Grey History: The French Revolution: Recent Episodes
William Clark
History isn't black and white, yet too often it's presented as such. Grey History is a podcast dedicated to retelling great historical events, but in a way that highlights contradiction, dissent and contrasting conclusions. Why? Because it's in the grey that history has its beauty, its intrigue, and most importantly its lessons.
Current Season:
The French Revolution - Tyrants and Terrorists
To mark 250 years since the American Declaration of Independence, we're joined by Everett Rummage and David Montgomery for a wide-ranging conversation on French and American history. From rival constitutions to missed opportunities, we unpack how the Revolutionary, Napoleonic, and Restoration eras measured themselves against the young United States.
You can find Everett's The Age of Napoleon and David's The Siècle wherever you get your podcasts.
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We unpack the chaos of 1793! From the execution of Louis XVI and the fall of Dumouriez to the Vendée uprising, the Federalist revolts, and the birth of revolutionary government — this recap traces how France descended into the Terror. The full breakdown is available now as a members-only bonus episode on Patreon, along with ad-free listening and our full bonus archive.
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Guest episode from Josh Zucker of the Grand Dukes of the West.
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
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Make a one-off donation
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All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guest episode from David Montgomery of the Siècle, covering French history from 1814-1914.
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
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Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
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Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guest episode from Everett Rummage and the fantastic Age of Napoleon podcast.
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
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Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The plans for 1794 and 2026!
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
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Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Was there a genocide in the Vendée?
Joined by Historian Reynald Secher, we reexamine the violence in the west. In this interview episode, Dr Secher explains his thesis on a French Genocide, responds to his critics, and examines the violent conflict which remains the source of much controversy. We also discuss the ongoing debate over how these events should be interpreted and remembered in the modern French Republic.
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
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Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Horrified that a foreign plot was destroying the Republic, Robespierre moved to halt the dechristianisation campaign. Motivated by practical, ideological, and political concerns, the influential Jacobin launched a blistering counterattack against radical anti-clericalism. In this struggle, he achieved only mixed success. Yet on the question of Revolutionary Government, Robespierre and his allies secured a decisive victory with the Law of 14 Frimaire in December 1793.
2026 Tours
Limited places remaining for the French Revolution & Napoleon Tour (October 2026) and the Christmas Markets & History Tour (Winter 2026) Book Your Place Here
Early Access
Listen to Episode 1.108 "The Vendée Genocide with Historian Reynald Secher" by becoming a True Revolutionary on Patreon!
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
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Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I’m thrilled to announce two new small-group tours for 2026!
The first is a 6-day French Revolution & Napoleon tour in Paris this October.
The second is a 10-day Christmas Markets & History tour across France, Germany, and Austria this December.
JOIN THE WAITLIST
They are two very different journeys, but both are built around the same idea: thoughtful, history-led travel for people who want more than a quick overview and a checklist of sights.
The Paris tour is the more focused of the two. It is centred on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, exploring the key places where those histories actually unfolded.
The Christmas Markets tour is broader in scope and combines history, festive traditions, and beautiful winter towns. Stops in places such as Strasbourg, Nuremberg, Munich, and Salzburg, along with iconic towns in Alsace and Bavaria.
If one or both sound like your kind of journey, join the waitlist and I’ll make sure you hear first when places open.
JOIN THE WAITLIST
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From the Cult of Reason to the Caribbean colonies, this Q&A episode unpacks your questions on a range of topics and hypotheticals!Questions include:
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Could the Cult of Reason ever succeed?
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Were “federalist” constitutional priests a real threat, or Jacobin paranoia?
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Did universal male suffrage in 1793 include the colonies? What about slavery?
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Is Fouché’s rise already underway, or is it too early?
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How much did climate and weather impact the revolution?How would things have changed for the constitutional monarchy if harvests had been bountiful?
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If Lafayette is assassinated before Champ de Mars, how does this impact the revolution?
Early Access
True Revolutionaries can listen to Episode 1.107 "Robespierre to the Rescue" now!
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
Facebook
Instagram
X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wedged between France and Austria, Piedmont-Sardinia is one of the most overlooked powers of the French Revolutionary Wars. Best remembered for unifying Italy in the 19th century, this episode unpacks the kingdom's early success and unique composition. Along the way, we touch on Admiral Nelson, the Polish Partition, and debates regarding the memory of Italian unification.
Thank you to Dr Christopher Storrs for making this episode possible.
May 2026 Tour
Limited places remaining for Grey History’s French Revolution Tour (May 2026)
Book Your Place Here
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
Facebook
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X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A new calendar for a new France! From high hopes to utter confusion, Matt Shaw joins us to unpack the calendar's turbulent history. Explore the calendar’s gradual creation, its uneven adoption, and the Directory’s aggressive attempts to reinforce its use well after the Terror. We also discuss why Napoleon ultimately abolished the Republican calendar, and the last legacy of this infamous reform.
