.

X/Twitter: @HistorianAbel, @andnapoleon