Wellington - Nemesis of Napoleon Documentary

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  • čas přidán 8. 10. 2020
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    #Biography #History #Documentary

Komentáře • 546

  • @PeopleProfiles
    @PeopleProfiles  Před 2 lety +17

    Hello guys! If you like our work please subscribe to our second channel The History Chronicles czcams.com/users/TheHistoryChronicles

    • @patriciaramsey5294
      @patriciaramsey5294 Před rokem

      Have you done (or planning to do) a vid about Napoleon? I can not find a really good production about his life. They are either too short, too choppy or too many interruptions.

  • @theblackprince1346
    @theblackprince1346 Před 3 lety +427

    There's a story of just after the battle of Waterloo had ended Wellington overheard a common soldier saying to his mates they'd all be famous because they'd fought with Wellington. The Duke took offence because the man hadn't used his military rank when talking about his commander in chief. Wellington said along the lines of "you could have at least called me Mr. Wellington". The soldier immediately turned round and said to the Duke "but sir you never hear anyone talk about a Mr. Caesar or a Mr. Alexander".

    • @PeopleProfiles
      @PeopleProfiles  Před 3 lety +101

      Bet he smiled, out of their view ofcourse.

    • @thomaswilkinson3241
      @thomaswilkinson3241 Před 3 lety +51

      The Black Prince good reply. That one soldier knew his books.

    • @mro1864
      @mro1864 Před 3 lety +89

      This is an amazing anecdote! Love it!
      Another one of mine is him at a gathering where the hostess introduced him to a pair of French officers who immediately turned their backs to him, the hostess, being very embarrassed by their horrible manners began wringing her hands and apologising profusely, to which he replied (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Fear not sweet lady, I have seen their backs before"
      Gangster AF.

    • @mro1864
      @mro1864 Před 3 lety +4

      @Sherlock Whole mess Well as to that, I couldn't say 🤣

    • @shahsaud2625
      @shahsaud2625 Před 3 lety +5

      @@mro1864 ooof 🔥

  • @joaoconchilha2231
    @joaoconchilha2231 Před 3 lety +201

    He is an hero here in Portugal to, long live to his memory.

    • @gideonhorwitz9434
      @gideonhorwitz9434 Před 3 lety +51

      Long live British Portuguese alliance

    • @aidy6000
      @aidy6000 Před 3 lety +43

      Long live the oldest ally.
      🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🤝🇵🇹

    • @savitayaragudri2448
      @savitayaragudri2448 Před 3 lety +13

      In India they conceder him like a devil. But I have different views

    • @manvimanhar
      @manvimanhar Před 3 lety +4

      Different story for India

    • @salsaniggas8544
      @salsaniggas8544 Před 2 lety +3

      @@manvimanhar naturally, you were his enemy

  • @IrishManJT
    @IrishManJT Před 3 lety +95

    Excellent documentary. My great great great grandfather served in the British Army and ended his career as a Beefeater in the Tower of London. His commission (as a Beefeater not officer) is signed by the Duke of Wellington a copy of which I have in my possession in Dublin - not too far away from the Duke’s place of birth.

    • @garyoak317
      @garyoak317 Před 3 lety +3

      That’s really cool

    • @kingbread5808
      @kingbread5808 Před 2 lety +2

      Pretty cool

    • @gctv9959
      @gctv9959 Před rokem +2

      I'll give you a metal Mass Effect 3 game case (without the game) for it.

    • @robdon3472
      @robdon3472 Před rokem +5

      I once got a picture taken with Drew Carey outside the Rockin Rollercoaster at Disney World

    • @spookysquirtle
      @spookysquirtle Před rokem +1

      @@gctv9959 gamestop be like

  • @martyrobbins5241
    @martyrobbins5241 Před 8 měsíci +6

    Wrote my dissertation on Wellington during the Peninsular War. What a man, great documentary

  • @ethanramos4441
    @ethanramos4441 Před 3 lety +139

    “Nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won.”
    Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

    •  Před 3 lety

      This is not English???

    • @talesle_roi7991
      @talesle_roi7991 Před 3 lety +2

      Actually, this phrase was supposedly said by Louis XV, decades earlier, immediately after the french victory, at the battle of Fontenoy.

    • @johnwatts8346
      @johnwatts8346 Před rokem +3

      @@alexanderkarayannis6425 yeah man- that film is awesome and plummer and steiger are just brilliant in it.

    • @skibbideeskitch9894
      @skibbideeskitch9894 Před rokem

      @@talesle_roi7991 Source? The only attributions I can find for this quote belong to Wellington after Waterloo

    • @LiLian-vd4ki
      @LiLian-vd4ki Před rokem

      🤣😂🤣😂

  • @natedorney7032
    @natedorney7032 Před 3 lety +34

    "Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain"

  • @likewhatyouwant2like
    @likewhatyouwant2like Před 3 lety +39

    Loved how you incorporated the Admiral Nelson& the battle of Trafalgar along with the battle of Waterloo to sum up his career.

    • @phillipmcdonough1347
      @phillipmcdonough1347 Před 3 lety +3

      they met once in Lord Castlereagh's (another Irishman!!) waiting -room but they did not know each other---- life before Facebook!!

    • @stevebagnall2082
      @stevebagnall2082 Před rokem +2

      They met once, briefly just before Nelson left London to go to Yarmouth to sail to Trafalgar.

  • @leepeel7129
    @leepeel7129 Před 3 lety +30

    And I now feel like I know twice as much about Waterloo than I did yesterday. Sweet.