This is a Members-Only episode available exclusively for the Grey History Community.
Join Now And Support the Show
May 2026 Tour
Places are limited for Grey History’s French Revolution Tour (May 2026)
Book Your Place Here
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
Facebook
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X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I join the French History Podcast to discuss three overlooked sites of Revolutionary Paris! From the famous to the forgotten, enjoy the history of these key revolutionary landmarks.
For another great podcast on the French Revolution, check out Dr. Gary Girod's French History Podcast!
May 2026 Tour
Bookings now live: Grey History’s French Revolution Tour (May 2026)
Book Your Place Here
Stand in Marie Antoinette’s cell. Recreate the storming of the Bastille. Spend a full day at Versailles, including its famous Tennis Court.
Bookings are now live for Grey History’s French Revolution Tour, running 12–19 May 2026: eight days across Paris and the Loire Valley, designed and hosted by Will Clark.
Book Your Place Here
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bookings now live: Grey History’s French Revolution Tour (May 2026)
Book Your Place Here
Stand in Marie Antoinette’s cell. Recreate the storming of the Bastille. Spend a full day at Versailles.
Bookings are now live for Grey History’s French Revolution Tour, running 12–19 May 2026: eight days across Paris and the Loire Valley, designed and hosted by Will Clark.
Highlights include five nights in Paris with Versailles, a walk through revolutionary Paris to the former Bastille, the Conciergerie (including Marie Antoinette’s cell), the Panthéon, the Louvre in small groups, and Napoleonic Paris at Les Invalides and the Arc de Triomphe. Then two nights in Tours in the Loire Valley to explore châteaux and royal towns.
Places are strictly capped at 20. Prices start from $6,399 USD, with a $1,000 USD deposit to reserve your place.
Book Your Place Here
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I joined the team at History Dispatches for a fun Christmas special. Together, we explore the Revolution’s fraught relationship with the Catholic Church, and how festive cheer was targeted during the dechristianisation campaign of 1793.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Revolutionary France Tour - Join Me In Paris in May 2026!
Book Now. Places are filling fast!
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
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X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No Sundays, no saints, no salvation.
As dechristianisation exploded in the capital, radical revolutionaries closed churches, forced abdications, and turned Notre-Dame into a Temple of Reason. Seeking to replace past errors with enlightenment values, the Cult of Reason was established with mixed success.
This episode explores the dramatic escalation of dechristianisation, including the creation of the Cult of Reason. It also examines Bishop Gobel’s resignation, and how marriages, abdications, and the cult itself varied across the nation.
Revolutionary France Tour
Join the waitlist here!
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
Facebook
Instagram
X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A new crusade! Determined to purge superstition and fanaticism in all its forms, anti-clerical zeal erupts across the French Republic.
This episode uncovers how Joseph Fouché’s campaign in central France helped ignite a national movement. From the forced marriages of priests to the destruction of churches, we explore the many dimensions of dechristianisation. We also trace the rising tensions between constitutional clerics and the Jacobins, and how the Revolution turned against the Catholic faith in a bid to regenerate the nation.
Episode Extras
Rewriting Time: Naming The French Republican Calendar
Renaming Republican France: From Towns To Babies
Rural Calendar
A horse? An apple tree? Find out what day were you born on here
Paris Tour May 2026
Early Access Pass - More Info Here!
Early Access
Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 104 "The Cult of Reason"
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
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X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fortune, fraud, and the fall of empires. Dr Elizabeth Cross joins Grey History to uncover the turbulent history of the French East India Company.
From royal privilege to revolutionary scandal, this episode traces how the troubled company became a symbol of greed and speculation. Often compared to its more successful rival, we’ll also touch on the challenges faced by the British East India Company and examine trade relations with the young United States. Discover the wild history of this forgotten enterprise and how its corruption helped to implode the Jacobin Republic.
Dr Cross is the author of Company Politics: Commerce, Scandal, and French Visions of Indian Empire in the Revolutionary Era.
Early Access
Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 1.103 Dechristianisation Part I
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
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Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
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Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You’ve listened to the Revolution — now it’s time to live it!
I’m thrilled to announce that Grey History Tours are officially happening in 2026! Our first trip will take place in Paris in mid-May, and will run for about a week (approximately 12–19 May).
We’ll walk the same streets as Lafayette and Robespierre, explore Versailles Palace, and even recreate the Storming of the Bastille. From Marie Antoinette’s prison cell to Napoleon’s Tomb, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame, you’ll experience the Revolution like never before — with exclusive access, expert storytelling, and a small group of fellow history lovers.
To join this first-ever tour, I’ve opened a limited number of Early Access Passes.
Each pass gives you priority booking and $150 off next year’s tour.
