Napoleon's Marshals, Ranked (All Parts)
In 1804 Napoleon created 18 'Marshals of the Empire', to serve as the senior officers of the Grande Armée. He created a further 8 before his abdication in 1814. A few were aristocrats, but others were the sons of shopkeepers or tailors. The most favoured became princes and kings. Among their ranks were legendary figures such as Marshals Lannes, Ney, Soult, Davout and Masséna, but also less well know figures like Pérignon, Brune and Moncey. Our series explores the lives of all 26 Marshals, and ranks them according to our own judgement of their achievements as Marshals.
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00:00 Intro
03:18 Marshal Pérignon
04:50 Marshal Brune
07:41 Marshal Sérurier
09:45 Marshal Kellermann
11:42 Marshal Grouchy
14:25 Marshal Moncey
17:36 Marshal Poniatowski
21:03 Marshal Jourdan
23:58 Marshal Bernadotte
30:18 Marshal Augereau
35:18 Marshal Lefebvre
40:04 Marshal Mortier
45:16 Marshal Marmont
51:36 Marshal Saint-Cyr
56:55 Marshal Oudinot
1:03:16 Marshal Victor
1:09:34 Marshal Murat
1:21:41 Marshal Bessières
1:28:58 Marshal Macdonald
1:37:42 Marshal Masséna
1:46:30 Marshal Suchet
1:54:44 Marshal Ney
2:09:17 Marshal Soult
2:21:25 Marshal Berthier
2:32:55 Marshal Lannes
2:44:41 Marshal Davout
#EpicHistoryTV #NapoleonicWars #Napoleon #NapoleonsMarshals
We've re-released our giant compilation video of Napoleon's Marshals! Sadly not all sponsors pay their bills, so here it is again without interruption - 3 hours, 23,000 words, the most detailed video about the Marshals you'll find anywhere! Enjoy! If you want to support our work, get ad free early access to new videos and exclusive updates please visit patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV
They didn't pay their bills??!? Very embarrassing, especially when you put into consideration your team's amazing work. Will gladly listen again and again through this awe-inspiring work.
Wow. Isnt very stupid to delete a video with 5mil views?
Please do the Indian history video series🇮🇳?
LOVE YOUR CONTENT GUYS 😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
I would actually like to ask what are your prices, I have a small antique shop so I am not sure I could afford something like this
Man I've watched this video dozens of times and I still haven't gotten tired
Hahaha same
Same
I thought I was the only one 🤣
@@samfarrah6310 nahh when you got superpowers (Autism actually but that's besides the point) you love watching the same videos over and over again hahaha
@@bloodygoat6941your probably right 😂
The story of napoleon marshals never cease to amaze me
Napoleon and all the history of this time is my favorite part of history to read or learn about. Its simply incredible
If you ever lose faith in humanity, remember you've watched this for free.
Boggles the mind that Bernadotte started a dynasty that exists to this day.
As a Swede I love the story of how Bernadotte was recruited to become the new Swedish monarch. One hell of a ride!
@@EvigPsykoshe been recruited? Or he recruit Sweden? Ordinary sweds feed him, not he feed them.
@@user-hp8yh4xu6n they literally hired him, as in elected him, which is the reason he says he betrayed Napoleon: that he now served the Swedes, not the emperor.
Sometimes treachery does pay off
@@Lakers24bn there's a reason people do it, they wouldn't if there wasn't at least a chance of succeeding.
Would love an epic history tv episode on the politics of the revolution, the directory, napoleon’s rise…. etc. Also thank you for your great work as usual. You are performing a public service with these episodes.
Thank you Josh!
YES! This is exactly what I was thinking too! A series not only on the Revolutionary Wars campaign in The Rhine, Italy and Flanders but also a series on politics
the revolutions podcast is fantastic, go listen to their french series if youre interested
Hands down the best Napoleonic history channel and not just on KZhead. You're a top notch source.
Epic History TV is truly great, but have you seen also PMF Productions: kzhead.info/sun/oLBwpZexnpaHgJE/bejne.htmlsi=q8HULGfUv0km9Voe? They're focused with very insight details on the Italian Campaign of 1796
I’ll take this re-upload as a reminder to watch it once again. With the public you have, I’m sure we’ll get to the views it had before with time. We are all quite passionate and attached to your work. Thank you for the quality as always.
