Featured battle : Busaco

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 27 September 1810

Wellington's retreat towards Lisbon and the hidden lines of Torres Vedras was not closely followed by Marshall Massena. Wellington chose to fight a delaying battle near the convent of Busaco. In spite of a significant superiority in men and guns Massena, with Ney, Junot, and Reynier as Corps commanders, was unable to defeat Wellington losing 4,479 men to Wellington's 1,252. Here was a demonstration of Wellington's defensive fighting abilities which were further exercised at the lines of Torres Vedras and which bore full fruit at the battle of Waterloo.

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War

Matthew Lewis
As a summation, an over view, Matthew Lewis’s book captures the essence, the ebb and flow, of the Anarchy. It is cleverly structured, moving chapter to chapter from opponent to opponent. The style of writing is lively and engaging which makes it difficult to put down.
The book is well researched although original sources are not extensive for the period covered. Lewis makes clear the bias in the accounts which are available and draws out some of their discrepancies. He supports his case by describing the actuality of subsequent positions and actions
The well supported conclusion is that the Anarchy was not as anarchical as the lingering legacy of Victorian writings would have us believe.
We highly recommend this book for anyone coming new or looking for a refreshing reappraisal of the Anarchy.

Pen & Sword History, 2019