    • @model-man7802
      @model-man7802 Před 3 lety +1

      If you get a chance,go there.You can walk your way from charleroi to Ligney over to Quatra Bra and up to Mt.St.Jean farm.The Battlefield still looks the same except for the Lion Mound.The have a great Museum there and a very impressive Cyclorama too.Lots of Monuments all the way with many of the farms still there.Definately worth the trip.

  • @alexanderkarayannis6425
    @alexanderkarayannis6425 Před 3 lety +55

    Iron shutters had to be installed on the windows of his London home, Apsley House, to prevent further damage by angry crowds, during protests over his rejection of the 1832 Voting Reform Bill, which he opposed vigorously, an action that made him shall we say...less than popular!...This earned him the nickname the Iron Duke, but he also gave his name to the waterproof boots worn on muddy ground, the capital of New Zealand, the famous Arch landmark in London, a fighter bomber aeroplane, AND a popular beef dish as well!...Love him or hate him though, his victories whether in the field of battle or in Parliament, left no one indifferent, and he is surely one of the most important Britons in history.

    • @jacey1963
      @jacey1963 Před 3 lety +6

      Well said! I love Beef Wellington :)

    • @alexanderkarayannis6425
      @alexanderkarayannis6425 Před 3 lety +7

      @@jacey1963 So do I! 😊...Mmmmmmm!...Actually a French recipe renamed after the battle of Waterloo, in honor of Wellington, and renowned British chef Gordon Ramsay's signature dish, a Christmas favorite and along with plum pudding, a part of the whole... British experience, or even fantasy, for when we can all travel to London once again and enjoy it's many delights...The original name of it by the way,is..."Filet de bœuf en croûte", and, as it turns out, Wellington wasn't very particular about what he ate, as a life time of soldiering and sleeping rough and eating ALL his personal chef ever placed in front of him, was, apparently, more than enough to cover his very austere needs...

    • @jacey1963
      @jacey1963 Před 3 lety +6

      @@alexanderkarayannis6425 You are making me look forward to Christmas even more now!

    • @ShamanKish
      @ShamanKish Před 3 lety +3

      And a locomotive.

    • @alexanderkarayannis6425
      @alexanderkarayannis6425 Před 3 lety +6

      @@jacey1963 While on the subject, the French baguette was invented so that Napoleon's soldiers could carry bread down their trousers...necessity being the mother of invention and all that...

  • @PzGren_1907
    @PzGren_1907 Před 3 lety +46

    The UK had 2 Hero's in that time Wellington on Land and Nelson at the Sea 🇬🇧💯

    • @PeopleProfiles
      @PeopleProfiles  Před 3 lety +8

      Check out our Nelson video.

    • @howardroberts4859
      @howardroberts4859 Před 2 lety +3

      I don’t think it was the UK. It was Britain. The British. The Duke Of Wellington was Irish, but then, he was British. But yes, Nelson and Wellington made the difference.

    • @MrDoolan72
      @MrDoolan72 Před 2 lety +1

      @@howardroberts4859 an Irish protestant who's ancestors had been there since England's occupation began. Land owners/thieves (depending on your viewpoint) . Was England originally.. Not Britain. I believe.

    • @howardroberts4859
      @howardroberts4859 Před 2 lety

      @@MrDoolan72, It did start off as an occupation. It stopped the Irish raiders on the English coast. But the the Irish were an integral part of the British Empire. Ireland shot forward unbelievably. The unification of Ireland from separate factions. Dublin and Belfast were developed into fantastic cities. Railways, Telephones, Mail service, Roads, Bridges, School’s, Local authorities, Police, Gas, Ports, The Irish Military, Industry, Shipbuilding which included the most famous known ship in the world, Farming, Fishing, Beer, Whisky, Textiles. World Export. The Irish worked over seas, and developed Canals, Railways, Reservers. Buildings. Promoted Dancing and Music. The Irish are the salt of the Earth and respected round the world. They played there part in esoteric Battles. Please because some greedy stupid land owners and the English Government of the day must up. Don’t be against the English people, ultimately we are brother really. We together have actually influenced the world. We were a team that has never been equaled, and never will. God Bless, and Regards. (Quarter Irish) Howard.

    • @MrDoolan72
      @MrDoolan72 Před 2 lety +4

      @@howardroberts4859 my name is Irish but I'm English born and bred.. I love my Irish bretheren though. The unpolitical ones anyway. .. My family all originate from Ireland a few generations back. Ulster, Catholics.. Moved out to the east end of Glasgow at the start of the 1900"s to get away from the trouble.. Anyway, . Irish and the English have fought against and with one another for millenia. We are entwined.. Much like the UK. That's how I feel about it anyway.... And I grew up during the 70's. I remember the news back then. Wellington was an Irishman and St Patrick was actually an Englishman.. Stolen into slavery by those Irish raiders you mentioned.. Can't be much more entwined than that!!.

  • @romelnegut2005
    @romelnegut2005 Před 3 lety +96

    He's definitely one of the greatest commanders of all times but he simply wasn't cut for politics.

    • @sgu02nsc66
      @sgu02nsc66 Před 3 lety +19

      Or maybe the state of politics wasn't cut for the running of a nation properly?

    • @romelnegut2005
      @romelnegut2005 Před 3 lety +1

      @@sgu02nsc66 So you're saying that he's victim of the circumstances since he got into politics at a very bad moment.
      Am I right to assume that?

    • @sgu02nsc66
      @sgu02nsc66 Před 3 lety +12

      Romel Negut yes. I suppose as much as he got in to the military at the right time

    • @romelnegut2005
      @romelnegut2005 Před 3 lety +1

      @@sgu02nsc66 Ok then!

