Eton College

Edith Cavell came from a Christian family and grew up in a tranquil, English village in Norfolk. Her upbringing taught her to look out for those around her, and this altruism stayed with her until she died.

She started out as a governess, but she wrote to her cousin, ‘Being a governess is only temporary; someday, somehow, I am going to do something useful.’ That something was nursing, and after training and working in England for several years, she moved to Brussels to start her own training school for nurses. Her diligence was impressive and her work was proving successful, but it was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War.

Edith’s primary aim was to be a nurse and to help anyone who needed her; she told her nurses not to take sides in the conflict. Her caring nature led her into Resistance work and she helped over 200 Allied soldiers escape to freedom. But she was discovered and subsequently arrested. While others in her situation were spared, she and one other were sentenced to death. And with courage and humility she was killed by firing squad on 12 October 1915. Her story is inspirational which is why she is remembered every year and her legacy lives on.

Charles I Guidebook

The World of the Brontes

Textus Roffensis was written out by a scribe in 1122 – he was copying out a code of law that had first been issued by Ethelbert, the first Christian King of Kent, in about 607. These were the first laws to be written in English for Englishmen. Today, this manuscript remains in the care of Rochester Cathedral. Following the Norman Conquest, at a time of great change, the monks of Rochester felt their independence and financial security were under threat. To defend themselves and secure their future they wrote Textus Roffensis. It provided the monks with an effective legal code with which to reinforce their claims to privileges and possessions.

The book is made up of two parts and it is not known why they were bound together – an expensive process. One theory is that the monks were attempting to hide evidence of forged manuscripts.

Produced by Rochester Cathedral, and including images of the pages themselves, this book outlines the intriguing history of Textus Roffensis.

Chief Inspector Morse, the curmudgeonly, real ale-drinking detective captured the heart of millions when he first appeared on our screens in 1987, played by John Thaw. The television show was an instant success with intricate plotting, a talented cast and its beautiful setting – the historic city of Oxford.

This walking guide of Oxford brings this beautiful city alive, for both visitor and resident, by visiting colleges, museums and other memorable buildings. The guide details how notable spots in Oxford relate to incidents investigated by Inspector Morse, and gives information on their history and fame in their own right.

Discover how Colin Dexter’s award-winning books were adapted to become a popular TV series. Visit the scenes of crimes investigated by one of Britain’s best-loved detectives. You can even try some of Morse and Lewis’s favourite pubs.

Includes a CD with some of Morse’s music favourites, and a list of colleges, museums and public buildings featured in Inspector Morse episodes.

In many ways the country house symbolized Edwardian life, with its expensive elegance, social seasons and sharp social contrasts. All key families owned country houses and millions of domestic and agricultural workers depended on the country house and its estates for their livelihoods. Yet when the shadow of war fell, the long, post Edwardian, tea-on-the-lawn summer came to an abrupt end.

Used during the war as hospitals, convalescent homes, training camps and for agricultural production, there is also the human side to the country house at war: male workers conscripted, fathers losing all hereditary heirs, women taking roles as nurses, and the social barriers as they were challenged at home and on the front.

The country house that emerged in 1919 was a much changed place. This is its story.

This charming little book provides a feast of original recipes from Victorian times, which are still perfectly reliable today.

How about spring soup or mayonnaise of chicken in shells to start? Followed by toad in the hole made with steak and kidney, maybe served with asparagus pudding? And for dessert there could be canary pudding with a sweet sauce, or perhaps the exotic pears à l’allemande?

Interspersed with delightful illustrations, Victorian Recipes is sure to make a welcome addition to the recipe collection of any keen cook, and a nostalgic and thoughtful gift for those who love all things from the Victorian era.

A gorgeously sumptuous poster featuring the family tree of the Kings and Queens of England – from Egbert 829-839 to our Queen, Elizabeth II. This poster also beautifully showcases the coats of arms of all the royal houses

It includes the two Princes and Princess of Cambridge – George, Charlotte and Louis – and also celebrates the new marriage of Henry, Duke of Sussex, by featuring his bride, Meghan.

Durham is an amazing county with breathtaking dales, a dramatic coastline, a vale steeped in history and a vibrant city at its heart.

From award-winning attractions, museums and historic buildings to natural wonders and breathtaking scenery, the county has something for everyone and is yours to explore.

This guide explores the key places of interest across the county, and includes a walk to admire the must-see sites in Durham City.

Colour it in psychedelic colours, in tasteful tones, in all shades of orange! But just colour it! Recapture the purest sense of creativity by colouring in the most beautiful figurative designs – flowers, birds, butterflies – provided by a leading textile designer. By adding the key ingredient of colour you add your own spark of creativity to great designs.

The design team, who work closely with Tate Modern in London, provide 24 postcards with six different designs to choose from. You can experiment with the colour combinations, using crayons, pencils, felt/fibre tip pens, and even paint on these uncoated postcards. A brief introduction gives some tips on using colours and suggests colour combinations to use on the specific designs, but you are encouraged to let your own creativity get to work!

Great fun for all those looking for a burst of creative expression and useful for designers of all types who want to experiment with colour. The cards can be kept together in the book or detached, framed or posted to a friend.

A hugely useful book for any design or craft project. It features 24 alphabet and number set stencils printed on perforated card stock so that they can be torn out and used. From simple sans serif fonts to ornate letters, they can be used in interior design work, such as on cushions, curtains, walls and lampshades. You can monograph chests and luggage too. They are great for any craft project such as textiles, quilting, clothes design, appliqué, cardmaking or scrapbooking. You could even use them for cake decorating and wedding material. The sets include matching upper and lower case fonts. Accents and symbols are included so you can compose in any European language.You can customize your project to say exactly what you want it to say. A short introduction on how to use and make the most of the stencil is included at the front of the book.

A great resource for any artist, designer or crafter.