Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

← Page 1

589

A Tale of a Garter

Following the Battle of Crécy in 1346, Edward III instituted an order of chivalry in honour of St George, inspired (some said) by something he picked up in the street.

590

Homeward Bound

The monks of the monastery on Iona are all keeping the same secret from one another.

591

St George and the Dragon

In one of the world’s most popular legends, bold hero St George rides to the rescue of a maiden in distress.

592

Bread and Scorpions

In 1846, Daniel O’Connell stood up in the House of Commons to draw attention to the Great Hunger in Ireland, and to plead for a swift response.

593

The Battle of Vienna

With Christian Europe tearing itself apart over the Protestant Reformation, the Ottoman Turks saw an opportunity for Europe-wide domination.

594

Unbroken Amity

The Foreign Office had a long tradition of regarding a strong Russian Empire as ‘not in the British interest,’ but John Bright saw only mutual benefit in it.