Germany at Troynovant:
a survey among Imperial Germany,
Third Reich & Bundesrepublik:
history, geography, & literature
of Prussia, Bavaria, Austria,
& all German-speaking peoples;
listed by Title
  

  
[London. Anteroom and council chamber at court.]

Gardiner:

Which reformation must be sudden too,
My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses
Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle,
But stop their mouths with stubborn bits and spur 'em
Till they obey the manage. If we suffer,
Out of our easiness and childish pity
To one man's honour, this contagious sickness,
Farewell all physic — and what follows then?
Commotions, uproars — with a general taint
Of the whole state, as of late days our neighbours,
The upper Germany, can dearly witness,
Yet freshly pitied in our memories.

William Shakespeare & John Fletcher
All Is True (Henry VIII), 5.2.54-65

2 August 1914

At 2.20 today, 2nd August, the following note was handed to the French and German Ambassadors: 'The British Government would not allow the passage of German ships through the English Channel or the North Sea in order to attack the coasts or shipping of France.'

Be prepared to meet surprise attacks.

Admiralty to
    Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet;
    Vice-Admirals, 2nd and 3rd Fleet;
    Commander-in-Chief, Home Ports.
  

Randolph S. Churchill
Winston S. Churchill, 2: Young Statesman 1901-1914
and
W.S.C. Companion Volume 2, Part 3: 1911-1914