The Siècle History Podcast

Larger-than-life French chef Alexis Soyer helped revolutionize British cuisine in the Victorian period — but his widely reported personal encounter with France's 1830 revolution is just a tall tale. Visit thesiecle.com/factcheck2 to read a full annotated transcript of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While men fight and die on the streets of Paris, France's feckless politicians try to muster the will to take decisive action of their own to address a revolution no one on either side expected. A quick refresher on important dates so far: August 8, 1829: The Polignac ministry is appointed Early July, 1830: Marshal Bourmont captures Algiers; opposition candidates win French elections Sunday, July 25, 1830: King Charles X and his ministers approve the Four Ordinances Monday, July 26, 1830: The Four Ordinances are published in the Moniteur. Journalists draft the Protest of the Forty-Four. Initial protests. A mob attacks Polignac's carriage. Tuesday, July 27, 1830: Four newspapers publish in defiance of the Four Ordinances. Protests grow into riots. Marshal Marmont assumes command of Paris. Soldiers open fire on civilians. Initial barricades go up. Wednesday, July 28, 1830: Marmont is given dictatorial control of Paris, and sends out his three attack columns. Deputies meet with Marmont. By the end of the night, Marmont's columns all retreat. Visit thesiecle.com/support to buy merch or to support the show on Patreon. All Patreon subscribers receive an ad-free feed of the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marshal Auguste de Marmont was tasked with putting down Parisian rebels after the Four Ordinances of July 1830. There were only a few problems: he didn't have enough men or supplies, he opposed the Ordinances, and his bosses neglected to inform him of his new job. Buy merch for The Siècle here! Visit thesiecle.com/episode42 to see maps and images about the fighting described in today's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three French history podcasters come together to determine the most corrupt, idealistic, eloquent and idiotic figures — among others — from the Revolutionary, Napoleonic and post-Napoleonic eras. (Update: The original version of this file cuts out after 48 minutes. Re-download for a fixed version.) Check out Age of Napoleon and Grey History: The French Revolution! Submit your comments on this episode via Will Clark's link here. View a full annotated transcript here, and find out how to support the show and receive an ad-free fee here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices