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Making History podcast compressed

Making History

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

Making History: 21/01/2014

21/01/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Making History, 21/01/2014

Tom Holland and leading historians discuss the latest historical research.

Tom Holland and leading historians join listeners to discuss the latest historical research from across the UK, including the story of a forgotten king's home near Aylesbury.

Tom Holland is joined by the author of Britain Against Napoleon The Organisation of Victory, 1793-1815, Professor Roger Knight and the leader of a new oral history project which is capturing the social and cultural impact of National Service, Dr Matthew Grant from the University of Essex.

Nearly 200 years ago, in April 1814, King Louis XVIII of France left Hartwell House near Aylesbury to reclaim the throne of France after more than twenty years in exile. Seven of these were in England, two at Gosfield Hall in Essex and five at Hartwell. The biographer of Napoleon's Josephine, Dr Kate Williams, went to Hartwell to find out more about Louis in England.

As Louis traipsed around Europe, the Continent was in turmoil. Britain had been humbled just a few years earlier in the War of American Independence so how did she reorganise to fight the French?

Contact the programme: making.history@bbc.co.uk

Produced by Nick Patrick
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

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21/01/2014

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