The Irish Brigade at Fontenoy: Victory in Exile

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the story of the Irish Brigade, the Wild Geese who fought for France against the British at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. They delve into the origins of the brigade after the Treaty of Limerick in 1691, when Patrick Sarsfield led thousands of Irish soldiers into exile. Lucas paints a vivid picture of the battle itself, focusing on the crucial moment when the British Guards advanced and the Irish counter-attacked with devastating effect. He explains how the Irish regiments, including Dillon's, Clare's, and Roth's, earned a fearsome reputation for their ferocity. The conversation touches on the broader War of the Austrian Succession, the French commander Maurice de Saxe, and the Irish soldiers' longing to free Ireland. Lucas also discusses the ambiguous legacy of Fontenoy—a victory that brought glory but no liberation. This episode sheds light on a little-known chapter of Irish military history and the diaspora's role in European wars. #IrishBrigade #Fontenoy1745 #WildGeese #PatrickSarsfield #MauriceDeSaxe #IrishInFrance #WarOfTheAustrianSuccession #DillonsRegiment #ClaresRegiment #RothsRegiment #LouisXV #BritishArmy #IrishExile #18thCenturyWarfare #BattleOfFontenoy #IrishHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo