The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1147

© Astrid H, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Battle of Nechtansmere Clay Lane

King Ecgfrith of Northumbria dismissed repeated warnings about his imperial ambitions.

Read

1148

© Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

St Bega Clay Lane

An Irish princess fled to Cumbria to escape the Vikings, clutching her precious silver bracelet.

Read

1149

© Pauline E, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Crayke Abbey Clay Lane

The long-lost monastery at Crayke in North Yorkshire was home to two saints with different but equally valuable gifts.

Read

1150

By James Gillray. From the National Portrait Gallery, via Wikimedia Commons.

Honourable Mr Fox Samuel Smiles

The colourful Foreign Secretary humbly accepted a lesson in manners from a local tradesman.

Read

1151

© Aleem Yousaf, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

St Erkenwald, Light of London Clay Lane

The seventh-century Bishop of London helped kings and clergy to shine Christian light into the darkness of mere religion.

Read

1152

© Reivax670, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Mr Ivery Gets Away John Buchan

Richard Hannay tracks a German spy down to a French château, but Hannay’s sense of fair play gives his enemy a chance.

Read