The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1213

© Mick Garratt, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Cuthbert, the Bridle and the Book Clay Lane

One of England’s most precious artefacts, the Lindisfarne Gospels, was nearly lost at sea.

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1214

© John Comloquoy, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

A Selfish Liberty Frederick Douglass

American anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass contrasts two kinds of ‘nationalist’.

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1215

© Celuici, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Well Out Of It Jane Austen

Anne Elliot is mortified to hear Frederick Wentworth’s opinion of her, but manages to find comfort in his words.

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1216

© John Sutton, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

Max Woosnam Clay Lane

Max fully deserves his reputation as England’s greatest all-round sportsman.

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1217

Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Grand Embassy Clay Lane

A young Peter the Great of Russia toured Europe seeking help for his diplomatic, military and architectural plans.

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1218

© Jeff Buck, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Douglass in Britain Clay Lane

Frederick Douglass, the American runaway slave turned Abolitionist, spent some of his happiest days in Britain.

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