Minis
Mini Copy Book

Each post in this section is a short précis (summary) of a passage in The Copy Book. All of them are in modern English. They are intended for students of English as a Foreign Language at Elementary Level.

Free Trade and Markets

Free Trade is Fair Trade

Thorold Rogers looks at how Governments have tried to make trade ‘fair’, and concludes that they would have been better ensuring it was free.

Length: 116 words

Scandinavian History

Vige, the Viking’s Dog

Vige was the inseparable companion of swashbuckling Viking warlord Olaf Tryggvason, who picked him up in Ireland.

Length: 59 words

Mediaeval History

Fair and Loving Words

On the night when Edward IV won his crown back from Henry VI, he had to decide how to deal with those who had still been backing Henry during the day.

Length: 113 words

International Relations

‘Nobody Wants to Invade You’

Richard Cobden told an Edinburgh peace conference that the biggest threat to the United Kingdom’s security was her own foreign policy.

Length: 117 words

Bible and Saints

Apollyon Straddles the Way

As Christian is making his way along the highway that leads to the Celestial City, he finds his way barred by a foul fiend.

Length: 116 words

Bible and Saints

Popular Literature

When literary critics decide that a book is not worthy of their notice they expect the public to follow their lead, but ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ was different.

Length: 60 words