Napoleon and British Song, 1797–1822
A radical reassessment of a definitive period in Britain’s political and cultural history.
- 2015
- Palgrave Macmillan
The critical implications of this brilliant, multi-layered study will resonate with scholars for years to come.
— Professor Philip Shaw, Leicester
This study offers a radical reassessment of a definitive period in Britain’s political and cultural history. In a time so often seen as crucial to the formation of a kingdom unified by opposition to the French, an examination of popular culture across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland reveals a very different story.
By looking at some four hundred songs, many of which have been recorded for the first time to accompany this book, and by looking at their writers, printers, singers, and audiences, this work raises major questions: about our relationship as historians with song as a source – song as performed in a time and place, not as read from the page – and about the relationship of ordinary Britons with Napoleon, the war against him, and the idea of Britain itself.
This is a brilliant book, impressively researched, and argued with great clarity.
— Professor John Barrell, QMUL
This study offers a radical reassessment of a definitive period in Britain’s political and cultural history. In a time so often seen as crucial to the formation of a kingdom unified by opposition to the French, an examination of popular culture across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland reveals a very different story.
By looking at some four hundred songs, many of which have been recorded for the first time to accompany this book, and by looking at their writers, printers, singers, and audiences, this work raises major questions: about our relationship as historians with song as a source – song as performed in a time and place, not as read from the page – and about the relationship of ordinary Britons with Napoleon, the war against him, and the idea of Britain itself.
This lively and engaging study ... is an exciting resource and it deserves to be widely read and heard ... sophisticated and well informed ... highly stimulating.
— Professor Christopher Marsh, English Historical Review
The scholarship in this thoughtful, carefully researched book is impressive, and the book stands out for its command of a broad range of sources and attention to detail. Jensen is a talented young scholar.
— Robin Ganev, American Historical Review
Engaging and scrupulous ... sensitive and illuminating readings.
— Professor Stuart Semmel, Journal of British Studies
This richly detailed and entertaining work ... demonstrates that taking ‘ephemera’ seriously can transform our understanding of the period.
— Professor Mark Philp, Warwick
Jensen combines different modes of reading from different disciplines with boldness and great assurance .... This is new and fascinating material, and the stories are well told – lively, engaged, and free of jargon.
— Mary-Ann Constantine, University of Wales
An excellent study that brings fresh insights to our understanding of both the political and cultural histories of this period ... its critical approach should serve as a model for scholars working with any ephemera of any kind.
— Erica Buurman, British Association of Romantic Studies Review
