Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Ian Capper, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf wonders at the mystery of the Bethlehem manger, where all the light of heaven was shining.
Read
© Raime, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-A 3.0.
A crackdown on dissent in England’s established Church drove a band of Nottinghamshire townspeople to seek new shores.
© Fletcher6, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
The spread of Western civilisation must not be credited to European policy, but to a culture of curiosity, enterprise and defiance.
By George Romney (1734-1802), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Edmund Burke takes time off from campaigning for liberty to reflect on the delights of captivity.
Photo by Jastrow, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
John Milton shows his appreciation for noble words and music in uplifting harmony.
© Mypix, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
George Canning warned the Commons to be very careful about their plans for reform.