The Copybook

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

1453

© Marie-Lan Nguyen, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Alcibiades Clay Lane

In the populist democracy of 5th-century BC Athens, heroes fell as quickly as they rose.

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1454

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

St David of Wales Clay Lane

The popular monk was elected as bishop of Menevia in Wales in 550.

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1455

© Thermos, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.5.

Pericles and the Fickle Public of Athens Clay Lane

The leader of 5th-century BC Athens lavished public money on the city and its adoring citizens, and wherever he led they followed.

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1456

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

The Knight, the Lady, and the Forest of Sorrow Clay Lane

A little fable of encouragement for all the suffering.

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1457

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

How the British Invented Cool Clay Lane

Michael Faraday showed that gases could be compressed and evaporated to preserve food and make ice.

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1458

© Mike Quinn, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

‘Not one more!’ William Shakespeare

The prospect of facing daunting odds made his cousin quail, but Henry V acted like a true King.

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