Epic History
@EpicHistoryTV
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YouTube history channel with 2.5 million subscribers. Created by / tweeting by @TobyGroom https://t.co/5JOG6VZyjz
United Kingdom
Joined March 2015
Why does it take us so long to make videos?! We spend weeks researching, writing & re-writing every script, & fine-tune every scene until we’re absolutely happy with it. Help us continue to make quality history content by making sure you're subscribed.
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The largest cavalry charge in history took place during the Ottoman siege of Vienna in 1683, during the War of the Holy League. The city was on the brink of surrender when Polish King Sobieski led a charge by 18,000 horsemen, mostly Polish ‘winged hussars’, and saved the city.
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I’ve been reading and studying history most of my life. I have an MA. But whenever I hear, for example, 15th century, i still have to do a very quick mental conversion - ah, 1400s. Am I alone in this?.
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Unlimited budget, any cast - what historical topic would you turn into a major movie?
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#OTD 1815 Marshal Michel Ney, "the bravest of the brave", was executed by a Bourbon firing squad for treason. “Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the order. It will be my last to you. I protest against my condemnation…”
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#OnThisDay 1815 Marshal Ney was executed by the Bourbon monarchy for treason. During his trial, Ney’s lawyer tried to argue that since Ney’s birthplace had now been annexed by Prussia, he could not be tried for treason as a Frenchman. Ney interrupted his own defence: “Je suis
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Ridley Scott’s Napoleon has fleeting, blink-and-you-miss them cameos from Napoleon’s Marshals. What a waste of some of history’s most celebrated characters & commanders! Fortunately, you can find out all about them in our video.
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In WW1 the British navy was so eager to demonstrate support for its French allies that it named two warships 'HMS Marshal Soult' & 'HMS Marshal Ney'! (two of Napoleon’s top generals, who spent most of their careers at war with Britain).
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Happy Birthday Napoleone Buonaparte! Born #OnThisDay 1769 into an impoverished noble family on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Age 9, Napoleon travelled to France to attend the military academy at Brienne-le-Château. The rest is (epic) history!
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Who was the most overrated military commander in history?. Let us know your suggestions!
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#OTD 1814 Napoleon completed his masterful ‘Six Days’ Campaign’ in defence of France. Despite being outnumbered almost two to one, Napoleon’s small army out-marched and outfought their Russian and Prussian opponents, winning four victories in six days.
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The most complete example ever found of Roman 'lorica segmentata' armour. Discovered in Germany in 2019, at the site where it's believed the legions of Publius Quinctilius Varus were destroyed by German tribes in AD 9. Chemical traces suggest that its owner died wearing it.
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#OTD 1848 Marshal Soult died aged 82. After a distinguished career under Napoleon, he became Minister of War during France’s July Monarchy. While representing France at Queen Victoria’s coronation, his old foe Wellington cheekily grabbed his arm, exclaiming "I have you at last!"
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I have seen THE film. I have views. Lots of them. And questions. Was it actually not a Marshal’s baton that every French solder carried in his knapsack, but a flute?! Also, why leave a perfectly good trench to form square? Did the military advisor insist on this?.
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‘The Death of Marshal Lannes, Duke of Montebello’. The Battle of Aspern-Essling (1809) was a heavy blow for Napoleon and his Grande Armée. It was Napoleon’s first defeat as Emperor, and robbed him of one of his best commanders and closest friends.
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Today is our 9th Birthday!.Massive thanks to everyone who’s helped Epic History grow from a side project to 150+ videos, 4 channels and 2.7 million subscribers around the world! We’ve got some great videos planned, get the latest updates and early access at our Patreon page.
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Today is Epic History TV’s 8th Birthday! After 186 million views, it’s still basically the same formula as our very first video on Waterloo. Brilliant narration by @charlesnove & Napoleon’s little blue blocks driving up the centre! Thanks to all who’ve made the journey possible.
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French General Dominique Vandamme is regarded as one of the badasses of the Napoleonic Wars, not least by Napoleon himself: "If I were to launch a campaign against Lucifer in Hell, I’d want Vandamme commanding the vanguard."
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Happy birthday to the ‘bravest of the brave’ Marshal Michel Ney! Born #OnThisDay 1769 in Sarrelouis, France (today Germany). Under Napoleon’s direction, Ney was an inspirational battlefield commander, a born soldier and brilliant tactician… unless his fiery temperament got the
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#OTD 1797 Napoleon Bonaparte and his Army of Italy faced the Austrians at Rivoli. Despite at one point facing encirclement, Napoleon, with unwavering confidence and poise, pulled off his greatest victory to date, and consolidated his hold over northern Italy.
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#OTD 1805, exactly one year after his coronation as Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte won one of his greatest victories at Austerlitz. Contrary to scenes in recent blockbuster movies, shattering ice didn’t have much to do with it! Get the real story here
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Military history usually focuses on great commanders, but often they depended on a series of talented subordinates to get the job done. Who do you think are some of the best but most overlooked subordinate commanders in history? . Here are a few that come to mind…
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Which European emperor had the furthest reaching legacy?. Let us know in the comments!
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Happy Birthday Marshal Oudinot! Born #OTD in Bar-le-Duc, Lorraine, France. He was the only one of nine children to survive into adulthood, and as a soldier survived an incredible 34 battlefield wounds. Another general who saw Oudinot in the baths likened him to a human colander!
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In 1814 Napoleon - cornered at last - faced a desperate battle to save France from invasion. He was massively outnumbered by a coalition of European powers, but responded with a brilliant campaign that even his enemies were forced to admire.
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Napoleon in Egypt: Part 1 is out now for all Patreon and Nebula subscribers!
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Napoleon’s greatest general? Our quick introduction to the career of Louis Nicolas Davout - ‘the Iron Marshal’.
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Alexander the Great is one of the most famous names in history - a historical figure of such towering reputation, that even the likes of Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte regarded him with awe. Here’s our quick primer to the life and achievements of Alexander of Macedon.
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With the release date for Ridley Scott's Napoleon movie recently announced (22 Nov), what are your hopes (or fears) for the movie?? Is Joaquin Phoenix a good pick to play Napoleon, and who would you have in the other major roles?
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“If Napoleon had Cossacks in his army, he would have been Emperor of China long ago. It is the Cossacks who do all the fighting; it is always their turn.” A Cossack prisoner interviewed by Napoleon in Russia, 1812.
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Is it a Master & Commander sequel?! .Sadly not. But it is the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, coming to Patreon in a few hours. as soon as I finish the sound effects!
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France’s original Supersoldier, Jean Thurel (1698-1807), served in the French Army for 75 years. A veteran of the 7 Years War and American Revolutionary War, he refused promotion and served his whole career in the ranks. Aged 106, he was awarded the Légion d'Honneur by Napoleon.
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#OTD 1799 Napoleon led a coup against the French Directory. When he got a hostile reception from the Council of 500, Murat saved the day, clearing the chamber & shouting ‘Citizens you have been dissolved’, then adding something rather more coarse.
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Who needs Ridley Scott. little taster of our new video on the Battle of Eylau. Watch the whole thing on Patreon now, out next week on YouTube.
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Marshal Michel Ney was dubbed by Napoleon as 'the bravest of the brave'. He had an unparalleled ability to inspire his troops but also a tendency to act recklessly. Here’s our brief summary of his heroic career and tragic fate.
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Have you seen the trailer for Ridley Scott’s new Napoleon film?. What did you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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What do you think was the most important factor in Napoleon’s defeat in Spain? . A) Napoleon’s strategic mistakes .B) The resistance of the Portuguese & Spanish people - the ‘guerrilla’ .C) Spanish regular forces.D) Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese army
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Who’s your favourite horse from history?! (Horses from mythology and literature very much allowed!). Here’s a few possible candidates…
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#OTD 1815 Joachim Murat was shot by a Bourbon firing squad in Naples. The flamboyant & fearless Murat was an inspiring leader in battle, and at Eylau, his mass cavalry charge saved Napoleon’s army from destruction. Eylau is the topic of our next video, out later this month.
