In the latest video installment of the Redcoat History Podcast I talk to Marcus Cribb (manager of Apsley House) all about the first Richard Sharpe book "Sharpe's Eagle". We follow the plot of the novel and explain which bits are true and which bits do not conform to the actual history of the Battle of … Continue reading Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Talavera – Fact or Purely Fiction?
John Shipp: A real-life Richard Sharpe (video)
Welcome to the first of my new "5 minute Friday" strand. In this first episode I am talking about the remarkable John Shipp...His story is absolutely amazing. During the Napoleonic era being promoted from the ranks was more common than most people think. . .But Shipp was still an exceptional man and managed it twice. … Continue reading John Shipp: A real-life Richard Sharpe (video)
Rogues with rifles: The 5/60th in the Peninsular War (an interview with author Rob Griffith)
Today my latest podcast episode dropped. It's a deep dive into the background and history of the 5/60th Rifles in the Peninsular War...I think of this unit as the British Foreign Legion, they really are a fascinating outfit. Please listen and subscribe for more British military history content. https://youtu.be/HhC9CatM6z8
Book Review: True Soldier Gentleman by Adrian Goldsworthy
Today’s Napoleonic fiction read is a belter – True Soldier Gentleman by a writer and academic called Adrian Goldsworthy. It’s about officers in the Peninsular war – so is it another Richard Sharpe clone? Well, let’s have a look. The book opens in Madrid in 1808 as we meet a young ex-pat English artist, William … Continue reading Book Review: True Soldier Gentleman by Adrian Goldsworthy
The Military Geek’s Guide To…The Peninsular War, Volume One: The Battles of Vimeiro, Corunna and Talavera.
My new book is available for pre-order from Amazon. Soon there will be an Apple books version and a paperback. Here is the blurb for the book: "This is the first in Christian Parkinson's series on the Peninsular War of 1808-1814 – arguably the British army’s greatest campaign. It is a tale of raw human … Continue reading The Military Geek’s Guide To…The Peninsular War, Volume One: The Battles of Vimeiro, Corunna and Talavera.
Podcast Season 3: The Peninsular War
Do you enjoy Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe novels? Or perhaps you loved the TV series with Sean Bean? Well, those stories were set during the Peninsular war of 1808-1814 – which is exactly what we are covering in season Three of the Redcoat History Podcast – Hurrah! If you have no idea what I am … Continue reading Podcast Season 3: The Peninsular War
The Peninsular war part 5: The convention of Cintra and its aftermath
This is the fifth instalment of my series looking at the Peninsular war through the eyes of the British soldiers. For the previous article covering the battle of Vimeiro please follow this link. As soon as the battle was over the whole British army was desperate to pursue the beaten French before they could reform … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 5: The convention of Cintra and its aftermath
The Peninsular war part 4: The battle of Vimeiro
This is the fourth part of my series examining the Peninsular war through the eyes of the British soldiers. For the previous instalment, about the battle of Rolica, please follow this link. Under a broad blue sky, dotted with thin wispy clouds the British army hastily pulled on their boots and grabbed their weapons. Bugles … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 4: The battle of Vimeiro
Swift and Bold: The reenactors of the 5/60th Rifles
The 5/60th Rifles were one of the most elite regiments of the British army during the Napoleonic wars. They were skirmishers equipped with the excellent Baker rifle and dressed in green rather than the traditional red jackets. Now a group of enthusiasts in the west Midlands are bringing the unit back to life. I was … Continue reading Swift and Bold: The reenactors of the 5/60th Rifles
The Peninsular war part 3: The battle of Rolica
In the third part of my story of the Peninsular war, as seen through the eyes of the British soldiers, we examine the battle of Rolica - an early success for Sir Arthur Wellesley and his men. For my previous articles that explore the landings at Mondego bay and the first combat casualties of the … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 3: The battle of Rolica
Redcoat History 