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Tom Holland is joined in the studio by .

Nearly 200 years ago, in April 1814, King Louis XVIII of France left Hartwell House near Aylesbury to reclaim the throne of France after more than twenty years in exile. Seven of these were in England, two at Gosfield Hall in Essex and five at Hartwell. Making History listener Neil Rees plans to mark this largely forgotten bi-centenary by organising a reunion of people descended from the court of Louis in Buckinghamshire.
The biographer of Napoleon’s Josephine, Dr Kate Williams, went to Hartwell to find out more. She spoke with Neil, Louis’ biographer Dr Philip Mansel and local historian Carole Fryer.

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Further Reading:

Louis XVIII by Philip Mansel
The French Emigres in Europe and the Struggle Against Revolution, 1789-1814 by Philip Mansel

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Whilst Louis and his court were traipsing around Europe, the Continent was in turmoil. Britain had been humbled just a few years earlier in the War of American Independence but she came through two decades of warfare to defeat Napoleon. Just how she achieved this is the topic of Roger Knight’s book Britain Against Napoleon The Organisation of Victory, 1793-1815 and he spoke to Tom about it.

Did you do National Service? Did your partner? If so, then the University of Essex wants to hear from you. Surprisingly, the social and cultural impact of National Service is little-researched and now Dr Matthew Grant and his team want to change this. They see it as an important part of twentieth century history and want you to get in touch with them.

Email making.history@bbc.co.uk and we will pass your information on. Or go to

Making History listener Julianna Lees got in touch with the programme after last week’s item on the threat to mediaeval rood screens in East Anglia. She lives in the Perigord region of France and wanted to point out that it wasn’t just English churches that were damaged by sixteenth century church reformers. It happened in France too during the Wars of ReligionÌý 1562-1598.
There are frescos in her local church at St Méard de Drône which were whitewashed over or damaged and were undiscovered for centuries. Now, there is a restoration project in place which, when complete, Julianna thinks will re-create one of the most impressive church interiors in France.
You can find more on

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How accurate is Shakespeare’s take on Prince Henry’s life before he succeeded his father Henry IV and won that iconic victory over the French at Agincourt? Did he spend his time in taverns with characters such as Falstaff? If so, how did he then become such an effective leader? Helen Castor went to the Tower of London, England’s fifteenth century arsenal, to talk to Professor Anne Curry who has been working on these questions.

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Further Reading
Agincourt: A New HistoryÌý Anne Curry