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Welcome to the Age of Napoleon.

Episode 116, Strike Hard.

Thanks for joining me.

As always, I'd like to start by thanking our Patreon supporters. I don't like to brag, but there's

never been a popular history of the Napoleonic era on this scale before. It's only possible for me to do this because the visit P-A-T-R-E-O-N dot com slash Age of Napoleon. Patrons also get access to add free versions of the regular episodes and special monthly bonus episodes. That's P-A-T-R-E-P-E-N-P-E-N-P-E-N-P-E-N-P-T-R-E-O-N-com slash Age of Napoleon.

Anyway, we left off last time at the beginning of fall 1808. The desperate chaotic summer had seen a number of successes by the Spanish and Portuguese, backed up by their British allies. The failures of the French and the strength of the Iberian

Patriots had shocked the whole world. Only a few months earlier, it seemed all of Europe

was at Napoleon's feet. Now the strategic

picture was very uncertain. Spain was now almost entirely in the hands of the

junta's. Most of the remaining French troops in the country had retreated to the far bank of the

...