An Audacious Heist at the National Gallery

An Audacious Heist at the National Gallery

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.


If you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download the History Hit app please go to the Android or Apple store.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(1491)

Bonnie Prince Charlie

Bonnie Prince Charlie

In August, 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie led a rebellion that brought the Jacobite cause closer to seizing the throne than any other. He had landed with only a handful of his most trusted supporters, bu...

27 Des 202345min

Pythagoras' Utopia

Pythagoras' Utopia

What comes to your mind when you think of Pythagoras, the ancient Greek polymath? Some might think of the Pythagorean theorem, a foundational principle of mathematics. But he was also the enigmatic fo...

23 Des 202328min

The Middle Ages in 5 Facts

The Middle Ages in 5 Facts

Where is the grave of King Arthur? What was the worst year in human history? Who were the most fractious royal siblings? What were the origins of humble pie? Which monsters pre-occupied Medieval minds...

20 Des 202340min

Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas

It's that time of year when the beloved Santa Claus comes around once again. But the celebrated image of this prolific gift-giver is based on an even more fabled figure - that of Saint Nicholas, a 3rd...

19 Des 202324min

Fighting Hitler's U-Boats

Fighting Hitler's U-Boats

The Second World War is remembered for its colossal battles in the air, on land and at sea. But perhaps the most terrifying were those waged UNDER the ocean, against an unseen enemy. By the end of 194...

18 Des 202342min

The Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party

On December 16th, 1773, a band of American patriots quietly boarded three ships in Boston Harbour, under the cover of night. Armed with axes and hatchets, they pried open the crates on board and poure...

14 Des 202356min

Sara Forbes Bonetta: Queen Victoria's African God-Daughter

Sara Forbes Bonetta: Queen Victoria's African God-Daughter

By the age of just 7, Sara Forbes Bonetta had survived a West African war, lost her parents, been enslaved and finally, exchanged as a gift for a far-flung queen. When she arrived in the court of Quee...

12 Des 202335min

King Herod

King Herod

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual behaviour which may not be suitable for children.Appointed by the Romans as king of Judaea, King Herod's reign was defined by great architec...

11 Des 202340min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-katastrofe
henrettelsespodden
historier-som-endret-norge
med-egne-oyne
rss-historiske-romanser
sektledere
rss-benadet
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
rss-frontkjemperne
rss-gamle-greier
historiepodden-ww2
historiepodden
rss-historiepodden-ww2
liberal-halvtime
rss-alt-var-bedre-for
vare-historier