4. Oral Composition

Assignment

Questions:

1. the life of poor people was very hard and the latest burden put upon them was a “poll tax” by which everyone had to pay a shilling a head.

2. a workman Wat Tyler killed a tax controller with his hammer, then the people declared him as a leader.

3. When the rebels reached the capital, they broke open the prisons, set the houses of many noblemen on fire and killed the Archbishop of Canterbury, who proposed the tax.

4. king Richard II 14 year old, rode out bravely t meet this dangerous crowd. He promised to fulfil all the demands of the people.

5. they wanted to be set free and their lands too, they didn’t want to be treated like slaves. Deciding meeting with the rebels the King wanted to calm the crowd and win the time in order to gather the forces in defence.

6. Wat Tyler and some others stayed in London to control the fulfilling of the King’s promise.

7. there was a quarrel between the labourers and the nobleman and seeing that Tyler put his hand on his sward, Lord Mayor of London struck him with a dagger.

8. Their leader was killed and the brave King promise to satisfy all their demands and ordered to follow him.

9. The Revolt ended with failure, the labourers were killed, the King appeared unable to keep his promises.

Summary

The Tudors

The period of Middle ages known in history was known in England as the Wars of the Roses. It was the War between two dynasties – Dynasty Plantagenet and dynasty Yorkist. And when the last Yorkist on the throne was killed (Richard III), his relative Henry Tudor (known as Henry III) became a king. He made all possible to let political power fall from the hands of aristocracy of blood to those of aristocracy of money. During his rein the state religion was changed. The England was a Roman Catholic country but after Henry III broke off with Rome, he considered himself a principal of Protestant branch of the Christian religion, - later Anglican Church. Henry confiscated most of the lands, which belonged to monasteries and churches and sold them to his supporters, in order to enlist gentry’s support. This monarch was one of the most bloody figures in English history. Although, we should confess, that he had done a lot so that England became the most powerful country.

After Henry’s death his children ( Eduard VI, -a sickly child, Mary, - known as Bloody Mary for her cruel religious persecutions, as well as her wish that England become Catholic country and Elisabeth, known as Good Queen Bess for her reasonable rein during 45 years and guiding people through difficult times ) were the rulers of the England.

Lesson 2

A. Reading

1.

The House of Stuarts – a new royal line on the English throne (after the name of James of Scotland, the son of Mary Stuart)

The Commonwealth – the republic that existed in Britain from 1649 to 1660 and the part of this period up to 1653, when Oliver Cromwell became Protector.

Now it is an association of sovereign states, almost all of which were at some time dependencies of the UK.

The Jacobites – the supporters of James II

Georgian England – England of reign by the four monarchs - George I,II,II,IV

The Hanoverians - a member or supporter of the house of Hanover or relating to the princely house of Hanover or to the monarchs of England or their reigns from 1714 to 1901

Regency – the last ten years of George’s III reign, when the country is ruled in his name by his son – George as Prince Regent

The British Empire – the flourishing of Britain, during the Victoria’s reign

“Victorianism” – period, relating to queen’s Victoria reign

2.

1. Elizabeth made her prisoner and eventually had to agree to her execution.

2….the son of the executed King returned from exile and became King Charles II.

3…and her passionate love to sweetmeat ruined her health.

4…but in 1707 the Scotish parliament in Edinburgh ceased to exist.

5. The King himself was unable to discharge his monarchical duties on the ground of “temporary insanity”.

3.

A political rival – a person, organization, etc., that competes with another for the same object or in the same field of politics

A successor – a person or thing that follows, a person who succeeds another in a throne

A pretender – a person who mounts a claim, as to a throne or title

Temporary insanity –disorder of the mind; state or condition of being insane for short period of time

To ascend the throne – to become king or queen

To be dethroned - to remove from a throne or deprive of any high position or title

4.

1. Mary Stuart was the Queen of Scotland, and she died because she had a right for the English throne, but Elizabeth made her prisoner and executed.

2. James Stuart was Mary’s son and he was the successor of the Queen Elizabeth. The Queen gave him this post.

3. The House of Stuarts. No, the House of lords is used.

4. The son of the executed King Charles I returned from exile and became King Charles II

5. Unfortunately, no.

6. The Jacobites were the James’s II supporters (from the name – Jacob or James). They wanted to regain the throne from Princess Mary and Prince William.

7. The seventeen sons and daughters of Queen Anne died before they grew up. It ruined her health, as well as her passionate love to sweetmeat.

8. The most important event during her reign is the union with Scotland.

9. The Georgian period is the time of governing four monarchs with the name George - I,II,II,IV. During the reign of George II England lost its American colonies. Because the country this time was ruled by his son – George as Prince Regent.

10. She ascended it on June 20, 1837and ruled for 74 years.

11. Ideas of a happy and respectable family.

12. The Queen was full of energy; - she controlled most of the word’s trade and ruled the biggest Empire, where the work never stopped.

Summary