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Passages for reading. Read them out aloud. Paraphrase or précis them. Discuss them with friends. Does anything surprise or impress you? How does the author work your feelings? Would you use his words? How would you direct the scene in a movie — and who would your stars be?

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On This Day

Sunday September 8 ns August 26 os

For Church feasts falling on September 8 in the New Style calendar, see The Feast of Nativity of the Virgin Mary and Finding of the Kursk icon.

August 26, 1395 os

Meeting of the ‘Vladimir’ Icon (1)

The Theotokos of Vladimir

It is one of the world’s most recognisable works of art, and a symbol of God’s blessing on all Christian Rus’.

September 8, 1380

The Battle of Kulikovo (1)

Dmitri of the Don

Grand Duke Dmitri of Moscow loosened the grip of the Tartar Horde on the people of Russia, but treachery robbed him of triumph.

by Lucy Cazalet 1870-1956

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International Relations

A Credit to His Country

The diplomat’s task is to see the best in other peoples, not to scold them for their failings.

by François de Callières 1645-1717

Lives of the Saints

The Synod of Whitby

In 664, a council at Whitby decided to align the traditions of the Northumbrian Church with those of Rome and Constantinople.

by John Richard Green 1837-1883

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Abolition of Slavery

Make the Case Your Own

John Wesley wondered how those involved in the slave trade would feel if the tables were ever turned on them.

by John Wesley 1703-1791

Extracts from Literature

On His Blindness

At first, John Milton struggled to come to terms with the loss of his eyesight.

by John Milton 1632-1704

Russian History

Invitation to a Viking

The interminable squabbling among the Slavic peoples around the southeast Baltic prompted their leaders to drastic action.

from The Russian Primary Chronicle ?1113

French History

Émilie’s Plan

The night before the Comte de Lavalette was to be executed, his wife Émilie came to visit him with a proposal that left him speechless.

by Antoine Marie Chamans, Comte de Lavalette 1769-1830

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Selected Authors

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Laurence Sterne

Fricassée in France

Sir Walter Scott

The Spider and the King

William Cobbett

The Real Merchant

William Shakespeare

Viola Draws a Blank

Ralph Waldo Emerson

No Offence

John Stuart Mill

Social Intolerance

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Animal Stories

Fables and true tales about animals, including a dog who regularly commuted to Matlock, a horse who didn’t approve of bad language, and a cat who saved her owners from an earthquake.

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Abolition of Slavery

Heart-breaking tales of slavery, in which Britain played a shameful part; and heart-warming tales of Abolition, in which she played a courageous one.

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Greece

Tales about the cradle of Western civilisation, from Socrates and the first democracies to the fall of the Roman Empire, the Ottoman yoke, and Britain’s part in the fight for independence.

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Character and Conduct

Stories illustrating noble deeds in matters both great and small, such as the noble gesture of Sir Philip Sidney, and the determination of Benjamin Disraeli.

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Russia

Stories from our cousins in the East, from Rurik the Viking and the Baptism of Rus’ to trade with Ivan the Terrible, a visit from Peter the Great, and the last Emperor.

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Sport and Sportsmen

Stories from the world of cricket, football and other sports, and the men and women who have played them.

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The Copy Book

Readings in history, society and literature

The Copy Book

Readings in history, society and literature