    • @dalic24
      @dalic24 Před rokem

      Nah he wasn't most of Europe was helping him defeat napoleon. Let the English cry babys start with there nationalistic propaganda.

  • @christiansoldier77
    @christiansoldier77 Před rokem +7

    There was no Napoleon vs Wellington. It was Napoleon vs the entire continent of Europe

  • @christisking1576
    @christisking1576 Před 3 lety +18

    Thanks a lot! I was just watching Napoleon videos on Epic History TV.
    Again, this is a massively underrated channel!

  • @stephennicolay1940
    @stephennicolay1940 Před 3 lety +16

    My first cousin was the holder of the Waterloo medal and I have a letter to him (as an senior engineer) from sir Arthur Wellesley when he lived at Walmer castle).

    • @jacey1963
      @jacey1963 Před 3 lety +2

      That's wonderful, you are very lucky to have that.

    • @stephennicolay1940
      @stephennicolay1940 Před 3 lety +2

      Look for Sir William Nicolay. I think there is a Wikipedia entry on him. Interesting chap.
      S

    • @jacey1963
      @jacey1963 Před 3 lety +3

      @@stephennicolay1940 I read the entry on Sir William Nicolay...that's really very interesting....he was not only at Waterloo but Seringapatam as well....amazing...

  • @zfalcon44
    @zfalcon44 Před 3 lety +19

    It's interesting hearing from both the 2 part series & this one. Both are really nice. Thank you!

  • @theironknight597
    @theironknight597 Před 3 lety +14

    Interesting fact about Wellington he had a huge statue of Napoleon known as "Napoleon as Mars the peacemaker" which is still there to this day.

  • @arnoldgreenwood2969
    @arnoldgreenwood2969 Před 3 lety +31

    Of the thousands of books written about Waterloo I would recommend "Wellington at Waterloo" by Jac Weller.It gives a concise account of the battle and he has studied the manuals on tactics of the period. For instance the famous infantry square was almost impregnable particularly by attacks by Cavalry every side was flexible in length, but in most instances contained 4 ranks, all with fixed bayonets. The outer rank, kneeling, the second rank crouching but both ranks having their rifle or musket butts firmly wedged in the ground acting as pikes, which was lethal to both infantrymen or horses. The third and fourth ranks firing or loading in turn. Training told the soldiers to aim at the horses, a cavalryman without a horse is a soldier with a knife in his hand, albeit a long knife, but try getting close enough to use it and you will find yourself pushing yourself onto a bayonet. Plus when the second line of horses are confronted with the dead or dying horses of the first line they will NOT continue with charge.
    Weller also succinctly explained the tactic Wellington used of the Infantry line against Napoleon's columns. Even Napoleon's much vaunted Old Guard, heroic as they were, were overwhelmed by the fire coming from Wellington's use of the line. Happy reading.

    • @williamkz
      @williamkz Před rokem +1

      That's very helpful. Thank you, Arnold.

    • @garybenson2280
      @garybenson2280 Před rokem +1

      There is also Wellington’s India and peninsula war which are equally brilliant

    • @Ms314159265358979323
      @Ms314159265358979323 Před rokem

      The Old Guard fought with Prussians that day. Wellington was attacked by the middle and young guard.

    • @cristianmicu
      @cristianmicu Před rokem

      the battle of waterloo is told in detail also in hugo's 'les miserables' , of course from the french point of view

    • @charliereader3462
      @charliereader3462 Před rokem

      ⁠@@Ms314159265358979323 the Young Guard was fully committed to the fight at Plancenoit, supported by a few battalions of the Old Guard. Wellington was attacked by the Grenadiers and Chasseurs of the Middle Guard. Some of the Old Guard were following the Middle Guard up the hill, but were not able to engage as the Middle Guard was held up and eventually broken

  • @smithshowmedia
    @smithshowmedia Před 3 lety +17

    I love how you add the pictures and the video together for a nice transition!

    • @smithshowmedia
      @smithshowmedia Před 3 lety +3

      Thanks for the love. look forward to your new content.

  • @theodorepatton887
    @theodorepatton887 Před 3 lety +8

    Very correct. I live in western Canada, the Duke of Wellington was in history class in elementary 😄. Great show must watch again

  • @blathermore
    @blathermore Před 3 lety +20

    The story from Spain of Wellington's use of the natural terrain impressed me. Napoleon was having a bridge built to cross a river. Wellington saw two towns on either side of water and deduced there already was a bridge. The British Army crossed on this sensible hunch. Napoleon, being a egoist, preferred building a new bridge! I see Wellington as an ambitious man, but also very humble...and always to his life's end putting his country's well being first. He never stopped learning and growing. He was right, character and style do count.

    • @wingedhats4750
      @wingedhats4750 Před 3 lety +2

      Wellington first met Napoleon in battle at Waterloo in Belgium, long after the Peninsular War; and he did not underestimate the latter's military abilities.

    • @Balrog2005
      @Balrog2005 Před rokem +1

      Napoleon vs. Wellington in Spain ? That's the biggest historic news ever...maybe te rest of the story is as ''true''...Napoleon was the master of using terrain for moving his troops,. but hey even in the anglo-saxon countries they call that period ''the Napoleonic Era'' not the Wellington one.

