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Episode 4

Episode 4 of 5

1815, St Helena: Napoleon contemplates his past and future. Can Betsy lighten his mood? Stars Alex Jennings.

1815, St Helena: Napoleon is hemmed in by boredom and horror of his future as a prisoner on St Helena.

He finds diversion in teasing Betsy but their closeness is hateful to the Count de Las Cases.

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 drama recreates the meeting of innocence and a great burden of experience.

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

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15 minutes

Last on

Thu 8 Sep 202214:15

BBC Radio 4 Extra