Patreon Newsletter #12

Dear Patrons,

It's already that time again! Here's your latest round-up of Epic History news and, of course, One Cool History Thing.

Production updates

Voices of the Peninsular War

This week we've been busy recruiting talented voice actors to be part of our Voices of the Peninsular War project - an exciting new format for us. We're recreating more than a dozen dramatic eyewitness accounts from Spanish, French, British, German and Polish veterans of the conflict, which together provide a raw and unflinching perspective of Napoleon's doomed attempt to conquer the Iberian peninsula. Our vision has always been to create an immersive documentary that brings these remarkable accounts to life, and we're delighted with progress so far. Look out for this in September..

Nelson's Battles YouTube Release Dates

After a lengthy period as Patreon and Nebula exclusives, it's finally time to bring our Nelson's Battles series to YouTube. Cape St. Vincent is scheduled for release on Friday 23rd August, with The Nile following on Friday 20th September.

We're still hard at work on the final instalment, the Battle of Trafalgar, and Patreon supporters can rest assured that you'll see it first here. More updates in due course.

The American Revolution

I am delighted to share news that Professor Frank Cogliano (BA, MA, PhD, F.R.Hist.) is signed up to be our historical consultant for the American Revolution series! How did we pick Frank? Well, 25 years ago, Frank was one of several inspiring professors that taught me history at the University of Edinburgh, and I've been looking for an opportunity to work with him ever since.

Keen followers of the channel will notice that we are increasingly working with world-class academics in all our ventures, such as Norse sagas (and Tolkien) expert Professor Tom Shippey, Byzantine specialist Professor David Parnell, and Islamic history scholar Professor Antoine Borrut. This means you can rely on our videos to not just look good and sound good - but also to reflect the latest historiography!

Expect more announcements on this front soon.

100,000 Spanish subscribers!

Our Spanish language sister channel Historia Épica just passed 100,000 subscribers! Congratulations to Diego in Mexico who is both the new voice and manager of the channel, and has helped to make this happen. Did you know there are also Epic History channels in Russian, Japanese, and now also French and Hindi??

Summer Shorts

Alongside the Battle of Marengo, World War Two, and other classified projects - we've been working on some brand new shorts - 13 to be exact!

60 second history isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's a fun way for us to explore new subjects, dispel common historical myths, and revisit some old favourites in quick-fire fashion... did someone say Marshal Murat? Look out for these in the usual places very soon..

One Cool History Thing

This will delight anyone who - like me - is often looking in the background of paintings and photos, wondering who that person was, and what's their story? This from 1808, and the memoirs of Jean-Baptiste Barres of Napoleon's Imperial Guard:

At this inspection there was an officer, one of our friends, a lieutenant in the 70th by the name of Poiret, whom we used to call 'The Saviour of France'. At Saint Cloud, on the 18th Brumaire, he had taken Bonaparte in his arms to protect him from the blows showered upon him and get him out of the hall of the Council of Five Hundred. This won him the rank of officer, a pension, the title of chevalier, with a coat of arms, and many valuable presents. He was an excellent fellow, uneducated, but a good comrade. The Marshal [Bessières] invited him to dine with him, together with a few officers of higher rank. 

That's it for this update. We'll be back soon with more news, and thanks as always for your amazing support.

Toby