The Blog

Updates from across the site

35 13 May

The Coronation of Anne Boleyn

J. A. Froude

Introduction — On Saturday afternoon, May 31st, 1533, Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was taken from the Tower of London to Westminster Hall, to be crowned in the Abbey next morning. The wider public was disgusted by the way Henry had jilted Catherine, by a two-year affair, a secret marriage, and a controversial divorce (in that order); yet crowded streets were hung with bunting, and the cavalcade was magnificent.

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36 13 May

Abstract

Use the following words in sentences, as a Noun, Verb or Adjective. How have you used your word, and how do you know?

IAbstract. IIDark. IIIIdeal. IVMinute. VPrompt. VISurprise.

37 12 May

Better By Example

Gregory Nazianzen

Introduction — From 361 to 363, the Roman Empire was ruled by Julian the Apostate, so named because he had been brought up as a Christian but had chosen Roman paganism instead. In 362, Julian began a systematic persecution of Christians, leading to anger and rebellion. Gregory, a priest in the town of Nazianzus, told his parishioners not to play Julian’s game — even when the tables were turning.

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38 12 May

Speed Clues

This is really a game for two. Suppose you have been given a secret list containing the five words below. Can you help your friend guess all five words in under a minute?

IVeterinary surgeon. IISieve. IIIScent. IVTwist. VBang.

You can use definitions like those you find in a dictionary, or just anything you know your friend will ‘get’. Don’t use the word itself, or a word that sounds exactly the same.

For example

Detective.

A person, especially a police officer, who attempts to solve crimes by deductive reasoning.

Or more simply, Sherlock Holmes was a private one.

39 12 May

A Proper Game of Cricket

Introduction — In 1819, Lady’s Magazine began publishing Mary Mitford’s sketches of village life in Berkshire, and was rewarded with a satisfying leap in circulation from 250 to 2,000. This extract comes from the beginning of a reflection on the superiority of village cricket over the professional game; given that Mary was writing to help pay off her father’s huge gambling debts, her point of view is understandable.

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40 12 May

Mini Bios

Write a paragraph of exactly three sentences about a well-known person. You may begin only one sentence with the person’s name, and only one sentence with he/she. Suggested people:

IMahatma Gandhi. IIJulius Caesar. IIIJane Austen. IVHenry VIII of England. VAlexander the Great. VINapoleon Bonaparte. VIILeonardo da Vinci.

Adapted from an exercise in Think and Speak (1929) by NL Clay.