Table Of ContentА.Ф. Артемова
О.А. Леонович
БРИТАНСКАЯ
МОНАРХИЯ
BRITISH
MONARCHY
Учебное пособие
2-е издание, стереотипное
Москва
Издательство «ФЛИНТА»
2015
1
УДК 811.111(075.8)
ББК 81.2Англ-923
А86
Р е ц е н з е н т ы :
д-р пед. наук, зав. кафедрой профессиональной иноязычной коммуникации
Волгоградского госуниверситета, проф. Т.Н. Астафурова;
д-р филол. наук, зав. кафедрой английской филологии,
проф. ПГЛУ П.И. Шлейвис
Артемова А.Ф.
А86 Британская монархия. British Monarchy [Электронный ресурс] : учеб.
пособие / А.Ф. Артемова, О.А. Леонович. – 2-е изд., стер. – М. : ФЛИНТА,
2015. – 204 с.
ISBN 978-5-9765-2234-3
Данное учебное пособие представляет собой систематизированное изло-
жение вопроса об одном из старейших в мире светских институтов – британ-
ской монархии. В книге три основные части. Часть I состоит из кратких спра-
вочных статей практически обо всех британских монархах от Альфреда Вели-
кого до Георга VI. Часть II посвящена нынешнему монарху – королеве Елизаве-
те II, месту монархии в современном британском обществе. Часть III включает
в себя оригинальные тексты, в которых критически рассматривается институт
британской монархии. Предназначается для преподавателей школ и вузов, сту-
дентов институтов и факультетов иностранных языков, а также для всех, кто
интересуется английским языком и культурой.
УДК 811.111(075.8)
ББК 81.2Англ-923
ISBN 978-5-9765-2234-3 © Артемова А.Ф., Леонович О.А., 2015
© Издательство «ФЛИНТА», 2015
2
CONTENTS
Introduction…………………………………………………………………….4
British Kings and Queens………………………………………………………6
The Royal Family……………………………………………………………122
The Institution of Monarchy as Seen by Others……………………………..152
I. Divine Right of Kings, 1610………………………………………….153
II. The Act of Supremacy, 1534…………………………………………155
III. The Monarchy (I. Jenkings)…………………………………………156
IV. The Queen (A. Sampson) ………………………………………...…161
V. Monarchy (A. Sampson)…………………………………………......173
VI. Diana’s Funeral…………………………………………………...…187
VII. A King Emerging…………………………………………………...194
VIII. From the Heart: The Queen’s Moving Words……………………..198
IX. On HTV: Television’s Biggest Ever Live Debate – Monarchy:
the Nation Decides………………………………………………….200
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………202
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Introduction
The British royal family is a unique institution – one that inspires respect, admira-
tion and, of course, curiosity throughout the world. People are fascinated partly by
the pageantry and spectacle – the brilliance of a royal wedding, the superb precision
of Trooping the Colour, the solemnity of a State Opening of Parliament. And we are
held in awe by an institution that has survived, through good times and bad, over
more than a thousand years of history. Perhaps it is part of the British genius to have
recognized in the monarchy a true and lasting symbol of the nation that transcends
the fleeting quarrels of parties and persons.
Since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 her reign has seen the British
monarchy adapt to major changes in Britain’s position in the world and in British so-
ciety. Most of the dependencies over which she reigned on her accession have be-
come independent members of the Commonwealth, of which she is Head, and many
of whose members continue to recognize her as head of State. Modern communica-
tions enable the Queen and the royal family to make more overseas visits than ever
before. In Britain, television has brought them much closer to the people, and meet-
ings with ordinary men and women at home and abroad have accelerated the trend
towards making the British monarchy a less aloof institution, while still evoking the
national and Commonwealth unity, and the entire royal family play a supporting role,
undertaking arduous programmes. A combination of the formal and the informal is a
special feature of today’s monarchy, combining traditional pomp and ceremony with
direct contact with people from all walks of life in their towns or at work. Both in
Britain and during Commonwealth tours, «walkabouts» – mingling with the crowds –
have become a popular feature. Royal jubilees, birthdays and weddings provide op-
portunities for a practical affirmation of the close and affectionate relationship be-
tween the monarchy and the people.
The monarchy is the oldest secular institution in Britain, going back to at least the
ninth century. The Queen can trace her descent from King Egbert, who united all
England under his sovereignty in 829. The monarchy antedates Parliament by four
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centuries, and the law courts by three. Its continuity has been broken only once (dur-
ing the republic under Cromwell from 1649 to 1660).
There have been interruptions in the direct line of succession, but the hereditary
principle has always been preserved. In Anglo-Saxon times the «Kings of the Eng-
lish» were elected by the «Witan» from among the males of the royal line, and the
elective principle was, in form at least, preserved under the first Norman kings, who
submitted themselves to election, or more accurately «recognition», by the «Com-
mune Concilium» (an act of recognition still forms part of the modern coronation
service). Thereafter the hereditary system firmly became established.
For centuries the monarch personally exercised supreme executive, legislative
and judicial power, but with the growth of Parliament and the courts, the direct exer-
cise of these functions gradually decreased. The XVII-th century struggle between
Crown and Parliament led, in 1688-1689, to the establishment of a limited constitu-
tional monarchy.
