So Just and Glorious a Cause

The first 100 copies of this book are signed and numbered by the author. Signed and numbered copies are only available to individuals purchasing directly from Helion.

So Just and Glorious a Cause is a highly detailed narrative of Wellington’s first campaign in the Peninsula. Using memoirs, letters, and previously unpublished primary sources, it covers events from Junot’s invasion in late 1807 to the Portuguese revolts in the summer of 1808, and then the sailing of the British expedition and the battles of Roliça and Vimeiro, through to the controversial Convention of Cintra and the liberation of Portugal from the French.

In 1807, with most of Europe under his control, Napoleon looked towards the Iberian Peninsula, hoping to complete his hegemony and extend his reach to South America. He sent one of his most loyal generals, Jean-Andoche Junot, with 25,000 men, to conquer Portugal. The Portuguese had long been caught in the middle between Britain and France. Faced with an invasion he had little hope of preventing, the Prince Regent fled to Brazil, assisted by a Royal Navy squadron, and let his country be occupied.

In the summer of 1808, with the rebellion of the Spanish and Portuguese people spreading across the Peninsula, Britain sent an expedition to liberate Portugal under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. Still a relatively junior and unknown commander, Wellesley fought an aggressive and successful campaign. He defeated the French first at Roliça and then at Vimeiro but was prevented from sealing his victory by the arrival of more senior officers. The French negotiated generous terms in the Convention of Cintra and were evacuated back to France, ending their occupation of Portugal.

So Just and Glorious a Cause makes extensive use of primary sources from all levels of the French, Portuguese and British forces involved, many of them previously unpublished. The terrible forced marches of the French troops as they crossed the border into Portugal, the frenzied diplomatic efforts in Lisbon, the subsequent brutal occupation, and the Royal Navy blockade are all examined, as well as Vice Admiral Cotton’s efforts to fan the flames of revolt in Portugal and offer support for the uprisings. The French, Portuguese and British forces are analysed in detail, as are the logistical challenges of Wellesley’s campaign. The narratives of the first skirmish at Obidos and then the battles of Roliça and Vimeiro are constructed from first-hand accounts from both sides, and many misconceptions about each action are addressed. Finally, numerous myths surrounding the controversial Convention of Cintra are tackled, including Wellesley's part in the negotiations.

 

'… it is magnificent!  In 500 pages of clear, calm, considered prose Griffith narrates the campaign, exploring every aspect from the origins of the French invasion of Portugal to the political controversy over the Convention of Cintra in England. The broad outlines of the story are familiar, but it has never been dealt with in such detail or so dispassionately, and many aspects of the story have been covered only lightly in previous histories.  Griffith takes pains to cover the French and Portuguese perspectives and provide detailed information about their forces as well as the British.  His account is rich in quotes from primary sources, and there are lots of good illustrations, orders of battle, tables of casualties, maps and everything else you would expect. No one with an interest in the Peninsular War, or military history of the period more generally should be without it.’ Rory Muir – author of Wellington and Britain & the Defeat of Napoleon 1807–1815

'Robert Griffith’s book is a masterful blend of scholarly rigor and engaging narrative. It meticulously dissects the strategic, operational, and tactical dimensions of Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington’s, first campaign in the Peninsula. Drawing upon an impressive range of archival documents, letters, diaries, and memories, it presents a nuanced understanding of the challenges the British army faced as it embarked on what proved to be a crucial theater of the Napoleonic Wars. A must-read for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Wars!' Alexander Mikaberidze – author of The Napoleonic Wars and Kutuzov

"This is a handsomely produced, heavy hardback.....Robert Griffith, who has already written books on the 5/60th Rifles and the raids on Arroyomolinos and Almaraz for Helion, is proving to be a fine military historian." Miniature Wargames Magazine # 496, Aug 2024

"Of special interest to us wargamers are the detailed descriptions of the French and British OOBs in a regiment by regiment account of its qualities and capabilities. It's quite rare to get an analysis of the troop quality, factored by length of service, number of new conscripts, and the age of the troops. This isn't just gold, but platinum information for setting up Rolica and Vimeiro scenarios. Of course, the battle recap and analysis are first rate as well." Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"Robert Griffith has searched far and wide for original sources and ... the level of research is very impressive. This is critical, as the subject of this volume is certainly well travelled and can only warrant a new book on the campaign if it has something new to add to the subject, which this does in spades … Over 22 chapters, this work covers the causes of the French invasion and the occupation of Lisbon in detail, indeed I have not seen such detail from the French perspective previously ... The campaign itself is dealt with at great length, the Battle of Vimeiro alone covering four chapters and another four the negotiations for the Convention of Cintra and the subsequent Inquiry. It challenges many previous claims by historians and ably explains the most likely scenarios where controversy exists, using copious evidence … this volume is likely to be the last word on this campaign for many years and I cannot but recommend it too highly. There is much to learn and much to correct regarding this campaign and for those who have hesitated from purchasing this volume because they were unsure that it had anything new to offer, do not delay any longer. Highly recommended." Gareth Glover, The Napoleon Series

"The narrative really sucked me in and blew my ambivalence for the campaign out of the window very early on. It is well written and clearly very well researched and is a subject about which the author is intimate with. An excellent book. One I can recommend most highly, especially as it has sparked off my interest in what was a fascinating campaign, with some participants and leaders." carryingsonupthedale blog

"The two battles that lie at the heart of the text are presented in fluent narrative, supported by a wealth of contemporary material and later, reflective accounts from both sides ... ‘So Just and Glorious a Cause’ is a most impressive retelling of the Roliça and Vimeiro campaign and the circumstances that brought it about." Carole Dival, Journal of the Society of Army Historical Research