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Episode 1

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1815: Betsy Balcombe was 13 when the defeated Napoleon Bonaparte came to live in her garden on St Helena. Stars Alex Jennings.

1815: Betsy Balcombe was 13 when Napoleon Bonaparte came to live in her garden on St Helena.

The two forged an extraordinary relationship.

Drawn from contemporary accounts, Julia Blackburn's five-part drama recreates the meeting of innocence and a great burden of experience.

As Betsy is the only one to speak French, she takes the role of intermediary between the Emperor and the islanders.

Napoleon ... Alex Jennings
Betsy ... Michelle Tate
Balcombe ... Ian McNeice
Las Cases ... Rupert Wickham

Director: Mary Ward Lowery

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.

15 minutes

Last on

Tue 6 Sep 202202:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 Aug 201914:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 13 Aug 201902:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 5 Sep 202214:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 6 Sep 202202:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra