The Alnwick Castle Podcast
Alnwick Castle is one of North East England's top visitor attractions and has been part of British history for nearly 1,000 years. Now, Alnwick Castle has a podcast! Join hosts Daniel and Deborah, and regular special guests, as they discuss fascinating aspects of Alnwick Castle's history, from the people that lived there to its connections with famous events, its place as a filming location, and more. New episodes will be available every two weeks - make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any!
The Alnwick Castle Podcast
81 - The Road To Lexington: Hugh Percy in America - with Bill Openshaw
250 years ago, the American Revolutionary War effectively began with fighting at Lexington and Concord. Among the British soldiers present was Hugh Percy, eldest son of the 1st Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, and future 2nd Duke.
What was the heir to Alnwick Castle doing in America? What did he think of the country soon to be known as the United States? And what is his connection to Charles Lee (of Hamilton fame), who would become second-in-command to George Washington himself?
To answer these questions, and many more, we spoke to one of our favourite regular guests on the podcast, Bill Openshaw, whose new book The Road To Lexington chronicles Percy's letters and papers from his time in America, studied comprehensively for the first time. (You will also hear about a new discovery, of letters by another man from Alnwick who served in America, William Charleton.)
You can get a copy of the book from major online retailers, or right here at the Alnwick Castle gift shop.
For more about the 2nd Duke and Bill, look in our podcast back catalogue for episodes 'To the Call of Bugles', 'The 2nd Duke of Northumberland', and 'The Percy Tenantry Volunteers'.
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