The reading moves beyond Wellington's battlefield reputation to his difficult diplomatic position in Paris during the Bourbon Restoration. Louis XVIII's government appeared weak, disappointed royalists opposed it from one direction, and the army retained Bonapartist sympathies from another. Even gunfire near a review raised concern for Wellington's safety as angry, underpaid veterans threatened the restored order. British ministers considered removing him or sending him to North America, but he resisted any appearance of being frightened out of France.
Chapter · 10:30-13:18
Wellington amid the unstable Bourbon Restoration
Elizabeth Longford's biography follows Wellington through an increasingly hostile Paris as Bonapartists, disappointed royalists, and unpaid veterans threatened the restored monarchy.