@asgaard636, Yeah. He was the best I have ever seen. Such a shame about his death earlier this year. A great man, historian, and ex solider. Going to miss his enthrawling documentaries and gripping novels.
Excellent series, made clear many things that were hard to follow in Holmes' biography of Wellington. Especially enjoyed the visits to the battlefields!
Russia never gets the credit for all these wars which they effectively won by ultimately inflicting the mortal wound, Napoleonic wars French were really defeated after their folly in Russia where 500000 French died. and WW2 and the battle of Britain, it was only a matter of time before Britain capitulated to the Nazi war machine, are the British any better than the french, The germans were absolutely the most advanced military in the world. Hitlers biggest mistake was engaging the USSR.
And Waterloo was not as decisive as people think what really finished off Napoleon was his disastrous campaign in Russia, in which Napoleon lost of 500000 men. the french never recovered from this and it made them vulnerable, and ultimately they lost the war. Russia won the Napoleonic wars just as they did WW2, the nazis lost on the war on eastern front, if it wasnt for USSR in the east Normandy would have been more heavily defended. Britain could have never beat Germany, the overran Europe.
Napoleon is greater than wellington, napoleon came from nothing to become emperor of the french and dominate most of europe, wellington was born into it, Wellington could have never beat a Napoleon in his prime, the Napoleon at Waterloo was desperate, and seriously outnumbered, Napoleon is one of the greatest military leaders alongside Julius Caesar, and Alexander, Wellington is not even in his league, if you want to talk about British commanders then there is only one Lord Nelson
@vicosu Well, actually, Wellington also came from next to nothing. His siblings and his mother saw no future in him except the army. Also, Wellington was the outnumbered one at Waterloo. His army numbered about 60,000 and about 150 guns versus about 70,000 french troops and 250 guns. And only about 25,000 of Wellington's troops were British regulars
regarding the war of 1812, there's an interesting book called "redcoat's revenge" in which the author explores the possibility of wellington accepting command in america in 1814 or thereabout. apparently the improvements in logistics etc. initiated by wellington himself were forgotten after waterloo without him to supervise them further.
Wellington's political career encountered the great difficulty that was damaging to him, due to that "Charles Dickens" period of British history in which slavery had been established, with the subjugation visited upon the British common class
Most likely due to being outside of this documentary's scope, unmentioned was Nathaniel Rothschild's monopolizing of Britain's commercial wealth & his complete financial control which resulted in the existence of the King, House of Lords & House of Commons
being mostly pretense. It was upon the completion of the battle at Waterloo that Rothschild beguiled the entire British stock market. Thus, it comes as no surprise that soon thereafter great hardship came upon the working class, causing their demands for reform & their riotous uprising. Also consistent is that the Vatican's power was simultaneously increased within Britain, as a result of Rothschild's actions
There, now this period's historic account is more comprehensibly complete. Nevertheless, a very informative & interesting production
The Duke of Wellington's life was somewhat similar to General/President Andrew Jackson's... except Jackson actually intentionally took a bullet in his duel, prior to taking his time in aiming & killing his offender. Also, he not only succeeded on the battlefield, but also against Rothschild's subversively oppressive banking
Andrew Jackson nearly single-handedly saved his country 3 times. Including a memorably stunning, or forgettably numbing (depending on ones perspective) & humanly unreasonable victory over the newly crowned, world warrior champions whom had just defeated Napoleon
However, we didnt build a monstrously monumental, mountainous memorial of dedicated divine distinction for him. But then again, our country is not within Europe???
Ok, check it out, Wellington & Jackson both stand out in history as phenomenally fantastic leaders on the battlefield. Although Wellington never quite faced the equivalent to the humanly insurmountable, enormous disadvantage that Jackson faced at New Orleans. Not only due to Jackson's forces being a greatly outnumbered, motley patchwork crew of mutually unacquainted amateur warriors. But also due to that being coupled with the fact of
his adversary's great number of battle hardened, experienced, all professional, most potent fighting force on Earth by virtue of having recently defeated Napoleon... of which, struggling against the best always hones one's skills to the level of their greatest potential
However, the era's, now legendary, British Army suffered what must certainly be their most forgettable battle in British military history, when they marched straight into the mountain named Andrew Jackson. But that's merely half
the story. Wellington's extremely impressive military accomplishments were opposed by the counterweight of his disappointingly lackluster political career. The critical information that is beyond the scope of this excellent documentary, is the enslaved British commoner's world of a Charles Dickens chronicling novel... which was due to none other than Nathaniel Rothschild whom certainly caused the subjugation after his stock market trickery, conducted immediately after the Battle at Waterloo
Thus, the very circumstances that directly caused Wellington's political failures were the product of the world's most notorious central banker. In contrast, the very same banking adversary ordered the attempted assassination of Jackson because "Old Hickory" left his General's boot print on the seat of the banker's pants
General Jackson annihilated Wellington's peers. However, as President Jackson, he also kicked the asses of precisely the same losers that ruined Wellington's political career
@Chuichupachichi Ah, another lobotomized patriotic dumbass who thinks Jackson defeated the full force of the British army. Don't make me laugh. I love the way dumbasses like you take a situation where a tiny number of British troops were defeated by the American army, and act as if it was a grand battle. If Wellington even fought Jackson, Jackson would have been crushed. Wellington defeated Napoleon Bonaparte- do you HONESTLY believe Jackson could even compete?
