History Hit

Ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night! Dr Eleanor Janega delves into the medieval phantasmic to find out what their restless dead can tell us about the worries of the living. Because if we want to understand what makes another society tick, it helps to take a look at what makes them scared. In this show, Eleanor visits the ruins of Byland Abbey to explore some of the most terrifying stories to survive the medieval period. The 12 ghostly tales written by a monk on the blank back pages of a religious manuscript, share traits with our own modern ghost stories but we learn that medieval perceptions of ghosts may be very different to our own. Then at one of the most important religious sites in medieval England, Canterbury Cathedral, Eleanor investigates how the church uses ghost stories for political gain and reinforcing religious values. Archivist Cressida Williams shows us some of the memento mori tropes implemented by the church, like Cadaver tombs and the ‘Three Living and Three Dead’ Illustrations, which acted as warnings against sin

The life, reign, and legacy of Rameses II, one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Exploring dynastic history, military exploits, cultural influence, and architectural achievements, Dr. Campbell Price sheds light on Rameses II's mark on Egyptian civilization. From the colossal temple at Abu Simbel to the Battle of Kadesh, don't miss out on the fascinating discussion about his relationship with Queen Nefertari, his 66-year-long reign, and whether he was the true pharaoh of the bible Exodus.

Launched on 14 February 1939, the German flagship and pride of the Kriegsmarine, Bismarck was launched. In the darkness of the early morning of the 19 May 1941, Bismarck slipped out of harbour on the Baltic coast and started making its way on its maiden voyage, Operation Rheinubung. The German Navy High Command's plan was to disrupt and attack Allied merchant shipping, to starve Britain of precious materials and food. Prinz Eugen (the ship accompanying Bismarck) had a film crew on board - Bismarck’s first action was going to be filmed. Desperate to protect its Atlantic trade routes, the admiralty of the Royal Navy sent her best battleships, including the mighty HMS Hood to intercept the German sortie and sink Bismarck. This is a definitive account of the Royal Navy's ultimate success in sinking the Bismarck. Featuring Andrew Choong, curator at the National Maritime Museum, naval historian Nick Hewitt and Angus Konstam, author of 'Hunt the Bismarck'. Presented by Dan Snow.

Historian and host of the Gone Medieval podcast Eleanor Janega ranks the most stylish menswear from the medieval period. From the superb codpiece to the humble hood, Eleanor scores each item on style, comfort, and practicality. Disagree with her? Let us know in the comment section below.

We've asked one of the world's leading experts on the RMS Titanic, Tim Maltin to answer the most googled questions about the sinking of the ship on 15 April 1912.

Imagine, it’s the mid-1800s. Since the end of the Napoleonic Wars, peace between Britain and France had been secured for close to half a century. And yet, for the English, the threat of an imminent invasion across the channel never seemed too far-fetched. That’s why thousands of ‘navvies’ and later volunteers, engineers, artillerymen and army officers, were summoned in 1860 to build and occupy gigantic forts along the south coast of England should the dreaded day arrive when French ships emerged on the horizon… Over 70 polygonal strongholds would be built or upgraded as part of a commission in 1859 instigated by prime minister Lord Palmerston, who shared the anxieties of most of Britain’s Naval and Military Commanders - that Britain was rapidly falling behind foreign powers, and would be unable to defend itself from an attempted invasion. The fortresses, known as ‘Palmerston Forts’, stretched across the United Kingdom, mainly in strategically important coastal areas. Each would cost the treasury an enormous amount of money, require a significant labour force to construct and a large group of military volunteers to

Evidence of humans' use of the bow can be found all over the world, from cave art in Algeria that shows a man shooting a slightly curved bow to the mummified body of Ötzi the iceman - a 4,000 year old murder victim discovered in the Alps with an arrow embedded in his shoulder and a collection of his personal possessions including an unfinished long bow along with a quiver containing 14 arrows. But it's here in Britain, where the oldest complete bow ever was discovered, at a place called Star Carr. Join Ray Mears as he goes on a personal journey to uncover the origins of the bow, from its early use in hunting to it's development as the first true weapon of mass destruction.