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#OTD 1793 King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine, after being convicted of high treason by the French Republic’s revolutionary government. What was Louis’ fatal mistake? Let us know your thoughts below!
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Which historical figure is yet to receive, but deserves a blockbuster movie?. Here are some suggestions…
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#OTD 1807 the Battle of Eylau ended after 14 hours of fighting in East Prussia. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars and cost both sides almost a third of their troops. Painting by Alexander Averyanov.
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“Adieu, my children. Would that I could press you all to my heart.”. #OTD 1814 Napoleon bid farewell to the soldiers of the Old Guard. Some broke down in tears and Napoleon, visibly moved, hugged General Petit as a final embrace and kissed the eagle standard before departing.
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Finally going to be making some videos about the people who won the Napoleonic Wars, rather than lost it. *reaches for tin helmet*
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#OnThisDay 1792 French revolutionaries stormed King Louis XVI’s Tuileries Palace, massacring his Swiss Guard and various courtiers, and forcing the king to take refuge in the chamber of the Legislative Assembly. In this imagined scene by Maurice Réalier-Dumas (1888), a young
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Happy Birthday Marshal Murat! Born #OTD 1767. Napoleon’s flamboyant sidekick & legendary cavalry commander went from son of an innkeeper to King of Naples to a firing squad in little more than 20 years. Would such a career have been possible in any other age?
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Our new video on Napoleon’s bloody battle with the Russians at Eylau is out now! Find out how this encounter became notorious for its appalling conditions and terrible losses on both sides.
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Our new Napoleon video covers the start of his famous Egyptian expedition - the Battle of the Pyramids, the bloody Cairo Revolt, destruction of the French fleet at Aboukir Bay, and more. Watch the video ad-free right now on Patreon or Nebula, or catch it on YouTube from Friday.
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‘Five keys lock up the world! Singapore, the Cape, Alexandria, Gibraltar, Dover. These five keys belong to England.’. British Admiral Sir Jackie Fisher, 1904. Britain’s Royal Navy is probably one of the most influential military forces in history. What are some other contenders?
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General Bonaparte returns to Epic History TV next week! Episode 1 of the new series covers the opening of his brilliant 1796 campaign in Italy, and is packed with cameos from young officers with big futures - Lannes, Suchet, Murat and more. Out 2 December on YouTube.
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What was the most dramatic siege in history? . Featured in the image: First Siege of Zaragoza (1808), Conquest of Constantinople (1453), Great Siege of Malta (1565) and The Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779-1783).
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My main issue with people watching video on their phones, and portrait video generally, is that the Roman Empire is inherently 16:9.
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Happy Birthday to the ‘Iron Marshal’ Louis-Nicolas Davout, born #OTD 1770 in Annoux, France. When Napoleon proclaimed a new French Empire in 1804, Davout, aged 34, became the youngest of its new Marshals. Visit the channel to watch our profile of all 26 Napoleonic Marshals.
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New series starting next week. A somewhat familiar pose…
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What was the most daring cavalry charge in history?. Let us know in the comments below!
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Was Napoleon a war criminal? In 1799, during his campaign in Egypt and Palestine, the French general ordered the execution of an estimated 3,000 Ottoman prisoners at Jaffa. Our short video contains the facts - what’s your verdict?
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#OTD 1821 Napoleon Bonaparte died aged 51 on the remote island of Saint Helena. His final words are generally cited as “France… Army…Head of the Army… Josephine”. His remains were returned to France in 1840, and interred in the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris.
