Who were the Royal Engineers? How were they formed? What did they do? And why do they matter in the context of the Napoleonic Wars?
The world's leading expert on the Royal Engineers during the Napoleonic Wars, Dr Mark Thompson, returns to the show to discuss this unit, their impact, and their controversies during the Napoleonic era. We discuss everything from crime to animosity with 'Black Bob' Craufurd and notable figures such as John Fox Burgoyne.
Mark's Books:
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Mark-S-Thompson/a/2446
https://www.helion.co.uk/people/mark-s-thompson.php
Keywords
Royal Engineers, Napoleonic Wars, military engineering, John Fox Burgoyne, Wellington, siegecraft, military history, engineering legacy
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Royal Engineers
02:29 The Origins of the Royal Engineers
05:05 Engineering Duties in the Napoleonic Era
10:04 Reputation and Perception of the Royal Engineers
14:01 Promotion and Structure within the Royal Engineers
19:51 Characteristics of Royal Engineers
22:51 Behaviour and Discipline of Royal Engineers
31:29 John Fox Burgoyne and His Legacy
31:39 The Legacy of John Fox Burgoyne
35:30 Burgoyne's Role in the Royal Engineers
38:17 The Napoleonic Wars: Engineers in Action
46:08 Challenges Faced by Military Engineers
52:03 The Controversy of the Waterloo Map
01:01:27 Memoirs and Historical Accounts of Engineers
01:05:09 The Evolving Reputation of the Royal Engineers