It costs $100 — fully refundable at any time — and if you don’t use it, you’ll automatically get your money back in March 2026.
This will be a small-group experience, capped at 20 people, and early interest has already been huge. This is your chance to be first in line!
If you’ve ever thought, “One day I’d love to explore Revolutionary Paris,” this is your moment!
Reserve your Early Access Pass now!
More Information
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lies and deception imploded the Jacobin Republic. Needing to save themselves from accusations of corruption, multiple deputies invented foreign plots to mask their own conspiracies. Destroying trust while incriminating innocents, these fabrications are essential to understanding the fall of the Jacobins.
This episode explores how Fabre d’Églantine and François Chabot created the “Foreign Plot” to conceal their own financial crimes. From the French East India Company to the murky world of Parisian finance, discover how greed and paranoia destroyed the Revolution from within.
2026 Tours
Don't forget to have your say with the 2026 Tour survey!
Early Access
Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 102 "The French East India Company with Dr Elizabeth Cross "
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
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X
Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here.
About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After five years of turmoil, France needed a government. But how? With the Republic increasingly controlled by “rogues and scoundrels,” the battle was on for the Revolution’s future. Assailed from all sides, the Committee of Public Safety emerged triumphant.
This episode traces Robespierre’s parliamentary victory of 25 September 1793, Saint-Just’s decree of “Revolutionary Government” on 10 October 1793, and the Convention’s decision to remain “until the peace.” From foreign plots and factional struggles to the subordination of ministers and generals, discover how dissent became treason as the Revolution laid the foundations for both survival and dictatorship.
Early Access
Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 101: The Foreign Plot!
The Grey History Community
Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too!
Join Now And Support the Show
Make a one-off donation
Contact Me
Send your questions, praise, and scornhere
Newsletter
Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode
Follow on Social Media:
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Advertising
Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon.
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About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place!
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The revolutionaries are confronted with a new challenge in the west. Recruitment riots grip the nation, and in a region known as the Vendée, these disturbances fast became organised resistance. By June 1793, civil war consumed western France, and large swaths of the countryside were controlled by the Royal and Catholic Army. In this episode, we explore why the Vendée was the first region to revolt against the National Convention, the unique characteristics of the civil war, and multiple debates which bitterly divide historians.
Episode Extra
Hills, Hedges, and Humble Clerics
In the Episode Extra for this episode, we unpack why the topography of the Vendée was so beneficial to the defending insurrectionists. We also hear from a contemporary on the role of religion in the civil war.
EARLY ACCESSEpisode 56 "Fasting and Furious"
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The war expands and disaster strikes. This episode explores the entry of England and Holland into the revolutionary war, as well as the French invasion of the Dutch Republic in February 1793. As Belgium begins to break, the Austrians and the Prussians unleash a devastating counter-attack, crippling the French military and causing chaos behind the lines. In the resulting disarray, General Dumouriez goes rogue. The consequences of his actions have a direct impact on the Reign of Terror.
Episode Extra:Dutch Exiles and Dumouriez's Commissioners
EARLY ACCESSEpisode 55 "Civil War in the Vendee"
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Why did the French get involved in the American Revolutionary War? How did the French help the Americans? Why did relations deteriorate between the two nations in the subsequent years? All these questions and more are explored in this special joint episode with Mike Troy of the American Revolution podcast!
Join Mike and me as we unpack the French intervention and the evolution of French-American relations after the conflict ended. This collaboration episode is only possible thanks to the support of the Patreon community. Thank you so much for your support of the show!
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I have been very ill with a severe case of Dengue Fever. Although I am now out of the hospital, I have not been able to return to the podcast as quickly as I had hoped. Please bear with me while I recover!
Episode 54 “It’s Treason Then!” is now available to all patrons, and will be released on the public feed as soon as possible. All patrons also have access to my recent collaboration with the American Revolution Podcast focused on French Intervention in the American Revolutionary War.
Episode 55 “Civil War in the Vendée” is fully written and will be released for patrons with early access as soon as possible.
Thank you so much for your sponsorship of the show and the messages of support!
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The crusade for universal liberty runs into problems. While some occupied territories demand annexation, others resist the encroachment on their traditional rights and privileges. To make matters worse, factionalism cripples the Executive council, while tensions rise between the National Convention and General Dumouriez. With division impacting both the government and the army, what could possibly go wrong?
Episode 54 "It's Treason Then!" is now available for patrons with early access! LISTEN HERE
Episode Extras:
1. Belgian Politics & Dumouriez's Predicament
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It's time to celebrate! As a thank you to everyone who has been helping spread the word about Grey History, the first bonus episode on the Corsican Revolution is temporarily available to everyone who signs up for the Grey History newsletter!
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Episode 52 "The Corsican Revolution Part II" is now available to all patrons of the show!