    • @garymoore2535
      @garymoore2535 Před 6 měsíci +1

      They also use the term "Napolean Complex" for very good reason 😂😂😂

    • @freebeerfordworkers
      @freebeerfordworkers Před 4 měsíci

      I think the Napoleon Complex and this is a question not a statement, is due to the fact that he was the son of a poor Italian family and was looked down on by his French counterparts in the royalist military academy. In other words he had an inferiority complex and had to keep proving himself @@garymoore2535

  • @vivianevans8323
    @vivianevans8323 Před 3 lety +54

    At the start of the battle of Waterloo Napoleon had breakfast with his marshals who cautioned him about Wellington. Napoleon shouted at them that they were only afraid of Wellington because he had beaten them all, in Portugal and Spain: Ney, Marmont, Massena, Junot, Jourdain ... But he, Napoleon, would not be beaten by this Sepoy General.
    Well, we know what happened next ...

    • @davidtuttle7556
      @davidtuttle7556 Před 3 lety +1

      @@kensxmike2134 Blucher smashed in his flank.

    • @yourgirlme9163
      @yourgirlme9163 Před 3 lety +2

      @@kensxmike2134 exactly 😋

    • @sbam4881
      @sbam4881 Před 3 lety +17

      "Perfidious Albion" yeah, right. With the Prussian defeat at Ligny, Wellington had every reason to withdraw up the Brussels road right to the coast. No one would have blamed him, after all that's what the previous coalitions usually did. (e.g. Kutuzov withdrew the Russian Army back half a continent upon learning that the Austrians had lost at Ulm.) What would have happened then would be Napolean wheeling East and completely crushing the Prussians between himself and Grouchy's corps. W/O Wellington, there are no Prussians left alive. Instead, Wellington stood, allowing the Prussians to come back into the fight AND relying and trusting them to do so.
      That's what coalitions and allies are supposed to do. Hannibal would not have won at Cannae if the Guals had not fought alongside his Cartheginians and Spaniards. Henry IV would not have won Bosworth Field if Lord Stanley had not come to his aid, Iyesu Tokugawa would not have won Sekigahara if the Moji clan had not attacked Mitsunari in the flanks as previously secretly agreed and Japan wouldn't have had a Tokugawa shogunate for 300 years. That allies were involved doesn't take away from Hannibal or Tokugawa or D-Day and it doesn't take away from Wellington or Blucher either.

    • @Wanderer628
      @Wanderer628 Před 3 lety +11

      @@sbam4881 Nice to see a comment that isn't blind Napoleon fanboyism desperate to claim that Napoleon didn't lose to a British General.

    • @marcuscribbhistory
      @marcuscribbhistory Před 3 lety +8

      @@kensxmike2134 look at the 17th June and who came up with the grand strategy. Anyone who truly thinks Blucher "saved" the Anglo-Allied army or just happened to arrive in the afternoon have failed to grasp the campaign. Wellington moved to the ridge & was reassured of Prussian support (note, NOT Blucher as he was out of action, injured) to come in. View it more of a trap, with Wellington laying bait, bleeding the French dry, then the Prussians shutting the trap. And allied Victory, but masterminded by Wellington before the battle. In fact Blucher was late, which is why it looks a bit like he was arriving to save, in fact it was a more that he had been badly served by aides in organising the Prussian march.

  • @Cbabilon675
    @Cbabilon675 Před 3 lety +11

    If nothing else the Duke of Wellington can be said to be a man of his word. He was a great tactician er no doubt about it and the fact that he put the needs of his army first over his own career or I should save more honestly the needs of his army were necessary for the furthering of his career is also quite amazing.

  • @historicfootprints
    @historicfootprints Před rokem

    Love this!! thanks for sharing I always love learning something new about this topic :)

  • @JR-bq5bg
    @JR-bq5bg Před 3 lety +3

    Amazing. I never knew this much information about the Duke of Wellington.

  • @markhughes7927
    @markhughes7927 Před 3 lety +10

    Great documentary - very clear outlines.
    The battle of assaye alone showed the greatness of Wellington’ s military mind not only in the decisions made in the heat of battle but also in his endless patience in preparations to secure good food and general support for his men during the campaign.
    I get the sense that he put his campaigns on a secure financial footing before making a first move.
    Also the fortifications at Torre Valdes (sp.?) showed immense regard for logistic concerns. They were achieved in greatest secrecy - his own army not being aware of the prepared fall-back position - and they were over-joyed at what their retreat revealed - a winter in comfort.
    Patience also on the political front - the continued supply of money depended on cooperation between political factions back home and at the beginning of his campaign the slightest military mishap could have compromised the whole show so he trod extremely carefully and weathered reproach with the greater goal maintained in mind.

  • @mattmcintosh3939
    @mattmcintosh3939 Před 3 lety +36

    The Iron Duke was good but without Major Richard Sharpe and the 95th rifles all would have been lost lol

    • @mrcool2107
      @mrcool2107 Před 2 lety

      How propaganda

    • @defuse56
      @defuse56 Před 2 lety +3

      It was all Sgt. Harper and the naval gun!

    • @mattmcintosh3939
      @mattmcintosh3939 Před 2 lety

      @@defuse56 lol that's true enough

    • @mrcool2107
      @mrcool2107 Před 2 lety

      @@mattmcintosh3939 not true . Then u can say napoleon did not do everything alone

    • @mattmcintosh3939
      @mattmcintosh3939 Před 2 lety +3

      @@mrcool2107 it was a joke. I'm guessing you haven't read the series of novels or watched any of the TV programs about Major Richard Sharpe and the 95th rifles & South Essex Regiment. In the books and shows Sharpe is basically a Napoleonic super hero. He saves the Iron Dukes life, gets raised from the ranks and wins most of his battles for him, along with Sgt Harper of coarse lol. They're good books, you should read them and get a sense of humour lol.

  • @TexanAmiga
    @TexanAmiga Před 3 lety +8

    Great video! I learned a lot about the Duke that I had no idea of before. Thank you!

