Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
Photo by Sgt Mike MacLeod, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A professional journalist and author recognises that he has met his match
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© Roger Jones, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
At twenty-five and owner of his own business, Walter Wilding thought his world was secure, but it was about to be rocked to its foundations.
© Penny Mayes, Wikimedia Commons. Licence CC-BY-SA 2.0.
One of the best-known of all battles in English history, but not because of the conflict of which it was a part.
© Tony Hisgett, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
The textile moguls of Manchester and Liverpool engaged the Stephensons to complete their link to the capital.
© Bjoertvedt, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
Germany felt she had a right to an empire like Britain’s, and she was willing to get it at the expense of her neighbours.
© Marie-Lan Nguyen, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-CA 2.5.
The ancient Greek King knew victory had cost his army more than it could afford to lose.