This week explores events spanning a century, including the unexpected death 100 years ago of Sir Dennis Henry and the first Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. Considered an outlier, he faced the gargantuan task of establishing the entire judiciary and legal system of the new jurisdiction following Partition.

The episode also turns to 1975, a time of escalating violence during the Troubles, discussing the political vacuum created when William Craig, leader of the Vanguard Unionist Party, resigned as deputy leader of the United Ulster Unionist Council (UUUC). This collapse followed his proposal to allow the constitutional nationalist SDLP to share power.

In the same crucial week, the Secretary of State, Merlyn Rees, decided to outlaw the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) in October 1975.

And finally, an appearance by silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin, who successfully sued an imitator in Los Angeles to protect the rights to his character’s distinctive garb and mannerisms.

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