Ancient historian and host of The Ancients podcast, Tristan Hughes, deep dives into the historical accuracy of Oliver Stone's highly controversial film 'Alexander' about Alexander the Great.

Historian and host of the Gone Medieval podcast Matt Lewis ranks the most famous weapons from the medieval period. From the humble dagger to a samurai sword, Matt scores each weapon on usability, damage, and versatility. Think you know better? Let us know in the comment section below.

Vladimir Putin is the modern face of dictatorship, rising out of the ashes of the chaotic Yeltsin years. In the 90's, Putin was a relatively unknown figure would go on to occupy an untouchable position in a country spanning 11 timezones. We delve inside the twisted mind of Vladimir Putin.

In 55 BC, Rome had its sights set on Britain. Across two attempts, a huge invasion force led by one of the greatest miltary leaders in history, Julius Caesar, landed in Kent. Eventually he would break through and conquer the southern heart of the island. It had not been an easy task. In his first attempt to conquer Britain, Caesar took with him only two legions, and achieved little beyond a landing on the coast of Kent. His force was heavily contested as soon as it landed on the beaches near Dover and had only managed to break inland through a combination of grit, determination and advanced military weapons and tactics. Caesar's second invasion consisted of 628 ships, five legions and 2,000 cavalry. The force was so imposing that the Britons did not dare contest Caesar's landing in Kent, waiting instead until he began to move inland. Caesar's force penetrated into Middlesex and crossing the Thames, forcing the British warlord Cassivellaunus to surrender as a tributary to Rome. Yet the great Caesar did not stay in Britain long. Instead, he

Historian and host of the Gone Medieval podcast Eleanor Janega ranks the most stylish women’s fashion from the medieval period. From the extravagant houppelande to the humble chemise, Eleanor scores each item on style, comfort, and practicality. Disagree with her? Let us know in the comment section below.

In time for an historical Oscars, Dan Snow unveils History Hit's top 50 greatest historical movies of the last 50 years (with one plucky exception that’s somehow avoided all detection and tunnelled its way onto our list). From the CGI battle scenes of Ridley Scott's Napoleon to the realism of Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon, film is the closest medium we have to portray history. Let us know in the comments where you agree or disagree.

Frank Herbert's original Dune was published in 1965, and became the best selling sci-fi novel of all time. With the release of Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, the novel has been successfully adapted for the big screen, after decades of misfiring attempts. But what are the origins of the Dune universe? Who are the Fremen? Is it an allegory for the world we live in? In this video, Matt Lewis talks through the history behind this epic story, from Arab nationalism to magic mushrooms and the origins of the Atreides. The script and editing was by James Carson. Frank Herbert portrait credit: MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.087.11.01, photo by Gilbert W. Arias.

We've asked ancient historian and archaeologist Dr. Simon Elliott to answer the most googled questions about the roman empire.

Join us on an immersive journey through the ancient streets of Roman London. We explore archaeological finds that offer glimpses into daily life, from deciphered wax tablets revealing trade dealings to artifacts like spearheads, arrowheads, and fragments of armor. London's Roman history traces back to around 50 AD, when a mercantile trading post was established on a gravel terrace above the river Thames. At the time, this area was a floodplain surrounded by thick woods. But this muddy valley would eventually become one of the greatest cities in the world.

In June 1940 Nazi Germany overran France and forced the British army to evacuate at Dunkirk. Severely lacking in military equipment, Britain and her empire now stood alone against Adolf Hitler's forces. Nevertheless, Winston Churchill, Britain's new prime minister, refused to come to peace terms, forcing Hitler to plan an invasion - codenamed Operation Sea Lion. To stand any chance of crossing the English Channel, Germany needed to achieve mastery of the skies above Southern England during that summer. The Battle of Britain - the first major battle to be decided entirely by air power - began.

Medieval Historian Matt Lewis delves into the grisly details of medieval torture techniques. We cover everything from what it was like to be 'hung, drawn, and quartered' to the terrifying specialties of Vlad The Impaler. Matt explores the depths of human cruelty throughout the medieval period, offering a stark reminder of the barbarity that once prevailed.

Medieval historian and co-host of the 'Gone Medieval' podcast, Matt Lewis, deep dives into the historical accuracy of the highly controversial movie 'Braveheart'.

