The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

Historian and Rifles veteran Tim Saunders joins us to delve into the history, ethos, and legacy of the 95th Rifles, a distinguished unit of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. We discuss their formation, training, and the impact of their unique weaponry, including the Baker rifle. The discussion also explores the challenges faced by the unit, their portrayal in popular culture through Bernard Cornwell's 'Sharp'e series, and the lasting influence of the 95th on modern military practices.
Tim's books: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tim-Saunders/a/227

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

Keywords
95th Rifles, Napoleonic Wars, British Army, light infantry, military history, Tim Saunders, Baker rifle, green jacket, Peninsula War, legacy
Time Stamps: All timings approximate
00:00 Introduction to the 95th Rifles
02:17 The Formation and Evolution of the 95th Rifles
12:20 The Ethos and Character of the Rifle Corps
19:09 Training Regimen and Marksmanship of the 95th
27:08 The Baker Rifle: A Game Changer for the 95th
32:59 The Evolution of Wellington's Army
41:35 The Significance of the Green Jacket
42:06 The Impact of the Peninsula War
49:34 Challenges and Failures of the 95th
55:06 The Legacy of the 95th and Popular Culture

In a world first, Sean Bean and Bernard Cornwell sit down to share their memories about how they shaped Sharpe, and how Sharpe shaped them.
Will Sean reveal where the inimitable use of 'bastard' came from? Does Bernard settle the argument on which Sharpe novel is the best? Where did the idea of Sharpe come from.
From fan questions, to an exclusive reading from the new Sharpe novel featuring Bernard, Sean and the hosts of the podcast, perhaps the most hotly anticipated Sharpe interview ever is about to stream right here, on the Napoleonic Wars Podcast. This is the ultimate interview for anyone who has watched the TV series, read the books, or was introduced to the Napoleonic Wars through this cult classic.
Sharpe's Storm: https://thecleevebookshop.co.uk/products/9780008496821?srsltid=AfmBOoqKQgLD5rQ3B8KecvoosLJCC9HU33iSFx3J4nSUkr_EPtT85wvt
Released to the public: 8th April 2026

What does it take to make a Marshal of France. Of the 26 individuals that Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte elevated to the highest military rank of the first French Empire, there were a myriad of similarities and differences - ostentatious, arrogant, specialists, administrators, inspirational figures, princes and paupers.
To delve into the characters of these exalted figures of military and Napoleonic history, Rachael Stark and Dr Graeme Callister sit down to unpick the lives and styles of command of the French Marshals. We cover the diversity of the marshals' backgrounds, Napoleon's influence on marshal selection, the relationships between Napoleon and his marshals, and their strategic and tactical successes and failures.
Graeme's Books: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Graeme-Callister/a/4546

Timestamps (All timings approximate):
00:00 Introduction to the Marshals of France
02:47 Diversity Among the Marshals
06:10 Napoleon's Influence on His Marshals
08:53 Origins and Backgrounds of the Marshals
11:51 The Impact of Early Life Experiences
14:59 Training and Military Education
18:13 The Role of Luck and Timing
20:59 Relationships with Napoleon
24:14 The Marshals' Loyalty and Pragmatism
27:01 Listening to the Marshals
30:00 Personality Dynamics Among the Marshals
46:05 Exploring Personality Traits of Marshals
50:05 The Role of Arrogance in Leadership
56:55 Inspiration vs. Administration in Command Styles
01:04:03 Evaluating the Choices of Marshals
01:07:27 Strategic and Tactical Command Styles
01:19:08 Comparing French Marshals to Their Opponents
01:25:38 Public Perception of Marshals

Keywords
Napoleon, marshals, military leadership, history, strategy, personalities, Napoleon's generals, military history, leadership traits, Napoleonic Wars

In this episode of the The Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we saddle up and ride into part 1 of the dramatic world of cavalry warfare during the Napoleonic Wars with historian and author Josh Proven.
From the thunderous heavy cavalry charges to the lightning fast scouting of light horsemen, we explore how mounted troops shaped battlefields across Europe and beyond. Josh breaks down the different cavalry types and explains how armies from France, Britain, and Russia deployed them in radically different ways. We dig into the culture of cavalry, elite training, battlefield discipline, and the prestige that surrounded the mounted arm.
But cavalry warfare wasn’t just a European story. We also examine the role of irregular horsemen and the mounted forces of the Ottoman Empire and India, revealing how global traditions of cavalry influenced the era’s conflicts.
And of course, horses. Where did the thousands of horses come from? How were they trained for the chaos of battle, and how well were they cared for?
Finally, we relive some of the most famous cavalry moments of the era, devastating charges, heroic feats, and spectacular disasters that defined the mounted arm of Napoleonic warfare.
If you love battlefield tactics, military culture, and epic cavalry action, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
For more about Josh and his works please visit Home - Joshua Provan
For all our exclusive Podcast merchandise please visit Discover Our Exclusive Range at Napoleonic Wars Podcast

In an emergency recording Gareth Glover sits down with Zack to discuss a major auction of Napoleonic letters, the importance of preserving historical documents, and how the community can help save these invaluable pieces of history from private collections. The episode emphasises the significance of public access and proper preservation of military heritage, and the way that listeners can chip in to safeguard this remarkable cache of documents for future generations.
Support Gareth's fundraising bid directly via paypal by searching for this account: [email protected]
Notify Gareth that you would like to pledge an amount, or discuss more details with him via email at: [email protected]
More information available on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/waterlooassociation/permalink/24547146224983255/