159. There were French Wars Before Napoleon with Rory Butcher

This week we're delving into the often-overlooked intricacies of the Napoleonic Wars. Joining us is Rory Butcher, a PhD candidate from Leeds University, whose research on the fencible regiments sheds new light on Britain's military history.Introduction to Rory Butcher:- Rory shares his academic journey, from his fascination with muskets to his current PhD research at Leeds University.- Discover how a conversation with his master's supervisor led Rory to explore the largely uncharted territory of the fencible regiments.Debunking Napoleonic Myths:- Rory's rage centres on the misconception that the Napoleonic Wars are solely defined by the Peninsula and Waterloo campaigns.- He argues for the broader term "French Wars" to encapsulate the 25-year period of conflict from 1792 to 1815.The French Wars Explained:- An in-depth look at the seven coalitions and the global nature of the French Wars, involving multiple European powers and theatres of conflict.- Rory highlights Britain's role beyond just fighting the French, including engagements in North America, the Caribbean, and India.Britain's Domestic Front:- Explore the internal challenges Britain faced, from political opposition and suspended civil liberties to naval mutinies and the threat of Irish rebellion.- Learn about the social and economic impacts of the war on British society, including the role of the militia and the fear of invasion.The Role of the Fencibles:- Rory introduces the fencible regiments, tracing their origins from the aftermath of Culloden to their significant contribution during the French Wars.- Understand how these regiments, initially raised from Scottish clans, evolved to play a crucial role in Britain's military strategy.Conclusion and Final Thoughts:- Rory urges a re-evaluation of the Napoleonic period, advocating for a more nuanced understanding that goes beyond the simplistic narrative of Britain's victory at Waterloo.- He calls for the period to be seen as part of a broader, complex web of global conflicts and alliances.Follow Rory on Twitter @RMBHistory for updates on his research and insights into the fascinating world of the fencible regiments.You can follow History Rage on Twitter @HistoryRage or Paul individually @PaulBavill You can join our 'Angry Mob' on Patreon as well. £5 per month gets you episodes 3 months early, the invite to choose questions, entry into our prize draws and the coveted History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow History Rage on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryRageTwitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryRageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyrage.bsky.socialStay Angry, Stay Informed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.