Steeped in tradition, the Kingdom of Spain was living off past glories by the time of the Napoleonic Wars. With Godoy, the Queen's favourite, handing out positions in the military and public service as favours, Spain was in a mess.

But when Napoleon thought he could just walk in and take control, the Spanish people showed great resilience in defence of their country. Often beaten in open battle, they would bravely reform to fight again as an army or wage a guerilla campaign. Although not always comfortable allies, the Spanish needed the British and the British needed the Spanish. It was a continuing joint effort in the end that kept Napoleon's ulcer festering.

Many a French Marshal tarnished his reputation in the peninsular.