The early stages focus on the completion of Napoleon's retreat from Russia, and the efforts of the other powers to position themselves to capitalise on the fall-out from his imminent downfall. The scene is set, and developments placed in their overall context.
Attention is paid to the differing agendas at work, from Tsar Alexander's sense of destiny and mission, to the tension between Austria and Prussia, and the suspicion aimed at Britain, which was viewed as ignorant of the niceties of European diplomacy.
Zamoyski also introduces us to some of the principal diplomatic players, with colourful anecdotes about their characters and backgrounds. He also begins to unravel and explain the bewildering intricacies of the age, and how interwoven the various countries were by treaty, alliance, marriage, religion and history.
The bargaining and horse-trading could be confusing for even dedicated historians, but Zamoyski does a commendable job of condensing and streamlining the developments, whilst still seeming to be thorough.
Also in the early chapters, we find out about the desperate attempts by Napoleon to shore up his alliances, and the equally devious and creative methods employed by the "allies" to persuade rulers or armies to defect or declare neutrality. As these matters progress, there is a palpable withering of morale and enthusiasm in the French camp, belief ebbing away....
We also see how the divisions and discord in the Allied camp intensified as the armies approached the borders of France itself, Russia and Prussia advocating pressing forward, Austria more circumspect. Britain seemed handicapped by the fragmentation of its diplomatic team "on the spot", but also concerned at being marginalised and deprived of some of the spoils. France still entertained hopes of profiting from any discord amongst his foes, to secure more honourable terms.
Throughout the book, we are constantly given quotes from the diaries, letters and papers of some of the protagonists. These help to supply an insight into the state of mind and motivations of these people. This is particularly true in the case of Metternich, the Austrian Foreign Minister.
Some gaps in my knowledge were certainly filled, mainly on the Allied approach to Paris, and the negotiations which followed. The covert discussions conducted by Alexander are covered in depth, in particular the feeling that he was too magnanimous in his approach. The reasoning behind the return of the French monarchy would certainly strike modern eyes as quaint and curious.
One thing which struck me about Rites of Peace is how some major events themselves were given scant coverage. This is no bad thing, as the pivotal battles and ceremonies are covered painstakingly in numerous other books. Zamoyski prefers to concentrate on the work of the diplomats and sovereigns themselves, and their personalities and quirks.
Moving on to the Congress of Vienna itself, the scene is well set, the difficulties and challenges highlighted. A constant theme is the precarious nature of the Coalition, its cracks and fissures, and its perpetual state of near-collapse. The ongoing attempts of the diplomats to keep the show on the road are beautifully detailed by Zamoyski.
The social scene in Vienna is colourfully depicted, and the romantic dalliances and lavish occasions do help to break up the paragraphs on political discourse. However, I must admit that I found myself scanning through these passages after a while. Once you've read about one extravagant occasion, you've read about them all!
Much of the emphasis in the chapters covering Vienna is on the erosion of trust and solidarity between the allies. Napoleon had been defeated and ousted, and having achieved this, the powers permitted old animosities and tensions to resurface. The vexed questions of Saxony and Poland almost led to war, and Zamoyski leads us adroitly through the discussions which led to some kind of settlement. He also details the lingering resentment harboured by many smaller countries and territories, who felt left out and patronised by the big powers.
Of course, as matters were being tied up in Vienna, Napoleon was re-entering the drama, and reading the paragraphs on this, there is a sense of initial panic and dismay, followed by grim resolve to confront the situation.
In keeping with the approach of the book, Zamoyski does not dwell overly on the military technicalities of Waterloo, but devotes his attention to its repercussions, the unpredictability of the Tsar becoming an ever greater concern.
After documenting the resolution, or not as the case may have been, of the outstanding territorial issues, the author examines the legacy of the Congress of Vienna, and the period generally. Many of the purported ideals and objectives of the Powers were either forgotten or simply not implemented. Much of Europe reverted to the clammy grip of absolutism and repression. Reactionary forces sought re-entrenchment.
Looking at what occurred in Europe after Waterloo, one could be forgiven for wondering whether some had put on a facade of enlightenment in order to secure some moral high ground during protracted discussions. The gains achieved were not always used to advance freedom or justice, but rather to buttress the power of those who wished ultimately to curtail and limit those things.
The last chapter is somewhat downbeat, almost seeming to question which causes were actually advanced or served by the battles won and the treaties signed. Many of the people and ideas defeated by the Coalition soon seemed more wholesome and edifying than those of the victors, and the flaws in the settlements, and the arrogance displayed by the major Powers, may have simply served to fan the flames of agitation and nationalism in parts of Europe.
I would have perhaps liked to have seen more dissection of the struggle between liberal and conservative ideas at the time, but appreciate that this falls largely outside the remit of the book.
Overall, though, Rites of Peace is a very worthy, readable and informative piece of work. It certainly gave this reader ample food for thought....
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