March 31, 2020|Reports

“Portchester Castle 1793-1814” – Abigail Coppins

In mid-March, due to the coronavirus situation, the Wickham History Society took the decision to cancel the meetings for the remainder of the current programme: March, April and May.

For our March meeting we were to hear Abigail Coppins, curator, historian and archaeologist, talk on Portchester Castle 1793 – 1814.

During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars thousands of prisoners of war were held in Portchester Castle as well as towns and villages across Hampshire.

Abigail was to explain how the prisoners were captured, how they were treated at the castle, and what happened to them after their release.

This talk is based upon the research Abigail undertook for English Heritage, which resulted in a series of articles published on the English Heritage website along with an exhibition at Portchester Castle.

We will be rescheduling Abigail’s talk once we are able but meanwhile if you would like to learn more, then please visit the English Heritage website at:

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portchester-castle/history-and-stories/portchester-castle-and-prisoners-of-war/