Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
Photo supplied by Imperial War Museums, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Kipling borrowed from the Greek Independence movement to give thanks for the end of the Great War.
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© Jim Barton, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Mild-mannered Grace Darling persuaded her father to let her help him rescue the survivors of a shipwreck.
© Lisa Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
At Bamburgh, John Sharp organised free healthcare and education, bargain groceries, and the world’s first coastguard service.
© David White, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
When Penda tried to burn down Bamburgh Castle, St Aidan turned the pagan King’s own weapons against him.
© Albert Bridge, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
After escaping from six years as a slave in Ireland, Patrick wanted only one thing: to go back.
© Karl and Ali, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
John of Gaunt watches in despair as his country is milked for its wealth and shared out among the king’s favourites.