My England Historian Dan Snow
One of the nation’s favourite historians tells Bernard Bale about his fascination for all things from our English past.
IN a sense, Dan Snow is a Crusader, because he likes nothing better than to arouse an interest in history among people who perhaps previously thought of it as a little boring.
He has managed to convert many with his numerous television series, books and radio broadcasts, and he’s created a growing army of budding historians inspired by his own enthusiasm and interest.
“I have featured most parts of England in my television series; we have such an amazing country producing centuries of historical facts,” Dan said. “What I really like is that people in general are so in touch with our history. They don’t take it for granted, but take a real interest and pride in it, whether we are going way back to Roman times and before, or to the
more modern links with the 21st century.
“As an example, I have often said that I have a particular interest in the history of the British Navy. I find it quite emotional to walk in the footsteps of Nelson.
“It is amazing to think that, as news of Lord Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar spread through the country, the people were cheering, elated that their hero had once again struck gold. The nationwide jollification and merry-making lasted for days – and many nights, too!
“Among those celebrating was a special group of people whose connection to the man himself was the strongest. They were Norfolk lads and lasses who had shared many an evening with him, sitting around the roaring fire and drinking flagons of ale at his local on wintry evenings – now aptly named the Lord Nelson – in Burnham Thorpe. Although it’s closed at the moment, you can actually go and have a pint at Nelson’s local!
“Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire, much has been preserved of the past and is there to be seen, to be experienced and to be felt. Lincoln Castle is a wonderful example. When you are there you can almost hear the voices of the past echoing around the walls.
“Then a visit to the Battle of Britain Flight Museum is an amazing reminder of the daring and the skill of pilots during World War Two. You can see how close some of them came to death by the scars on those planes, yet they never gave in; they fought on regardless, real warriors of the sky.
“We haven’t even started to talk about the Wars of the Roses. Lancashire and Yorkshire are two of our most prominent counties and throughout the land each county is steeped in all kinds of history, ancient and modern.
“I am always pleased to meet up with local history groups. It is never boring and I always come away totally fascinated by the things I have learned.”
Dan Snow came to our screens in an engaging series on battlefields which he researched and presented with his famous and much-respected father Peter Snow. It started in 2003 with a special programme on El Alamein to commemorate its 60th anniversary.
That led to an eight-part series on BBC2 in 2004 called “Battlefield Britain”, which won a BAFTA award for its special effects and made Dan a household name.
“It has always been history first with me, rather than the thought of a media career,” he explained. “When you have parents who take an interest in history and are also media people, it does rub off. They have been really good role models, but it was never a natural path for me to take – it was just a great way of sharing my passion for history.
“People should always have a healthy interest in the past: visiting sites, reading books and watching media. But they shouldn’t feel that that tradition is imprisoning them. The tradition should be inspiration; it shouldn’t be ancestor worship.”
Dan has his own favourite period in history – the 18th century.
“It’s a time when a series of factors came together on this strange little island of ours and laid the foundations for the modern world: the Industrial Revolution; the Scientific Revolution; the Enlightenment; exploration; warfare.
“It was a time of radical change that we’re still living with today.”
Dan is not only renowned for his television work, but is also something of an action man, having rowed three times for Oxford in the Boat Race with one win to his credit.
He has a buccaneering side, typified by the time, in April 2010, when he and a few friends took three inflatable boats
“I find it quite emotional to walk in the footsteps of Nelson”
from Dover to Calais to help 25 people return to the UK after they were stranded in France by volcanic ash.
The French authorities were none too pleased, but Dan’s Dunkirk spirit saved the day for those stranded. That same spirit saw him make a citizen’s arrest during the 2011 rioting in London when he caught someone looting from a shoe shop.
Dan is a family man, married to Edwina, formerly Lady Edwina Grosvenor, whose godmother was Princess Diana. They have two daughters, Zia and Orla, and a son, Wolf.
Zia is the oldest at seven and is already taking an interest in history.
Although Dan has been associated with battles, his interests go far beyond matters of conflict. One of his most recent projects has brought back to life the golden age of steam railways in Britain.
“I think we all love steam trains; they are such magnificent creatures,” he enthused. “This latest project is a celebration of them and we have some great footage. Many of the trains were characters in their own right and are as famous as stars of stage and screen.”
His many books have confirmed Dan Snow’s role as not just an accomplished television presenter and historian, but as a man who successfully combines the two to involve millions in his own very real passion for life, both past and present.
Dan starts a 41-date tour of the UK in January 2019. In “Dan Snow: An Evening with ‘the History Guy’” he recounts anecdotes, looks at the legends and myths of the towns that he’s in and answers questions from the audience.
Visit www.historyhit.com/events for details of where he’s going and how to book.