Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
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© 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.
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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.
© Sujay25, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
As Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon was rather more popular with the people of India than he was with some of his own civil servants.
From James Lillywhite’s Cricketer’s Annual for 1890, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Meriel Talbot’s distinguished career in government came as no surprise to those who had seen her at the wicket.