  • @phbrinsden
    @phbrinsden Před rokem +7

    He was a fine all round theater commander who could build coalitions, understand the needs of his troops to be well supplied and healthy, instill great discipline especially in the treatment of the civilian population, and a great eye for favorable land on which to fight. He never squandered his forces and mens lives and would not be fooled by enemy moves. He had both a strategic level and tactical level talent.

    • @freebeerfordworkers
      @freebeerfordworkers Před 4 měsíci

      Very true I read that his army didn't love him it was better than that they trusted him. They knew he wouldn't waste their lives.
      His first action was in Holland and asked what he learned from that disastrous expedition he replied, I learned how these things should not be done. Knowing his army was too small to defeat the French his task in the peninsula was to demonstrate to the military powers of Europe that the French could be defeated.

  • @jaldeborgh
    @jaldeborgh Před 3 lety +3

    Well done and very educational.

  • @Zotrax1946
    @Zotrax1946 Před rokem

    Thanks for this deep dive into one of the most interesting military leaders!

  • @jamesmccloskey2274
    @jamesmccloskey2274 Před rokem +1

    definitely a great commander...
    Brilliant, strategic, calculating
    master.

  • @willparrish7646
    @willparrish7646 Před rokem

    I would really love this Channel to do a profile on Napoleon. I have watched every episode and learned so much about English history I want to know more about France next!

  • @johnhale7334
    @johnhale7334 Před 2 lety

    Good show ...thanks !!

  • @brucekinghorn4961
    @brucekinghorn4961 Před 3 lety +35

    The Iron duke was an undoubtedly brilliant military tactician and strategist. It's a pity the same couldn't be said about his political abilities.

    • @marcuscribbhistory
      @marcuscribbhistory Před 3 lety +18

      He threatened the King directly, to resign if he (George IV) didn't sign the assent, granting the Catholic Emancipation. That was pretty "Iron Duke".

  • @jameshotz1350
    @jameshotz1350 Před 3 lety +7

    He was brilliant.

  • @BattalionCommanderMK
    @BattalionCommanderMK Před 2 lety +1

    Nice video and documentary :>

  • @jamesfraser4173
    @jamesfraser4173 Před 3 lety +24

    Having watched, with great interest, the television series, Sharpes Rifles, I can say that Sir Arthur was excellently potrayed by Hugh Fraser, who also looks quite like Sir Arthur.

    • @ianhow100
      @ianhow100 Před 2 lety +5

      A very skilful mix of real history & fiction. Agree with you on the casting.

    • @xnadegod1053
      @xnadegod1053 Před rokem +1

      I’m Reading the books. There’s a tv show?

  • @dillionday7414
    @dillionday7414 Před 3 lety +13

    Great biography. Very detailed and well spoken.

    • @jacey1963
      @jacey1963 Před 3 lety +3

      Thanks so much for your kind comment, it motivates the whole team when we get good feedback.

  • @bazmc1153
    @bazmc1153 Před 3 lety +9

    How's about a video on Admiral Thomas Cochrane? Great series, thank you!

  • @dkcorderoyximenez3382
    @dkcorderoyximenez3382 Před 3 lety +10

    Wellington was an astounding military mind...and....one hell of a horseman....

  • @scarletskunkjob9842
    @scarletskunkjob9842 Před 2 lety +3

    Rousing tale of Neopolitan being matched up with beef wellington and a final big belch that helped them through to finish it.
    Also found the part about when they went out for Indian really good.

  • @nelsonclub7722
    @nelsonclub7722 Před 3 lety +3

    There are some fun facts below - heres mine Once whilst at the Admiralty - he was sat next to a small man pontificating about how great he was - when he had left Welly asked 'who on earth was that dreadful little man?' He was told 'It was Nelson!'

  • @kiohanna
    @kiohanna Před rokem

    Congratulations again! When I was a child I remembered I cried due to this event for my France, land of my dad's side.

  • @shitoryu8
    @shitoryu8 Před 6 měsíci

    Just an extraordinary person to look up to.

  • @morethanwords
    @morethanwords Před 3 lety +8

    Had Wellington enjoyed a snack of slices of meat between two chunks of bread so that he didn't have to leave the gambling table and the Earl of Sandwich invented the knee high boot life today would be different. We'd all be walking around wearing sandwiches on our feet and eating wellingtons.

  • @drew1784
    @drew1784 Před 9 měsíci

    Solid video

  • @hdkloh6857
    @hdkloh6857 Před 3 lety +7

    He wrote in his diary that Battle of Assaye is hard to win as compared to Battle of Waterloo.

    • @stevtacular3855
      @stevtacular3855 Před 3 lety +1

      its because wellington had more comrades than his army he got a support of 5 nations or more which napoleon is only one. Imagine teaming up to defeat only you an individual with army and one nation is a great achievment

  • @fredbeach2085
    @fredbeach2085 Před 3 lety +5

    Wellington was served well at Waterloo by the brown bess and plenty of guts behind its expert use.

  • @vishwanthanpalisheri
    @vishwanthanpalisheri Před rokem +4

    An Indian Maharaja defeated Arthur Wellesley.his name is kerala Varma Pazhashi Raja

  • @swiper1818
    @swiper1818 Před 3 lety +1

    Excellent 👍

  • @howardjolley2215
    @howardjolley2215 Před 3 lety +8

    I have watched the movie "Waterloo" and the Richard Sharpe series and others and found them all very informative. My greastest respect for Lord Wellington his accomplishments. It is unfortunate that Wellington's political life was not as accomplished as was his military career.