Dude EHTV just spit in their sponsors face. EHTV don’t hold back😂😂😂
Explain?
They were sponsored by a Napoleonic store in Paris. Guess they aren't anymore as they removed the part@@pakoutac
@@pakoutacthe video is a reupload without sponsored ad segments because the advertiser didn’t pay.
@@marsultor6131DAMN
@@marsultor6131 pretty funny😂
One of the best historical documentaries ever put to youtube. The narration, script, animation, research, it's so good!
No way a 3 hour documentary about Napoleon's marshals!? Yes sir
I had to do a double take when I saw the notification pop up 🤣 But I suppose I have an excuse to watch more epic Napoleon content!
I can't get enough of these videos. Your Napoleon series has inspired me to learn French and hopefully visit the emperor's tomb some day.
👍 🇨🇵
Epic History TV you should also rank the other main generals of the French Revolutionary Wars such as Luckner, Dumouriez, Custine, LaFayette, Pichegru, Hoche, Joubert, Moreau, Desaix, Kléber and Dumas.
Don't forget Joubert
Grandissimo passione ti becco sempre sotto i video di barbero 😂❤
@@asellandrofacchio7263 Grazie mille, adoro questo canale.
There are 2000 French generals of the Revolutionary, Diréctoire, and Impérial eras.
@@meeeka I know, clearly I mean the most famous and important generals.
I have been a huge Star Trek Ds9 fan since it premiered in the 90's. I was amazed to find out that the actor who played Odo, Rene Auberjanois, was a direct descendent of Marshal Murat and Princess Caroline, thus making him also related to Napoleon himself!
this video is iconic, its level of detail, it’s grand scope, captivating visuals and audio. 3 hours well spent, even when it is your 3rd rewatch!
The narrator is awesome,not only his voice but his tone,he makes the documentary even better
Definitely, I agree, the presenter does do a great job, very well spoken, very well written and the visual presentation is very smooth, background music is a perfect volume and does well to add a little zazz
@@josekentucky86 that’s some username you got there,especially since I live in Kentucky
I Wonder if a similar series on the most important commanders that Napoleon and his marshals faced would be possible. It’d be interesting to learn more about the lives of Blücher, Kutusov, Wellington and other before and after the Napoleonic Wars
Yea that’s what I’m thinking. Some great generals who didnt survive long enough for them to become marshals and whom napoleon sometimes say “if they were here…..”. A list of stories of em would be great
Tbh, I find Wellington quite overrated compare to Blucher, Kutusov, Charles or even in a certain way Bernadotte.
You can admire how different and glorious the time has been in history. When drummers made moral for soldiers in battle. When fighting for your country meant something. Even the emperor himself was on the battlefield. It must have been spectacular time and age. My only wish would be to meet Napoleon himself. Such a unique man. Agony struck me when Ney got shot, even for his bravery and love for country, France.
👍 🇨🇵
Great, the emperor can watch me die in a field. 10/10 time period
"The level of research and attention to detail is impressive. You've made history feel accessible and exciting. Keep up the fantastic work!" I've watched this video over and over again, thank you for the re-upload
I see all the other parts, but im here to support, the best channel in historical content on youtube ever. Thanks for all, big hughes from Brazil
This channel with it's entertaining videos has made me go down the Napoleonics rabbit hole, from knowing nothing and being curious. It's now one of my favorite periods to study.
My favorites are Davout, Lannes, Murat, Ney and Bernadotte (His family still rules sweden! His legacy lives on! 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪)! Thanks For this Guys ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊
It's weird to see names like Davout and Ney along the one of Bernadotte.
@@LegioSymphonica Is it? Auerstadt is forever associated with Davout and the fiction that Bernadotte betrayed him. Ney and Bernadotte were best friends and Bernadotte defeated his friend at Dennewitz. After Ney's execution, Bernadotte appointed his son ADC and completed his military education. He also looked after the other children's needs. Also, Lannes, Murat and Bernadotte were also good friends and kept together as Gascons. Davout is the odd man out. He was almost universally disliked by the other marshals. If Davout and Bernadotte were hanging from a cliff, and the other marshals could only save one man, they'd save Bernadotte and kick Davout in the face, lol.
