Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By Franz Seraph von Lenbach (1836-1904), via the National Portrait Gallery and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Two of the Victorian Age’s most distinguished historians locked horns over the question of whether historians should be nice.
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By W. and D. Downey, via the National Archives of Canada and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
When the young Aga Khan visited London in 1898 he was presented to Queen Victoria, and found her cultural sensitivity deeply touching.
© I Love Colour, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
King David expresses his trust in God in terms remembered from his years as a shepherd boy.
By John Everett Millais (1829-1896), from the Metropolitan Museum of Art via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Shylock is savouring revenge on Antonio for years of disgusting mistreatment, but the judge warns him to temper his demands.
By Henryk Siemiradzki (1843–1902), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Sensing that the Great Fire of Rome in 64 (though entertaining) was damaging his public image, the Emperor Nero looked around for someone to blame.
© Graham Hermon, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 generic.
Following the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, King Henry V instructed the Church of York to recognise the contribution of one of her eighth-century bishops.