Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.
A prince falls for a dazzling dance-partner who teasingly vanishes at midnight.
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© Andrew Curtis, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
The most important English-born composer of Handel’s day, known for his tuneful music and very busy diary.
© Monica Miron, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
A fastidious prince felt he deserved a girl of royal refinement, and he certainly found one.
© David Dixon, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Eli Parish of Teignmouth in Devon became one of Europe’s most celebrated virtuosos.
© Ashley Dace, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
The 17th-century entrepreneur developed a way of smelting iron with coke rather than charcoal, but the Civil War frustrated his plans.
By Kamil Isik, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Nicholas used his inheritance to help three vulnerable girls escape a life of exploitation.