Alice Loxton uncovers the thrilling transformation of Edinburgh, a city which was once the most overcrowded, dangerous and pungent cities in the whole of Europe, where tottering medieval tenement blocks were surrounded by a bubbling cesspit of raw sewage. With the city bursting at its seams - and on the brink of crisis - it took a staggering boldness of vision to build the “New Town”, one of the greatest urban developments the world has ever seen. From this gem of Georgian architecture, Edinburgh was reborn as “The Athens of the North”.

When people think of Medieval diseases, hysterical dancing is not usually what first comes to mind. Yet in 14th and 15th century Germany, dozens of ordinary people claimed to be infected by the ‘dancing plague’. What was this mysterious phenomenon? What caused it? And was it even a real disease? Strap in as Dr. Anthony Delaney and Dr. Maddy Pelling speak to Dr. Eleanor Janega, co-host of Gone Medieval, to discover why these people just couldn’t stop dancing.

Historian and host of the Gone Medieval podcast Matt Lewis ranks the most famous helmets from the medieval period. From the Great Helm to Sutton Hoo, Matt scores each helmet on protection, comfort, and visibility. Disagree with him? Let us know in the comment section below.

Tristan Hughes explores what we do know about the Ninth Legion, tracking its history across Britain. In this documentary, Tristan Hughes tracks the history of the Ninth Legion across the British Isles. From its arrival in Britain during the Claudian Invasion to a dice with death in the Scottish midlands and the last time it is mentioned in history. Tristan then explores the numerous theories regarding the eventual fate of the Ninth Legion. Was it lost on the northern frontier of Britain, by the Rhine, or massacred in the East? Featuring Dr Miles Russell, Dr Rebecca Jones, Dr Simon Elliott, Lucy Creighton and Dr David Breeze.

People seem forever reimagining the seafaring Vikings from northern Europe, but 'the Viking Age' is one of the most confusing periods in European history. When did it really start and why? What does 'Viking' really mean? What kind of helmets did they actually wear? One of the best ways to delve into these questions is to delve into the most common misconceptions, often conjured up from how Vikings are depicted in film and TV, and run through why these myths exist, and the historical reality. James Carson runs through 10 of the biggest myths he's encountered after a few months getting close to the Vikings. Expert opinion expressed on History Hit podcasts Gone Medieval and Dan Snow's History Hit are used to help shape our understanding of the Viking Age. You can go deeper by listening to the following links: Here are the 10 Big Myths About the Vikings chapters

Operation Market Garden was the Allied operation to end the Second World War by Christmas 1944. The brainchild of Bernard Montgomery, it involved the combined use of airborne and armoured divisions carving a path through the Netherlands, securing several vital bridges, bypassing the formidable Siegfried Line and descending into Germany from the north. Huge cracks in the plan, however, soon caused it to crumble; a disaster ensued. In this documentary, Dan Snow visits Arnhem and the scenes of the vicious fighting. Featuring contributions from veterans of the conflict and interviews with leading World War Two historians: Paul Beaver, James Holland and Paul Reed. This is the Battle of Arnhem, as it happened.

Historian and host of 'The Ancients' podcast, Tristan Hughes, dives deep into the historical accuracy of Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator'. The battle over the film's accuracy has been waged since its release. Tristan unpicks what Gladiator gets right and what it gets very wrong. Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly and presented by world-renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsely, Mary Beard, and more. Watch, listen, and read history wherever you are, whenever you want it. Available on all devices: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Xbox, Chromecast, and iOs & Android.

What did medieval people eat? Were medieval knights jacked? Why was medieval torture so cruel? Medieval historian and co-host of the Gone Medieval Podcast Matt Lewis answers Google's most searched questions about the medieval world.

Merlin. Lancelot. Guinevere. Excalibur. The world of King Arthur is littered with instantly recognisable names. But where did the medieval legends about Camelot and Avalon come from? What did they mean to the medieval peoples that told them? And what do they mean for us now? In this episode of After Dark, Dr. Antony Delany and Dr. Maddy Pelling are joined by medieval historian Dr. Eleanor Janega to take a deep dive into 'Arthuriana' - the MCU of the Middle Ages.

