What I can understand is the British Heavy Cavalry had no fear of charging or executing the shock action it was a matter of getting them to stop after they had preformed a successful charge . BTW I love the Napoleonic British Heavy Dragoon uniforms
Great opening account, very informative interview. I did not know the ins and outs of the differing swords/sabres and techniques. Good to hear about the Peninsular cavalry successes too :)
Cavalry charges were a high risk game. Reading Fortescue's history of the Army you will realize that the British Cavalry inflicted two to three times as many defeats in battle on the French cavalry in Spain and Portugal as they suffered themselves. Sahugan, Benevante, Fuentes D'Onoro, El Bodon, Los santos, Campo Maior, Usagre, Villagarcia, Salamanca, Morales de toro, Croix Durade, and so on. These are forgotten however because they were very small in scale, frequency, and strategic significance. Their defeats too(Vimeiro, Talavera, and Maguilla), while small, could be dramatic ocassions out of all proportion to their effects on the wider war. The British cavalry's biggest weakness was lack of numbers. They could have some pretty bad commanders and officers (but then so did the more meritocratic French.) , though this was because of a lack of training grounds for large maneuvers in England and not usually some supposed character defect of the men themselves. The French were more experienced in war and in the movement of large bodies of cavalry, though this did not always help them when put up against the British, an enemy with which they underestimated and despised. As for the British cavalry officers, it is supposed they did not know the importance of keeping in good order, forming a reserve, and reforming after a charge. True to a point. A point might be made that they never had the numbers available to form a big enough reserve and so they decided rather to concentrate all their troopers for one all in shock action. Like a poker player who goes all in one too many times, defeats were bound to happen at least ocassionally. Overall they did excellent service despite being outnumbered at the strategic level and their defeats were pretty insignificant in terms of numbers involved and strategic effects. The British infantry suffered defeats too, though theirs were far less dramatic than those which the cavalry experienced and their successes are better remembered for having been more constant and important in effects. It was they whom the decision of any battle rested with, and not the cavalry, and so the prowess of the redcoats and green jackets were more readily remembered, often ruefully by French commanders, and with pride and respect by the British generals (some of whom I should add did not always entirely deserve them)
My grandfather, George Alexander Warren, was a trooper in the Scottish Horse in 1914, which was a Yeomanry Regiment raised at Dunkeld, and was dismounted and sent to Gallipoli. I have a postcard-sized photograph of him on a horse carrying a short carbine rifle. Because of this I have found this conversation about cavalry 100 years before extremely interesting and I was wondering if you are planning on making a video about cavalry in the First World War when you eventually reach it?
Thank you for the video. I’ve not heard the opening account before. I own a 14LD sabre used in the Peninsula War and especially at Vittoria where the 14LD captured Joseph Bonaparte’s chamber pot.
@@redcoathistory It certainly is a old warhorse. The blade has been resharpened many times and has become slightly hollow along the cutting edge. There are also the remains of some deep nicks in the blade. I also own two 2D Ds (Scots Greys) swords used at Waterloo and a Consular/Imperial Guard Grenadier à Cheval sabre, made in 1803.
You mentioned the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwall and I wanted to recomme.d the Matthew Hervey series by Brigadier Allan Mallinson. The main character is a British light cavalry officer during the Napoleonic Wars, cracking stuff!
@Redcoat: British military history Another good and interesting show. You might find it interesting to do something with the YT channel scholagladiatoria on British cavalry and officers swords, etc.
Definitely got the different swords now... Though I'm not an armoury expert like Gladatoria I think there might be some melons that need slicing... For research purposes!!
In the books Sharpe did indeed carry the Heavy Cavalry sword, but in his case he was unusually tall, at 6', for the period and strong so although I agree for the average man probably 5'8" or so the sword would have been too big and heavy to be useful on foot, in the case of Sharpe it was probably of more use than otherwise. Plus of course artistic licence :)
Hi Chris, Great Shows about the Peninsula War, however I have a question, actually three in fact! Have any shows since been done as yet focusing on & featuring about Wellington’s Artillery in the Peninsula Campaign (RA & RFA units or their predecessor entities), his Engineers (Colonel Richard Fletcher & his colleagues) or even his Intelligence Services (Exploratory Officers & others) there? If so could you perhaps indicate which episodes cover these topics & kindly supply their links in any reply/acknowledgment of this enquiry? Otherwise, these topics might prove to be new & useful lines of inquiry & points of reference & interest for potential new shows & episodes for the future? Thanks & I really appreciate & enjoy your historical works & the detailed research involved in them!
Hi Trevor…I haven’t specifically done episodes on these topics though I think you will enjoy my episodes on the Lines of Torres Vedras and also the sieges of Burgos and San Sebastián as well touch on a number of the subjects i.e engineering and artillery. Thanks
@@redcoathistory : Yes Chris, I hungrily devoured all of those episodes that you mentioned in your previous reply & all it has done is to whet my appetite more for your excellent fare, but if one or two future shows could include topics like artillery, engineering or intelligence-on-the-ground in the Peninsula War, then that really would be the icing on top of the cake with a Moreno cherry 🍒 on top of that! 😂🤣Thanks 🙏🏼 again for sharing your time & thoughts here! 👍 PS. I particularly enjoyed the interesting & informative episode about the “Lines of Torres Vedras, which I found to be most edifying & fascinating! That’s why I think an episode about Wellington’s Engineers would be so interesting & popular with your viewers/audience!!
That was very interesting. with Marcus . If you want a tip top knowledgeable speaker to interview, look no further than Ian Fletcher BUT catch him in his Spurs kit, not a suit & tie !! I was fortunate to spend 3 days walking all over the Waterloo battlefield with him some years ago and his presentational skills have stuck with me ever since. Hes also a tip top bloke too, as well as probably the countries leading expert on the Peninsula.
@@redcoathistory Hi just done a small bit of research and found a few examples of just that! Most are similar to mine without a Bayonet and a shortened Barrel! Can send you a picture if you like! All I know about it is that it was found in a House in Funchal, Madeira by a friend of mine and close to the Headquarters of WCBeresford (Quinta do Lago)
WRT recruitment in the cavalry, do you think they tried not to recruit men who knew about horses so they wouldn't have any bad habits to knock off /before/ they learned how the cavalry behaved? For example one of the fictional series I read is of Spider Shephard who was originally SAS and then in civilian life undercover / armed police. He had to learn the civilian way of doing things so for example criminals had to be warned /before/ he opened fire.
The destruction of Anson’s brigade at Talavera in the dry stream bed after being warned by the Spanish Marines of Bassecourt’s division. Sir George Anson was never cashiered or demoted, an ongoing problem with this ancien régime. “They (the cavalry) never consider their situation, never think of maneuvering before an enemy - so little that one would think they cannot maneuver excepting on Wimbledon Common…. The (1st Royal Dragoons) Royals and the 3rd Dragoon Guards were the best regiments in this (Spain) country, and it annoys me particularly that the misfortune has happened to them. I do not wonder at the French boasting of it… - Lord Wellington Commenting after Salamanca/Los Arapiles, on the march toward Madrid. Bock’s brigade against Foy’s squares, D’Urban’s brigade against Treillard’s cavalry and Slade’s brigade against Lallemand’s reserve squadron. Pages 358 -362 The Spanish Ulcer. This was a continuing problem not only in the Peninsula, but at Waterloo and going on at least until the Crimean war.
The horse is a beautiful animal/ever since its domesication it has made an enormous contribution to human activities/what a fantastic animal/ interesting the Zulus never used horse's in the same way as Europeans arabs cenral asians and native Americans / they had to run so a Zulu was his own horse and needed strong legs and stamina
What I can understand is the British Heavy Cavalry had no fear of charging or executing the shock action it was a matter of getting them to stop after they had preformed a successful charge . BTW I love the Napoleonic British Heavy Dragoon uniforms
Great opening account, very informative interview. I did not know the ins and outs of the differing swords/sabres and techniques. Good to hear about the Peninsular cavalry successes too :)
Thanks Mark, yes I learned a lot from this chat with Marcus too - he's a great guy.
Cavalry charges were a high risk game. Reading Fortescue's history of the Army you will realize that the British Cavalry inflicted two to three times as many defeats in battle on the French cavalry in Spain and Portugal as they suffered themselves. Sahugan, Benevante, Fuentes D'Onoro, El Bodon, Los santos, Campo Maior, Usagre, Villagarcia, Salamanca, Morales de toro, Croix Durade, and so on. These are forgotten however because they were very small in scale, frequency, and strategic significance. Their defeats too(Vimeiro, Talavera, and Maguilla), while small, could be dramatic ocassions out of all proportion to their effects on the wider war. The British cavalry's biggest weakness was lack of numbers. They could have some pretty bad commanders and officers (but then so did the more meritocratic French.)
, though this was because of a lack of training grounds for large maneuvers in England and not usually some supposed character defect of the men themselves. The French were more experienced in war and in the movement of large bodies of cavalry, though this did not always help them when put up against the British, an enemy with which they underestimated and despised. As for the British cavalry officers, it is supposed they did not know the importance of keeping in good order, forming a reserve, and reforming after a charge. True to a point. A point might be made that they never had the numbers available to form a big enough reserve and so they decided rather to concentrate all their troopers for one all in shock action. Like a poker player who goes all in one too many times, defeats were bound to happen at least ocassionally. Overall they did excellent service despite being outnumbered at the strategic level and their defeats were pretty insignificant in terms of numbers involved and strategic effects. The British infantry suffered defeats too, though theirs were far less dramatic than those which the cavalry experienced and their successes are better remembered for having been more constant and important in effects. It was they whom the decision of any battle rested with, and not the cavalry, and so the prowess of the redcoats and green jackets were more readily remembered, often ruefully by French commanders, and with pride and respect by the British generals (some of whom I should add did not always entirely deserve them)
Thanks, Vince. An informative comment and plenty of food for thought.
My god this is brilliant how have I only just found it? Instant sub
Now that is the sort of comment I like! Thanks Ian...Please help to spread the word if you can. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
Excellent as usual, Marcus is very informative!
My grandfather, George Alexander Warren, was a trooper in the Scottish Horse in 1914, which was a Yeomanry Regiment raised at Dunkeld, and was dismounted and sent to Gallipoli. I have a postcard-sized photograph of him on a horse carrying a short carbine rifle. Because of this I have found this conversation about cavalry 100 years before extremely interesting and I was wondering if you are planning on making a video about cavalry in the First World War when you eventually reach it?
Thanks, Andrew - I would love to - but it may be a while before we get there. Keep your eyes peeled...
Thank you for the video. I’ve not heard the opening account before. I own a 14LD sabre used in the Peninsula War and especially at Vittoria where the 14LD captured Joseph Bonaparte’s chamber pot.
Wow I am very jealous! I’d love to get my hands one something like that at some point.
@@redcoathistory It certainly is a old warhorse. The blade has been resharpened many times and has become slightly hollow along the cutting edge.
There are also the remains of some deep nicks in the blade. I also own two 2D Ds (Scots Greys) swords used at Waterloo and a Consular/Imperial Guard Grenadier à Cheval sabre, made in 1803.
I would be happy to share photos of my swords if anyone is interested.
@@ianknight2053 If that is possible that would be great. Are you on social media?
@@redcoathistory Yes, I am.
facebook.com/ian.m.knight.5
Salamanca highlighted the cavalry at it's best, and I enjoyed the video with the Le Marchant sword show.
Thanks Noah - yeah Salamanca was an amazing battle. Can’t wait to get to that point on the podcast.
@@redcoathistory Me too.
You mentioned the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwall and I wanted to recomme.d the Matthew Hervey series by Brigadier Allan Mallinson. The main character is a British light cavalry officer during the Napoleonic Wars, cracking stuff!
Thanks a lot - I've added a few to my wishlist but never gotten around to reading - will try to rectifty that!
@Redcoat: British military history Another good and interesting show. You might find it interesting to do something with the YT channel scholagladiatoria on British cavalry and officers swords, etc.
Yes that’s a really good point. I might reach out to him for a future episode. Appreciate the feedback.
Definitely got the different swords now... Though I'm not an armoury expert like Gladatoria I think there might be some melons that need slicing... For research purposes!!
@@marcuscribbhistory now that will be a good video!
In the books Sharpe did indeed carry the Heavy Cavalry sword, but in his case he was unusually tall, at 6', for the period and strong so although I agree for the average man probably 5'8" or so the sword would have been too big and heavy to be useful on foot, in the case of Sharpe it was probably of more use than otherwise. Plus of course artistic licence :)
Can you make a video on the Retreat from Kabul Please?!!!
I Defintely will one day!
@Paul Fletcher I’ll be honest I don’t know anything about the battles yet - but I’ll be keen to learn.
@@redcoathistory Thank You!
Hi Chris, Great Shows about the Peninsula War, however I have a question, actually three in fact!
Have any shows since been done as yet focusing on & featuring about Wellington’s Artillery in the Peninsula Campaign (RA & RFA units or their predecessor entities), his Engineers (Colonel Richard Fletcher & his colleagues) or even his Intelligence Services (Exploratory Officers & others) there? If so could you perhaps indicate which episodes cover these topics & kindly supply their links in any reply/acknowledgment of this enquiry?
Otherwise, these topics might prove to be new & useful lines of inquiry & points of reference & interest for potential new shows & episodes for the future? Thanks & I really appreciate & enjoy your historical works & the detailed research involved in them!
