Please note that this episode contains spoilers from the film ‘The Duke’.
Kempton Bunton was a taxi driver who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first and remains the only, theft in the Gallery’s history. Kempton proceeded to send ransom notes declaring that he would only return the painting on the condition that the government invest more in care for the elderly, specifically bringing attention to his long-running campaign for pensioners to receive free television.
With Dan currently away in Antarctica, Matt Lewis, from the ‘Gone Medieval’ podcast, stepped in to make sure that you did not miss out on this caper that details the theft and the following trial. Matt is joined by Kempton Bunton's grandson, Chris, for a discussion of ‘The Duke’ and the remarkable true story behind the film.
‘The Duke’ is in UK cinemas from 25th February.
Up Next in 🎧 Dan Snow's History Hit
-
🎧 Ukraine and Russia: A Quick History
Russia has launched an invasion of Ukraine. As European leaders gather and Ukraine makes preparations to defend itself, the world watches. In light of this escalating situation host of the Gone Medieval podcast, Matt Lewis steps in for Dan and runs through a brief but complex history of the relat...
-
🎧 ENDURANCE22: Dan's Diary #04
Dan updates us from Antarctica about whether the SS Agulhas II has managed to break free from the ice that had surrounded it.
-
🎧 ENDURANCE22: Searching for the Ship...
The search for the wreck of the sunken Endurance is well underway. Find out more about the submersibles, equipped with 4k cameras that can scan the seafloor hundreds of metres into the darkness and hear from the stellar crew and ice pilots who are responsible for keeping everyone on board safe in...
1 Comment