Subjects

Extracts from Literature

in The Copy Book

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133

The Better Man

Two monks vying for the abbot’s chair at one of England’s prestigious monasteries each promised King William Rufus handsome rewards for his favour.

134

This Dreadful Innovation

Edmund Burke explained to the Duke of Bedford that in politics there is very great difference between change and reform.

135

Miracles of St Olaf

Snorro Sturluson records some of the miracles attributed to Olaf II, King of Norway, after Englishman Bishop Grimkell declared him a saint.

136

Magnus ‘Barelegs’ Steers a Bold Course

Magnus had just reasserted Norway’s authority over The Isles and Man, when he stumbled into a party of Normans harassing the King of Gwynedd.

137

Magnus ‘Barelegs’ Tours the Isles

Barely a generation after Harald Hardrada narrowly missed out on taking the English crown, his grandson Magnus re-asserted Norway’s authority over The Isles and Man.

138

A Conqueror Has No Friends

When Alexander the Great threatened the people of Scythia, their ambassadors reminded him that a conqueror has many more burdens to carry than an ally has.