Empire (64th of 90) -- The Death of General Gordon [audio 15min]

General Charles George Gordon (1833-1885) had been besieged in the Sudanese capital for ten months during a jihad led by Muhammad Ahmad, or The Mahdi. A relief force was eventually sent but arrived two days after Gordon was dead. Queen Victoria observed that it had "all seemed unnecessary". In death Gordon became a heroic figure to rival Nelson. "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the independence of India in the 20th, told in 90 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Juliet Stevenson. ...Visit website to listen again to 5 most recent episodes, plus interactive maps and timeline, biographical dictionary, image galleries, listeners' comments, quizzes, sources and resources.