French Revolution & Napoleon (Grey History)

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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: 1. Could the Cult of Reason ever succeed? 2. Were “federalist” constitutional priests a real threat, or Jacobin paranoia? 3. Did universal male suffrage in 1793 include the colonies? What about slavery? 4. Is Fouché’s rise already underway, or is it too early? 5. How much did climate and weather impact the revolution?How would things have changed for the constitutional monarchy if harvests had been bountiful? 6. 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 CalendarRenaming 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

Explore France in 2026!This is your chance to experience French history together in person. Please complete the short survey to help design the first Grey History Tours. Everyone who takes part will be eligible for exclusive discounts when the tours are announced. Take the survey HERE. It will take less than 5 minutes and it's almost all multiple choice! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B8WPLTG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From influence to imitation, the discussion continues with David Crowther of The History of England podcast. We also explore how the English Revolution influenced events in France, why the revolutions diverged so sharply, and in what ways the new regimes replicated the worst aspects of the old. Early Access Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to ⁠Episode 100 Revolutionary Until The Peace!⁠ 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

Two kings, two revolutions, and two podcasters ready to unpack it all! In this collaboration with David Crowther of The History of England, we explore the English and French Revolutions. Part I examines the characters of Charles I and Louis XVI, their trials and missed opportunities, the role of religion, and the constitutional experiments of both upheavals. Part II will continue the discussion, tracing similarities and differences and assessing how the English Revolution influenced events in France. Video Version Patreon Early Access Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 100 Revolutionary Until The Peace! 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

From monsters to myths, this episode unpacks the Vendée with Professor Jean-Clément Martin. One of the foremost authorities on the civil war, Martin shows how factional politics transformed local unrest into a national catastrophe. We explore how chaos and rivalries drove atrocities, why the conflict cannot be defined as genocide, and why “the Terror” should be seen not as historical reality but as a political invention. Video Versions: Patreon Youtube Further Reading La Vendée et la France (1987) Robespierre. La fabrication d’un monstre (2016) La Terreur. Vérités et légendes (2017) “The Vendée, chouannerie, and the State, 1791–99,” in Peter McPhee (ed.), A Companion to the French Revolution (2013) Vendée In Images ⁠Depictions of key events and leaders⁠ Early Access Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 99 English & French Revolutions with History of England. 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

From the mass drownings to hell columns, this episode charts the Republic’s campaign to exterminate the western rebellion. Uncover the rivalries and atrocities that turned victory into massacre, and the controversial question of whether these events amount to genocide. Bonus Content1.97.1 Thoughts on the Genocide Debate1.97.2 Paris and the Mass Drownings at Nantes1.97.3 Orphans of the Vendée Vendée In ImagesDepictions of key events and leaders Early AccessBecome a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 1.98 Vendée with Jean-Clément Martin 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 scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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