The Copybook

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

1567

Mattana, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

How Benedict Biscop brought Byzantium to Britain St Bede of Jarrow

The chapel of Bede’s monastery in Sunderland was full of the colours and sounds of the far-off Mediterranean world.

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1568

From Wikimedia Commons.

The Persistence of Thomas Clarkson Thomas Clarkson

Thomas Clarkson believed that Africans were being forced into slavery in the West Indies, but could he prove it to the British public?

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1569

© Soerfm, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Lion and the Mouse Clay Lane

A casual act of mercy brought an unexpected reward.

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1570

© Graham, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Fox and the Grapes Clay Lane

Some people disparage what they can’t have.

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1571

© Peter Trimming, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Fox and the Bramble Clay Lane

A fox tries to save herself from a fall, but finds she would have been better off taking the tumble.

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1572

© Mike Pennington, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Eagle, the Jackdaw, and the Shepherd Clay Lane

An over-excited jackdaw goes out of his league, and pays the price.

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