Very interesting and enjoyable. Portugal is a beautiful country. I had the good pleasure to visit there many years ago. As a history nerd I went to as many museums and castles as I could in the short time there while my wife and friends went shopping of course. Regards from Canada!

Very good, Chris. I look forward to your new projects.

Thank you love your content! Thank you for all the hard graft.

Another superb episode. Huzzah sir!

Bit out of date in some ways. Anyone who reads anything about the Peninsula written in the last 30 years recognises the contribution of the Portuguese … and the Spanish.

This is where Wellington with his free hand , refined / drilled his redcoat men and the Portuguese in his version of volley fire which was more frequent with a superior fire rate to the French line .

Top drawer yet again, thanks! And yes, in relation to what you and Mr. Beresford said, I think that three aspects of the victory on the Peninsula that tend to be under-emphasized are: (1) the British endearing themselves to the local Portuguese and Spanish populations by paying for supplies rather than pillaging them, (2) the ferocious guerilla campaign waged against the French by the same two populations, which paid big dividends to W in terms of the steady tying down and bleeding away of French troops and the equally steady inflow of intelligence on French movements, and, last but not least, as this video attested to, (3) the contributions of the Portuguese and Spanish regular forces.

Definitely important, they were as well trained as the British regulars.

I am currently reading Marcus de la Poer Beresford "Marshall William Carr Beresford".
The best Portuguese troops were used by Napoleon in the Grande Armée. At the battle of Smolensk certain regiments crossed a bridge on fire in order to pursuit the Russians which they did with success. The troops that remained were dismantled by Junot. Those are huge points that need to be taken in account when looking at the state of the army by the British arrival.
By the time the first British troops arrived there was some suspicion to their interests. As so not all Portuguese troops were commited to support the British.
After the infamous "Convenção de Sintra" there was much resentment towards British intentions on the peninsula.
The second invasion of Portugal and the late arrival of troops to Porto also made the population quite angry. The looting and the "ponte de barcas" events are still embedded to our language to this day. For example when someone dies we say "Foi para o maneta" which mean "he went to the one hand" (General Loison who was missing one hand and was brutal with his looting and reprisals).
The 3rd invasion was the time where our alliance shone more. The battle of Bussaco as well as the rest of the retreat to the lines of Torres Vedras are still celebrated to this day.
I'm not surprised at all at the desertions on 1813/1814. Portugal was freed. Freeing Spain wasn't for sure in the interest of portuguese soldiers who knew little of major strategy. Also it wasn't so long ago the "Guerra das Laranjas" and the first Invasion of Portugal in which Spanish troops were present against Portugal.
In any case it was suggested that for the 100 days portuguese regiments were sent to help the British. This was rejected because of the state of the nation.
Beresford did restructure the Portuguese army and made it a fine and precise tool.
But there is something left out of history. After the Napoleonic wars were over Beresford remained in Portugal and reprised portuguese revolutions that wished the return of the king. For that reason in 1820 the British were expelled after burning Gomes Freire de Andrade.
It seems to me as a Portuguese that this alliance was used to open a British front on land against Napoleon. I am grateful for the British support during the war but I can't deny the presence of political intentions.
At any case I really enjoyed the video and I am enjoying the Peninsular war series. If any help is needed with pronunciation I can help.
Thanks for taking the time to read this text.

Brilliant Christian, short, but o so sweet, would really like to hear more about the Portuguese Army, seems to be glossed over a little, looks like a library trawl.

Another terrific video. So interesting for me – I live an hour from Bussaco and 10 mins from Redhina 🙂 thank you!

Would like to see more on the Portuguese troops during the war.

Thank you , another brilliant video.

Have you considered doing any videos on the English Civil Wars aka the wars of the three kingdoms and the creation of the redcoats new modeled army?

Another brilliant episode mate. Really articulate input by Marcus!
Apparently there's an upcoming film about Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix, I hope this makes having an interest in the Napoleonic wars more mainstream!

Thx for this episode 🙂