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Soldier, Sailor |
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The story of some of the most dramatic naval battles in British history through the voices of ordinary sailors who took part in them.
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The Dutch Attack on the Medway by D.J.Britton
Less than a hundred years after the Armada Britain came far nearer to being invaded with catastrophic consequences and yet the Dutch attack on Chatham and the River Medway in 1667 is hardly known these days.
Perhaps this is because the issues were more complicated and less clear cut as this programme shows.
Our story follows the fortunes of an English sailor who is kidnapped by the Dutch but ends up sailing happily with them to wage war on his native country and its fleet in order to assist a Prostestant attack on what was perceived to be the growing forces of monarchical Restoration, reaction and Catholicism in Britain.
He sends letters to a brother who it turns out is fighting on the English side - brother is pitted against brother, it seems the Civil War is still being fought.
With David Birell as the sailor and historical commentary from David Davies and Justin Champion.
Selected Reading
Gentlemen and Tarpaulins
David Davies,
Oxford University Press.
The Dutch in the Medway
PG Rogers
Barlow’s Journal of his life at sea 1659 – 1703
Useful Links
The Anglo-Dutch Wars (additional sources)
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