@TheLiberalKnight Agreed. Wellington once remarked that he distrusted the competency of most of his subordinate generals and had to watch them closely. It was these lesser men who led the British force at New Orleans. Anyone who doubts the effects that a lowly wall can have on seasoned attacking troops need only refer to Fredericksburg and Gettysburg 50 years later.
@BigMrFirebird No disrespect to Americans out there, but this idea that the American rebels defeated the British army is completely untrue. The war of independance is taught the wrong way. It was a British empire civil war, and only the weakest sections of the British army were stationed in America. Add that with the fact the French army allied with the rebels, and you see a very different picture.
@TheLiberalKnight You're correct, the American Revolution was just one theatre in what was essentially a world war, and if Britain could have devoted her full attention to the struggle going on in North America, the outcome would have been very different. As an American, I'm glad that struggle turned out the way it did, but to say the American colonists stood against the full strength of the British Empire is erroneous. As for New Orleans, didn't it boil down simply to someone forgetting to
@TheLiberalKnight bring up the faschings and scaling ladders? Maybe Pakenham should have called off the attack and waited for a better opportunity (and again, I'm glad he didn't and that things turned out the way they did), but I'm not going to play "armchair general" and try to second guess him; and yes, I'm aware that the song by Johnny Horton is wrong--that the "bloody British" did not "run so fast that the hounds couldn't catch them" but conducted themselves with tremendous gallantry.
there's something very touching about that photograph of wellington. i was reminded of the phonograph recording of lord tennyson's reading "the charge of the light brigade".
It was a different regime entirely. One should have known that it's unwise for a military commander to take on governing. He and the King were to blame.
The Duke spent a decade having more than 100,000 soldiers received and carried out his orders without so much as opening their mouth in protest.
It must have been frustrating for him to sit around arguing in the cabinet. Unfortunate and damaging to his reputation and cloud the glory of Waterloo quite a bit, to this day, i think.
A fantastic documentary. How proud we should be with all this history under our nations belt. YET, how many people today give a hoot about Wellington, Nelson or the history of this country? There to busy enjoying Britain's got Talent!!God help us.
Richard Holmes has a fine and pleasant narrating style. This was wonderful to watch. It makes me a proud Brit, that this remote island off mainland europe achieved so much in so many different spheres - and all of it by "the blood and brains of brave men". Its greatest times must be in its instrumental role in the defeat of europe's worst dictators Napolean and Hitler. But, the greatest threats to liberty are always within, and today its socialist indoctrination by media & buraeucratic state.
in the end, Wellington was still a badass, more than anyone could have known
georgepatton93 1 day ago
@asgaard636, Yeah. He was the best I have ever seen. Such a shame about his death earlier this year. A great man, historian, and ex solider. Going to miss his enthrawling documentaries and gripping novels.
MrDeano324 3 months ago
I've never seen a better done documentary- This is the 1st time I've seen Professor Holmes- He knows his stuff and how to present it! Top Drawer!
asgaard636 3 months ago
Excellent series, made clear many things that were hard to follow in Holmes' biography of Wellington. Especially enjoyed the visits to the battlefields!