  • @caxperscott1132
    @caxperscott1132 Před 3 lety

    Excellent documentary. As ever concise fact rich and blessedly free of a narrative slanted to favour a political telling

  • @matikramer9648
    @matikramer9648 Před 3 lety

    Thank you

  • @dylantaljaard6886
    @dylantaljaard6886 Před 3 lety +10

    In this program you speculated on the possibility of Wellesley having an extramarital affair with his "headmaster's" wife at the French equestrian school... While most historians acknowledge this lady's influence turned Wellesley from an awkward youth into a "charming young man", few have suggested an inappropriate relationship between them. I find it difficult to believe that he would indulge in such dalliances. He was very aware of his position and saw himself as a pillar of the community who needed to set an example to others and although he was known for his close friendships with numerous women married and single nobody ever accused him of adultery.

    • @chubbrubb72
      @chubbrubb72 Před 3 lety +5

      "Publish and be damned!"

    • @firstlast7052
      @firstlast7052 Před 3 lety +1

      The gosip was that Wellington had a string of trysts including with among others a number of former mistresses of Napoleon Bonaparte

    • @ad6417
      @ad6417 Před rokem

      Sounds like George Washington and Sally Fairfax.

  • @tmontgomery9255
    @tmontgomery9255 Před 3 lety +10

    Richard Sharpe approves of this video.

  • @heartofoak45
    @heartofoak45 Před 6 měsíci +1

    He was above everything else a highly civilised Irish Gentleman.

  • @stacysatterfield2154
    @stacysatterfield2154 Před rokem

    Love these biographies

  • @jamesrathbun2482
    @jamesrathbun2482 Před 3 lety +3

    This was a great biography! Having read the Richard Sharpe series I recognized the names of his battles and some of the details. Quite a man!

  • @kanadbhaumik3241
    @kanadbhaumik3241 Před 3 lety

    You have a great voice! Well-presented. You should have more subscribers. I can't do much. But I have subscribed.

  • @AndWhatIsThisNow
    @AndWhatIsThisNow Před 3 lety +2

    Officers' commissions could still be purchased during the Napoleonic Wars. The practice of "buying in" continued until 1871. However, during Wellington's time, a minimum time in each rank was established before someone could buy into a higher rank.

  • @leepeel7129
    @leepeel7129 Před 3 lety +3

    Ancestor mention mega bonus!

  • @EnglishDreadnought
    @EnglishDreadnought Před 2 lety

    Splendid splendid splendid!

  • @asimnawaz9256
    @asimnawaz9256 Před 3 lety +26

    His successes against Tipu Sultan, Marathas and Napolean speak volumes of his talent as a commander.It would not have been easy for him to deal with nationalists in India who outnumbered his forces on an unfamiliar terrain.

  • @chitlika
    @chitlika Před rokem +4

    Wellington was a tireless and very energetic commander always riding around his troops to see what was what. Athough a harsh disciplinarian he did care about his soldiers and insisted upon proper food rations and Tents for his soldiers wheras before Wellington the poor men had to sleep on the bare ground . There is a story of Wellingtons riding many miles to visit a casualty clearing station and finding the Officers quartered in the building and the wounded men left outside .Wellington was furious and ordered the officers out of the building and the wounded men brought inside . The uncaring officers kicked the soldiers out of the buildings as soon as Wellington had gone never believing Wellington would return . A day later and Wellington showed up again
    Fired all those officers sent them home in disgrace and gave the casualty station a new commander and staff

  • @jerrysumner4923
    @jerrysumner4923 Před 2 lety +3

    Britain’s greatest general, by far!

  • @edwardjohnmolyneux8527

    One off the best

  • @mro1864
    @mro1864 Před 3 lety +2

    He coined the term "intelligence" with his exploring officers during the peninsular war, I didn't know that until recently.

  • @jonasmillqvist
    @jonasmillqvist Před rokem

    Just saw the documentary on Wellington. Very interesting! Definately one of the greatest military commanders in history. Very good documentary, although if I may make one comment for improvement, it´s regading the maps. I wish you could make them come more ”alive” with the various armys and nations advances and retreats. I mean, I think we all know where Spain and Portugal are but it could be interesting to see how much was controlled by the French at different times?, how did Wellington advance?, where did Marschal Ney escape etc. Apart from that, thanks for interesting documentaries! Important to keep history alive but that has formed where we are today!

  • @katherinecollins4685
    @katherinecollins4685 Před rokem

    Very interesting

  • @scippio3
    @scippio3 Před 3 lety +6

    oh the things those eyes in the photograph saw

  • @kieranhughes4535
    @kieranhughes4535 Před 3 lety +17

    Can you do Napoleon next?

    • @PeopleProfiles
      @PeopleProfiles  Před 3 lety +15

      Next year, it will be an hour and a half super special.

    • @lovablesnowman
      @lovablesnowman Před 3 lety +3

      @@PeopleProfiles only an hour and a half?

  • @koaung3803
    @koaung3803 Před 2 lety +1

    Lord Wellington. aka. Arthur Wellesly was definite A true Military Leader n to some extent a Capable Political Leader. Such Combined. Thinking. Capability is Again Shown in Sir Winston Churchill. This Bloodline proves that a certain of DNA does play into how a person develops. Thus Blenheim Castle was home to both Wellington n Sir Winston. Definitely England was Blessed with Two Heros: Nelson at Sea n Wellington on Land. nearly in the same Time. to Establish the Greatness of Britain. While my Father was the Doyen Ambassador in London I attended a typical English Public School n got to learn the Brit History nvisit places of interest n can make this assessment. of Talent in Leadership Qualities.

