What Tom Holland has said about Charge of the Light Brigade

Holland argues that the valley north of Balaclava was a death trap that only a madman would charge down.

“And so only a complete lunatic would ever lead a charge down this valley”

The Rest Is History: 721. The Charge of the Light Brigade: Outbreak of The Crimean War (Part 1) (Nov 9, 2026) · Listen from 4:59

Holland says the Light Brigade actually numbered about 700, of whom only 195 made it back.

“historically it was 700, and of these 700, a mere 195 managed to make their way back up the valley”

The Rest Is History: 721. The Charge of the Light Brigade: Outbreak of The Crimean War (Part 1) (Nov 9, 2026) · Listen from 4:02

Holland argues the Victorian public liked military feats that combined heroism with incompetence, with the charge as the archetype.

“They like it to be a mixture of utter heroism and total incompetence. And the Charge of the Light Brigade is the archetype of that”

The Rest Is History: 721. The Charge of the Light Brigade: Outbreak of The Crimean War (Part 1) (Nov 9, 2026) · Listen from 4:02

Holland says Cardigan did not invent the cardigan, but the garment became associated with him because it was worn in the cold Crimea.

“he becomes so famous in the wake of the Light Brigade and the cardigan is being worn by people in the Crimea because it's getting very, very cold”

The Rest Is History: 721. The Charge of the Light Brigade: Outbreak of The Crimean War (Part 1) (Nov 9, 2026) · Listen from 16:40