@@crownprincesebastianjohano7069Loyalty is its own reward.
fan of the Simon Scarrow book series by any chance? :)
They should make a modern day film about Bernadotte
Can you make a video about some of Napoleon's great generals who were not made a Marshal? Atleast about the 12 generals you mentioned about in the opening of the video.
watched it all for the 3rd time... Never gets old. Love it
I feel like Poniatowski was a brilliant general, then shortly marshal. Maybe in other circumstances he could've been one of the best military commanders of his era. He was brave, competent and fought without fear for Napoleon, despite being Polish patriot. he also fought for freedom of his country and basiclly saved remains of Napoleon's army after Leipzig. His monument seen in video was an inspiration for generations to come. He fougt and died for Poland, and for Poland only. His sacriface has reinforced Polish patriots, who one hundred years later took part in WWI on basiclly every front and freed Poland.
yeah agree, seriously underrated. World would be a different place right now had Napoleon followed his advice regards the Russian campaign.
Marshal Lannes has always been my favorite.
Same!
The fact that he is so high in the list and has such a career despite missing the next 6 years of the wars speak for itself, he genuinely could’ve been the best and one of France’s best commanders of the era
I'd love to see you delve into Sengoku Jidai next! Thanks for content you've released over these years!
Marshal Ney is my all time favorite. This man was relentless, he was a maverick.
3 Hours of Epic history?! Yes please 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I love this work of yours. Thanks for providing it!
Thanks for your hard work EH!
If you read my comment, please put together a series on the aftermath of the Napoleonic War. I mean defining the period of colonialism in Algeria and how one of Napoleon’s generals was able to colonize Algeria, and the Algerian civil resistance “resurrected by Emir Abdelkader and others” (1830 - 1916)
The best videos on youtube so we can hardly complain. Please just promise more original Napoleon content in future - I can't deal with it ending!!! :'(
Amazingly detailed as always, this will be a pleasure.
I must say the narrator employed by Epic History is perhaps the best I’ve had the pleasure to hear. He’s one of the reasons why I so enjoy their videos.
Well I know what I’m gonna be watching for the next three hours, thanks for re-uploading this! ❤
Amazing video. It would be great to get some more in depth videos about the Marshals. For example, there is quite the story to tell about Marshal Lannes. His exploits on Malta, how he showed his gratitude to the soldier that carried him back in Egypt. The Consular Guard mismanagement. The story of his time in Portugal. How he as one of the only people would complain to Napoleons face and their close friendship. The reasons why he wanted to duel Soult and Bessier. The riding accident that very nearly killed kim. How he very accurately predicted his own demise. And all of that is just one of the marshals.
Man we need a video on the battle of novi. love your work
Thank you for the extraordinary work!
3:13 *General Barthelemy Joubert* (who has been featured as one of the Division commanders in Napoleon's Italian Campaign series) should also have been a worthy mention. As in the height of the French revolutionary wars in the late 1790's both Generals Joubert and Bonaparte had built themselves a considerable high fame and standing within the French republic and army as one of France's most competent, successful and beloved rising stars of which both had been each given several appointments to numerous high commands by the Directory, and they were also of the same age. So when Director Sieyés was planning on who should be the military figure to lead the coup d'etat of 18 brumaire in 1799 to sieze power over the Directory, his first pick was general Joubert in recognition of his high popularity and status within the French army and to the people of France, so when they offered Joubert to join in the coup as its military representative he was more than willing, complaining: *"They lose time in words. When they like, I will finish it all twenty grenadiers."* but sadly the next month, he would be killed in action commanding the Army of Italy against Suvorov's Russian army at the battle of Novi while loudly encouraging his men forward when he was struck in the heart by a musket ball, killing him instantly and died in the arms of general Suchet. So when news of his death reached Paris, Director Sieyés gave the role to lead the coup to general Bonaparte as Joubert's replacement instead. *Interesting Fact:* Joubert's widow who had been married to him for only a few months later remarried to another famous French officer, general - later future marshal *Jaques MacDonald.*
God I love this channel, I was just watching your 'March of the eagles' video, and whilst watching thought to myself, 'His marshals seem crucial I wonder which was the most important or most successful' and here we are 😂. Amazing video as always, cheers
Absolutely captivating! Can't get enough of this video, especially the tales of Bernadotte's dynasty and Napoleon's marshals.