What happened to the lost gold stolen by the Nazis in World War Two? In Dan Snow's long career as a broadcaster, he's come across all sorts of unexplained phenomena, myths and mysteries- from searching for the Nazi Gold Train in Poland to debunking the mummy's curse in Tutankhamun's tomb and looking for answers about ball lightning. History is full of the weird and wonderful and in this episode Dan is joined by polymath, author and fellow podcaster Dan Schreiber to talk about stories of lost treasure, curious relics and Edwardian superstitions. You can read up on the things mentioned in this podcast, and more, in the History Hit Miscellany book available now online and in bookshops. Dan Schreiber is the host of We Can Be Weirdos podcast and the author of The Theory of Everything Else.

From popular TV series to kinky paintings, there is a recurring image today of Romans as lust-filled, mad degenerates. But the reality is a lot more...complicated. Join Tristan Hughes and historian Honor Cargill-Martin as they explore the sex lives of ancient Romans living c.2,000 years ago - Emperors, statesmen, freedmen, slaves and more. Sorting fact from fiction, they explore why erotic imagery could be found all across the Roman Empire, acceptable vs deplorable marriage partners and just why gladiators became such sex symbols.

During the Second World War a storm of fire and steel was unleashed. Not just on front line troops, but on enemy society itself. All sides in the Second World War believed that aerial bombardment could decisively affect the strategic outcome of the conflict. But did the unprecedented onslaught from the air actually work? Featuring contributions from historians Paul Beaver, Victoria Taylor, James Holland, Sebastian Cox, Sinclair McKay and Sir Max Hastings. Also featuring interviews with veterans including Ken Oatley, Johnny Johnson and Irene Uhlendorff.

Did the Ancient Greeks really invent the Olympics? What did they wear? How did they party? What did Ancient Greek music sound like? In the first episode of a new series, host of 'The Ancients' podcast, Tristan Hughes answers the most searched Google questions about Ancient Greece.

Human evolution can’t help but fascinate us - the story of where we came from. Today we, Homo sapiens, are the only human species left. But that wasn’t always the case…. For millions of years, there thrived a great range of early human species. From small-brained island dwellers in Indonesia to the robust Neanderthals that dominated so much of Eurasia for hundreds of thousands of years. With the help of human evolution specialists Dr Chris Stringer and Dr Fred Spoor, Tristan Hughes explores a list of five extraordinary early humans that went extinct. Interviews shot at the Natural History Museum.

Where can Anne Boleyn's ghost be seen? What form does it take? And why does she haunt us so? Get ready for carriages pulled by headless horses, spooky palaces, a weird floating cylinder thing...and a single moment in history that has haunted England, and now Britain's, imagination for hundreds of years. In this episode of After Dark, Anthony and Maddy talk the ghost of Anne Boleyn, Queen of England before Henry VIII chopped off her head, with the marvellous Tracy Borman. Tracy's new book "Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History" is out now.

'One Life' tells the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 children from the Nazis. Nicky visited Prague in December 1938 and found families who had fled the rise of the Nazis in Germany and Austria, living in desperate conditions with little or no shelter and food, and under threat of Nazi invasion. He immediately realised it was a race against time. How many children could he and the team rescue before the borders closed? Fifty years later, it’s 1988 and Nicky lives haunted by the fate of the children he wasn’t able to bring to safety in England; always blaming himself for not doing more. It’s not until a live BBC television show, ‘That’s Life’, surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children – now adults – that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he had carried for five decades. 'One Life' is a remarkable, thought-provoking and deeply emotional new film coming to cinemas this January

Do you want to know the real history behind Netflix's series 'Boudica: Rise of the Warrior Queen'? Look no further... In 60/61 AD turmoil seized southern Britain. A massive anti-Roman revolt reared its ugly head in East Anglia, as tens of thousands of Britons attempted to evict the recently-arrived Romans from the island by the spear. At its head was one of the most famous figures in the whole of British history. An elusive and unique warrior woman, whose name has become immortalised down through the centuries. Boudica, Queen of the Iceni. In this documentary Tristan Hughes tells the story of Boudica’s revolt, alongside the expert input of Roehampton University’s Dr Shushma Malik.

