Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
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.
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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.
© Hubert Śmietanka, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.5.
Richard Cobden questioned both the wisdom and the motives of politicians who intervene on foreign soil.
© Smiley.toerist, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
A gentleman travelling home from London by train reached his destination carrying more than he set out with.