The Copybook

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

871

By Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1735-1811), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Character of Captain James Cook David Samwell

Captain Cook’s friend and ship’s surgeon David Samwell gives us his impressions of the great explorer.

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872

By Illarion Pryanishnikov, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Baptism of Kent Clay Lane

With Christianity faltering in the British Isles, Pope Gregory took the first definite steps towards restoring its vigour.

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873

© Jza84, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Day London Bridge Fell Down Snorro Sturluson

In 1014, Norwegian prince Olaf Haraldsson sailed to the aid of King Ethelred the Unready in his struggle with the Danes.

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874

© Henry Leirvoll, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Conversion of Rogaland Snorro Sturluson

Zealous convert Olaf Tryggvason went from England to Norway to spread the Gospel, but it seemed the Lord did not like Olaf’s way of doing it.

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875

© yeowatzup, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Mr and Mrs Raffles Abdullah Abdul Kadir

Abdullah Abdul Kadir gives us his first-hand impressions of the Founder of Singapore and of his first wife, Olivia.

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876

© Mshahrazif, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Raffles and the Reprieve of Malacca William Cross

The busy trading hub of Malacca was to be consigned to history, until Stamford Raffles saw that history was one of its assets.

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