History Extra podcast How do you solve a problem like Napoleon?
Jan 9, 2026
Andrew Lambert, a Professor of Naval History at King's College London and author of No More Napoleons, delves into Britain's post-Napoleonic strategy. He discusses how Britain maintained continental balance without large armies, relying instead on naval and economic might. Lambert highlights the importance of Belgium and strategic alliances in preventing French dominance. He also explores Wellington's dual role as soldier and statesman, and the enduring relevance of maritime power in shaping Britain's global influence today.
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Naval-Economic Strategy Over Land Armies
- Britain managed European stability by leveraging naval and economic power rather than large land armies.
- Britain used allies, blockades and diplomacy to reshape Europe and prevent another continental hegemon.
Build Buffer States And Fortifications
- Create buffer states and fortified barriers to prevent a single power from dominating a region.
- Use diplomacy, allied guarantees and fortifications to maintain long-term balance at lower cost than permanent occupation.
Why The Scheldt Mattered
- The Scheldt Estuary and northern Belgium were the only viable launch points for a serious invasion of Britain.
- Securing that estuary became central to British strategy to deter French threats without invasion fights.