Responsible government in Britain has two main elements: ministers are respon-
sible to Parliament in that they can not govern without the support of an elected ma-
jority; and they are responsible for the advice they tender to the Queen, and, there-
fore, for any action she may take. Political decisions are taken by the ministers, and
the Queen is left free to perform the functions of an impartial head of State.
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British Kings and Queens
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Alfred, ‘the Great’
Born: Wantage, Berkshire, 849
Ascended the Throne: 23April 871
Coronation: Kingston-upon-Thames, 871
Married: Ethelswitha, a Mercian princess
Children: Three sons and three daughters
Died: 899
Buried: Newminster Abbey, Winchester
Alfred the Great (849-899) was King of the West Saxons in England. He saved
his country from Danish conquest, laid the basis for the unification of England under
the West Saxon monarchy, and led a revival of learning and literature. An out-
standing leader in both war and peace, he was the only king of England to be called
«the great».
Alfred was born at Wantage in Berkshire. As a boy, he was curious and eager to
learn. There is a story that his mother offered a prize to the first of her five sons who
learned to read. Alfred, the youngest, won the prize, a book of Anglo-Saxon poems.
Before he was seven, he had travelled to Rome twice, and was confirmed by Pope
Leo IV. These travels impressed upon young Alfred the contrast between the civilised
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parts of Europe and his more backward England.
Alfred became king in 871, after the death of his fourth brother. The West Saxons
had been at war with the Danes for many years. After several losing battles, Alfred
made peace with the invaders. But the Danes renewed their attacks four years later,
and defeated Alfred at the battle of Chippenham. Alfred finally defeated the Danes at
the battle of Edington in 878. The Danish leader, Guthrum, agreed to be baptized as a
Christian. After the Danes broke the peace once more, Alfred won his greatest mili-
tary victory, the conquest of London in 886. The Danes withdrew to the eastern third
of England, called the «Danelaw». All the English recognized Alfred as their king,
and paid him homage. Alfred built forts as strategic points and stationed a fleet of
ships along the coast to protect his kingdom and guard against invasion. He also is-
sued a great code of laws to improve government.
Alfred encouraged learning. Education declined because the Danes had looted
monasteries and churches, the only centres of learning. Few even among the clergy
could read or write. Alfred brought teachers and learned men from Wales, northern
England, and Europe to Wessex. He himself helped translate books from Latin into
Anglo-Saxon. He also kept a record of current events. Called the «Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle», it was continued after his death until 1154. It was the best source for An-
glo-Saxon history.
«The cultural and material havoc of these (Danish) invasions can hardly be over-
estimated. «So great was the decay of learning among Englishmen», Alfred lamented,
«that there were very few on this side Humber and I ween not many north of it who
could understand the ritual and translate a letter from Latin into English. No, I cannot
remember one such, south of the Thames, when I came to the throne». ... It is his suc-
cessful efforts to arrest this decay even more than his military ability that mark Alfred
as one of the greatest figures in English history. ...Alfred encouraged learned men to
come from Europe and even from Wales and in middle age taught himself to read and
write both in Latin and English, a feat that Charlemagne was never able to accom-
plish. He sought eagerly for the best knowledge that the age afforded and in a less il-
literate time would probably have attained a really scientific outlook. Constantly in ill
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health, never long at peace, the extent of his work is remarkable, and his thorough-
ness is attested by the long period of peace that followed his death».
(«A People’s History of England» by A.L. Morton)
«... In the winter of 878, a Danish force attacked the castle where Alfred was
celebrating Christmas. Alfred and a small band of loyal soldiers escaped and hid in
the forest until Easter.
Alfred spent this time training and rebuilding his armies. Many legends have
grown up about Alfred’s adventures during those trying times. The most famous is
the story of Alfred and the cakes. According to that legend, he took refuge in a forest
hut. An old peasant woman who lived there asked him to watch the cakes baking in
her oven while she went about her work. Alfred was so busy worrying about his
kingdom and planting new battles that he let the cakes burn. When the woman re-
turned, she gave Alfred a severe scolding. But he did not embarrass her by telling her
that he was the king.
... With the help of scholars, Alfred translated several books from Latin into Eng-
lish. These were among the first books ever written in the language of the country,
and were the foundation of English literature.
... When Alfred died, about 899, an unknown chronicler wrote, «There passed
away Alfred the king ... the famous, the warlike, the victorious, the careful provider
for the widow, the helpless, the orphan and the poor; the most skilled of Saxon poets,
most dear to his own nation, courteous to all, most liberal ... most watchful and de-
vout in his service of God».
(«The New Book of Knowledge»)
«Alfred was one of the greatest men in the history of Britain. He combined cour-
age and leadership in war with love of learning and law, and in reign of twenty-nine
years he made himself dearly loved by his people who, for generations after his
death, talked about the good days of his rule.
… This remarkable man also invented the candle-clock, the candle-lantern, and
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other gadgets, and he showed himself to be an expert on architectural matters.
Sad though it was when he died in 900, he left his kingdom in good order».
(«They Made History» by P.S. Fry)
«Alfred’s was a mind of wide interests, more characteristic of the 16th than the 9th
century, but practical and down-to-earth (among other achievements, he invented a
kind of water clock ). He left his own epitaph: “I desired to live worthy all my life,
and leave to the men who should come after my memory in good works”
(“History of England” by D. Mountfield)
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