Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By Charles Robert Leslie (1794-1859), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
After Oliver Goldsmith’s landlady lost patience with her cash-strapped tenant, Dr Johnson took charge and a literary classic entered the world.
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By Martin M. Lawrence (1808-1859), via the Library of Congress. Licence: No known restrictions.
Shortly before the American Civil War, an attack by pro-slavery militants on the city of Lawrence prompted John Brown to try to clean up Kansas.
By John Hoppner (1758–1810).
Following the Battle of Crécy in 1346, Edward III instituted an order of chivalry in honour of St George, inspired (some said) by something he picked up in the street.
© Richard Webb, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
The monks of the monastery on Iona are all keeping the same secret from one another.
© Maigheach-gheal, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
In one of the world’s most popular legends, bold hero St George rides to the rescue of a maiden in distress.
© Espresso Addict, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
In 1846, Daniel O’Connell stood up in the House of Commons to draw attention to the Great Hunger in Ireland, and to plead for a swift response.