THE ENGLISH HERITAGE PODCAST
Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places?
In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future.
Meet the Master of Military Deception: Dudley Clarke
Ever wondered how to trick an enemy army into fighting a battle that doesn’t even exist?
At 34 Rutland Gate in London’s Knightsbridge, an arresting inscription commemorates Brigadier Dudley Clarke as "Master of Military Deception". Bound by the Official Secrets Act, Clarke’s genius in inventing fake armies to save thousands of Allied lives went unrecognised in his lifetime. Today, his blue plaque ensures his achievements are finally remembered.
In this episode, Amy Matthews explores Clarke’s extraordinary legacy with English Heritage Senior Historian Howard Spencer and author Dr Whitney Bendeck, Professor at Florida State University and author of two books about British military deception and Clarke’s work. Together, they step into his world to discover the phantom armies, false battle plans, and how he helped inspire the British Commandos to save thousands of Allied lives during World War II.
Listen to the English Heritage PodcastWatch the special 1066 series
With a new episode being released every week, our brand-new, seven-part English Heritage Podcast video series explores the dramatic events of 1066.
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The Bayeux Tapestry: 1066 Comes Home | Episode 1
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Build up to the Battle | Episode 2
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The Battle of Hastings - blow by blow | Episode 3
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1066: omens, Halley's comet & the fall of kings | Episode 4
All Episodes
You can subscribe and listen to all of our episodes on your favourite podcast platforms:
Speaking with shadows
When you’re wandering about a historic place, what voices do you hear echoing off the walls? Are they the ones you learnt about at school – or do you wonder about the shadowy, quiet voices that may have gone unheard?
Travel from 17th-century Northamptonshire, where we hear about the heroic servant who may have become Britain’s first black pub landlord, to wartime Essex, where Polish special forces soldiers trained in secrecy for life or death missions to their homeland.
Listen now