SailingMoominmama 3 months ago
Russia never gets the credit for all these wars which they effectively won by ultimately inflicting the mortal wound, Napoleonic wars French were really defeated after their folly in Russia where 500000 French died. and WW2 and the battle of Britain, it was only a matter of time before Britain capitulated to the Nazi war machine, are the British any better than the french, The germans were absolutely the most advanced military in the world. Hitlers biggest mistake was engaging the USSR.
vicosu 4 months ago
And Waterloo was not as decisive as people think what really finished off Napoleon was his disastrous campaign in Russia, in which Napoleon lost of 500000 men. the french never recovered from this and it made them vulnerable, and ultimately they lost the war. Russia won the Napoleonic wars just as they did WW2, the nazis lost on the war on eastern front, if it wasnt for USSR in the east Normandy would have been more heavily defended. Britain could have never beat Germany, the overran Europe.
vicosu 4 months ago
Napoleon is greater than wellington, napoleon came from nothing to become emperor of the french and dominate most of europe, wellington was born into it, Wellington could have never beat a Napoleon in his prime, the Napoleon at Waterloo was desperate, and seriously outnumbered, Napoleon is one of the greatest military leaders alongside Julius Caesar, and Alexander, Wellington is not even in his league, if you want to talk about British commanders then there is only one Lord Nelson
vicosu 4 months ago
@vicosu Well, actually, Wellington also came from next to nothing. His siblings and his mother saw no future in him except the army. Also, Wellington was the outnumbered one at Waterloo. His army numbered about 60,000 and about 150 guns versus about 70,000 french troops and 250 guns. And only about 25,000 of Wellington's troops were British regulars
Legolordwellington 1 week ago
Yes, a British national holiday for him is a great idea
rafflesman 7 months ago
regarding the war of 1812, there's an interesting book called "redcoat's revenge" in which the author explores the possibility of wellington accepting command in america in 1814 or thereabout. apparently the improvements in logistics etc. initiated by wellington himself were forgotten after waterloo without him to supervise them further.
spiderlime 9 months ago
Wellington's political career encountered the great difficulty that was damaging to him, due to that "Charles Dickens" period of British history in which slavery had been established, with the subjugation visited upon the British common class
Most likely due to being outside of this documentary's scope, unmentioned was Nathaniel Rothschild's monopolizing of Britain's commercial wealth & his complete financial control which resulted in the existence of the King, House of Lords & House of Commons
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
being mostly pretense. It was upon the completion of the battle at Waterloo that Rothschild beguiled the entire British stock market. Thus, it comes as no surprise that soon thereafter great hardship came upon the working class, causing their demands for reform & their riotous uprising. Also consistent is that the Vatican's power was simultaneously increased within Britain, as a result of Rothschild's actions
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
There, now this period's historic account is more comprehensibly complete. Nevertheless, a very informative & interesting production
The Duke of Wellington's life was somewhat similar to General/President Andrew Jackson's... except Jackson actually intentionally took a bullet in his duel, prior to taking his time in aiming & killing his offender. Also, he not only succeeded on the battlefield, but also against Rothschild's subversively oppressive banking
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
Andrew Jackson nearly single-handedly saved his country 3 times. Including a memorably stunning, or forgettably numbing (depending on ones perspective) & humanly unreasonable victory over the newly crowned, world warrior champions whom had just defeated Napoleon
However, we didnt build a monstrously monumental, mountainous memorial of dedicated divine distinction for him. But then again, our country is not within Europe???
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
@Chuichupachichi No offense, but who the fuck cares about Andrew Jackson? Nelson, Blucher & the duke of wellington is where it's at.
TheLiberalKnight 10 months ago
@TheLiberalKnight
{who the fuck cares about Andrew Jackson?}
Ok, check it out, Wellington & Jackson both stand out in history as phenomenally fantastic leaders on the battlefield. Although Wellington never quite faced the equivalent to the humanly insurmountable, enormous disadvantage that Jackson faced at New Orleans. Not only due to Jackson's forces being a greatly outnumbered, motley patchwork crew of mutually unacquainted amateur warriors. But also due to that being coupled with the fact of
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
his adversary's great number of battle hardened, experienced, all professional, most potent fighting force on Earth by virtue of having recently defeated Napoleon... of which, struggling against the best always hones one's skills to the level of their greatest potential
However, the era's, now legendary, British Army suffered what must certainly be their most forgettable battle in British military history, when they marched straight into the mountain named Andrew Jackson. But that's merely half
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
the story. Wellington's extremely impressive military accomplishments were opposed by the counterweight of his disappointingly lackluster political career. The critical information that is beyond the scope of this excellent documentary, is the enslaved British commoner's world of a Charles Dickens chronicling novel... which was due to none other than Nathaniel Rothschild whom certainly caused the subjugation after his stock market trickery, conducted immediately after the Battle at Waterloo
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
Thus, the very circumstances that directly caused Wellington's political failures were the product of the world's most notorious central banker. In contrast, the very same banking adversary ordered the attempted assassination of Jackson because "Old Hickory" left his General's boot print on the seat of the banker's pants
General Jackson annihilated Wellington's peers. However, as President Jackson, he also kicked the asses of precisely the same losers that ruined Wellington's political career
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
@Chuichupachichi Ah, another lobotomized patriotic dumbass who thinks Jackson defeated the full force of the British army. Don't make me laugh. I love the way dumbasses like you take a situation where a tiny number of British troops were defeated by the American army, and act as if it was a grand battle. If Wellington even fought Jackson, Jackson would have been crushed. Wellington defeated Napoleon Bonaparte- do you HONESTLY believe Jackson could even compete?