Episode 53 "The Advance of France" is also available to all patrons with early access right now!
EARLY ACCESS TO "1.53 THE ADVANCE OF FRANCE"
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The questions continue!
In the second and final Q&A episode, we’ll be covering why the French revolutionaries didn’t take more inspiration from the American constitution. We'll also explore ways a more moderate revolution could have been successfully established, as well as discuss how support for the revolution changed over time. Finally, we'll unpack financial questions relating to the new regime, as well as select actors for a hypothetical French Revolution tv series.
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We've hit Episode 50 and there are some amazing questions to celebrate! In this episode, we'll be exploring the role of Robespierre, key turning points in Louis XVI's reign, and some interesting historical hypotheticals. We'll also unpack the impact of Icelandic volcanic activity on the revolution as well as my research methodology.
Thank you to everyone who has sent in a question. If your question wasn't answered in Part I, it will be in Part II!
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On 21 January 1793, Louis XVI was executed by the French Republic. How did the King live his final hours? What preparations were made to ensure the King could not escape? What impact did this monumental event have on the revolution at home and abroad? These are the questions that will be explored in the final part of the King's trial.
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Bonus content for this episode:
1. The Life of Henry Edgeworth, Louis XVI's Irish Confessor
2. Edgeworth's Account of the King's Execution
Questions & Answers Link for Audio Messages (and Traditional Text):
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With problems besetting the young republic, the Convention had to end the contentious trial of Louis XVI. How would the trial proceed? Who would determine the King's guilt and punishment? When would the judgment take effect? These are just some of the many questions the deputies grappled with as they dealt with the King's conviction and sentencing.
This episode explores the Convention's votes on the King's guilt, the proposed appeal to the people, and the punishment for Louis XVI. It also introduces the important revolutionary Bertrand Barère.
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Bonus Content
Spanish efforts to influence the trial King Louis XVI
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-content-1-76236711
Questions & Answers Link for Audio Messages and Traditional Text Questions:
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As the deputies proceed with the King's trial, a radical proposal upends the proceedings. Leading Girondins suggest "the appeal to the people", a national referendum to determine the King's fate. Rejected by the Mountain, both factions denounce the other as they seek to win the support of the Plain. This episode explores the appeal to the people, the positions of each faction on direct democracy, and the possible motivations for the Girondins' surprising actions.
Episode Extra: Additional Thoughts on Girondin Motivations
This unscripted analysis examines how the possibility of war in the Atlantic may have encouraged some Girondins to seek clemency for the King. It also examines an additional theory from Historian Jean Jaurès as to why the Girondins had no choice but to propose the appeal to the people and attempt to avoid the King's execution.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-content-1-75042042
Episode 48 "The King's Trial Part III" is already avilable for patrons with ealry access!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-48-76328616
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With the republic declared and foreign armies pushed back beyond the frontiers, the National Convention had no choice but to turn its attention to justice. Should the King be tried? Could he even be tried? If he could, how would the nation hold its former monarch to account? These were the questions that gripped the Convention as they sought to prosecute Louis for a long list of crimes.
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The new national legislature descends into factional chaos. Fears of tyranny dominate the Convention, and a schism in the Jacobin Club rocks the revolution across the entire nation. Amongst the quarrels, the deputies make history, abolishing the monarchy and establishing the French Republic.
Episode Extra:
- The Girondin Attacks - Unscripted thoughts on the Girondin assault against leading Montagnard leaders.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/ee-1-45-1-72063855
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Catherine the Great is one of the most intriguing and consequential monarchs of the 18th century. Mark Schauss from the Russian Rulers History Podcast joins me for a wide-ranging interview on Catherine's reign. In this episode, we discuss Catherine's influential policies, politics, and wars, as well as her surprising ascent to the Russian throne. We also discuss Catherine's relationship with the Enlightenment and leading French philosophers, along with her attitude towards the French Revolution.
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Additional RRHP material on Catherine the Great:
-
Episodes 42-51
-
Episode 188
www.russianrulershistory.com
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In this crossover episode we examine another great history podcast called History Daily. Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Whether it’s to remember the tragedy of December 7th, 1941, the day “that will live in infamy,” or to celebrate that 20th day in July, 1969, when mankind reached the moon, History Daily is there to tell you the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world—one day at a time.
Check out History Daily on all major podcast platforms.
https://www.noiser.com/history-daily
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The National Convention meets in Paris. Who were the deputies who lead France? What divided them? How accurate are the common perceptions of their politics? This episode explores the new national legislature and the factions which would dominate it.
Episode Extra - The Legalisation of Divorce
Explore the ground-breaking legalisation of divorce in September 1792. Its impact was significant, and it would take almost 180 years for similiar legislation to arrive in the United States and the United Kingdom!
