Lord Byron: Scandals, Debt & Politics | Part 2

By 1809, Lord Byron found himself untethered and debt-ridden. Disenchanted with politics, frustrated by his literary career and haunted by his illicit homosexuality, he abandoned an oppressive England and set out upon his legendary Eastern adventure. First plunging into a Europe torn asunder by the exploits of his hero, Napoleon Bonaparte, Byron decried the imperialist militarism of the raging Napoleonic Wars. Nevertheless, he delighted in the danger and excitement of his travels, absorbing and subsuming the cultures he encountered, and exploring a predilection for transvestism. From Portugal and the Peninsula War, Byron travelled to Albania where he fascinated the infamous Ali Pasha, and then later charmed the Sultan of Constantinople. In Greece, he found a land of exotic romanticism where his growing sense of destiny took root in the Greek’s fight for liberty. At last, in 1811 Byron returned to England and published his poem, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. Almost overnight he became the most famous man in London. Byromania had engulfed the nation…

Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Lord Byron’s remarkable travels abroad - his encounters with some of the most famous men of the age, his confrontations with danger and destiny, and his untethered eroticism…

*The Rest Is History LIVE in 2024*
Tom and Dominic are back onstage this summer, at Hampton Court Palace in London!

Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
@holland_tom
@dcsandbrook

Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

[Martijn_Steinpatz]

The sheer glee in Dominic's face brings me unbridled joy.

[frujf]

"An anthropological perspective sharpened by his own personal tastes." How delightfully elliptical.

[venusian_neptunian]

I could listen to you both talk history all day! Thank you!

[brober]

Mad, bad and dangerous for your teenage son to know.

[sarahsnowe]

Byron quite possibly wrote to his ex-master at Harrow because he knew the latter was similarly inclined: hardly unknown in British public schools.

[ace]

In my days of studying English literature in university, Byron was not only not included, but on more than one occasion when his name came up, professors pooh poohed him and quickly changed the subject.

[gwilevans]

This is my idea of revision for my poetry A level exam, the rest is history for context of she walks in beauty. Lovely.

[matthewhansen]

I want a tee shirt that says “Crikey, Tom!” so fans can recognize each other

[snowbirdsurfer]

Tom loving this episode 😉. Dominic rightly incredulous.

[oldsol]

What a lovely team you are! Thank you for sharing your talent. I spend hours listening with delight.

[wheredowegofromhere]

I was young, 14yo when I was first seriously intimate with another, and the other I speak of was a Man of 36. I’ve wrestled psychologically with that experience and what it meant to me how it affected me, etc most of my adult life, in the end right or wrong in others eyes, there really wasn’t anyone else who could would give me the attention I needed just as a young person and then also as a young gay person. My parents were divorced and endlessly engaged in themselves and I suffered great losses and horrible neglect in a constantly unstable environment, so when someone took an interest in me, not just physically but under their wing, I was liberated I felt taken away from all the bad things bad people in my world and shown another world where I could see myself in a way I wouldn’t have imagined up to that point. Don’t mean to romanticize this because yes 21st century morals, but I often wonder who did more for me for better or worse, I am grateful for the experience and time spent with this Man, I felt more love with him than I had my whole life up until that point. In conclusion it’s really my parents fault. lol

Anyway Byron I had no idea?!

Love your show Gents

[Phalerus]

Years ago, some journalist described that dolt Russell Brand as 'Byronic'.
Germaine Greer responded with something along the lines of 'Byron swam the Hellespont. Brand couldn't make it across the Serpentine'.

[marypartridge]

Your commentary are just so interesting and well informed. However I am saddened by the ignorant comments you are getting and I do hope in future more people find your channel and more educated people that appreciate you more. My father who lived all over the world with the British Foreign Office used to read Patrick O'Brien. He used to escape in his books. My pa lost his mother at a young age and found him self alone in British public schools. So I really can relate to what you are saying and thanking you.

[ianbanks]

What a horrendous disgusting aristocratic monster Byrom was . But he was an " artist " so that makes it OK. . Appalling .

[campbellsmith]

Can’t believe I have just found out that these are recorded. I feel like I have bryomania, Tom and dom are so legendary

[GraceKugrena]

I personally think Dominic's opinion of Byron as the series began is pretty much spot on. He’s not it! No redeeming qualities at all

[waynemcauliffe-fvyf]

After hearing about Byron i agree with Dom. He was a upper class disgrace

[kambrose]

Britain was full of war casualties who were reduced to begging and crime. So the results of war were clear without leaving britain

[evanbartlett]

10:10 It is pure joy watching wonderfully trained and gathered Tom deftly walk the razor's edge, falling into neither judgment nor acceptance of p**dophi**a. Turns out that being a neutral historical observer isn't always the easiest task!

[ropeburnsrussell]

A novel pronunciation of Don Juan, at least to my ear.