Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Alessandro57, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
An obscure officer in the Roman Army gains a dizzying promotion after performing a simple act of kindness.
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© Olnnu, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
William Howitt had some advice for Victorian tourists hoping for an authentic experience at the battlefield of Waterloo.
© jmc4 - Church Explorer, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
Cuthbert would not go to King Ecgfrith, so King Ecgfrith and his entire court had to go to Cuthbert.
© Rost.galis, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Richard Cobden asked Parliament to make a better effort to understand the Russian mindset.
© Franc rc, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.
An Italian businessman and his family in 18th century Messina owed their lives to their pet cats.
© Pranav, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Kim O’Hara starts his apprenticeship as a British spy with a little competition.