Clay Lane › The Copy Book

Passages for reading. Read them out aloud. Paraphrase or précis them. Discuss them with friends. Does anything surprise or impress you? How does the author work your feelings? Would you use his words? How would you direct the scene in a movie — and who would your stars be?

More …

On This Day

Sunday September 8 ns August 26 os

For Church feasts falling on September 8 in the New Style calendar, see The Feast of Nativity of the Virgin Mary and Finding of the Kursk icon.

August 26, 1395 os

Meeting of the ‘Vladimir’ Icon (1)

The Theotokos of Vladimir

It is one of the world’s most recognisable works of art, and a symbol of God’s blessing on all Christian Rus’.

September 8, 1380

The Battle of Kulikovo (1)

Dmitri of the Don

Grand Duke Dmitri of Moscow loosened the grip of the Tartar Horde on the people of Russia, but treachery robbed him of triumph.

by Lucy Cazalet 1870-1956

Recently Added

See all

International Relations

A Credit to His Country

The diplomat’s task is to see the best in other peoples, not to scold them for their failings.

by François de Callières 1645-1717

Lives of the Saints

The Synod of Whitby

In 664, a council at Whitby decided to align the traditions of the Northumbrian Church with those of Rome and Constantinople.

by John Richard Green 1837-1883

From the Archive

See all

Extracts from Literature

Pure Selfishness

The brilliant but dangerously obsessive Dr Griffin decides that the end justifies the means.

by H. G. Wells 1866-1946

Lives of the Saints

The Thrice-Holy Hymn

When the capital of the Roman Empire was in the grip of a violent earthquake, it fell to one small child to save all the people.

by St John Damascene ?636-749

British National Character

The Fact-Lovers

American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson saw the demand for hard evidence as a peculiarly English trait.

by Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882

Indian History

Robert Clive’s Vision for India

As Governor of Bengal, Robert Clive hoped to use his powers and his formidable reputation to make the East India Company mend its ways.

by Sir John Malcolm 1769-1833

See All Posts (1522)

Selected Authors

See all

John Evelyn

The Return of King Charles II

Abraham Lincoln

‘If They Can Stand It I Can’

Jawaharlal Nehru

The Hornets’ Nest

Joseph Addison

Sweet Counsel

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington

Trunk and Disorderly

Karl Philipp Moritz

Three Criminal Types

See all Posts by Author

Selected Topics

See all

Discovery and Invention

Tales of scientific innovation and merchant enterprise, from steam power and life-saving medicines to new trade partners far away, and new ways to reach them.

See all (116)

Abolition of Slavery

Heart-breaking tales of slavery, in which Britain played a shameful part; and heart-warming tales of Abolition, in which she played a courageous one.

See all (36)

Sport and Sportsmen

Stories from the world of cricket, football and other sports, and the men and women who have played them.

See all (27)

Music and Musicians

The artistic struggles and triumphs of composers from the British Isles and abroad, many in their own words — and accompanied by their music.

See all (64)

Liberty and Prosperity

Stories from Britain and elsewhere confirming the social and economic benefits of keeping Governments and their cronies out of the trade and business of ordinary people.

See all (170)

Railways

Stories about the British transport revolution that changed the world, from the first locomotive and the first whistle to Flying Scotsman.

See all (38)

See All Topics (A-Z)

The Copy Book

Readings in history, society and literature

The Copy Book

Readings in history, society and literature