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https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-ee-70107468
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On the eve of the Invasion of France in August 1792, the courts of the First Coalition were maintaining an uneasy alliance. Events in Poland had reinforced the long-standing distrust between the courts of Berlin, Vienna, and St. Petersburg, and developments in the east would fundamentally alter the trajectory of the allies' advance.
This episode examines how events in Poland impacted the Prussian invasion, as well as the nature of the army that marched with the Duke of Brunswick. We'll also explore the key battles of 1792, including Valmy and Jemappes, along with the amazing highs and lows of the campaign. Finally, we will unpack how the military situation in late 1792 dramatically impacted the politics of the new French Republic, leading to a renewed determination to wage a crusade for universal liberty.
Episode Extra: The Battle(s) of Valmy
Explore not only the original Battle of Valmy, but the highly contested historical debate surrounding the skirmish. Historians differ massively on how to interpret the events of September 20, 1792, so this will be full of Grey (Military) History!
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https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-extra-1-69517375
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I'm thrilled to introduce Grey History's first joint episode! Steve Guerra from the History of the Papacy joins me for a fantastic chat about all things Papacy, Church, and French Revolution. We would love to do another discussion in the future, so please send through ideas for possible conversations on topics relating to the Papacy or the Catholic Church in either France or the revolutionary era!
A huge thank you to the Patreon supporters of Grey History! Your support is what makes special episodes like this possible!
Part I - 2:30
The history of the Papacy and the Catholic Church in Europe and in France.
Part II - 28:45
The history of the Church in the French Revolution, the initial relationship between the Church and the Revolutionaries, and where it went all wrong!
Part III - 1:02:22
How the revolution helped to craft the modern Papacy that we're familiar with today!
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In this wide-ranging episode, we examine two thousand years of Corsican history! After covering the basics, we’ll explore how various empires and kingdoms left their mark on the island, and discuss how democratic and republican traditions were first established more than a thousand years ago. We'll also unpack the origins of the bitter relationship between Corsica and Genoa, setting us up for an amazingly eventful Part II.
Want more on the Corsican Republic? Join the Patreon community today and access the full episode and the behind-the-scenes video! Help keep Grey History on the air!
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"The Corsican Republic Part I" is just one of many bonus episodes for Patreon supporters of the show. These amazing full-length episodes are waiting for you right now, in addition to all the episode extras and exclusive videos:
1.27 - The Nancy Mutiny
1.28 - The Brissotin Ministry
1.35 - Science During The Revolutionary Era Part I: Chemistry
1.35 - Science During The Revolutionary Era Part II: Life Sciences
1.42 - The Corsican Republic Part I
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How did the September Massacres change the character of the French Revolution? How did they alter the course and trajectory of the revolutionary project? How did average Parisians react to the gruesome events? These are the questions explored by the third and final part on the dark days of September 1792.
Episode Extra:
A behind-the-scenes video on the September Massacres episodes.
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Overview of the September Massacres:
https://greyhistory.com/french-revolution-articles/the-september-massacres/
Upcoming Episodes:
1.42 The Corsican Revolution (Bonus Episode exclusively for Patreons)
1.43 The Invasions of France and Poland
Who was to blame for the September Massacres of 1792? Were the deaths planned or spontaneous? How did various individuals, factions, and institutions respond to the killings, and did they seek to use the bloodshed for their own advantage? Before we examine how the massacres changed the revolution, we must understand who is accountable for the carnage in Paris.
Episode Extra:
In Defence of Marat - An examination of Historian Lefebvre's claim that Marat's encouragement of the departments to massacre their own prisoners had no effect. Secondly, a rebuttal to Historian Hazan's suggestion that Marat should not be held partially accountable for the murders.
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Overview of the September Massacres:
https://greyhistory.com/french-revolution-articles/the-september-massacres/
The two Episode Extras for Episode 39 cover the astonishing trial of an aristocratic prisoner and the disbelief of a Scottish eye witness. These accounts offer a fantastic insight into the turbulent, unpredictable, and chaotic nature of the September Massacres.
Episode Extras like these, along with other great bonus content, are available to all the Patreon supporters of Grey History. Support Grey History and help keep the show on the air! The show needs your help now!
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Slaughter erupts in Paris as the Prussian Army advances on the capital. Fuelled by a deadly mixture of panic and rumours, the people of Paris seek to eliminate the enemy within by murdering the city's prisoners. The September Massacres of 1792 were a turning point of the French Revolution.
Episode Extras are available for EVERYONE in a seperate episode!
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In the aftermath of the fall of the monarchy, the ‘First Terror’ is unleashed. The new Paris Commune seeks to protect the revolution by relentlessly pursuing its enemies. Most famously, a new revolutionary tribunal is established, although its results produce unintended consequences. As Paris is consumed by conspiracies, the institutional and factional rivalries of the revolution escalate from feuds to all out war.
