The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1519

© Martpan, Wikimedia Commons. Licence CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The Gift Thrice Given Clay Lane

A story about William the Conqueror’s father, Robert the Magnificent.

Read

1520

© Alex Saunier, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0 France.

The Hobbit Clay Lane

Tolkien’s tale of dragons, magic rings and enchanted gold is one of the masterpieces of English literature.

Read

1521

From the 15th century Bedford Hours. Via Wikimedia Commons.

David and Bathsheba Clay Lane

David’s scheme to steal another man’s wife succeeded, but he could not keep his secret from everyone.

Read

1522

© Graham Horn, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

Rule, Britannia! Clay Lane

‘Rule Britannia’ was a discreet way of telling a German prince what was expected of a British King.

Read

1523

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Rewards of ‘Patience’ Clay Lane

How appropriate that the comic opera ‘Patience’ should introduce the world to the results of thirty years of labour.

Read

1524

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Jason and the Golden Fleece Clay Lane

A political rival sends Jason on a hopeless errand, to fetch the golden fleece.

Read