The Copybook

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

403

© Jebulon, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Kite and the Pigeons Thomas James

Some panicky Pigeons agree to let the Kite rule their dovecote, so long as he promises not to take advantage of his position.

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404

© Basher Eyre, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Miracles of St Olaf Snorro Sturluson

Snorro Sturluson records some of the miracles attributed to Olaf II, King of Norway, after Englishman Bishop Grimkell declared him a saint.

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405

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Battle of Jericho Clay Lane

The Israelites crossed over into the Land of Promise, only to find their progress barred by the well-fortified city of Jericho.

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406

By Walter Holmes Sullivan (1836-1908), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Bad Day at Waterloo Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby

Frederick Ponsonby’s involvement in the Battle of Waterloo began early, and it seemed to him that it went on for ever.

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407

© Robin Drayton, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Magnus ‘Barelegs’ Steers a Bold Course Snorro Sturluson

Magnus had just reasserted Norway’s authority over The Isles and Man, when he stumbled into a party of Normans harassing the King of Gwynedd.

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408

© Lauren Johnston-Smith, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Magnus ‘Barelegs’ Tours the Isles Snorro Sturluson

Barely a generation after Harald Hardrada narrowly missed out on taking the English crown, his grandson Magnus re-asserted Norway’s authority over The Isles and Man.

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