So Just and Glorious a Cause: Britain and the Liberation of Portugal – Roliça and Vimeiro, 1808

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Robert Griffith

So Just and Glorious a Cause

Britain and the Liberation of Portugal – Roliça and Vimeiro, 1808

Robert Griffith

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English

Helion & Company
01 July 2024

British & Irish history; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900; Napoleonic Wars

Series: From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815

So Just and Glorious a Cause is a highly detailed narrative of Wellington's first campaign in the Peninsula. Using memoirs, letters, and previously unpublished primary sources, it covers events from Junot's invasion in late 1807 to the Portuguese revolts in the summer of 1808, and then the sailing of the British expedition and the battles of Roliça and Vimeiro, through to the controversial Convention of Cintra and the liberation of Portugal from the French.

In 1807, with most of Europe under his control, Napoleon looked towards the Iberian Peninsula, hoping to complete his hegemony and extend his reach to South America. He sent one of his most loyal generals, Jean-Andoche Junot, with 25,000 men, to conquer Portugal. The Portuguese had long been caught in the middle between Britain and France. Faced with an invasion he had little hope of preventing, the Prince Regent fled to Brazil, assisted by a Royal Navy squadron, and let his country be occupied.

In the summer of 1808, with the rebellion of the Spanish and Portuguese people spreading across the Peninsula, Britain sent an expedition to liberate Portugal under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. Still a relatively junior and unknown commander, Wellesley fought an aggressive and successful campaign. He defeated the French first at Roliça and then at Vimeiro but was prevented from sealing his victory by the arrival of more senior officers. The French negotiated generous terms in the Convention of Cintra and were evacuated back to France, ending their occupation of Portugal.

So Just and Glorious a Cause makes extensive use of primary sources from all levels of the French, Portuguese and British forces involved, many of them previously unpublished. The terrible forced marches of the French troops as they crossed the border into Portugal, the frenzied diplomatic efforts in Lisbon, the subsequent brutal occupation, and the Royal Navy blockade are all examined, as well as Vice Admiral Cotton's efforts to fan the flames of revolt in Portugal and offer support for the uprisings. The French, Portuguese and British forces are analyzed in detail, as are the logistical challenges of Wellesley's campaign. The narratives of the first skirmish at Obidos and then the battles of Roliça and Vimeiro are constructed from first-hand accounts from both sides, and many misconceptions about each action are addressed. Finally, numerous myths surrounding the controversial Convention of Cintra are tackled, including Wellesley's part in the negotiations.

AUTHOR: Ever since he picked up the first of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books as a teenager, Robert Griffith has been passionately interested in the Napoleonic period. As the author of several historical fiction novels set during the long wars against the French, and an ardent Napoleonic re-enactor, he has long strived to bring alive the stories of the men who fought for Britain against the armies of Napoleon. Having now turned to writing history he exhaustively researches his subjects to draw out previously overlooked details of both the campaigns and the everyday life of Napoleonic soldiers.

34 b/w illustrations, 31 b/w photos, 12 maps, 25 tables

By: Robert Griffith
Imprint: Helion & Company
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 131
Dimensions: Height: 244mm, Width: 170mm,
ISBN: 9781804514399
ISBN 10: 180451439X
Series: From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815
Pages: 516
Publication Date: 01 July 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Ever since he picked up the first of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe books as a teenager, Robert Griffith has been passionately interested in the Napoleonic period. As the author of several historical fiction novels set during the long wars against the French, and an ardent Napoleonic re-enactor, he has long strived to bring alive the stories of the men who fought for Britain against the armies of Napoleon. Having now turned to writing history he exhaustively researches his subjects to draw out previously overlooked details of both the campaigns and the everyday life of Napoleonic soldiers.

Reviews for So Just and Glorious a Cause: Britain and the Liberation of Portugal – Roliça and Vimeiro, 1808

“This isn't just gold, but platinum information for setting up Rolica and Vimeiro scenarios. Of course, the battle recap and analysis are first rate as well.” * Historical Miniatures Gaming Society * Robert Griffith has searched far and wide for original sources and ... the level of research is very impressive. This is critical, as the subject of this volume is certainly well travelled and can only warrant a new book on the campaign if it has something new to add to the subject, which this does in spades … Over 22 chapters, this work covers the causes of the French invasion and the occupation of Lisbon in detail, indeed I have not seen such detail from the French perspective previously ... The campaign itself is dealt with at great length, the Battle of Vimeiro alone covering four chapters and another four the negotiations for the Convention of Cintra and the subsequent Inquiry. It challenges many previous claims by historians and ably explains the most likely scenarios where controversy exists, using copious evidence … this volume is likely to be the last word on this campaign for many years and I cannot but recommend it too highly. There is much to learn and much to correct regarding this campaign and for those who have hesitated from purchasing this volume because they were unsure that it had anything new to offer, do not delay any longer. Highly recommended. -- Gareth Glover * The Napoleon Series *