Napoleon's Marshals Part 1 - Epic History Reaction

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[instantbadass]

Years from now, people will be talking about where they were the day VTH's video of Napoleon's marshals dropped.

[AdmiralRex]

"If I had to invade hell, I'd want him leading the vanguard" is such a badass line and I cannot get over it

[joeerrington]

“omg it’s happening, everybody stay calm (what’s the procedure) STAY CALM STAY CALM” Michael Scott

[yobama]

Napoleons step son, Eugene, is underrated. He deserved to become a Marshal. He always performed well and stayed loyal to the end.

[jonasdybro]

Marshal Moncey was such an ispiring character. When he was in prison he was once again asked by Louis 18th wether he would preside over Marshal Neys trial, Moncey was reminded that if he was stripped of his position he could not leave anything to his children. Moncey replied that if the only thing he would be allowed to leave his children was his name, then he would prefer it to be untarnished. When he presided over the repatriation of Napoleon's remains to Les Invalides, Moncey was old and very sick. He begged his doctor to give him all the painkillers and drugs possible saying "Doctor, make me live a little longer, I want to honour the Emperor". Moncey was in a wheelchair, and when brought before Napoleon's coffin fought desperately to stand up, but was unable to. Moncey died only a little over a year later.

[grandadmiralthrawn]

I'm pretty sure VTH reacting to Napoleon's marshals is one of the signs of the apocalypse

[robertreid]

I would argue that not only does Epic History TV have the best Napoleonic content on YouTube, but of all time. Truly masterful and enticing content that I can't help but come back to at least once a year. Glad VTH finally picked up the mantle to react to the Marshal series! Thank you!

[aaronadams]

Poniatowski is one of my favorite characters in the napoleonic wars. His final words were, “God has entrusted me with the honor of the Poles. I will return it to Him alone.” Beautiful.

[jaypandya]

One of the best works on the Napoleonic Wars. Can't wait for more reactions

[ayoa]

11:30 the seniority of the Marshals was given in the following order:

1. Marshal Berthier, as Chief of Staff of the Army.

2. Marshal Murat, as the Emperor's brother in law.

3-14 Marshals promoted in 1804 in order of date of promotion to the rank of General of Division.

15-18 Honoray Marshals in order of date of promotion to General of Division.

19-26 Marshals promoted post 1804 In order of date of promotion to Marshal.

[fernandoaburto]

I immediately knew why he said "it's time" lmao

[Friedericus]

THIS IS IT! I am so excited for this, take your time or dont, it is fine either way. I will enjoy this so much. Thank you Chris! Much love from Germany <3

[asabritton]

Hell yea! I love historical war/politics as much as the next guy, but zooming in on historical individuals can be great for learning about how a specific time/place was. Cheers VTH!

[Admiral_Sith]

Also, Moncey's quote at napoleons ceremony in Paris is more interesting, Moncey was old and he was very unwell, he begged his doctor to fill him with drugs so that he could pay a last honor to his emperor, he tried to stand up from his weelchair, but was weak and fell, he then kissed napoleons sword and said "And now lets us go home to die" and he did died little more than a year later

[theironmarshal]

33:00 Moncey actually went on to write a letter to the King, explaining his refusal to preside at Ney’s trial:

"I believe, that after my letter of yesterday to the Minister of War, he would have judged sufficient the reason which I gave for refusing to sit in a court martial where I could not preside. I find myself mistaken, as he has transmitted me a positive order from Your Majesty on this subject.

"Placed in the cruel dilemma of offending Your Majesty or of disobeying the dictate of my conscience, it becomes my duty to explain myself to Your Majesty. I enter not into the enquiry whether Marshal Ney is guilty or innocence.

"Shall 25 years of my glorious labours be sullied in a single day? Shall my locks, bleached under the helmet, be only proofs of my shame? No, Sire! It shall not be said that the elder of the marshals of France contributed to the misfortunes of his country. My life, my fortune, all that I possess or enjoy is at the service of my king and country; but my honour is exclusively my own, and no human power can ravish it from me. If my name is to be the only heritage left to my children, at least let it not be disgraced.”

[elliottgirty]

I’ve waiting for years for this series. I literally can’t wait to watch every single one

[sethmaxfield]

There is some serious competition out there (VTH and History Underground definitely up there in slightly different ways!) but Epic History has to be in the top 3-5 history YouTube channels. I also don't have the background knowledge to critique most of their material (I too am an American Civil War guy) but their production quality is unbelievable.

[robertallsop]

Great video as always. Here are a few interesting facts about the Marshals for you:

We do not know the exact seniority of the first 18 Marshals as they were all promoted at the same time. We know that the original list was drafted by the State Secretary and altered by Napoleon with him adding Murat to that list, but we don't know the exact order Napoleon decided upon. The order of seniority used here is from the order on the Imperial Decree making them Marshals, hence why there are a few oddities such as Moncey and Jourdan being more senior than someone Napoleon trusted more, like Massena.

After Brune's murder, there was an inquiry compelled by his widow that Brune's murder was covered up by the authorities. The royalist mob that murdered him were led by baseless allegations that he was the person who paraded the head of the Princess of Lamballe on a pike during the September Massacres. This inquiry was later made public. His body was also retrieved from the river by fishermen and then buried by farmers. His wife would later recover the body and have it buried in a cemetery.

Moncey is indeed a very interesting character. By the time of Napoleon's funeral he was seriously ill and barely able to move. He begged his doctor to give him enough medicine and drugs to be able to attend the funeral, saying "Doctor, make me live a little longer, I want to honour the Emperor". He went to the altar in a wheelchair, and when the emperor was brought, Moncey tried to get up but fell back into his wheelchair, too weak to stand. He was brought to the coffin and kissed the hilt of Napoleon's sword. Moncey died about a year later.

In the ensuing chaos at the end of the Battle of Vitoria, Jourdan's personal baggage including his marshal's baton was captured by the British. Wellington would send it to the Secretary of State for War saying that "He will have the honour of laying at the feet of H.R.H. The Prince Regent the Colours of the 4th Batt of the 100th Regt and Marshal Jourdan's baton of a Marshal of France". The Prince Regent was absolutely delighted with his gift and replied to Wellington "You have sent me among the Trophies of your unrivalled Fame, the Baton of a French Marshal and I send you in return that of England. The British Army will hail it with enthusiasm while the whole Universe will acknowledge those valorous Exploits, which have so imperiously called for it...". The baton is now part of the Royal Collection and is displayed at Windsor Castle.

[josephguillerey]

18:48 he's ranked that low because most of what he did was before he became a marshal, Epic history said that they ranked them only for what they accomplished AS Marshals of France, which is why Bernadote is ranked low too what he did to get to the throne doesn't count here

[hermanoguimaraes]

8:55 actually Eugene was above the Marshall. Meaning that if he got the title, he would be demoted