Episode 20: Q4-1796 - The shadow of Russia

The Napoleonic Quarterly

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1796. October… November… December… Three months in which Bonaparte sees off another Austrian offensive – but only through some desperate fighting at Arcola… The Royal Navy, withdrawing from the Mediterranean, misses an opportunity to attack the Spanish fleet… And further north an attempted invasion of Ireland is underway. This is episode 20 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the Royal Navy begins to wonder whether France’s successes on land will prevent the Royal Navy from doing its job of protecting Britain at sea.

Including a discussion from [05:11] by Alexander Mikaberidze and from [1:22:50] by Charles Esdaile of the significance of Catherine the Great's death and her replacement by her son Paul I - a momentous event of great significance for this period.

Plus the usual three segments:

[22:15] - Rick Schneid on Napoleon Bonaparte's struggles with Austrian forces in north Italy

[37:20] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the Royal Navy's withdrawal from the Mediterranean

[55:55] - Ciarán McDonnell on Ireland in the 1790s and the attempted French landing at Bantry Bay

This episode's main sections were recorded in January 2022.