Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The Roman Emperor offered to unite the world’s squabbling churches – but it was the kind of offer you can’t refuse.
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From the British Library, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
King John had already lost most of the Crown’s lands in France, but when Aquitaine was threatened Edward III knew he must act fast.
© Peter S, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
Leigh Hunt reflects on the civilising effect of the game of cricket.
By Edward Henry Corbould (1815-1905), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A sportsman and an officer lays a wager that he can make a trigger-happy Irishman go barefoot in public.
From Wikimedia Commons. Licence; Public domain.
With the Lambert Simnel affair not yet forgotten, another boy claims to be the rightful King of England.
From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
While the besieged citizens of Novgorod huddled for protection in the city gaol, Archbishop John remained in his cathedral to pray.