”... there is reason to believe that the Assembly itself is under the influence of terror.“ - Scottish witness John Moore’
Episode Extra:
1. A City in Terror - Hear from the diary of John Moore as he details the treatment of priests and prisoners, the power struggle between the Commune and the Assembly, and the rising influence of the city’s radical elements. A fascinating eye witness account covering all the major topics of recent episodes!
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In the aftermath of the revolution on 10 August 1792, multiple winners and losers emerge. This episode explores those individuals, factions, and institutions which rise to power, and those which lose everything.
Episode Extras:
1.37.1 - Unfit for the Throne - Historian Bertha Gardiner explains her reasonings why Louis' position on the throne was untenable and why the french people believed the King was unfit to rule.
1.37.2 - A Fédéré's Account - A fédéré's account of the events on 10 August 1792.
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Paris erupts and the second revolution commences. Amongst the chaos, a new power takes over the capital, and the monarchy falls in a bloody massacre. What compels the revolutionaries to strike on the 10th of August 1792? How popular was the revolt? Was bloodshed avoidable and can it be justified?
Episode Extra for Patreons:
Was a defence of the palace possible? Hear from historians and Napoleon!
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It's been a rough few weeks but I'm on the mend (hopefully)! My health has been quite poor, and combined with work and regularly moving accommodation the production of Grey History has suffered. I'm unsure when Episode 36, "The Fall of the Monarchy", will be released, but at the latest it will be before the end of January! Believe me when I say that I'll be producing it as soon as I can be!
In the meantime, please send in any questions for the upcoming Q&A episode that will accompany Episode 36. Please also share the podcast with your friends and family - we'll need all the help we can get for next year! Thank you for your patience and support.
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Ever wondered what French scientists, elephants, and a creature known as the 'Ohio animal' have to do with extinction? What role did French chemists play in discovering the composition of air and water? How were ancient theories concerning combustion replaced with the foundations of modern chemistry? All these questions are answered in the new bonus episode for Patreon supporters of the show! Episode 35, 'Science During the Revolutionary Era' is actually two bonus episodes. Part I focuses on Chemistry, and Part II focuses on Biology and Palaeontology. Both bonus episodes and hours worth of other exclusive content are now available for all Patreon community members.
This snipper of Part II examines the work of French naturalist Georges Cuvier and his discovery of extinction.
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Part I: Chemistry
This episode explores the achievements of the famous French Scientist Antoine Lavoisier. It covers the discovery of oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, as well as the role of oxygen in the combustion process. It also examines outdated scientific theories and the discoveries that air and water were not elements.
Part II: Life Sciences (Biology and Palaeontology)
This episode examines the early debates surrounding extinction and evolution. This includes the controversial theories and intriguing discoveries of several french naturalists, including Cuvier, Geoffroy, and Lamarck.
The Duke of Brunswick proclaims a manifesto with disastrous (or negligible) consequences. Paris lurches closer to insurrection, and the sections of Paris demand a republic in all but name. Radical revolutionaries set a deadline for dethronement, but support for a second revolution among certain factions is surprisingly lacking.
Episode Extras:
1. The Origins of the Brunswick Manifesto
2. Factors that Drove Marat's Rise to Power
3. The Secret Dealings Between The Girondins And The Court
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Happy Bastille Day Everyone!
In celebration of the 232nd anniversary of the Fall of the Bastille, this bonus episode is a recording of my presentation at the Intelligent Speech Conference earlier this year. It covers the key events of the Flight to Varennes, some minor (and key) details which foiled the escape, as well as lessons that can be taken from the event.
Please enjoy "The Prisoner of Paris - How Louis XVI (almost) escaped the French Revolution"
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In the aftermath of 20 June, the nation's factions immediately resume their bitter disputes. As foreign armies prepare to invade France, the Legislative Assembly is compelled to declare the nation to be in danger. The arrival of the fédérés changes the power dynamics in Paris, empowering agitators who are calling for a second revolution. The King's dethronement, the Assembly's replacement, and the enactment of universal suffrage become the rallying cry of the city's radicals.
Episode Extras:
1. "In the name of the King" - Explore the importance of Vergniaud's famous speech of 3 July 1792.
- "The Tree of Feudalism?!" - Experience the sombre Fête de la Fédération of 1792, including a symbolic tree that was symbolic in more ways than one.
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A new ministerial crisis erupts thanks to the bold actions of the Interior Minister Jean-Marie Roland. The people of Paris conduct a large demonstration on the 20th of June 1792. Lafayette attempts to stem the revolution’s growing radicalism, and new leaders emerge from the city's sections and clubs.
