Alexander I (1777-1825). Tsar of Russia from 1801 to 1825, Alexander is briefly allied with Napoleon after the Treaty of Tilsit. Ultimately, though, he is a leading figure in the coalitions that bring about Napoleon's defeat. Considered an 'enlightened despot', although Russian serfs are unlikely to agree.

Jérôme Bonaparte (1784-1860). Napoleon's youngest brother, he is made king of Westphalia in 1807. In later life, he is created a marshal of France by his nephew Napoleon III.

Joseph Bonaparte (1768-1844). Napoleon's elder brother, he is made king of Naples in 1806, then Spain in 1808, which directly leads to the Peninsular War.

Louis Bonaparte (1778-1846).Napoleon's younger brother, he is made king of Holland in 1806 until Napoleon forces him to resign in 1810 because, according to the emperor, he is too attached to the interests of the Dutch. Married to Hortense de Beauharnais, Joséphine's daughter, he is the father of the future Napoleon III.

Gebhard von Blücher, Prince of Wahlstadt (1742-1819). Prussian field marshal, the arrival of whose forces on the field of battle at Waterloo comes not a moment too soon for the coalition against Napoleon.

Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822). British foreign secretary from 1812 and Britain's representative at the Congress of Vienna. He fights a duel with his parliamentary rival, George Canning.

Francis II (1768-1835). Francis II loses his title of 'Holy Roman emperor' when Napoleon dissolves what is left of the Holy Roman Empire and creates the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806. So Francis reinvents himself as Francis I, emperor of Austria.

Frederick William III (1770-1840). King of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. At first, he is neutral towards Napoleon, but is finally forced (especially by his wife Louisa) to declare war in 1806. Disasters at Jena and Auerstädt follow, and victory is denied him until the Battle of Nations in 1813.

George Augustus Frederick Guelph (1762-1830). Better known as George IV, which he will become in 1820, he is prince regent from 1811 during the madness of his father George III, a time that will become known as the Regency Period. George has many lovers and leads a scandalous lifestyle. See also Leaders.

George III (1738-1820). King of England, his madness leads to the Regency of 1811-20. See also Leaders.

Joséphine (1763-1814). Napoleon's wife is the widow of a French aristocrat who was guillotined. After she fails to give him a son and heir, Napoleon divorces her in 1809 (on the spurious grounds that a parish priest had not been present at their marriage). Joséphine, the leading socialite of her day (see Sex and sleaze), remains hugely popular with the French people until her death.

Louis XVIII (1755-1824). Younger brother of the executed Louis XVI, he is the Bourbon king who regains the throne of France after the fall of Napoleon in 1814. During the following year, he metes out severe punishment to former imperialists, Republicans and Protestants, alienating many of his subjects. He flees during the Hundred Days, when Napoleon briefly resumes power, and returns again after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.

Prince Clemens von Metternich (1773-1859). Austrian foreign minister from 1809, he is one of the architects of the 'balance of power' created in Europe at the Congress of Vienna. An ultra-conservative, who resists any moves towards liberalisation or reform.

Marie Louise of Austria (1791-1847). Napoleon's second wife, he marries her after divorcing Joséphine in 1809. Marie Louise is a 19-year-old Austrian princess, who duly bears Napoleon the son and heir he seeks.

Joachim Murat (1767-1815). One of the French emperor's best marshals, who has risen through the ranks, Murat marries Napoleon's youngest sister Caroline in 1800. He is at the head of Napoleon's armies during the invasion of Spain in 1807 and is made king of Naples the following year. He commanded the cavalry during the invasion of Russia and the whole of the Grande Armée after Napoleon's departure. He is executed after Napoleon's final defeat in 1815, saying to the firing squad: 'Spare my face, aim at the heart.'

Napoleon I See Leaders.

Horatio Nelson (1758-1805). British navy admiral, whose victories over the French give Britain control of the seas and foil Napoleon's plans for an invasion of England. See also Leaders.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838). The former abbot of St Denis, he is Napoleon's foreign minister, although he often betrays him: he maintains secret contact with the British and with both Alexander I of Russia and Francis II of Austria. Talleyrand keeps his position as foreign minister when Louis XVIII returns to the French throne in 1814 and is France's negotiator at the Congress of Vienna.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of Wellington (1769-1852). Having led the guerrilla campaign against the French in Spain's Peninsular War, he is later the victorious British general at the battle of Waterloo. Subsequently he becomes British prime minister. See also Leaders.

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