The Crown Jewels are used in the most sacred monuments during the coronation.

Tower Bridge was opened in 1894.

Comments:

Crown Jewels – королевские регалии (короны, скипетры, державы и т.д.)

illustrious - знаменитый, известный

a menagerie – зверинец

a raven – ворона

Beefeater – бифитеры, «мясоеды» (прозвище дворцовой стражи Тауэра)

Ceremony of the Keys – церемония передачи ключей (проходит в 10 часов вечера), которая состоит в том, что старший страж закрывает ворота и после традиционного диалога-пароля с часовым передает ключи на хранение резиденту-коменданту [Resident Governor and Major]

Chief Yeoman Warder – старший лейб-гвардеец, страж Тауэра. Это отряд из 80 рядовых и 6 офицеров - личная охрана королевского семейства, выполняющая обязанности почетного эскорта во время традиционных церемоний. Форма гвардейцев существует с 1485 г.

a cloak - плащ,мантия

a bonnet – мужская шотландская шапочка

a lantern – фонарь

sacred – священный; святой

Trafalgar Square

Going down Oxford Streetyou come toTrafalgar Squarewhich is yet another symbol of London. This square received its name from Trafalgar, the cape off whichAdmiral Lord Nelsondefeated a Franco-Spanish fleet in 1805. Admiral Nelson, cast in bronze, stands on top of a tall column in the middle of the square guarded by a quartet of lions. Four bronze reliefs near the base are cast from French cannon captured at the naval battles they illustrate.

On the north side of Trafalgar Squareis theNational Galleryand theNational Portrait Gallery. Not far away is theBritish Museum— the biggest museum in London. It contains a price­less collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures etc., and is famous for its library.

Trafalgar Square is frequented as much by pigeons as by people. A Christmas tree is sent as a gift each year from Norway and on New Year’s Eve crowds gather around the tree and the lions to herald in the new year.

Comments

a cape – геогр. мыс

to cast – отливать

to guard – охранять

a quartet – зд. четверка, четыре

a relief – рельеф (изображение)

a cannon – пушка, артиллерийской орудие

to capture – брать трофеи, трофейное имущество

to frequent [fri:'kwent] – частопосещать

to herald – возвещать; предвещать

Royal Residences

The Queen’s House. Described by Daniel Defoe as “the most delightful spot of ground in Great Britain”Greenwichhas many attractions. Here are superbRoyal Naval College, theOld Royal Observatory, and the fine restoredQueen’s House. It was designed for James I’s wife, but was not completed until after her death when it became the home of another queen, Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I.

Some of today’s Royals reside in Kensington Palace inKensington Gardens. The first royal residents were William III and Queen Mary. This was their country mansion, and they asked Sir Ch. Wren to make necessary improvements. ThusKensingtonexpanded, and is still known as a royal borough. Today the palace is the setting for a glamorous Court Dress Collection, showing the fashions in vogue during two centuries.

St James’s Palace, an irregular picture-pretty brick building was created by Henry VIII. The gatehouse, parts of the Chapel Royal and the Tapestry Room survive from the 16^thcentury, much as they were when Mary I died here. Charles I spent his last days at this Palace, and since then, happier royal connections continued.

Magnificent Hampton Court Palace was built in the early 16^thcentury by Cardinal Wolsy but soon passed into the ownership of King Henry VIII and his successors. ThePalace of Hampton Court is famous not only for its mellow exterior and splendidState Rooms but also for its superb setting beside theRiver Thames.First opened to the public by Queen Victoria, it has 60 acres of beautiful gardens including a knot garden, pond gardens, an orangery and smooth lawns.

Clarence House situated 200 meters fromBuckingham Palace, along theMall, for many years the residence of the former Queen Mother was built in 1825 for William IV when he was Duke of Clarence. It is adjacent toSt James’s Palace.

Marlborough House was built for Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough who obtained a lease on land adjoiningSt James’s Palacefrom Queen Anne. The house, completed in 1711, was birthplace of the future George V in 1865. Nearly 100 years later theHousewas donated to the Government as aCommonwealth Center.

Comments

superb - великолепный; роскошный

borough – небольшой город, имеющий самоуправление

setting – окружающая обстановка; окружение

glamorous – очаровательный; эффектный

vogue – мода

irregular – нестандартный; несимметричный

gatehouse – сторожка у ворот

chapel – часовня; церковь

Tapestry Room – комната гобеленов

successor – последователь

mellow – зд. выдержанный в мягких тонах

exterior – внешний вид

acre – акр(~0,4га)

knot garden – затейливо разбитая клумба со сложным орнаментом

pond garden – сад в водоеме, водный сад

adjacent, adjoining – прилегающий, примыкающий, соседний

a lease – аренда; договор об аренде

to donate – дарить, жертвовать

III. Prepare your own reports on the following topics (to get some additional marks):

1. Along the Thames

2. Theatres

3. Museums and Galleries

4. The Parks of London

Lesson Three. Questions for Revision