Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

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655

The Holy Table of St Sophia

According to legend, when the Venetians tried to kidnap it the Holy Table of St Sophia in Constantinople made a dramatic escape.

656

Yoritomo and the Doves of War

Japan’s first Shogun owed his life and his rise to power to a spider and two harmless doves.

657

The Battle of Thermopylae

In 480 BC Leonidas, King of Sparta, frustrated the advance of Xerxes the Persian just long enough to change the course of the war — and history.

658

The Battle of Hastings

After King Edward the Confessor died childless, Europe’s princes stepped forward to claim the prize of England’s crown.

659

The Luck of the Draw

Harald Hardrada made sure that his fate was never out of his own hands.

660

Changing Times

The editor of the country’s most famous newspaper had to use a little sleight-of-hand to bring journalism to the people.