I enjoyed watching this very much. Thank you for making such an awesome and educational masterpiece.
France should rebuild its Hall of Marshals!
They had a hall of Marshals
What an amazing video. As someone who loves the Napoleonic period i learned so much. Thank you so much for this and the content you continue to put out. Once I graduate law school and have disposable income, I will begin to support you all through not only views, but monetarily as well. Thank you again for this amazing video.
Your videos are just amazing, thanks you very much. From a french guy who is a huge fan of your channel.
Thanks for the upload.Many leadership qualities can be learned from the marshals. 🤜🤜
It's fascinating how so many child/teenaged runaways ended up in Napoleon's army and even more so as highly decorated individuals.
A 3 hour video of French Marshalls! Thank you for giving me something to get through the working day!
Wonderful! Personally I would love to see a similar video on the main Allied Commanders in the various coalitions.
Charles Nove does a fantastic job narrating this series. If I could have anyone narrate my life, I'd choose the one who narrated the Marshals.
One of the best historic video's about the napoleonic wars.
Amazing video please keep it up
Damn! That portrait of Murat on his horse at the end of his section is 🔥 His Rizz was too much!! they had to kill him....Man had Napoleon jealous 🤣
Love listening to this at work when doing long and mundane tasks.
Just incredible detail for the age, bravo
Macdonald is fascinating. Your content is leagues above others.
Is he the founder of Macdonalds? I didn't know it was a French name. I must be really dumb
@@ghsense2626 nope
One of the best KZhead channels on the platform
A re-upload? Oh no I guess I'll just have to watch again
I am swedish and went to school with someone with the last name of Bernadotte I am not sure if he is related to the royal family or not but it's quite interesting
What a video! Thanks❤
The fact that many of Histories best Marshals of France were under Napoleon's command, I had also checked if Napoleon's Era was a golden age for France, and in some cases, it was, I was just fond that many of Napoleon's best Marshals turned out to be hated men by their own army, but for Ney, Davout, and Lannes I will say probably was a great commander in the vanguard it's just a shame that his failings occurred first from Spain, and the other from Russia but great video Charles and Toby keep it up.
Good morning friend, I've been following your channel for 4 years, I really like your work, very well done, rich in details, a true history lesson on the Napoleonic era, please, if possible, make a new video of the Battle of Warteloo in more detail, I know. There's already a video here on the channel. which were Napoleon's mistakes in this epic battle. thank you very much
Epic History, we want the video about Waterloo remastered please!!!! 🙏🙏🙏
Great series 👍
Great work! a pity you didn't write the script of last Riddley Scott's movie
Best 3h movie I've ever watched
Literally my favorite video on KZhead
A great documentary about Napoleon’s marshals!
Well done! Subscribed.
Welcome aboard!
Best history channel on KZhead, cable or any other platform
Just as I watched Ney, Soult and Berthier getting their grades this whole videomwas released. So I naturaly clicked it immediatly, that is my style sir😊
Great vid
I enjoy these videos, I could be mistaken but I heard something a while back that there might be more to history than napoleon and his exploits. Every now and then another topic is covered here and they are also very well presented, I'm only teasing about my first comment, dont be dumb people, I didn't realize just how many adventures napoleon had, fascinating series, thank you for all your hard work providing us with such excellent content,
Thanks to video Please make video about marshals other countries in Napoleonic war
Thanks a lot!!! 👍
is that a redesign i see? looks great!
The background music in this series goes entirely too hard 🔥
I highly recommend Schwerpunkt's videos series for further insights on Napoleonic warfare
Great video
Ney and Davaout will always be the true heros of France and the driving force behind some of Napoleon's biggest victories.
I have a hard time keeping him alive in Total War Napoleon, the fact he survived all those battles IRL is mind boggling
@@pakoutac 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Apart from in 1807 when did Ney play that big of a part in Napoleon’s victories?
