title: A Child's History of England
author: Charles Dickens
description: Charles Dickens's early childhood was happy until his father was imprisoned for debt. The 12 - year - old Dickens then began working ten - hour days in a boot - blacking factory pasting labels on the jars of thick polish. The shocking conditions of the factory made a profound impression on him. His anger at his situation and at the conditions endured by working - class people became major themes in his fiction.
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  WHEN A CHILD IS BORN
  
  
  
  
  
  By Jodi Taylor
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It's Christmas Day 1066 and a team from St Mary's is going to witness the
  coronation of William the Conqueror. Or so they think…
  
  
  
  
  
  However, History seems to have different plans for them and when Max finds
  herself delivering a child in a peasant's hut, she can't help wondering what
  History is up to.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I was in trouble again. No surprise there. It’s my default state.
  
  
  
  
  
  Dr Bairstow raised his eyes from my report and regarded me steadily. Behind
  him, his PA, Mrs Partridge, sat scratchpad in hand, making the Sphinx look
  like a collection of facial tics.
  
  
  
  
  
  Yes, I was in trouble again.
  
  
  
  
  
  He cleared his throat. Here we go.
  
  
  
  
  
  ‘Dr Maxwell, the assignment was – I believe I have I have the details here.
  Ah, yes – jump to London, Westminster Abbey, 25th December 1066. Witness the
  coronation of King William I. Ascerta