Episode 236 - Unlocking the story of Portchester's black and mixed-heritage prisoners of war

Published: Oct. 12, 2023, 5 a.m.

This week we\u2019re shifting our attention to Portchester Castle in Hampshire on England\u2019s south coast. Situated at the northern end of Portsmouth Harbour, this site has a history stretching back as far as the Romans. The later castle was also a place for thousands of international prisoners during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, including 2,000 black soldiers.\n\nJoining us to talk about how the prisoners came to be here, what prison life was like for them and how their stories are being brought to life today are English Heritage\u2019s head of learning and interpretation, Dr Dominique Bouchard, education visits officer, Laura Bosworth, and associate director at Soho Theatre, Lakesha Arie-Angelo.\n\nTo learn more about Portchester Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/portchestercastle.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices