During Napoleon’s catastrophic retreat from Russia, another crisis nearly brought down his empire from within. In October 1812, while Napoleon was deep inside Russia, General Malet launched one of the boldest coup attempts in French history—the Malet Conspiracy. Armed with forged documents announcing Napoleon’s death, Malet deceived Paris officials, freed imprisoned generals, arrested senior government figures, and for a few dramatic hours came dangerously close to overthrowing the French Empire.

How could a single general, with forged papers and incredible nerve, nearly topple Napoleon’s regime? Why did so many officials believe him? And what did this shocking conspiracy reveal about the fragility of Napoleon’s rule at the height of his power?

In this episode, special guest and author Graeme Callister will break down the Malet Conspiracy of 1812, the men behind the coup, Napoleon’s furious reaction when he learned the news, and why this little-known event exposed serious weaknesses inside the Napoleonic Empire.

If you enjoy deep dives into Napoleon, his marshals, and the dramatic political and military history of the Napoleonic Wars, subscribe for more weekly episodes.

X/Twitter: @GraemeCallister, @andnapoleon

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Discover the complex and often volatile relationship between Napoleon Bonaparte and the Catholic Church—a story filled with ambition, compromise, and conflict. In this episode, special guest & author Ambrogio Caiani breaks down how Napoleon went from restoring Catholicism in France to ultimately clashing with the Pope himself.

After the chaos of the French Revolution, religion in France was in ruins. Napoleon saw an opportunity. Through the Concordat of 1801, he reestablished ties with the Catholic Church, bringing stability to a fractured nation. But was this a genuine act of faith—or a calculated political move?

As Napoleon’s power grew, so did tensions with the papacy. From controlling church appointments to annexing Papal territories and even imprisoning Pope Pius VII, Napoleon pushed the limits of his authority. What began as cooperation quickly turned into a dramatic struggle between empire and faith.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the French Revolution reshaped religion in France
• Why Napoleon signed the Concordat of 1801
• The growing conflict between Napoleon and the Pope
• The annexation of the Papal States
• The arrest and imprisonment of Pope Pius VII
• How religion became a tool of imperial control

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In 1813, after the disastrous retreat from Russia, Napoleon faced a growing coalition determined to destroy his empire. In this episode, author Michael Leggiere will explore Napoleon’s attempt to capture Berlin in 1813 and the reasons behind it.

Determined to regain the initiative, Napoleon ordered a bold offensive toward Berlin—the capital of Prussia.

Napoleon entrusted the operation to 2 of his most aggressive marshals, Oudinot and Ney. In 1813, a large French army moved north to strike the Prussian forces defending the road to Berlin.

The campaign culminated in the Battles of Grossbeeren and Dennewitz The failure of this attack shattered Napoleon’s plan to seize Berlin and helped energize the anti-French coalition during the War of the Sixth Coalition.
• Why Napoleon targeted the Prussian capital
• The roles of Marshals Ney, Oudinot, and Macdonald in the campaign
• How the Prussians stopped the French advance
• Why the failure helped lead to Napoleon’s ultimate defeat in Germany

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