One of the most famed classes of soldiers from antiquity, the Spartan warrior has been immortalised in media today. Characterised as super soldiers, formidable fighters who would rather perish than surrender - their reputation truly did proceed them. But how accurate is this image - and does it correlate with what the ancient sources actually tell us? In this filmed episode of The Ancients podcast Sparta mini-series, host Tristan Hughes welcomes Dr Roel Konijnendijk from the University of Oxford, to take a deep dive into the life of a Spartan w

It's one of the most iconic images of the First World War - a football match between British and German soldiers in No Man's Land on Christmas Day in 1914. But did it really happen? On Christmas Eve that year many sectors of the Western Front in France and Belgium fell silent. Troops from all sides put down their weapons and sang carols, exchanged gifts and buried their fallen comrades. The following day the truce continued in many, but not all areas, and troops gathered in crowds between the lines. There may even have been a bit of a kickabout, but probably not a football match. This full History Hit TV documentary 'The Christmas Truce' features historians Peter Hart, Robin Schäfer and Taff Gillingham.

Thousands of years ago aliens visited Earth, and they set about building all sorts of incredible structures that gave hints at their fleeting visit. Then they got back in their spaceships and flew off into the galaxy, never to be seen again. Of course, if you believe that, you'll believe anything. But it's enough for millions of books to be sold, TV shows running into double digit series commissions and a host of other tales and 'spin offs'? But where does this nonsense all come from? James Carson has a look at this conspiracy theory, exploring the wonders of ancient civilizations, before submerging down to Atlantis and finally blasting into outer space to meet the alien astronauts themselves. Are tales of lost civilizations and extra-terrestrials harmless fun, or they part of something rather more sinister? How many books did Erich von Däniken sell? (A LOT!!) What has HP Lovecraft got to do with Plato? The truth is out there. This video contains podcast extracts from Dan Snow's interview with Flint Dibble on Dan Snow's History Hit. Atlantis: Deciphering The Truth

They’re famously thought of as a buttoned up prudish bunch, but we all know they loved to bump uglies as much as anyone today. Were the spanking punishments of boarding schools really the origins of brothels? Who were the pin-ups of Victorian women? And what did the saucy portrait Queen Victoria gave to Prince Albert look like? Today we go Betwixt the Victorian Sheets with Dan Snow, from History Hit sister podcast Dan Snow’s History Hit, to find out all about Victorian relationships.

In July 1942 a German Messerschmitt took off from Leipheim airfield in Bavaria…but it was no ordinary aircraft… It was an Me 262 - the world’s first operational jet fighter. Powered by two Junker Jumo 004 turbojet engines and able to travel 120 mph faster than the revered American P-51 Mustang, the Me 262 offered a ray of hope in the increasingly dark skies of the German Luftwaffe. On paper, it was faster and more deadly than any other Allied fighter plane, yet despite this remarkable feat of German engineering, the Me 262 proved not to be the salvation Hitler had hoped for… Why did such a frightening aircraft that could have been the kryptonite to the Allied Air Force, fail to make its mark during the Second World War? And how did this special aircraft spark a new era in aviation history… In this video, Dan Snow travels to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) at RAF Conningsby in Lincolnshire to see a remarkable reproduction Messerschmitt Me 262 fly in the skies over England for the first time

Dr Kate Lister reviews the portrayal of women in period hollywood movies, analysing how their role in society and within historic institutions has evolved, if at all, over time. She rates scenes from the hit film 'Little Women' (2019), starring Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and directed by Greta Gerwig, which details the passage of four middle class girls from childhood to womanhood during the American Civil War in 1860s New England. Next, Kate reviews 'Memoirs of a Geisha' (2005), the epic period drama film directed by Rob Marshall and adapted by Robin Swicord from the 1997 novel of the same name which follows nine-year-old Chiyo, sold by her underprivileged family to a geisha house in Kyoto, Japan in the late 1920s. Kate rates the film for its accuracy in depicting the lives of geishas and the inherent challenges they would they as they grew up living an extremely regimented life. Moving on to 'The Remains of the Day' (1993), starring the brilliant Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, Kate analyses the complex relationship between a schizoid butler Mr

In 1789 France was the powerhouse of Europe. It had the continent’s biggest population, a large overseas empire and had become the hub of the Enlightenment. But the country was to be transformed and engulfed by a fierce revolution… a 10-year struggle of profound social and political upheaval that would have a lasting impact on the world. It would create shockwaves that traversed the globe, ending the Bourbon monarchy and sending shivers down the spine of Kings and Queens in Europe. Though it degenerated into a bloodbath during the Reign of Terror, the French Revolution helped to shape modern democracies by exposing the power inherent in the will of the people. Many of its values – liberté, égalité, fraternité – are still used as a motto today. So how did this monumental series of events come about? How did they escalate into the scenes of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's execution that we conjured up today? Who were the key, influential figures, like Maximilien De Robespierre, Georges Danton, Louis de Saint Just and Jean-Jacques Rousseau? In this video, Luke

Historian Dan Snow reviews some of his favourite World War Two movies from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Dan begins with a review of 'Guns of Navarone' (1961), starring Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and David Niven, and analyses the accuracy of British commandos using disguises on missions during the Second World War. He also sheds light on the Dodecanese Campaign, a relatively unknown Mediterranean theatre of the conflict which proved to be Hitler's last great strategic victory in 1943. Dan moves onto the cult classic that is 'Das Boot' (1981). One of the first World War Two movies to show submarine warfare with gritty realism, Das Boot has been praised for its historical accuracy and ability to allow audiences to empathise with soldiers from the wrong side of an inglorious war. Dan delves into the filmmaking process, which involved rebuilding the interior of a real U-96, and the history behind this aspect of naval warfare in the Atlantic during World War Two. Next up is one of the most famous World War Two movies of all time - 'The

The night was freezing cold. The hard ground shrouded in mist. By dawn the soldiers were on the move. It was 2 December 1805 and just outside what is now Brno, 3 mighty armies were about to fight one of the greatest battles in history. By the time the sun set, the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had achieved a stunning victory, a victory so decisive that it would set the course of European history for a decade. It was the Battle of Austerlitz. Did Napoleon really fire cannonballs onto frozen ponds? Watch this video to find out!

Alexander the Great forged one of the largest empires of ancient history. But his early death, aged 32, ensured that it came crashing down within decades of his passing. In many ways, the story of this extraordinary conqueror’s early demise is more fascinating than that of his life. Over the years, lots of legendary stories became closely entwined with Alexander’s early death, written centuries after his passing by those eager to mythologise his story with an abundance of romantic, wondrous tales. So what’s the fact and what’s the fiction? Did Alexander die of illness? Or was it murder? And did he really leave his empire ‘to the strongest’. History Hit’s Tristan Hughes tells the story of Alexander the Great’s final days and addresses some of the myths around his passing. He also examines the aftermath of Alexander’s death and how this conqueror’s corpse ultimately ended up in Egypt.

This story has everything: war, politics, betrayal, scandal, murder and at its heart a cracking forensic science mystery. This is the story of Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat of the Highland, also known as the Fox. In the late 1660s, Simon Fraser was born in a house on the banks of a burn in the Highlands of Scotland. Although he was initially not intended to become Chief of Clan Fraser, by luck and by guile in his early twenties, he discovered he had the best claim to this title. For decades his claim remained unstable, leading him into a wild career of political intrigue, violence, blood feuds and tested loyalties – all events that epitomised the Highlands during this tumultuous period. In 1745, Lovat made the most important decisions of his life when he decided to support Bonnie Prince Charlie’s claim for the British crown. His clan partook at the Battle of Culloden the following year, where the Jacobite rising was decisively defeated. It was the last pitched battle ever to be fought on British soil. After the Jacobite

They needed a prison for the most dangerous man in the World. Napoleon had seized supreme power in France. He’d marched his armies from Portugal to Moscow. But now he was a prisoner. His captors needed a prison from which escape was unthinkable. Their answer lay in the South Atlantic. A scrap of land a thousand miles from the African coast. St Helena. Dan Snow visits this remote island to learn more about its history. From accommodating some of the British Empire's greatest enemies to its role during - and in the aftermath of - the transatlantic slave trade.