Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 4

Dubbed Captain Clegg, the swashbuckling hero wins renown as the most feared of pirates. Read by Rufus Sewell.

Dubbed Captain Clegg, the swashbuckling hero wins renown as the most feared of pirates. Read by Rufus Sewell.

Christopher Syn, a brilliant young scholar, is a Doctor of Divinity at Oxford, but his eventual decision to throw away the Bible for the sword in a mad quest for vengeance will influence the rest of his life.

Russell Thorndike's 18th Century, Kent-based adventure features pirates, smuggling, highwaymen, duels, wicked squires and beautiful Spanish ladies. Based on the first two novels (published 1935 and 1936) in the seven-title sequence, 'Doctor Syn on the High Seas' and 'Doctor Syn Returns'. Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Writer Russell Thorndike (1885-1972) is less well-known than his sister, the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, but his Doctor Syn novels hold a special place in the affection of lovers of atmospheric, swashbuckling storytelling everywhere. His novels have been filmed with actors as diverse as George Arliss, Peter Cushing and Patrick McGoohan in the role of Syn, and the Kent village of Dymchurch holds an official 'Day of Syn' every other year, to commemorate a home-grown literary folk hero.

Producer: Lawrence Jackson

Made for BBC Radio 7 by BBC Northern Ireland

First broadcast in 2006.

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 2 Mar 201901:00

Broadcasts

  • Thu 4 Sep 200809:30
  • Thu 4 Sep 200820:30
  • Fri 5 Sep 200801:30
  • Thu 10 Dec 200913:30
  • Thu 10 Dec 200920:30
  • Fri 11 Dec 200901:30
  • Thu 23 Sep 201013:30
  • Thu 23 Sep 201020:30
  • Fri 24 Sep 201001:30
  • Thu 6 Mar 201406:30
  • Thu 6 Mar 201413:30
  • Thu 6 Mar 201420:30
  • Fri 7 Mar 201401:30
  • Thu 5 May 201606:00
  • Thu 5 May 201613:00
  • Thu 5 May 201620:00
  • Fri 6 May 201601:00
  • Fri 1 Mar 201906:00
  • Fri 1 Mar 201913:00
  • Fri 1 Mar 201920:00
  • Sat 2 Mar 201901:00