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#OTD 1812 Napoleon’s retreat from Russia reached its most desperate hour - the final day of crossing the Berezina. For 3 days Napoleon's troops had held open a crossing point. But when the engineers burnt the bridges, thousands were left to the mercy of advancing cossacks.
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#OnThisDay 1806 Napoleon’s forces inflicted a crushing defeat on Prussia at the twin battles of Jena-Auerstedt. The Prussian army had a fearsome reputation dating back to the days of Frederick the Great, but proved no match for the fast, decisive action of Napoleon - as well as
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#OnThisDay 1847 Marshal Nicolas Oudinot died in Paris at the age of 80. Oudinot was fearless in battle and much loved by the army, and famous for surviving 34 battlefield wounds - including around 10 gunshots. A young officer (the future General Canrobert - Crimean War fans!) who
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General Jean-Joseph d’Hautpoul, a fearless & famously foul-mouthed French cavalry commander; so loved by his troops that when the Republican gov. tried to arrest him due to his noble birth, they threatened to mutiny. He died of wounds during the great cavalry charge at Eylau.
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#OTD 1807 British warships bombarded Copenhagen. Fearing Denmark was about to ally with Napoleon, Britain decided to preemptively strike to capture the Danish fleet. The operation was a success, but widely condemned for its blatant violation of neutrality and civilian casualties.
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There are TWO big Napoleon movies out today! We’ve just released ‘Napoleon in Italy: The Road to Glory’ - our complete 2 hour account of his brilliant Italian campaign. Watch it here:
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Thank you all for your support through 2023! This channel would not be possible without the incredible Epic History fanbase. We have some exciting videos coming in the new year, if you’d like to be first to watch them, sign up to our Patreon!
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At the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, Napoleon’s Grande Armée was at its peak. The adoption of a corps system created several ‘mini-armies’ which could march separately, but converge rapidly for battle. This structure was later imitated by most modern armies.
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“Any hussar who is not dead at thirty is a good-for-nothing.”. Antoine LaSalle, “The Hussar General”, was a fearless French cavalry commander who served in Napoleon’s army for many years.
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Happy Birthday Napoleone Buonaparte! Born #OTD 1769 into an impoverished noble family on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Aged just 30, the young general seized power in France with a clever conspiracy…and a show of force. Find out more here:
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The Napoleonic Wars (1804-15) was a conflict of unprecedented scale, which saw Europe in turmoil for a decade. Here’s our attempt to explain the conflict in 60 seconds!
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Join us in 15 minutes for the premiere of our new video, Napoleon in Egypt: Battle of the Pyramids!.
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#DidYouKnow that a single broadside from HMS Victory packed more punch than all the artillery in Wellington's army at Waterloo? Watch our complete guide to the legendary warship here:
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“Tell the Marshal, that he, his generals and his troops, have gained everlasting claims on my gratitude.” #OTD 1806 the Grande Armée crushed the Prussians at the battles of Jena-Auerstedt with Davout’s III Corps delivering a heroic victory over the main body of the Prussian army.
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Two million subscribers!. Massive thanks to all of you who have helped Epic History TV reach such a milestone. Our work would not be possible without such loyal viewers and subscribers. We've got an exciting few months ahead for you all, starting with our Battle of Rivoli video!
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As various would-be conquerors have learned, you neglect the naval arm at your peril. What have been some of the most significant naval battles in history? .Here are some ideas…
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Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire? What’s the difference, and who’s right?! Many thanks to our Belisarius series consultant @byzantineprof for the inspiration!
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#OTD 1810 Andreas Hofer was executed by a French firing squad in Mantua, Italy. Hofer led the Tyrolean Rebellion, an uprising against French and Bavarian occupying forces during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon allegedly ordered, “give him a fair trial and then shoot him.”
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Prince Eugene of Savoy was a brilliant general of the Holy Roman Empire, admired by Napoleon for his deployment of “military science”. His bold, decisive action against the Ottomans and during the War of Spanish Succession won him fame across Europe.
