Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By an Anonymous artist (British School), via the National Trust and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Walter Hartright tried to help a distressed woman find her way into London, but the incident has left him with nagging doubts.
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By Alexei Kondratievich Savrasov (1830–1897), via the Russian Museum and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
After driving the man-eating ogre Grendel from Hrothgar’s hall, Beowulf must now deal with Grendel’s anguished and vengeful mother.
By a follower of Francisco Goya, via the Museo del Prado and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The terrible monster Grendel, secure in the knowledge that no blade can bite him, bursts into Hrothgar’s hall expecting another meal of man-flesh.
Anonymous (British School), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Henry VII made sure that he had eyes and ears wherever they were needed to put an end to thirty years of political conspiracy.
© Richard Croft, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
In the days of Henry VIII, eminent Scottish historian John Major looked back to the reign of Richard the Lionheart and sketched the character of legendary outlaw Robin Hood.
By Marjorie Acker Phillips (1895-1985), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.5.
King Henry VIII was riding out with Queen Catherine one May Day, when they found themselves waylaid by Robin Hood and two hundred archers.