Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By JMW Turner (1775-1851), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A doctor is wondering how to apologise for being drunk on the job, when he receives a letter from his patient.
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© Photography pfeffel, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Legend tells how Richard the Lionheart’s favourite singer found where Leopold of Austria had stowed him.
© Jonathan Cardy, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A conspiracy of European monarchs sought to delay Richard the Lionheart’s homecoming long enough for John to steal his crown.
By Severo Calzetta da Ravenna (1465–1543), via the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
The flamboyant English poet went to extreme lengths to get a refund on an unsatisfactory purchase.
© Rol1000, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
During the Orlov Revolt of 1769, Greek islanders get their hands on a copy of Homer’s epic tale of Troy.
© Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
John Bright MP urged a critic of the British Raj to offer India more than fine words.