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#OTD 1821 Napoleon Bonaparte died aged 51 on the remote island of Saint Helena. His final words are generally cited as “France… Army…Head of the Army… Josephine”. His remains were returned to France in 1840, and interred in the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris.
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#OTD 1826 Marshal Louis-Gabriel Suchet died at his estate, aged 55. During exile in St. Helena, Napoleon was asked to name his best general: “That is difficult to say… but it seems to me that it is Suchet.” Watch our biography of him here:
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Our new series is like nothing we’ve ever done before. Using detailed 3D animation we’ve brought to life some of the biggest naval battles of the Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars, starting with the Battle of Cape St. Vincent!
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I watched this film for the first time aged about 10. It ends on the cusp of Napoleon's Italian campaign. The family story is that I immediately ran to my mum in the kitchen yelling "Mum! Mum! Where's the rest?!" 5 hours apparently wasn't enough 😂.
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#OTD 1800 Napoleon defeated the Austrians at Marengo. The victory, with a heavy dose of propaganda, helped Napoleon secure his position and popularity as First Consul. On the same date 7 years later, as Emperor, Napoleon defeated the Russians at Friedland.
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#OTD 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile on the Mediterranean island of Elba. He had been planning for months, building up a small army and fleet and while his enemies were bickering amongst themselves, the Emperor departed to begin one final campaign for France!
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One of Vernet’s greatest works: ‘The Battle of Valmy’ completed in 1828. The Battle of Valmy (1792) is seen as a turning point in French history; the moment the young French Republic was nearly crushed by foreign enemies but saved (in part) by the courage of its new citizen army.
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#OnThisDay 1796 a legend was born - at the Battle of Arcole in northern Italy, General Bonaparte urged his men to cross a fire-swept bridge to attack the enemy on the far bank while waving a French flag. Other French commanders, notably General Augereau, also braved enemy fire
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@legogradstudent That’s why we have history. To remind us that things have always been worse.
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Join us in 15 minutes for the YouTube premiere of the Battle of Eylau. We have cuirassiers. Thousands of them.
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Ottoman Sultan Mehmed Fatih (Conqueror) entering the city of Constantinople in 1453, by Fausto Zonaro. Mehmed went to great lengths to integrate the Byzantine Greek population, while rebuilding the great city to cement Ottoman great power status.
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#OTD 1792 French revolutionaries stormed Louis XVI’s Tuileries Palace, massacring his Swiss Guard. In this scene by Maurice Réalier-Dumas (1888), a young Napoleon Bonaparte considers the royal mantle and crown left unattended on the palace floor, beside a dying Swiss Guard.
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Happy Birthday Marshal Jean Lannes! Born #OTD 1769. One of Napoleon’s bravest Marshals, he led an attack at Ratisbon in 1809. When men held back, he rushed forward shouting “I’ll show you that before I was a Marshal I was a grenadier, and still am!” inspiring a successful attack.
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‘The Thin Red Line’ by Robert Gibb (1845-1932). The Sutherland Highlanders repel a Russian cavalry charge at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854. Not a good day for cavalry - earlier, the British Light Brigade was itself decimated in the most notorious cavalry charge in history.
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Le Chevalier de Bayard (c.1476-1524) was a French knight famed for his honour, courtesy, courage & skill. His deeds during the Italian Wars made him a legend in France, where it was the fate of all subsequent military heroes to be compared to him (including at least 3 Marshals!)
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“This is beginning to be very serious.” Napoleon to General Caulaincourt, 23rd November 1812. At the start of the Russian winter, Napoleon and his army were surrounded, outnumbered 3 to 1, and still 300 miles from safety. Our video covers every step of the retreat.
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“The Taking of Malakoff” by Horace Vernet (1858). The Battle of Malakoff saw some of the most intense fighting of the Crimean War (1853-1856). Allied forces recognised that the Malakoff redoubt was the key to Russian defences around the city of Sevastopol. In September 1855, the
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