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Intelligent Speech 2021 will take place online on April 24th, from 10 am to 6 pm Eastern time. The theme of this year‘s conference is, "Escape." There will be approximately 40 speakers for the duration of the conference and at any one point, viewers will have the option of four individual conference streams to watch and participate in.
Speakers:
https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/the-podcasters/
Schedule:
https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/1690-2/
Tickets (Coupon Code: grey):
https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/product/intelligent-speech-spring-2021/
My Session:
The Prisoner of Paris - How Louis XVI (almost) escaped the French Revolution
In mid-1791, the King of France escaped his palace prison. Despite making it out of the capital, a series of unfortunate events denied Louis XVI his freedom. This is the story of how European history could have looked dramatically different if it weren't for consistently terrible luck.
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As the nation faced a multitude of threats, a particular cohort of Parisians emerged as a powerful revolutionary force. This episode explores the famous Sans-culottes of the French Revolution.
Intelligent Speech Conference:
https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/
Coupon Code: “grey”
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Despite claims of an easy war, setbacks cripple the French armies. Seeking to reverse the deteriorating situation, the Brissotins adopt radical remedies.
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An interview with Historian Christopher Tozzi on the experience of foreign soldiers in the French Revolutionary Army. Focusing initially on the experience of foreign troops during the Old Regime, this episode also covers the hostile treatment of non-citizen soldiers during the revolutionary era. In addition to discussing Swiss, German and Irish soldiers, the interview also explores the experiences of American, Black and Jewish soldiers in the french revolutionary wars.
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For more information on Dr Tozzi’s work:
Books
- Nationalizing France's Army: Foreign, Black and Jewish Troops in the French Military, 1715-1831 (University of Virginia Press, 2016). Manuscript awarded 2014 Walker Cowen Memorial Prize.
- For Fun and Profit: A History of the Free and Open-Source Software Revolution (MIT Press, 2017).
- “Revolutionary until the Peace”: War and Political Culture in France, 1789-1815. In progress.
Articles
- “Soldiers without a Country: Foreign Veterans in the Transition from Empire to Restoration,” The Journal of Military History 80, no. 1 (2016): 93-120.
- “Les troupes étrangères, l'idéologie révolutionnaire et l'état sous l'Assemblée constituante,” Histoire, économie & société 33, no. 3 (2014): 52-65. Commissioned article for a special edition of the journal on “Les premières années de la Révolution française,” ed. Rafe Blaufarb and Michel Figeac.
- “Jews, Soldiering and Citizenship in Revolutionary and Napoleonic France,” The Journal of Modern History 85, no. 2 (2014): 233-257.
- “Between Two Republics: American Military Volunteers in Revolutionary France,” Proceedings of the Western Society for French History 39 (2013): 166-176.
Civil war erupts within the Jacobin Club as Brissot and Robespierre denounce each other's solutions to the nation's woes. Diplomatic and ministerial crises finally trigger conflict between France and Austria in April 1792.
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European monarchs threatened war and Jacobin deputies embraced the challenge. A strange alliance is forged between the Brissotins and the Court as the nation prepares for conflict, while the offical justifications for war hid more sinister motivations.
Maps of the Holy Roman Empire:
http://greyhistory.com/maps-of-the-holy-roman-empire/
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New assembly, new problems. As the Legislative Assembly gathers in Paris in October 1791, a new generation of revolutionaries are forced to confront a multitude of threats. The solutions embraced by the deputies were both dramatic controversial.
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With the democrats on the run, the newly established Feuillant Club had an opportunity to revise the constitution and cement its power. King Louis XVI accepts the Constitution of 1791, but historians and contemporaries alike criticise the document for possessing countless flaws.
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King fled. Captured Instead. Trouble Ahead. With the nation shocked by the King's attempted escape, public debate erupted over the future of both the monarch and the monarchy. Unfortunately for the revolutionary left, these divisive debates resulted in bloodshed and repression. Who should be blamed for the Champ de Mars Massacre, and how successful was the Tricolour Terror it unleashed?
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When will season one end? What will be the topic of season two? How can you access Grey History's new bonus content, including Episode Extras, Stand Alone Episodes and Mini-Series? This is the update that answers it all (sort of).
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The King escapes Paris in the famous Flight to Varennes. As the revolution was devoured by the left and the right, what was the true catalyst for Louis' decision to flee? What prevented the daring escape from succeeding?
Maps of the Flight to Varennes:
www.greyhistory.com/maps-of-the-flight-to-varennes/
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As religious divisions threaten the peace, the Assembly makes an enemy of France's warrior class. Mirabeau, seeking to save the revolution from its increasing radicalism, enters into secret dealings with the court. Were his actions justified?
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The Catholic Church becomes the revolution's most tenacious and ferocious foe. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy forces the nation to choose between revolution and religion. Was this conflict inevitable, or did the revolutionaries simply make a terrible mistake?
