In this free talk, historian and archaeologist Abigail Coppins will explain how over 2,000 black and mixed-race soldiers came to be imprisoned in Hampshire during the 1790s.Her research is based on an exciting new exhibition now on at Portchester Castle (English Heritage) that tells their fascinating stories.

Caught up in the French Revolutionary Wars, these soldiers and their families were captured in the Caribbean and then transported across the Atlantic. Find out how these men, women and children survived warfare, shipwreck and imprisonment, and took part in struggles for freedom and equality both in Europe and the Caribbean.

All are welcome at this free talk and there is no need to book.

More Events in Greater London Listings MORE

Kensington and Chelsea Saturday 18 April 2026 – ongoing through 2026

The Music Is Black: A British Story – Exhibition

The Music Is Black: A British Story is a major cultural exhibition opening at V&A East Museum, offering…

Brent June 1 2026, 4pm to Oct. 31 2026, 6pm

The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition 2026

BBM/BMC (BritishBlackMusic.com /Black Music Congress) presents in association with BTWSC/African Histories Revisited and Brent Museum and Archives: The…

Camden Saturday 26 September to Saturday 12 December 2026

Seeing the Potential

Seeing the Potential, an exhibition by artist Matthew Small, explores the importance of looking beyond appearances and present…

Richmond upon Thames Thursday 1st October 2026 to Sunday 28th February 2027

Ronald Moody: Sculpting Life

This major exhibition brings the work of Jamaican-born, West London-based sculptor Ronald Moody back to the city where…

Southwark Thursday 1st to Saturday 31st October 2026

All Our Histories Exhibition

Discover Black history in Camberwell and Southwark through local research, contemporary art and creative work produced by young…

Redbridge Sunday 11th October to Monday 9th November 2026

A Language of Colour and Form

Award-winning Caribbean artist Venetta Nicole explores identity, belonging, memory and resilience through a vibrant visual language of colour,…

Brent Monday 12th October 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027

Disney’s High School Musical

Celebrating 20 years since Disney’s High School Musical became a global phenomenon, the Wildcats arrive in London this…

Tower Hamlets Saturday 17th October 2026 to Saturday 20th February 2027

Black Limehouse Lives: The Black Experience and Parish Life Through the Lens of St Anne’s Records, 1730–1830

Discover the lives of Black people living in historic Limehouse through parish records documenting baptisms, burials, migration, employment,…