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.

The Hundred Years’ War

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.

Length: 112 words

St Adamnan

Homeward Bound

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

Length: 119 words

Lives of the Saints

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.

Length: 116 words

Liberty and Prosperity

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.

Length: 105 words

Liberty and Prosperity

The Battle of Vienna

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

Length: 119 words

Liberty and Prosperity

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.

Length: 116 words