The Redcoat History Podcast

This is the re-edit of a live broadcast with Historian Mark Thompson.

We discussed British cavalry of the Peninsular War. How were they trained? What were their strengths and their weaknesses? In which battles did they perform well?

Mark has written many books on the era. This is his excellent book on the lines of Torres Vedras - https://amzn.to/3thM6k7 and this one on Wellington's favourite engineer - https://amzn.to/3rAUVVO

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

The Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious decoration available to British service members. 

We all know what it looks like  - It’s a small bronze cross with a distinctive crimson ribbon. But what else do you know about it? 

Well, today I am joined by author and historian Kevin Brazier…he’s going to be busting some of the myths and answering all of my questions about the VC.

His books on the subject can be purchased via these links:

The Complete Victoria Cross: https://amzn.to/3EERK29 

Victoria Crosses of the Gurkha and Indian Regiments: https://amzn.to/3r6ZGWZ 

Subscribe to my mailing list to receive your free book about the Battle of Isandlwana - http://bit.ly/redcoathistory 

The siege of Lucknow saw the bloodiest fighting of the Indian Mutiny.

In this episode, I walk the residency grounds, explore how the site looks now and tell the story of the six month long siege.

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://www.redcoathistory.com

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via

https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory 

Today the one and only Ian Knight joins us to discuss his new book, "Warriors in Scarlet - The Life and Times of the Last Redcoats". 

Ian has written many brilliant books on the Zulu War and his new work looks at the British army of the early to mid-Victorian era. 

In this interview, Ian explains how the army developed over this period and talks us through some of the most interesting campaigns that it fought. 

The book can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/3RxreiX 

I also ask you to support the show by signing up for my mailing list here to receive your free eBook about the Battle of Isandlwana. http://bit.ly/redcoathistory 

 

It's September 1857 - the Indian Mutiny is going strong. The British are outnumbered and outgunned. Not a good position to be in for storming a major city.

But they are determined to hold India at all costs. Can the redcoats and their allies achieve the impossible against a determined and worthy foe?

Walk the streets of old Delhi with me to find out more about this important Indian Mutiny battle of September 1857.

I am also joined by Historian Amarpal Singh on this episode. He has a book on the battle that can be purchased via this link

https://amzn.to/44jvt4O

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.redcoathistory.com/newsletter

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

 

Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation, is South Africa's most famous warrior-king. He was a formidable man. But what is his story and who were the Kings who came after him?

In this brief introduction to the subject, I am joined by historian Professor John Laband.

You can find his books on the subject via the links below.

The assassination of King Shaka - https://amzn.to/3KMq9Qj

The Eight Zulu Kings - https://amzn.to/43SOx9e

This interview was filmed at the Clash of Empires Exhibition in London. It is now finished but you can still visit their website - https://clashofempires.org/

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://www.redcoathistory.com

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

 

The Peninsular War is one of the most interesting in British military history.

Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, led a successful army against the French from 1808-1814 in Portugal, Spain, and the South of France.

This was my first live broadcast and features John Viscardo of the Generals and Napoleon Podcast, and Marcus Cribb who is @ mcribbhistory on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/mcribbHistory 

We are examining the French Marshals who faced Wellington.. Who were they, and who was the best? 

John's YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@generalsandnapoleon

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory 

The Gurkha’s - one of the most famous regiments in the British army. These tough men from Nepal have fought across the globe for Britain. 

But how did they end up fighting for the British and when did they emerge as an elite unit? That’s the story we are telling today.

I am joined by the wonderful Josh Provan who can be found on Twitter

as @LandOfHistory

 

Please also join my mailing list here. When you do so you will receive a free copy of my book all about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. 

 

It is the hot summer of 1857. A small besieging British force, massively outnumbered and outgunned by the Sepoys inside the city. . .

Can this ragtag bunch of British soldiers and hastily raised regiments from the Punjab really retake the seat of the Mughal empire? Can they finally gain a victory and change the course of the Rebellion?

Today’s story is fascinating, filled with glory and honour but also brutality and terror.

Stick with me to find out more about the siege of Delhi in 1857. 

Amarpal Singh's book "The Siege of Delhi" can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3OiR6gS

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.redcoathistory.com

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

 

Cawnpore - was a key battle during the war of 1857 in northern India. But it was more than just a battle - it became a rallying cry. It was a brutal fight followed by an infamous and tragic massacre and eventually some terrible retribution from the British.

Join me as I continue my series on the Indian mutiny of 1857 - known in India as the 1st War of Independence.

My key source for this video was Andrew Ward's book, "Our bones are scattered" that can purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3mE4HUI

You can also read Mowbray Thomson's book for free via this link - https://archive.org/details/storycawnpore00thomgoog/mode/2up

and Shepherd's book can be read here -

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284844/page/n47/mode/2up

If you are also interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.redcoathistory.com

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory