Cultural Focus: English Renaissance

English Renaissance began later than in southern European countries, but preserved the same traits as there — it took many ideas from Roman and Greek works of ancient times, it led to deeper study of classics, to the foundations of grammar schools, new universities and colleges. Usually the three periods within the Renaissance are distinguished:

The early Tudor period was a time of transition from late medieval to Renaissance culture. Its characteristic feature is peculiar Tudor architecture, where Renaissance elements were mingled with Gothic tradition. Also it saw the spread of the New Learning ideas supported by Sir Thomas More.

The reign of Queen Elizabeth and the activities of William Shakespeare. This period saw the development of the English language to its height as an instrument of poetry and prose. The greatest English poets and dramatists as Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, Edmund Spencer, Philip Sidney and many others worked at that time. The drama was widely popular — not only the plays of famous contemporary dramatists, but also classical Greek and Roman plays were staged.

The third period of Renaissance began after the death of Shakespeare and ended with the beginning or the Puritan revolution. It is associated with the names of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher. It was a period of increasing decline of drama.

The Renaissance also gave a push to the development of science. With the help of the famous scientist Francis Bacon the Royal Society was formed.

Task 4. Answer the following questions.

1. Why did Henry VII from the House of Lancaster marry Elizabeth of York?

2. What was Henry VH's reign noted for?

3. What was the economic situation in England when Henry VIII began his reign?

4. What was the main aim of Henry VHI's foreign policy?

5. Why was the title of the Defender of Faith given to Henry VIII?

6. What was the main idea of the Reformation?

7. What were the steps of the religious Reformation, provided by Protector in the reign of Edward VI?

8. Why did Queen Mary get the title "Bloody"?

9. What was the reason of the establishing Poor Rate?

10. What were the laws that helped Elizabeth I to complete the Reformation?

11. Why could Mary Queen of Scots regard herself as a rightful Queen of England?

12. Why was English victory over the Invincible Armada of great importance for England?

13. How did Elizabeth use Protestantism as a tool in foreign policy?

14. What were the most famous representatives of English Renaissance?

Task 5. Vocabulary development. State the meaning of the derivatives and complete the sentences.

1) assumption, assume

1. Elizabeth the crown after the death of her half-brother Edward.

2. The revolutionaries of power took the army by surprise.

2) accede, accession

1. 1509 is the year of Henry VIII's to the throne.

2. Henry VIII to the throne in 1509.

3) descent, descendant, descended

1. Mary Queen of Scots was from Henry VII.

2. Elizabeth I had no direct .

3. This man claims direct from English Royal family.

4) herald (v), herald (n), heraldry, heraldic

a) studies coats of arms and history of noble families.

b) banner shows the symbols of noble families.

3. Elizabeth a new age in English history.

4. In the past was a person who delivered important messages

and made announcements.

5) reign (n), reign (v), reigning

a) Edward VI for a very short period.

b) of Elizabeth I was a great success because science and arts

developed rapidly.

c) Elizabeth was the first of three long- queens of England.

6) parish, parishioner, parochial

a) school is usually controlled by a religious organisation and

receives no money from the government.

b) England is divided into , which are the smallest units of local

government.

c) is a member of a particular church.

7) prosper, prosperity, prosperous

1. Cloth manufacturing companies at Elizabethan times.

2. Great Britain became a country by the end of the 19^th century.

3. A country's depends upon its economic growth.

8) profit (v), profit (n), profitable, profitably, profitability, profiteer

1. To by something is to earn money by it.

2. It took a long time before England started to trade .

3. The of wool was of great importance for England.

4. A is a person, who takes advantage unfairly of a situation in

which other people are suffering.

e) It took many years before England started to trade .

Task 6. Historical consequences. Match two statements from columns A and B into a compound sentence with the conjunction "so".

A	B
1. Henry VII married Elizabeth of York	a) the great army of homeless monks enlarged the number of robbers
2. Henry VIII wanted to make Royal Power absolute	b) there appeared a new congregation — Puritans, who fought for simplification of Church service
3. After the Reformation a great number of catholic monasteries were dissolved	c) she supported different plots to get English crown
4. Queen Mary was a firm Catholic	d) the two rivaling dynasties united their main claimants to the English throne
5. Queen Elizabeth followed the religious beliefs of her father	e) foreign trade became an important part of English economy
6. The Reformed Church had much in common with Catholic Church	f) she executed hundreds of Protestants — "heretics"
7. Mary Queen of Scots had lawful rights to the English crown	g) the Reformation of the Church began
8. Queen Elizabeth used her single status as a tool in foreign policy	h) grammar schools and new universities appeared all over the country
9. Elizabeth assisted seamen and merchants	i) she could easily settle difficult questions
10. English Renaissance awoke people's interest in learning	j) she almost completed the Reformation by the end of her reign

Task 7. Many kings and queens from the House of Tudor had traits that made them recognisable in the popular history. Match the traits of the monarchs to their names.

The House of Tudor
1. Henry VII		a) developed Protestantism in England after his father's death
2. Henry VIII		b) reformed the court system, created new nobility loyal to the Crown
3. Edward VI		c) tried to restore Catholicism in England, persecuted Protestants
4. Mary		d) made England a successfully developing economy, raised national spirit, started to built British Empire
5. Elizabeth I		e) reformed the Church of England making it independent from Rome

Task 8. These are the most important events of the Tudor period in England. Rank them hi importance and explain your choice.

1. The court system was strengthened, so people could get fair deals with their cases in courts.

2. The Anglican Church replaced Catholic Church, which diminished dependence upon Rome.

3. Geographical discoveries made the basis for future Colonial Empire.

4. England became a super naval power in the world.

5. Francis Drake sailed round the world.

6. English Renaissance discovered great poets and dramatists.