Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By Franz Wenzel Schwarz (1842–1919), from the Civic Museum of Castel Nuovo, Naples, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
Events in Italy and Austria seemed to be bringing the day ever closer when a European democracy would vote herself into oblivion.
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By Robert Nanteuil (1623–1678), from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Gallica Digital Library and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
As William Lecky watched the rapid spread of socialism across the European Continent, he was struck by a powerful sense of déjà vu.
From Wikimedia Commons.
At the height of the Inquisition, King Philip II of Spain sent a glorious fleet against England to bring the nation back to his Church.
By George Romney (1734-1802), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
When Horatio Nelson stepped aboard HMS Victory in September 1805, the great Admiral knew he had every reason to stay on dry land.
By PaulT (GuntherTschuch), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
John Balliol had to decide whether his first loyalty was to the throne of Scotland or to the man who put him there.
Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
What were the Scots thinking back in 1290, when they asked King Edward I of England, of all people, to choose them a king?