Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Tilliebean, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Despensers ensured that King Edward II never left their sight, but it was what Queen Isabella was doing that should have worried them.
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From the Holkham Bible (?1320-?1330) via the British Library and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Edward II hoped to outshine his famous father by bringing Scotland under the English crown, but Robert the Bruce was ready for him.
By Marcus Stone (1840-1921), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Edward II was given the crown of England on condition that he had nothing more to do with Piers Gaveston, and he did not keep his word.
By John Thomson, via the LSE and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The Victorian working man had John Bright’s respect and unwavering support, but he could expect no special favours.
© Graham Hogg, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
For George Stephenson, the motto of the Stockton and Darlington Railway was a code to live by.
By Edvard Munch (1863–1944), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A dinner host enthralls his guests with an extraordinary scientific experiment.