Ney had incredible qualities but he was probably over promoted, or at least misused. He made massive errors which cost Napoleon his throne, such as at Quatre Bras, Dennewitz, and Bautzen. If Lannes had lived, or Napoleon had faith in Davoust, Ney would not feature so prominently.
I've probably watched this video at least 10 times now. I didn't need a very good reason to watch it again. Any individual reason will do, haha! Here's to 3 more hours well spent!
I’m French, and congratulations on your pronunciation of French names, that’s very good !
What a collection of military ability
Please make a series on Alexander Suvorov.
This is way better than the Napoleon movie 🍿 that came out this year
I’d love to see a video ranking the fighting forces of napoleons Allie’s and client states
Thanks!
The first Marshall in the french army was Alberic Clément in 1190.... and the Last Marshall was Pierre Koenig in 1984.
Shame on the sponsors, LONG LIVE EPIC HISTORY TV
Epic History TV you should of rank the best French generals of the napoleonic wars
I also forgot to mention that perhaps today France is going to become fully Napoleon on the situation considering French President Macron's remarks to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia exactly 212 years after Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia, hopefully that doesn't happen because if it happens it may risk direct confrontation and if that happens then WW3 happens and we all know what the aftermath would be if that happened.
The situation isn't the same at all. The only reason it hasn't happened is because of nuclear weapons. Otherwise, troops would've already been sent and at least pushed the Russians out of Ukraine, and probably even pushed to Moscow. But unless Russia starts using Nukes in Ukraine nothing will come of it
please dont compare Macron with Napoleon .Macron is the worst president that France has had
@DidierDidier-kc4nm I know, but look at the comparisons: Napoleon fights the Russians in Russian territory, Macron readying troops to fight the Russians I mean don't you see the comparisons.
@@theraginggager7303 The comparison just isn't there dude
Davout outnumbered 2 to 1: sounds like a fair fight to me. Frederich The Great and his father, the soldier king would be extremely disappointed to see the Prussia performing so badly in the war.
He would be disappointed if it was against Austria, not France
@@ommsterlitz1805 Losing is one thing, losing so badly is another. Prussia in 1806 wasn't just defeated, they were obliterated. Napoleon himself admitted in visit to Frederich's resting place, saying "hats off gentlemen, we wouldn't be here if he was still alive".
@@vishackvapricorn3426 The problem is that Napoleon knew how to win but not how to punish, he should have given the crown of Prussia to Poland or to one of his Marshal like Davout
@@vishackvapricorn3426 This is true. It took only three battles to destroy Prussia. 70% of the Prussian Army was crushed at Jena-Auerstadt. The largest intact formation was the Prussian Reserve at Halle with 24,000 men. Two days after J-A, Bernadotte destroys the Prussian Reserve, attacking Halle over causeways. At this point the largest formation left is Blücher who gathered a bunch of bits and pieces of units, around 20,000 men, gathers them up and was making for the Danish Border. But the Danes tell him they will intern them. Blucher instead heads for Lubeck, to meet up with a Swedish brigade and to take ship for Konigsberg. Bernadotte, Soult and Murat chase after him. Blucher digs in at Lubeck with 23,000 men and 4500 Swedes. Bernadotte's I Corps smashes through Blucher's outer defenses so quickly that the general was nearly caught in his bed. His command post was overrun and half of Blucher's men are captured. I Corps runs Blucher and his remaining 10,000 men down, Soult hems them in, and Blucher surrenders to Bernadotte, with Murat and Soult also present. The Swedes also surrender to Bernadotte and his treatment of them has unexpected consequences four years later. All that is left of the Prussian Army after those three battles are garrisons and a corps near Konigsberg. It took a week to destroy the Prussian Army. Crazy how it came completely undone.
@@ommsterlitz1805 He had Prussia lose a third of their territory that is a pretty huge punishment already, isn’t it?
FINE I will watch it front to back, AGAIN!!
So it is our duty to bring back this video into millions of views again... Let's goooo!
Imagine a ranking of Napoleon's greatest rivals. Guys like wellington, archduke Charles, blücher, alvinci, Benningsen , would be incredible!
These 20 years of revolutionary/Napoleonic war are fascinating for the number of heroic, tragic, brilliant characters...
Davout lost one hair everytime he won a battle
It is time to rewatch boys.