TheLiberalKnight 10 months ago
@TheLiberalKnight Agreed. Wellington once remarked that he distrusted the competency of most of his subordinate generals and had to watch them closely. It was these lesser men who led the British force at New Orleans. Anyone who doubts the effects that a lowly wall can have on seasoned attacking troops need only refer to Fredericksburg and Gettysburg 50 years later.
BigMrFirebird 9 months ago
@BigMrFirebird No disrespect to Americans out there, but this idea that the American rebels defeated the British army is completely untrue. The war of independance is taught the wrong way. It was a British empire civil war, and only the weakest sections of the British army were stationed in America. Add that with the fact the French army allied with the rebels, and you see a very different picture.
TheLiberalKnight 9 months ago
@TheLiberalKnight You're correct, the American Revolution was just one theatre in what was essentially a world war, and if Britain could have devoted her full attention to the struggle going on in North America, the outcome would have been very different. As an American, I'm glad that struggle turned out the way it did, but to say the American colonists stood against the full strength of the British Empire is erroneous. As for New Orleans, didn't it boil down simply to someone forgetting to
Arbeedubya 8 months ago
@TheLiberalKnight bring up the faschings and scaling ladders? Maybe Pakenham should have called off the attack and waited for a better opportunity (and again, I'm glad he didn't and that things turned out the way they did), but I'm not going to play "armchair general" and try to second guess him; and yes, I'm aware that the song by Johnny Horton is wrong--that the "bloody British" did not "run so fast that the hounds couldn't catch them" but conducted themselves with tremendous gallantry.
Arbeedubya 8 months ago
@Arbeedubya your very good at using words, i like that
Legolordwellington 7 months ago
@Legolordwellington Thank you. I appreciate your comment.
Arbeedubya 7 months ago
@Arbeedubya yourwelcome i do like how you use words literilly
Legolordwellington 7 months ago
Comment removed
Chuichupachichi 10 months ago
there's something very touching about that photograph of wellington. i was reminded of the phonograph recording of lord tennyson's reading "the charge of the light brigade".
spiderlime 1 year ago
Great documentary. Thanks for uploading!
baronessvondengler 1 year ago
Outstanding documentary.
May another Wellington arise in this life.
We live in dark times.
Octavius0 1 year ago
It was a different regime entirely. One should have known that it's unwise for a military commander to take on governing. He and the King were to blame.
The Duke spent a decade having more than 100,000 soldiers received and carried out his orders without so much as opening their mouth in protest.
It must have been frustrating for him to sit around arguing in the cabinet. Unfortunate and damaging to his reputation and cloud the glory of Waterloo quite a bit, to this day, i think.
totaldynamix 1 year ago
I am an American and I really admire Wellington. Like all humans he had his faults but dont we all? Thank you for posting
TroyBilt007 1 year ago
so many napoleon lovers love to undermine him and he had his faults. but he was truly one of the greatest this country has ever seen in my opinion
donorleone 1 year ago
A fantastic documentary. How proud we should be with all this history under our nations belt. YET, how many people today give a hoot about Wellington, Nelson or the history of this country? There to busy enjoying Britain's got Talent!!God help us.
gezbo66 1 year ago 3
Richard Holmes has a fine and pleasant narrating style. This was wonderful to watch. It makes me a proud Brit, that this remote island off mainland europe achieved so much in so many different spheres - and all of it by "the blood and brains of brave men". Its greatest times must be in its instrumental role in the defeat of europe's worst dictators Napolean and Hitler. But, the greatest threats to liberty are always within, and today its socialist indoctrination by media & buraeucratic state.
ruddytechnik 1 year ago 7
God bless Wellington, we really should have a holiday in his honor!
spinynorman230 1 year ago 10
@spinynorman230 true that!!!
Legolordwellington 7 months ago
Yes thanks a lot for this oddball.
WyZaSsMaN 2 years ago
Thank you for downloading this series. It goes well with Professor Holmes book and is educational and interesting to watch.
Pooshhead 2 years ago 4