The Napoleonic Wars may feel like distant history to many, but for two of our Year 13 students, a spark of curiosity quickly grew into a deep and personal journey of discovery. What began as a passing classroom reference to the Napoleonic Code soon unfolded into a shared fascination with the lives, legacies and cultural impact of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington. Through museum visits, music, literature and lively debate, Sophie and Carlotta found themselves not only exploring the past, but also uncovering meaningful connections to their own passions, identities and academic interests. Their reflections below reveal how history can reach far beyond textbooks — becoming something lived, felt and unexpectedly inspiring.
Sophie’s view:
Napoleon Bonaparte initially came to our attention in our English text, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ where Stanley Kowalski references the Napoleonic Code. This was long before we realised the contribution he made to history and the significance he occupies in military history in particular.
Carlotta and I developed a twin fascination with Napoleon and Wellington, Carlotta’s initial scepticism was won over by learning of Wellington’s victories after I introduced her to them (and his face)! I’ve always had a deep love for History, though in the past I’ve been too shy to admit it. However, my recent curiosity in the Napoleonic wars made me realise I love learning and not just learning to pass a test. I never imagined I’d be spending my Saturday night touring historical homes with Carlotta, but visiting Apsley House (Wellington’s house) made me feel like I’d crossed a bridge between the present and the past.
It was fabulous to be surrounded by people of all ages that enjoyed celebrating the lives of those who shaped the world we live in today, and I finally wasn’t afraid to admit it. Being able to debate and discuss with those showing us around made me far more confident, and suddenly I felt like I belonged to a community. This inspired me to network online with historians, one of which being my favourite Napoleonic podcaster John Viscardo who I am now in touch with.
This sudden urge to expand my knowledge that overpowered any previous anxiety I had about networking made me realise that learning history is not just reading from a book, but is actually something relevant to every-day skills and current affairs, helping me to navigate the world I’m in today by first understanding how those who walked it before me did.
Carlotta’s view:
As I’ve developed my studies with Music and dived deeper into symphonic music of the 18th century, I was delighted to discover the links between my passions. Beethoven famously wrote a piece alluding to Napoleon’s Victories, the ‘Eroica’ Symphony (‘Symphony in Eb Major’), which was dedicated to Napoleon in admiration for the French revolutionary ideals. He later retracted this dedication after Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French. He also wrote – though it’s one of his more controversial compositions – ‘Wellington’s Victory’, which I found fascinating.
It feels like my interest in the Napoleonic wars is a sort of common ground, uniting my personal hobbies with my academic work, making learning more enjoyable. When visiting Apsley House: looking down at the very boots he wore to the battle of Waterloo, the weapons used during the Peninsular War, and even his death-mask, made me realise how real it all was and suddenly I was aware of the fact that, just because it was so long ago, does not mean it’s simply fiction written in a history book. As I delved deeper into the topic, I realised its cultural significance to me, as a Anglo-Portuguese person the Peninsular War (fought in Spain and Portugal) really shone a light on the significance this era of history has for both sides of my family, and for protecting Portugal’s independence.
It is profound, and feels almost grounding, that there’s a chance someone in my ancestral history (based in Lisbon, the central port for the English navy during the Peninsular War) might’ve been involved in the very event I study today, and I wouldn’t have even been aware of their existence if it weren’t for the strange, and surprising connections that can be made through looking into the past.
Together, Sophie and Carlotta show how history comes alive when it’s explored with curiosity, creativity and personal connection. Their journeys remind us that the past is never as distant as it seems – it continues to shape our culture, our interests and even our sense of self. Most importantly, their reflections highlight the joy of learning for its own sake, and the unexpected paths that open when students have the freedom to follow their intellectual spark.
