When France declared war on Britain in 1793 their overseas colonies were also drawn into the ensuing conflict. Black prisoners of war captured from the French Republic in the eastern Caribbean were among the thousands brought to Portchester Castle and imprisoned there. Arriving in Portsmouth Harbour after months of sailing across the Atlantic, the prisoners were faced with a new life in an unfamiliar landscape.

In this episode Josie Long visits Portchester Castle in Hampshire and meets historians Abigail Coppins and Steve Martin, and local councillor Nick Walker, to learn about the Caribbean prisoners of war who were imprisoned in the castle during the Napoleonic wars. Who were they and what were their fates as prisoners of Portchester?

Visit our episode page to find out more about the prisoners of Portchester and this lesser-known side of Britain’s black history.  

Speaking with Shadows is brought to you by English Heritage. 

Presenter: Josie Long

Producer: Katharine Kerr for Fresh Air

Contributors: Abigail Coppins, Historian; Steve Martin, Writer and Historian; Nick Walker, Councillor for Portchester West.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/speakingwithshadows

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