Stirling first encountered Lewes in Cairo, where Lewes had already distinguished himself as a disciplined, thoughtful officer, sceptical of Stirling’s audacious but half-formed ideas. Yet Lewes saw in Stirling’s reckless vision the seed of something that could be made workable, and together they began shaping the outline of a force that would strike deep behind enemy lines. Mayne entered the picture soon after: a formidable Irish rugby international turned soldier, notorious for his ferocity, rebelliousness, and disdain for authority. At first, Mayne was wary of Stirling’s patrician charm and untested plans, but Lewes’s quiet rigour and Stirling’s unrelenting conviction drew him into the fold.

Once united, the trio embodied a peculiar alchemy: Stirling the charismatic strategist, Lewes the intellectual engineer of their methods, and Mayne the embodiment of their raw fighting spirit. Together they trained, debated, and occasionally clashed, but in the field they became inseparable—a unit bound not by hierarchy but by trust and necessity. Their partnership was uneasy at times, marked by Stirling’s chaotic leadership style, Lewes’s meticulous standards, and Mayne’s violent intensity, yet this very friction gave the fledgling SAS its character. In their camaraderie and in their conflicts, they created something larger than themselves: a brotherhood whose unity lay not in sameness, but in the tension of their differences.

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The year 1066 is etched deeply into the English imagination. Hastings, Harold, and William the Conqueror are familiar names, tied to a story of ambition, betrayal, and the seismic shift that followed the Norman Conquest. Recently, the television series King & Conqueror has attempted to dramatise this defining moment. But how well does it succeed? Is it faithful to the facts of history, or does it distort them for spectacle? And what does the real story of 1066 actually look like when stripped of its modern embellishments?

King & Conqueror is a series with sweeping ambition. It presents itself as a gritty, dramatic, and character-driven retelling of the rivalry between Harold Godwinson, the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England, and William of Normandy, the duke who would cross the Channel and claim the throne. The show foregrounds personal drama: Harold’s conflicted loyalties, William’s ruthless ambition, and the political intrigue surrounding the throne of Edward the Confessor. Cinematically, it leans into stark visuals—mud, blood, and candlelit chambers—stylistically reminiscent of Game of Thrones or The Last Kingdom. The music and costuming further attempt to immerse the audience in a dark, quasi-medieval atmosphere that prioritises mood over meticulous accuracy.

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Copyright Disclaimer:

This video contains copyrighted material from the television series Peaky Blinders. All rights to Peaky Blinders, including its footage, characters, and music, are owned by Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd and Tiger Aspect Productions, and are distributed by BBC Studios.

The use of this material is for educational and commentary purposes only and is used under the principles of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended.

All footage remains the property of its respective owners.

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When Peaky Blinders introduced Oswald Mosley in Season 5, viewers were treated to a new kind of antagonist—one not born of the underworld but of Parliament. Played with menacing charisma by Sam Claflin, Mosley brought an aura of unsettling confidence, mixing aristocratic entitlement with fascist fervour. His black-shirted presence disrupted the Shelby empire not with gangland violence, but with ideological warfare and political manoeuvring.

But how close was this portrayal to the real-life Oswald Mosley? Did Peaky Blinders stay true to the historical figure, or did it take creative liberties in service of its stylish noir-drama? As with much in this brilliantly brooding series, the answer lies somewhere between history and myth.

Who Was the Real Oswald Mosley?

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In the gritty, lawless underworld of Victorian London, few names inspired as much fear and admiration as Hezekiah Moscow, Sugar Goodson, and Mary Carr. This episode delves into the raw, untamed world of bare-knuckle boxing, high-stakes crime, and gang warfare.

It follows the legendary bout between Moscow - the cunning, fleet-footed Jamaican fighter - and Goodson, the one-eyed bruiser who ruled the East End’s underground rings. Their brutal clash was more than just a fight; it was a battle of old versus new, of strategy versus sheer will.

Meanwhile, Mary Carr, the razor-wielding leader of the Forty Elephants, terrorised London’s elite with daring heists and violent retribution, proving that power in the city’s criminal underbelly wasn’t reserved for men. Through blood, sweat, and unbreakable determination, these figures carved their names into history, shaping the legend of London’s most dangerous streets.

This is the real story behind Disney+'s new hit series, 'A Thousand Blows'.

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Every March 17th, the world dons green, raises a glass, and celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day. But behind the shamrocks, leprechauns, and parades lies a remarkable story of a man whose life was more profound than the legends he inspired. The real Saint Patrick was a sinner, a slave, a missionary, and a man whose unwavering faith transformed a nation. His journey from captivity to compassion, from suffering to salvation, tells a tale that resonates far beyond the festivities we know today.

Patrick’s work sparked a movement. Ireland, once a land of paganism, became a centre of Christian learning and missionary outreach. Monasteries were founded, preserving knowledge and spreading the Gospel to other parts of Europe. In a world teetering on the brink of pagan, barbaric supremacy, Ireland — and Patrick’s influence — helped keep the light of Christ burning and saved western civilisation.

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How do you win a world war? How do you liberate a city overrun with an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers? How do you take out a fortress perching on a cliff-edge, behind enemy lines? How do you escape a prisoner of war camp? How do you stop a fleet of enemy planes before they take to the skies?

Sometimes, it takes those we might call ‘crazy’. That rare-breed of people with low risk aversion, a willingness to run headlong at the enemy’s lines, and an ability to do anything it takes to achieve their objectives. Those that might be called, ‘Rogue Heroes’.

This is the story of the Special Air Service, the most elite unit in the British Military. They have become intertwined with legend and myth. They are, the SAS.

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It has never failed to deliver drama, intensity and truly lives up to the reputation as the longest lasting and greatest rivalry in international football. Here's a short history of the oldest rivalry in football: England vs Scotland.

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How did our cultural identity come about? How were myths, legends and stories of British history used to form, impact, and, in many ways, control British cultural identity? By looking at the myths of King Arthur and St George, Zachary Peatling explores the construction of British Cultural Identity, and how it was weaponised during the First World War.

Recorded live at Chalke History Festival 2024.

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Singing Hymns Until Death: The Joy of the British Martyrs | Zachary Peatling | Live at Chalke Valley History Festival 2023

In this talk, recorded live at Chalke Valley History Festival 2023, Zachary Peatling investigates the stories of some of Britain's protestant martyrs, getting to the core of how, why, they could go to their deaths with a sense of joy and hope.

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In this episode, Zachary Peatling had the opportunity to sit down with Philip K. Allan, a critically acclaimed naval historian and author.

Check out Philip:

http://philipkallan.com

https://twitter.com/PhilipKAllan

Follow Zachary:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharypeatling

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

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In this very special episode, Zachary Peatling had the opportunity to sit down with Hannah Greig, an eighteenth-century historian and TV/film historical consultant who’s worked on the likes of Poldark, Bridgerton and The Favourite, and has a wildly successful podcast of her own, the Historical Film Club with Alex von Tunzelmann.

Follow Hannah:

https://twitter.com/Hannah_Greig

https://twitter.com/HistoryFilmClub

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-beau-monde-9780198861188?lang=en&cc=gb

Follow Zachary:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharypeatling

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

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