Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Stephen McKay, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
William Murdoch and Samuel Clegg brought warmth and light into the country’s streets, factories and homes, but the public didn’t make it easy.
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By Robert Campin (1375/1379-1444), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The Tilers and Thatchers of fourteenth-century York tell how Joseph and Mary fared after they were turned away by the innkeepers of Bethlehem.
© Motacilla, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
While Joseph is away trying to find light for the darksome stable, Mary brings into the world the Light of everlasting Day.
By an anonymous Italian artist (15th century), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The chill of the night is relieved by the warmth of the beasts in their stalls, prompting Mary and Joseph to reflect on the promises of Scripture.
By Laurits Andersen Ring (1854–1933), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The Old English epic ‘Beowulf’ tells how Scyld, beloved King of the Danes, was committed to the ocean at his death — just as he had been at his birth.
© Mary Harrsch, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
The exasperated women of Athens challenge the men of the City to decide whether women are a blessing or a curse.