  • @GodConsciousness
    @GodConsciousness Před 3 lety +8

    Due to the smaller size of the battlefield, much of the British infantry was deployed into four-rank lines.

    • @johnking759
      @johnking759 Před 3 lety +1

      Depending on the numbers available 3 or 4 rank lines were normal. As you say Waterloo was a relatively small battlefield being only 2.5 miles wide with Wellingtons left being lightly manned and the bulk of his troops being in his right and center. One of the reasons the British line was so effective was the tactic of each battalion firing not altogether as is often depicted in films etc but by firing by company or half company volleys one after the other producing a meat grinder effect on an advancing column of constant volleys into the front ranks without pause to reload. by the time the last company had fired the first company had reloaded and were ready to start all over again.

    • @simonlancaster1815
      @simonlancaster1815 Před 3 lety

      @@johnking759 British line was usually in 2 rank formation. At Waterloo, the consensus seems to be that the Brunswick, Dutch-Belgian, KGL and Hanover battalions were in 2 ranks. More debate about some of the British troop deployment.
      "One battalion of Bijlandt's brigade, in open order, formed the chain of skirmishers, another three battalions were in line, and only one was held in reserve. In order to cover such an extensive front, these 2,500 men had been commanded to deploy in two lines, in the British manner, rather than the three favored by continental armies."
      Excerpt From: Barbero, Alessandro. "The Battle." Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009-02-01. iBooks.
      Perhaps some of the British battalions were in 4 ranks for the added protection v cavalry as it is easier to form square. Some sources suggest that. But, 3-4 ranks for the British wasn't normal, I think.

  • @duswil3934
    @duswil3934 Před rokem +1

    40 victories. 0 losses. Qualify it however you want. The scoreboard says what it says.

    • @CometTheProto
      @CometTheProto Před rokem +2

      Actually he lost 3: His first attempt to take Badajoz, Burgos, and Tordesillas. Still a great general though.

    • @teamgamespace5708
      @teamgamespace5708 Před rokem

      Only little Victory

    • @las_espannas
      @las_espannas Před 9 měsíci

      ​@@CometTheProtoTordesillas no , Pombal.

  • @brianred7146
    @brianred7146 Před 3 lety +3

    The Duke is solid. Not sure where I'd ranked him in GB top 10 but he's there..full stop is another matter but he is absolutely solid through and through top 25 full stop too.

  • @Youtubechannel-po8cz
    @Youtubechannel-po8cz Před měsícem

    When you look Wellington’s career in India, Spain and on into France (before Waterloo) it’s quite remarkable. His obsession with logistics, making sure his force was properly supplied, that his Anglo-Portuguese soldiers were paid, that his Spanish allies were kept out of France because of the risk of revenge attacks on the French population. He can be considered a General way ahead of his time.

  • @charlesmanering7746
    @charlesmanering7746 Před 3 lety +14

    He was one of the greatest British commanders of all times

    • @johndoe-ss9bz
      @johndoe-ss9bz Před 3 lety +6

      @@carlosgomez1706 His Irish upbringing shaped his Drive to Overcome!

    • @Martin-tn5lm
      @Martin-tn5lm Před 8 měsíci

      At least 1/3 of his troops at Waterloo were from his home country - Ireland.

  • @skiteufr
    @skiteufr Před rokem +2

    Nemesis ? More the nemesis of French marshals who fought him in Spain. Wellington met Napoleon once at Waterloo and almost lost. He even begged for night or Blucher to save him... lol

  • @johnwayneeverett6263
    @johnwayneeverett6263 Před 3 lety

    WOW I DID NOT KNOW SO MUCH GREAT ...

  • @stephendean2896
    @stephendean2896 Před 3 lety

    It's amazing nearly all historical figures are very human. Meaning a mix bag of good and bad traits.

  • @kugellehr
    @kugellehr Před rokem +2

    if the prussians hadn't shown up at waterloo, the great Wellington would just be a footnote in history who had defeated Napoleon's marshalls in spain but lost the big one. It's sad that he was buried with a prussian flag on his coffin, and the petty brits removed it in 1914.

  • @tibsky1396
    @tibsky1396 Před rokem +2

    He was the Nemesis of Napoleon, but Napoleon was the Nemesis of everyone.

    • @PortmanRd
      @PortmanRd Před rokem

      But not the Brits. Outclassed at sea aswell.

    • @teamgamespace5708
      @teamgamespace5708 Před rokem +1

      ​@@PortmanRd but created a coalition because Napoléon scared them

  • @theschisack
    @theschisack Před rokem +1

    Actually Wellington was probably 4th most responsible person for Napoleon's defeat in Spain. The order is Ezekiel Baker inventor of the baker rifle, Captain Richard Sharpe, Sgt Patrick Harper, and the Wellington. Wellington though is undoubtedly one of the greatest military commanders of all time. His battlefield command and overall supreme command during the Peninsular was perhaps the greatest campaigns of all time. As always a lot of luck went his way but he had acumen to take advantage of that luck and pull out stunning victories. At so many points during the Peninsular war the battles he fought had to be victories otherwise the war would be over. Absolute genius.

  • @randykirkland3927
    @randykirkland3927 Před 3 lety +1

    Time for more historical ladies !!!

  • @joncavallo4391
    @joncavallo4391 Před 2 měsíci

    Studied war and battles all my life! Yes, I believe Wellington was and is one of the greatest generals of all time! The people of Great Briton, Ireland, and the rest of the European nations should be quite thankful that Wellington was born and became the man he did. He was the man needed for the times, especially against the likes of Napoleon and his quest for overall domination! He, along with admiral Nelson, did much to put a crimp in Napoleons style!

