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2705 The British Campaign in Egypt, 1801 - Part 2 Nov 03, 2019

Show notes

The British now occupied the tip of the Aboukir peninsula directly opposite the French forces. The flanks of both armies were secured by the Mediterranean Sea on the one side, and the marshy ground of the dried up Lake Mareotis on the other. Following the landing on the 8 March, the British built defences, heaved supplies ashore and buried the dead. A short action took place on 13 March, during which the British repulsed an attack by French cavalry and horse-artillery. After this, the British paused to consider their next move. Dur: 28mins File: .mp3

2704 - The British campaign in Egypt, 1801. part 1 Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

If one was to ask about the contribution of the British army during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, some of the immediate responses would concern the Duke of Wellington, the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo. These subjects have acquired great fame over the past two decades, thanks in part to Bernard Cornwall's popular Sharpe novels, and to the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo in 2015. However, the battles fought at Waterloo and in the Spanish Peninsula were only a fraction of those fought by the British army during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. One British campaign that has largely been forgotten was fought in Egypt in 1801. Although the numbers of men who fought in Egypt were far smaller than in later campaigns in Spain, Portugal and Belgium, Egypt nevertheless proved a turning point in the fortunes of the British army. The significance of the Egyptian campaign can still be felt to this day.

This episode was written by Simon Quinn

Simon is a postdoctoral research fellow in history at the University of York. He has recently completed a PhD studying the lives of British soldiers on campaign in Egypt in 1801.

2703 Pontiac's Wars Oct 06, 2019

Show notes

The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763 ending the Seven Years War. The victorious British moved west into the Ohio Valley of North America and occupied the forts and outposts of the defeated French. New and drastic policies were instituted on the Native tribes inhabiting the area. These tribes rose up and attacked the British and displaced colonists from the territory. This began a summer of conflict between the Native tribes, the American colonists and British military. Dur: 17mins File: .mp3

2702 Quintus Sertorius - Reluctant renegade - Part 2 Sep 22, 2019

Show notes

Sertorius spent the winter training his Iberian troops and accustoming himself to their nature and tactics. He had a core of veteran Roman legionaries who followed him through many battles. A small number of Iberians were heavy infantry armed in the Roman style but the majority were light troops. Dur: 35mins File: .mp3

2701 Quintus Sertorius - Reluctant renegade - Part 1 Sep 08, 2019

Show notes

Quintus Sertorius could lay claim to a position among the greatest generals of ancient times. A loyal Roman, who lost an eye defending the Roman frontier, fortune then pitted him against the Roman military machine and some of its premier commanders, including Pompey the Great. Dur: 22mins File: .mp3

WSS30 - GreatWargameSurvey.com Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

The boys are back to remind you that the great war-game survey is now 'live', you can find it here, so please go fill it in.

In this episode Guy updates us with what in new in the hobby and we get a chance to listen to the panel discussion he took part in at the Joy of Six.

2610 John Paul Jones: The American War of Independance comes to Britain Jul 14, 2019

Show notes

On 27th February 1782 the British parliament voted to immediately cease the war in America; Britain had lost the War of Independence, (or the Revolutionary war as it is known in America). But Great Britain was not fighting America alone; by 1782 they were at war with 3 European countries and had survived the most serious invasion threat since the Spanish armada. The war had escalated far beyond the 13 colonies, to threaten Britain and her European bases. Dur: 23mins File: .mp3

2609 The Battle of Glen Shiel Jun 30, 2019

Show notes

The government troops approached from the east, their redcoats standing out against the green of the glen and the dark waters of the River Shiel. The skies overhead were clear, it was the height of the summer, unusually hot for the Scottish Highlands and marching up Glen Shiel were 850 infantry, over 100 dragoons on horseback and a similar number of Highland levies. A long trail pack horses followed in their wake. Dur: 19mins File:.mp3

2608 Magic Weapons and Armour in the Middle Ages - Part 2, King Arthur and his Knights Jun 16, 2019

Show notes

Many 'magical' items belong to the stories of Arthur and his knights although their genesis is more complicated. Sir Percival had the shield of Joseph of Arimathea, Gawain had the shield of Judas Maccabeus, Galahad the Shield of king Evalach (which had a cross drawn on it by Joseph of Arimathea in his own blood). The knights also had named swords and lances. Dur: 17mins File: .mp3

2607 Magic Weapons and Armour in the Middle Ages Jun 02, 2019

Show notes

Magic weapons and armour are things we usually associate with the realms of myth or fantasy rather than history. And yet, in semi-historical and even historical sources throughout the medieval period we find accounts of magic weapons which bring down foes or inspire comrades, or of shields and armour which protect the wearer no matter what they faced. Dur: 26mins File: .mp3

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