Unit 3 england in the middle ages (11th-i5th centuries)

Ex.1 Translate and memorize the following words:

Handicraft, peasant, plague, shortage, disaster, treatment, wage, tax, to strengthen, to increase, to subdue, to maintain, to manage, to demand, to rebel, to spread.

Ex.2 Insert the words from exercise 1 in the gaps:

1. The country suffers from a … of technology. 2. Church was interested in … the feudal system. 3. The Black death and heavy … dealt a great blow (удар) at the towns in Britain.4. The workers … to increase their monthly … . 5. 26 April, 1986 there was a … in Chernobyl. 6. … or Black death carried away the lives of many people. 7. The peasant … against their landowners. 8. Towns became centers of … industry. 9. The army … its position. 10. The landlords … the peasants’ rebellion. 11. He … to escape from prison.12. The epidemic … to neighboring countries.

Ex.3 Translate the following sentences from English into Russian:

1. The Normans strengthened and organized the feudal system of Saxon society. 2. By the end of the 13th century Wales became fully subdued by England. 3. In the middle of the 14th century the bubonic plague swept over England, carrying death and destruction. 4. In 1381 peasants rebelled against their low wages, unfair treatment in the law courts, and new taxes. 5. With the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, the Norman-French language became the official language in the country 6. Gradually English became the main language in speech and writing though it had many dialects. 7. In the 1470s William Caxton the printer set up his printing press at Westminster and printed the first book in English “The History of Troy”. 8. From the 12th to the 15th century is the great period of English Gothic architecture.

Ex.4 Read the text and give answers to the following questions:

1. Did the Normans strengthen and organize the feudal system of Saxon society? 2. Was Wales fully subdued by England by the end of the 13th century? 3. Was the Norman-French language the official language of the country? 4. Did an interest in learning develop in England in the early Middle Ages?

Text

The Normans strengthened and organized the feudal system of Saxon society. Trade was increasing. The towns grew rapidly in size, importance and wealth, and became centers of handicraft production of all kinds. The whole economic development of the country from the 11^th to the 14^th century illustrates the increasing degree of exploitation of the peasant by the feudal lords and by the church.

By the end of the 13th century Wales became fully subdued by England. Attempts were made to conquer Scotland but it managed to maintain its independence for the next three centuries.

In the middle of the 14th century the bubonic plague swept over England, carrying death and destruction. After the plague, there was a shortage of workers in the towns and in the country-side. The disaster made worse poor living conditions of the peasants. The common people began to demand higher pay and better treatment from their lords. In 1381 peasants rebelled against their low wages, unfair treatment in the law courts, and new taxes. The rising had failed but it played a most important role in breaking down the feudal relations of production. It was the first great English rebellion of peasant labors against the feudal landlords.

The Middle Ages brought the development of the English language, education, literature and architecture.

With the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, the Norman-French language became the official language in the country. It was the language of the ruling class and the court. However, it could not become the means of communication between the various layers of the society because the common people continued to speak English. And gradually English became the main language in speech and writing though it had many dialects. In the 14th century the dialect of London and the South-East Midlands was accepted as the language standard.

Already in the early Middle Ages in England there developed an interest in learning. More schools were opened. About 1249 the University of Oxford was established. Shortly afterwards the university of Cambridge appeared (1284). A greater interest developed in medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and other sciences.

In the 1470s William Caxton¹ the printer set up his printing press at Westminster and printed the first book in English - the “History of Troy”. It was an important event due to which the English language spread widely.

From the 12th to the 15th century is the great period of English Gothic architecture. Many fine cathedrals, beautiful churches, houses and cottages were built throughout the country.

¹Willliam Caxton (1422-91) - the first English printer.

Ex.5 Look through the text again and translate the following words and word-combinations:

To grow rapidly, increasing degree, attempt, destruction, shortage of workers, poor living conditions, common people, higher pay, unfair treatment, low wage, new tax, feudal relation, peasant labors, rising, ruling class, layers of society, due to.

Ex.6 Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

Экономическое развитие страны; предпринимались попытки; ей удалось сохранить независимость; неся смерть и разорение; это бедствие ухудшило; нехватка рабочей силы; простые люди; начали требовать; восстали против; правящий класс; был принят; печатный ста­нок; напечатал свою первую книгу.

Ex.7 Correct the statements if necessary:

1. The disaster made worse poor living conditions of the landowners. 2. It was the last great English rebellion of peasant labors against the feudal landlords. 3. In the 14th century the dialect of Wales and the South-East Midlands was accepted as the language standard. 4. From the 12th to the 15th century is the great period of English Classical architecture.

Ex.8 Give questions to which the following sentences are the answers:

1. The towns grew rapidly in size, importance and wealth, and became centers of handicraft production of all kinds. 2. After the plague, there was a shortage of workers in the towns and in the country-side. 3. The common people began to demand higher pay and better treatment from their lords.

Ex.9 Use the text to enlarge the given statements:

1. In 1381 peasants rebelled against their low wages … . 2. It was the first great English rebellion of … 3. With the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, the Norman-French language became … 4. And gradually English became the main language in speech and writing though … . 5. In the 14th century the dialect of London and the South-East Midlands was … . 6. A greater interest developed in medicine … . 7. In the 1470s William Caxton¹ the printer set up his … . 8. Many fine cathedrals, beautiful churches … .

Ex.10 Answer the following questions:

l. What was the economic situation in England in the llth-14th century period?

2. What disaster hit the country in the middle of the 14th century?

3. What were the causes and results of the peasants' uprising?

4. How did the English language develop?

5. What was the role of William Caxton in the cultural life of England?

6. What proves the development of education at that period of time?

Ex.11 Reorder the items of the plan according to the logic of the text. Describe item 3 of the plan in detail.

1. Gradually English became the main language in speech and writing.

2. In the 1470s William Caxton the printer set up his printing press at Westminster.

3. The Normans strengthened and organized the feudal system of Saxon society.

4. In the mid of 14th century the plague swept over England, carrying death and destruction.

5. From the 12th to the 15th century is the great period of English Gothic architecture.

6. By the end of the 13th century Wales became fully subdued by England.

7. In the 11th century, the Norman-French language became the official language in the country.

8. In 1381 peasants rebelled against their low wages and new taxes.

Ex.12 Give a written summary of the text in 5-7 sentences.