  • @swiper1818
    @swiper1818 Před 3 lety +5

    One of the best Generals in history

  • @robertbuchanan3993
    @robertbuchanan3993 Před 5 měsíci

    Wellington was brilliant , it’s well known that his tactics are still studied to this day by most military academy’s world wide.

  • @stevenanderson7461
    @stevenanderson7461 Před 3 lety +5

    He won the battle of Waterloo because he had general Richar Sharpe (sharpe) tv series

  • @therealleonidas229
    @therealleonidas229 Před rokem +2

    What a Great Irish man he was.

  • @mr.t3p370
    @mr.t3p370 Před 3 lety +4

    If you're looking for more historical figures there is quite a few in the willish family clan Pryce.🤠

  • @crystalglass7106
    @crystalglass7106 Před 3 lety

    He use to also cook up the best beef tenderloin. I can't quite remember what it's called but it's delicious

  • @henryrobson8427
    @henryrobson8427 Před rokem

    Can you please do a video of life of Napoleon Bonaparte

  • @peterdonoghue2950
    @peterdonoghue2950 Před rokem

    Bonzer geezer!

  • @firstlast7052
    @firstlast7052 Před 3 lety +3

    I my opinion there are only three other British generals of the modern era who can be compared to Welligton. Oliver Cromwell (who fought as an Englishman), John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and William [Bill] Slim. Cromwell did not have overall command of the New Model Army until Fairfax retired, but his victory at Dunbar and the whole of the Worcester campaign were textbook. Slim particularly the Burma campaigns of 1944 and 1945 in my opinion were the best of any British 20th century general/field marshal (including Haig (shudder) and Monty).
    However in the final analysis I think that his nearest rival is Marlborough. And they are easier to compare because the style of fighting was in many ways similar (lines of infantry (armed with brown bess muskets with bayonets), cannons and horse cavalry) and their task of keeping continental coalitions focused on the job at hand (beating a French tyrant) were similar.
    Tsar Alexander told Wellington when he met him [at the Congres of Vienna (1815)?] that he was the conqueror of the worlds conqueror and Joe Stalin teased Winston Churchill, when they met in Moscow in 1942, that Wellington was the better general “I think Britain had a more talented military leader [than Malbrough], in the person of Wellington who crushed Napoleon who presented the greatest danger in History”.
    However if I had to choose between these two British generals I think that I would, like Winston, choose Marlborough who never lost a battle of faild to take a fortress which he besieged.

    • @jayglithero524
      @jayglithero524 Před rokem

      Marlborough did well because he had the assistance of Prince Eugene of Savoy.

    • @firstlast7052
      @firstlast7052 Před rokem +1

      @Jay Glithero Although Blenheim and several other battles were joint affairs where each was indespensible, Marlborough also achieved notable military victories without Eugene (as did Eugene without Marlborough). For example the breaching of the Lines of Ne Plus Ultra in 1711 by Marlborough was textbook example of how such lines could be breached by outmanoeuvring the defender's reserve army which was ment to shadow the attacking force.
      In Marlborough's day, the concept of a general staff was in its infancy (even more so than 100 years later during Wellington's hay day) consequently Marlborough ability to organise logistics, for his army was another imoprtant facet of his generalship.
      Although Prince Eugene could and did help Marlborough on the battlefield, as an Austrian general he could do little to assist the Duke directly with his international deplomacy, thst was major factor in keeping the Grand Alliance (anti-French coalition) together for a decade, and was another, and perhapse most important, facet of his position as Captain-General/Gerneralissimo/Supreme Allied Comander.

  • @billybobobenner
    @billybobobenner Před 3 lety

    It's great to find a history channel that has an English voice rather than an American one, and someone who is more attuned to the European Theatre as a whole. Many thanks for your hard work and understated narration. :-)

  • @pedrokarstguimaraes1096

    In Portugal he was briliant!

  • @leepeel7129
    @leepeel7129 Před 3 lety +4

    I never expected to see a photo of an execution by means of blowing away (14:30ish). I had read about the English using this method (tying people the the front of a canon) during the American Revolution, but I haven't heard about it's application anywhere else. Very interesting.

    • @mjones207
      @mjones207 Před 3 lety

      I'd heard they'd used it often in India, especially damning the condemned as their bodies were not whole for services.

    • @leepeel7129
      @leepeel7129 Před 3 lety

      @Swamp Yankee Definitely for the brutality element. Spectacular, too, I'm sure. These guys are dealing with rebels and traitors, after all. Rome didn't just have an excess of beams and nails, lol

    • @fincorrigan7139
      @fincorrigan7139 Před 3 lety +2

      Its a painting by Vasily Vereschagin (19th Century Russian Artist)

    • @johnking759
      @johnking759 Před 3 lety +1

      The British used it as a means of execution during the Indian mutiny.

    • @t.wcharles2171
      @t.wcharles2171 Před rokem

      It was a very indian method of execution the first attested use was in the 1509 in Ceylon now Sri Lanka while the first use in the North in the historic record was in 1526 and it spread quite considerably throughout the Portuguese empire as far as Brazil.

  • @goncalopcoutinho
    @goncalopcoutinho Před rokem +1

    Great video, as always! When will we see a video on Napoleon himself?

  • @Amadeus8484
    @Amadeus8484 Před 2 lety

    Horatio Nelson: "You've done well."
    Wellington: "My Lord Admiral! But you died..."
    Horatio Nelson: "I know. But I came to wish you well." (Vanishes)