Discover the dramatic story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s state funeral and the return of his remains to France in 1840, nearly two decades after his death on Saint Helena. Special guest Charles Mackay joins us to explores the political symbolism, the public reaction, and the elaborate procession that accompanied the Emperor’s final journey through Paris to Les Invalides.

Learn why King Louis-Philippe agreed to bring Napoleon home, how French citizens responded, and what the funeral meant for Napoleon's legacy in French history.

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👇 Comment below: Should Napoleon have been buried in France or left on Saint Helena?

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🇫🇷👑 Charles X of France – The Last Bourbon King 👑🇫🇷

Charles X (1757–1836) was the final reigning monarch of the Bourbon line in France. Brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, Charles inherited the throne in 1824 during the Bourbon Restoration. Special guest David Montgomery joins the show to discuss his reign, which was marked by attempts to roll back the French Revolution.

Deeply conservative, Charles X pushed policies favoring the Catholic Church and the old aristocracy—earning him fierce opposition from liberals and the middle class. His controversial July Ordinances of 1830, which dissolved Parliament, censored the press, and restricted voting rights, triggered the July Revolution. Charles was overthrown and forced to abdicate, ending Bourbon rule in France.

📜 In this video, we’ll explore:

• Charles X’s rise to power

• His political struggles during the Restoration

• How his policies sparked the 1830 Revolution

• The legacy of the last Bourbon king of France

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The Battle of Bailén (July 16–19, 1808) was a shocking defeat for Napoleon’s forces during the Peninsular War—and the first time a French field army surrendered in open battle. Special guest and author Josh Provan discusses how Spanish General Castaños surrounded and crushed General Dupont’s troops, forcing over 17,000 French soldiers to lay down their arms.

This stunning Spanish victory electrified Europe, shattered the myth of French invincibility, and inspired resistance against Napoleon across the continent.

⚔️ Learn about:

• How Spanish forces outmaneuvered Napoleon’s troops

• The leadership of General Castaños

• The surrender of General Dupont

• Why Bailén changed the course of the Peninsular War