Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

← Page 1

1609

Theseus and the Minotaur

A warning not to be forgetful of others, even in triumph.

King Minos of Crete reneged on a promise to sacrifice a white bull to Poseidon, and it went mad. Heracles captured it, but that was not the end of the story...

Read

Picture: © tango7174, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.. Source.

1610

Timothy Hackworth

Timothy Hackworth (1786-1850) turned steam locomotives into a reliable commercial success.

Timothy Hackworth (1786-1850) turned steam locomotives from a brilliant concept into a reliable commercial success. He is the man we have to thank for bringing mobility, jobs, and better lives to countless millions of people worldwide.

Read

Picture: © Peter Smith, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1611

Too Clever By Half

Mrs Tabby White thought she’d try some of the clever things her humans did.

Mrs White does everything she can for her kittens, but she can’t do what her humans do, and she starts to wonder if she’s a failure as a mother.

Read

Picture: © Wouter Hagens, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.. Source.

1612

A Touch of Silk

A Dubliner with a roving eye and a gift for melody, John Field challenged Europe’s pianists to demand more of themselves.

John Field (1782-1837) was an Irish composer admired by both Chopin and Liszt, who may be considered the ‘father’ of the great piano tradition of Russia. His legendary and enviable silken touch at the piano changed the way the instrument was played all over Europe.

Read

Picture: © P.g.champion, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1613

Typical Cat!

When a cat comes into your life, resistance is futile.

Aspiring author Elizabeth had been needing a little bit of good luck, and finding a stray black cat she named ‘Joseph’ seemed like a good omen.

Read

Picture: © Lisa Risager, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1614

St Wilfrid and the Angel of Light

St Wilfrid finds comfort during his tussle with the King of Northumbria

St Wilfrid was made Bishop of York, capital of the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria, in 665. He was involved in constant controversy as he resented King Ecgfrith’s interference, but he was also a key figure in keeping the English Church in close contact with the Orthodox churches of Rome and Greece, for which Bede praises him.

Read

Picture: © MacedonianBoy, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.. Source.