Ransom and murder in Greece - Crosby Stevens

In 1870 a major diplomatic incident was sparked off by the kidnapping and eventual murder of a party of English tourists in Greece. In April 1870, while sight seeing, Lord Muncaster and a group of friends were ambushed by brigands. Four of the party were abducted, but Lord Muncaster was released to raise the ransom for all of them. The negotiations became complex, and the Greek government, fearing that the brigands would take their captives over the border into Turkey, too matters into its own hands. Troops surrounded the brigands' camp and provoked a clash which resulted in the murder of the hostages. The incident was reported in newspapers throughout Europe and caused a popular outcry in Britain. Impassioned speeches were made in parliament and Queen Victoria herself criticised the Greek government. The private story of the tragedy is shown in the previously unpublished diaries of Lord Muncaster. He recorded details of the capture and murder of his friends and describes the feelings of sorrow and guilt that he experienced, now so familiar to modern ex-hostages. This poignant and very personal account is set in context using Lord Muncaster's correspondence and contemporary newspapers reports, while the full background to the incident is described by Crosby Stevens in the Introduction.