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

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KJV Bible

73

By an anonymous artist, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

The Landmarks of Time by Izaak Walton

Izaak Walton recalls how George Herbert summarised the major feasts of the Church year.

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74

By Georges de la Tour (1593–1652), via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

And We Beheld his Glory by St Bede of Jarrow

In a sermon for Christmas Day, St Bede confronts his brethren with the truth about Mary’s wonderful child.

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75

By Arthur Hughes (1832-1915), via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

It’s Good to be Merry and Wise by A. G. Gardiner

‘Alpha of the Plough’ thought the Victorians understood Christmas and New Year better than we do.

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76

© Michael Garlick, Geograph. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Christmas at Coverley Hall by Joseph Addison

Sir Roger explains why he makes Christmas such a special time for all his neighbours.

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77

© Julian Paren, Geograph. CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Death of Baldur by Snorro Sturluson

Baldur was the toast of Valhalla, but Loki was determined to take him down.

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78

© Martin Falbisoner (1978-), Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0.

Always Keep A-Hold of Nurse by Hilaire Belloc

In this ‘Cautionary Tale’, we hear what happened when naughty Jim gave his nurse the slip.

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© Nicholas Armitage / Clay Lane, 2025

May 29 NS

May 16 OS

The Last Commandment : Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf imagines the farewell between Jesus and his Apostles, forty days after his resurrection.
Filioque : It started as an honest mistake, became a diplomatic standoff, and brought down an Empire.
The Royal Oak : In 1680, Samuel Pepys sat down with Charles II to record how, many years before, a bold double-bluff saved the King from Cromwell’s men.
Lost and Found : What would you in these difficult situations?
They Might Not Need Me : Read these lines of verse out aloud.
The Turn : Ben Jonson tells us how we should measure a life well lived.
Music Video : Julius Benedict, Piano Concerto in E flat: II. Andante,
The Character of George Washington : Thomas Jefferson recalls the virtues (and a few faults) of the first US President.
Amen to That : John Bright declared it was time stop fighting wars around the world for ‘British interests’.
Arena : Use these nouns in sentences of at least ten words in length.
Q & A :
Deep Harmony : In the midst of the US Civil War, a simple melody briefly brought the warring factions together.
Thirty Minutes : Describe half an hour in one of these places.
And is there Care in Heaven? : Sir Guyon lies in an enchanted swoon, but he is not without help.
Pirate : For each of these words, suggest others that seem to go with it, and use them to bring a scene to life.
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