The Copybook

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

1609

From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Cyril and Hypatia Clay Lane

A ‘Christian’ mob kidnapped and murdered a much-loved professor of mathematics - for her politics.

Read

1610

© Iain Lees, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

St Andrew, Patron of Scotland Clay Lane

Scotland’s association with the brother of Peter is down to an early 8th century Bishop of Hexham.

Read

1611

From Wikimedia Commons.

Fiddler Tam Clay Lane

An 18th century bon viveur and virtuoso violinist, Thomas Erskine is currently being ‘rediscovered’ by the classical music industry.

Read

1612

© Gryffindor, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The ‘Raindrop’ Prelude Georges Sand

As the storm raged around him, raindrops fell like music on the pianist’s heart.

Read

1613

© tango7174, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 4.0.

The Miracle of Piso Livadi Clay Lane

Three fishermen let their tongues run away with them, and were left counting the cost.

Read

1614

© Jorge Royan, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The Harmonious Blacksmith Clay Lane

Handel called it ‘Air and Variations’, but by Charles Dickens’s day everyone knew it as ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’.

Read