Hi Trevor…I haven’t specifically done episodes on these topics though I think you will enjoy my episodes on the Lines of Torres Vedras and also the sieges of Burgos and San Sebastián as well touch on a number of the subjects i.e engineering and artillery. Thanks
@@redcoathistory : Yes Chris, I hungrily devoured all of those episodes that you mentioned in your previous reply & all it has done is to whet my appetite more for your excellent fare, but if one or two future shows could include topics like artillery, engineering or intelligence-on-the-ground in the Peninsula War, then that really would be the icing on top of the cake with a Moreno cherry 🍒 on top of that! 😂🤣Thanks 🙏🏼 again for sharing your time & thoughts here! 👍
PS. I particularly enjoyed the interesting & informative episode about the “Lines of Torres Vedras, which I found to be most edifying & fascinating! That’s why I think an episode about Wellington’s Engineers would be so interesting & popular with your viewers/audience!!
Great thanks a lot…I’ll add those subjects to my list.
Wonders never cease. I have always wondered such thoughts wandering by The Iron Duke's house . Martin is brilliant. As was The Duke.
That was very interesting. with Marcus . If you want a tip top knowledgeable speaker to interview, look no further than Ian Fletcher BUT catch him in his Spurs kit, not a suit & tie !! I was fortunate to spend 3 days walking all over the Waterloo battlefield with him some years ago and his presentational skills have stuck with me ever since. Hes also a tip top bloke too, as well as probably the countries leading expert on the Peninsula.
Thanks Toby - would love to!
M8 l love the information you provide,but I need to let you know that your guest had less than quality audio, I had to switch off. Cheers M8.
Fair enough mate 👍🏼
"Galloping at everything?" - British pluck , what?
I have a musket from this period, on the trigger guard it has 15 engraved. I’m assuming this is referring to the 15 Hussars! Would this be correct?
I suspect not Alan as I don't believe they would have carried any muskets into battle, unles it was a trophy taken home perhaps?
@@redcoathistory Hi just done a small bit of research and found a few examples of just that! Most are similar to mine without a Bayonet and a shortened Barrel! Can send you a picture if you like! All I know about it is that it was found in a House in Funchal, Madeira by a friend of mine and close to the Headquarters of WCBeresford (Quinta do Lago)
I have read the British Cavalry described as 'the best cavalry and the worst led'..?
WRT recruitment in the cavalry, do you think they tried not to recruit men who knew about horses so they wouldn't have any bad habits to knock off /before/ they learned how the cavalry behaved? For example one of the fictional series I read is of Spider Shephard who was originally SAS and then in civilian life undercover / armed police. He had to learn the civilian way of doing things so for example criminals had to be warned /before/ he opened fire.
I have often wondered if la Merchants Sword is still around?
Napoleon had a similar opinion of his own cavalry
Lol. At waterloo both the British Gray's and basically the whole French Calvary both did what the Calvary usually did then. Charge and keep going.
They did it at waterloo too.
well the Union Brigade did
I do a lot of riding. I think I would be guilty of charging at eveything under those circumstances. It's adrenalin.
Read Ian Fletcher s book , perhaps the best book on this
The destruction of Anson’s brigade at Talavera in the dry stream bed after being warned by the Spanish Marines of Bassecourt’s division. Sir George Anson was never cashiered or demoted, an ongoing problem with this ancien régime. “They (the cavalry) never consider their situation, never think of maneuvering before an enemy - so little that one would think they cannot maneuver excepting on Wimbledon Common…. The (1st Royal Dragoons) Royals and the 3rd Dragoon Guards were the best regiments in this (Spain) country, and it annoys me particularly that the misfortune has happened to them. I do not wonder at the French boasting of it… - Lord Wellington Commenting after Salamanca/Los Arapiles, on the march toward Madrid. Bock’s brigade against Foy’s squares, D’Urban’s brigade against Treillard’s cavalry and Slade’s brigade against Lallemand’s reserve squadron. Pages 358 -362 The Spanish Ulcer. This was a continuing problem not only in the Peninsula, but at Waterloo and going on at least until the Crimean war.
What is the song in the intro called?
Sahagun - its on youtube - try searching for that name and it should come up.
@@redcoathistory Thank you :D
Emsdorf...? 🤔
The horse is a beautiful animal/ever since its domesication it has made an enormous contribution to human activities/what a fantastic animal/ interesting the Zulus never used horse's in the same way as Europeans arabs cenral asians and native Americans / they had to run so a Zulu was his own horse and needed strong legs and stamina
Yes, that is interesting re. Zulus. There neighbours the Basothos used horses a lot.
Better than big brother!!! Anything! Even a bloody battle is better than big brother. LoL :>)
😍😍
Shookiria Bhai!
Yes he is right , brave but mad !
lot of breaking up of Video with Marcus Cribb to the point of nearly turning of the Video
Sadly I can't control the internet connection. Thanks for sticking with the video.
Best cavalry in the world... and the worst led.