The Copybook

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

67

By Jean Froissart (1337-1410), Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

The Peasants’ Revolt H. W. Dulcken

In 1381, young King Richard II was faced with a popular uprising against tax rises.

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68

© Udit Kapoor, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Commons Versus the People GK Chesterton

The Peasants’ Revolt was a turning point in the relationship between the people and their elected representatives.

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69

© Peter Jeffery, Geograph. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Jack Cade’s Revolt Charles Dickens

Jack Cade brought a protest to London with right on his side, but then threw it all away.

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70

Attributed to William Scrots (fl. 1537-1553), via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

An Accident of Births Mark Twain

On the same day in 1537, so the story goes, two baby boys were born, but the similarity between them ended there.

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71

By Frank Moss Bennett (1874-1952), via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

A Word of Advice Ben Jonson

Advice that is not based on honesty, humility and deep reflection is mere craft.

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72

© Rauantiques, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0.

A Hot Tip Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli revealed the secret behind holding one’s place at the top of Parisian society.

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