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A popular, revolutionary sentiment sweeps across the nation. To express support for this new nationalism, the French people create a whole host of new ceremonies and customs. But do these traditions truly represent national unity?
Check out illustration of liberty trees, federations and Phrygian caps here:
http://greyhistory.com/symbols-and-ceremonies-of-the-revolution-of-1789/
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The Assembly's authority was being challenged by a variety of revolutionary actors both inside and outside of Paris. Attempting to command greater authority, the Assembly introduced sweeping administrative and judicial reforms.
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Division and disunity grip the Assembly. As factions, societies and clubs begin to dominate the political landscape, the Assembly finds itself embroiled in divisive debates concerning universal male suffrage and martial law.
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A great revolt consumes Paris. It almost consumes the monarchy itself. The success of the royal veto and the King's refusal to sign the revolutionary decrees of August combine with a number of factors to bring about a popular revolt.... supposedly.
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The Great Fear was followed by great achievements. In an effort to tame the peasant uprisings, the deputies attacked feudalism as well. The rights of man were declared to consolidate the revolution, and the role of the King in society became a central debate.
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'The Great Fear' focuses on France's slide into anarchy. Fear and paranoia drive the populace to take up arms, and a municipal revolution occurs. When the forces of counter-revolution fail to take their revenge on the people, the peasants take theirs instead.
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Episode 12, 'The Storming of the Bastille', examines the famous storming of the Bastille, the creation of Paris’ new municipal government by the Electors, and the symbolism of the Bastille both before and after its fall.
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Episode 11, 'The Parisian Powder Keg', details the events in Paris as Necker is dismissed from the ministry on July 11 1789 and a counter-revolutionary coup is commenced by the King and his allies. This episode examines how the effects of hunger, freedom of the press and rumoured conspiracy impacted Paris’ willingness to revolt, as well as the actions undertaken by various social classes within the city to protect themselves against numerous enemies (counter-revolutionary or otherwise).
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Episode 10, 'The National Assembly', explores how the Estates-General transforms itself into the National Assembly, how the dramatic Tennis Court Oath is undertaken, and how the Court responds to the renegade Third Estate.
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Episode 9, 'The Estates General', examines the events that unfold once the Estates-General meets at Versailles on 5 May 1789. The episode also explores the impact of food scarcity on the French nation and its bloody consequences.
The Estates-General for students and teachers:
http://greyhistory.com/french-revolution-articles/the-estates-general-and-the-french-revolution/
King Louis XVI announced the summoning of the Estates-General, but that did little to contain the kingdom's growing unrest. The Paris Parlement was ridiculed by the public for attempting to ensure the nobility dominated the body, while Necker struggled to grapple with the violent situation he faced as he determined how the Estates-General should be constituted. Finally, the nation listed their grievances as they elected their delegates, giving us a snapshot into the thoughts of a nation on the brink of revolution.
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As the political situation in Paris and the countryside deteriorated rapidly, armed revolts became a serious threat, radical bodies emerged, and the demands for Necker's reinstatement and the summoning of the Estates-General continued to haunt the government.
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Brienne tackles the Parlements in order to avoid bankruptcy, but the ancient courts were no strangers to obstructing the King's will. Unfortunately for the French monarchy, the Parlements also reject a potential solution to the impending crisis
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France will go bankrupt without radical changes to the taxation system. In an effort to avoid the Parlements and an Estates-General, Calonne convenes an Assembly of Notables in February 1787 to try to legitimise radical reforms intended to save the state's finances. Unfortunately for Calonne, the Assembly of Notables fast evolves into an Assembly of Rebels.
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Multiple scandalous events occur between the American Revolution and the bankruptcy it helped to create. The absence of Necker allowed conservative nobles to conduct a power grab within society, while Enlightenment ideas continued to spread throughout France as the privileged classes abused their prerogatives. Perhaps most importantly for the royal family, the Queen was embroiled in the Diamond Necklace Affair, a scandal that tainted her image permanently in the eyes of the public.
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Should France participate in the American Revolutionary War? The French cabinet was divided on the issue. The new King's decision had a tremendous impact on French society and laid the building blocks for the Revolution of 1789. As the conflict waged, the popular minister Jacques Necker made powerful enemies at court.
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Explore the legacies of Louis XVI's forebears. The policies of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and his disappointing successor Louis XV, laid some of the key foundation stones of the French Revolution of 1789.
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'The Three Estates', explores the social hierarchy of the Old Regime. Having maintained the medieval divisions of feudalism, French society was littered with social and economic grievances that existed both between and within the Three Estates.
Additional Resources:
The Three Estates of the French Revolution
https://greyhistory.com/french-revolution-articles/explained_the_three_estates_of_the_french_revolution/
The First Estate
https://greyhistory.com/french-revolution-articles/explained-the-first-estate/