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.

Georgian Era

Desperate Measures

Sir Philip Francis told the House of Commons that it must not let ministers manufacture crises as an excuse for grabbing more power.

Length: 114 words

Stuart Era

The Character of Charles II

Scottish scholar and clergyman Gilbert Burnet sets before us a picture of a King who was something of a Solomon in his virtues and his vices.

Length: 118 words

Bible and Saints

Song of Angels, Joy of the Blest

Cynewulf encourages his listeners to remain committed to the Christian life, by reminding them of the reward that awaits them.

Length: 101 words

Bible and Saints

Heaven’s Harbour

The lives of men are like voyages across stormy seas, but we no longer have to sail them as if they were uncharted waters.

Length: 51 words

Stuart Era

‘You Are No Parliament!’

In April 1653, Oliver Cromwell learnt that Parliament was planning to prevent him from packing the Commons with yes-men.

Length: 174 words

Lives of the Saints

Cuthbert’s Box

Shortly before Easter, an ivory box went missing from the gifts presented at the shrine of St Cuthbert.

Length: 119 words