The Redcoat History Podcast

Don't mess with Bootnecks! 360 Years of Britain's elite Royal Marines

Who and What exactly are the Royal Marines? And what is there history? They’re not the Army. They’re not sailors. And yet somehow they’ve ended up in every war, every landing, every corner of the planet — from storming French ports in the 1700s, to yomping across the Falklands with eighty-pound packs, to creeping up beaches today with drones, fast boats, and sniper teams.

 

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The Many Faces of Richard Burton: Britain’s Wildest Explorer (and Soldier!)

Soldier, scholar, explorer, spy, shagger!

A man who spoke twenty-nine languages—plus a dozen more dialects.A man who carried the scars of a spear wound through both cheeks and still managed to insult people afterwards.

He was a man who was fascinated by the dark and mysterious corners of the world and of the human psyche.

Today we are going to Learn about one of Britain’s greatest explorers, an extreme character - complex and unconventional . . .sirs ma’am’s ladies and gents I give you the one and only Richard Francis Burton.

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Victorian Crusaders: Britons Who Fought for the Pope’s Army

Today, we’re really diving into an obscure niche. . . Rome in the 1860s — a decade of revolution, nationalism, and, oddly enough, British and Irish Catholics signing up to fight for the Pope.

Our guest is historian Nicholas Schofield, author of Victorian Crusaders: British and Irish Volunteers in the Papal Army, 1860–70. It’s a story of faith, politics, and some very unlikely Redcoats in baggy Zouave trousers. The book is published by Helion and here is the link to buy - https://amzn.to/46tsA48 

Special thanks to my good mate Dr Christopher Brice for conducting today’s interview. He is an expert in his own right and has written a number of books about Victorian military History - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php 

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And come tour the Zulu War battlefields with me by signing up for a tour here - https://paystack.com/buy/the-zulu-war-a-self-drive-tour-with-redcoat-history-devkrw 

Guerrillas, Redcoats, and Empire: Understanding Asymmetric Warfare

How do you beat an enemy who refuses to fight by the rules? From ambushes in the forests of North America to the frontier wars in Africa, the British Army faced enemies who fought small, fast, and ruthless. We now call it asymmetric warfare — the clash between the strong and the weak, the lion and the fly.

In this episode of Redcoat History, I sit down with Dr Jacob Hagstrom — former U.S. Army officer and author of Asymmetric Warfare (Cambridge University Press). We explore how Redcoats struggled, adapted, and sometimes failed when fighting foes who didn’t line up on open fields. Expect stories from the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Cape Frontier as well as a discussion about the recent campaign in Afghanistan.

Link to Jacob's book - https://amzn.to/47B3jHz

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The British Empire’s Regulars 1880-1914

This week I’m joined by historian Wendell Schollander to discuss his new book The British Empire’s Regulars 1880–1914. We dive into the lives of the men who fought and marched across the globe in Britain’s name – English, Sikhs, Scots, Gurkhas, Ibos, Zulus and many more – showing how these diverse soldiers were anything but anonymous pawns. Wendell brings their stories to life, explaining the unique contributions of each group and why their service was vital to the empire’s survival.

Wendell's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3HON0ME 

Special thanks to Chris Brice for stepping in with hosting today. His books can be found here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php 

Brevet Ranks, Forgotten Regiments & Bureaucratic Chaos (Britain's Napoleonic Army)

Did you know a British cavalry captain once held the army rank of lieutenant general… and still just led a squadron?

In this episode, we dive deep into the gloriously confusing world of the Napoleonic-era British Army with historian Steve Brown. From "Brevet" ranks, to gentleman volunteers who wielded muskets while hoping someone died so they could get a promotion—this is the army as you’ve never heard it before.

We uncover forgotten garrisons, militia mysteries, and the strange story behind those regimental county titles that mostly meant nothing at all.

Expect penal battalions, Greek soldiers in red coats, and dashing hussars who were all moustache and no discipline.

It's the military equivalent of Monty Python meets Yes Minister—only it really happened.

Steve's books can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4eRDm85 

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Onwards to Omdurman - Empire Strikes Back: The battle for Sudan (1898)

Today we’re heading to the Sudan—dusty, dangerous, and politically explosive. We’re talking about Onwards to Omdurman, a gripping book by military historian Keith Surridge, which examines the often-overlooked campaigns leading up to Kitchener’s famous victory in 1898.

But I’m not in the interviewer’s chair for this one. Instead, friend of the show and fellow historian Chris Brice takes the reins for a fascinating deep dive into empire, ambition, and the logistics of war in the late Victorian age.

Before we begin, don’t forget—if you enjoy this podcast, head over to redcoathistory.com/newsletter to sign up to my mailing list. You’ll get updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a free ebook all about the Battle of Isandlwana, one of the most dramatic defeats in British military history.

Keith's book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/3GcxOs5 

And Chris Brice's books are available here - https://amzn.to/4lcMiHn 

Courage in Chaos - the Relief of Lucknow (w/ Eva Chatterji)

In this episode of the Redcoat History podcast, I’m joined by historian and author Eva Chatterji to uncover the brutal truth behind the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

We go beyond the siege itself to tell the story of the fighting retreat, political backstabbing, and desperate urban combat that nearly doomed the entire British operation. Along the way we meet:

• Sir Henry Havelock, the “soldier-saint” leading from the front

• Sir James Outram, trying to manage a political minefield

• Sir Colin Campbell, the master planner who finally broke through

• And William Hall, the first Black man to win a Victoria Cross

This isn’t just a story of Empire and military heroics — it’s a story of chaos, confusion, and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

Eva’s new book Courage and Chaos is out now from Barnthorne Publishing and Amazon.

Outnumbered and Outflanked: Wellington's Toughest Battle (Fuentes de Oñoro)

Outnumbered, outflanked, and nearly broken — Wellington’s army during the Peninsular War came dangerously close to collapse at Fuentes de Onoro. In this on-the-ground film, we walk the battlefield to uncover how terrain, timing, and sheer stubbornness turned the tide.

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/

You can also support the study of British military history by joining my Patreon page over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content.

Marcus Cribb's channel is here - https://www.youtube.com/@UClSx0Xd34n_-zfIiO7vp7lQ

 

The Rise and Fall of Sir Garnet Wolseley (w/ Stephen Manning)

Once the most famous soldier in Britain, Sir Garnet Wolseley rose through sheer grit and genius — only to fall hard thanks to arrogance, politics, and a changing empire. Historian Stephen Manning joins me to explore the man behind the moustache in all his brilliant, baffling glory.

 

Stephen's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3ZsBFHT 

 

Sign up for my newsletter here (for a free eBook on the Zulu War) - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

 

Chris Brice's books can be found here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/