A Few Pages from the History of Britain

Contents

Unit 1: Claudius 4

Unit 2: Agricola 6

Unit 3: Arthur, The Venerable Bede 8

Unit 4: Alfred the Great 10

Unit 5: William the Conqueror 12

Unit 6: Henry I 14

Unit 7: John 16

Unit 8: William Wallace 18

Unit 9: Thomas More 20

Unit 10: Mary I 22

Unit 11: Oliver Cromwell 24

Unit 12: Samuel Pepys 26

Unit 13: Captain James Cook 28

Unit 14: Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson 30

Unit 15: William Wilberforce 32

Unit 16: Duke of Wellington 34

Unit 17: Feargus O'Connor 36

Unit 18: Victoria 38

Unit 19: George V 40

Unit 20: Stanley Baldwin 42

Unit 21: Alan Turing 44

Unit 22: Clement Attlee 46

Unit 23: Margaret Thatcher 48

Unit 24: Watson and Crick 50

Unit 25: Battle of the Marne 52

Unit 26: Battle for Gallipoli 54

Unit 27: Battle of the Somme 56

Unit 28: Battle of Passchendaele 58

Unit 29: Versailles and Peacemaking (Part 1) 60Unit 30: Versailles and Peacemaking (Part 2) 62

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to A. Posun'ko and O. Smaglo for their assistance in compiling this book.

Unit 1 Claudius (10 BC - 54 AD)

This theme is dealt with in a lot of historical sources. The following citation is to illustrate this:

“Claudius I was the emperor who added Britain to the Roman Empire.

Claudius was born on 1 August 10 BC in Gaul (now France) into the Roman imperial family. Tiberius, the second emperor of Rome, was his uncle. Claudius suffered from physical disabilities, including a limp and a speech impediment and was therefore treated with disdain by his family, and not considered as a future emperor. When Tiberius's successor Caligula was assassinated in January 41 AD, the Praetorian Guard found Claudius in the palace and acclaimed him as emperor. The senate held out against Claudius for two days, but then accepted the inevitable.

Relations between Claudius and the senate continuedtobe difficult, and the new emperor entrusted much of his administration to influential Greek freedmen of low social standing, which in turn alienated the senators. He also heard trials in private, rather than allowing senators to be judged by their peers.

Although he lacked a military reputation, the essential attribute of an emperor, in 43 AD Claudius undertook the conquest of Britain. He visited the island for 16 days, to preside over the capture of Colchester, the capital of the new province, and then returned to Rome in triumph. As well as Britain, Claudius added Mauretania (North Africa), Thrace (the Balkans) and Lycia (part of Turkey) to the Roman Empire.

Claudius had two children by his wife Messallina - Britannicus and Octavia. In 48 AD Messallina went through a marriage ceremony with the consul Silius as part of a plot against Claudius. Both were executed. Claudius then married his niece Agrippina the Younger who with her son Domitius, was the only surviving direct descendant of Augustus. Agrippina quickly

appointed her own supporters to important positions and persuaded Claudius to adopt Domitius - who took the name Nero - as his son.

Claudius died on 13 October 54 AD after being poisoned, probably on the orders of Agrippina who feared Claudius would appoint Britannicus his heir over her son Nero. Nero became Emperor…”

The complete version of this text is at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/claudius.shtml

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

relations; to include; disdain; to treat; social standing; to preside; conquest; province; plot; to adopt;

3) Give definitions to the following:

inevitable; capital; consul; executed; influential freedmen; was assassinated;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- When was Claudius born?

- Who was Claudius’s wife?

- Which attribute was essential for a Roman emperor?

- Describe relations between Claudius and the senate.

- Why did Claudius die?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/mosaics_gallery.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_gms_deathrome.shtml

Unit 2 Agricola (40 - 93 AD)

Agricola was a Roman statesman and soldier who, as Roman governor of Britain, conquered large areas of northern England, Scotland and Wales. His life is well-known to us today because his son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, wrote a detailed biography of him which survives.

Gnaeus Julius Agricola was born on 13 July 40 AD in southern France, then part of the Roman Empire, into a high-ranking family. He began his career as a military tribune in Britain and may have participated in the crushing of Boudicca's uprising in 61 AD. During the civil war of 69 AD Agricola supported Vespasian in his successful attempt to become emperor. Agricola was appointed to command a Roman legion in Britain. He then served as governor of Aquitania (south-east France) for three years, and after a period in Rome, in 78 AD he was made governor of Britain.

As soon as he arrived, Agricola began campaigning to assert Roman authority in north Wales. According to Tacitus he crossed the Menai Straits and took Anglesey. From 79 - 80 AD, Agricola moved north to Scotland where he consolidated Roman military control and masterminded the building of a string of forts across the country from west to east. From 81 - 83 AD, Agricola campaigned north of the Forth-Clyde line and confronted the Caledonian tribes under Calgacus at the battle of Mons Graupius in 84 AD. The Caledonians were routed but despite Agricola's claim that the island had now been conquered, the threat to Roman security from the north was not completely removed.

The following year, Agricola was recalled to Rome and died there on 23 August 93 AD.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

high-ranking; civil war; to appoint; attempt; authority; despite; threat; to consolidate; governor; to crush;

3) Give definitions to the following:

biography; statesman; to route; claim; military control; tribes

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- Where was Agricola born?

- Was Agricola made governor of Aquitania?

- What was Agricola's politics in Wales?

- What were the Caledonians?

- When was Agricola recalled to Rome?

- What did Agricola do in Scotland?

- How did Agricola begin his career?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/roman_religion_gallery.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/romanarmy_gallery.shtml

Unit 3 Arthur (dates unknown)

A mythical king of the Britons in ancient times, who may be based on a historical figure.

It is possible that the legendary Arthur is based on a historical figure, a Romano-Britain who fought the invading Anglo-Saxons in the fifth and/or sixth century and who first appears in Welsh literature. According to the ninth-century historian Nennius, this Arthur defeated the Saxons at Mount Badon in 518 and died at Camlan in 537.

The Arthur of legend is first characterised in the Welsh Mabinogi, a collection of medieval tales, and it is this literary character who is associated with the founding of the Round Table at Camelot and the search for the Holy Grail. The legend also states that Arthur will return when his country needs him. Other early references to Arthur occur in two 12th century works, a Life of St Gildas and the chronicles of Geoffrey of Monmouth.

The Venerable Bede (673 AD - 735 AD)

St Bede - also known as the Venerable Bede - is widely regarded as the greatest of all the Anglo-Saxon scholars. He wrote around forty books mainly dealing with theology and history.

Bede was probably born in Monkton, Durham. Nothing is known of his family background. At the age of seven he was entrusted to the care of Benedict Biscop, who is 674 AD had founded the monastery of St. Peter at Wearmouth. In 682 AD, Bede moved the monastery at Jarrow, where he spent the rest of his life. By the age of 19 he had become a deacon and was promoted to priest at 30.

His scholarship covered a huge range of subjects, including commentaries on the Bible, observations of nature,

music and poetry. His most famous work, which is a key source for the understanding of early British history and the arrival of Christianity, is 'Historia Ecclestiastica Gentis Anglorum' or 'The Ecclesiastical History of the English People' which was completed in 731 AD. It is the first work of history in which the AD system of dating is used.

Bede died in his cell at the monastery in May 735 AD.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

legendary; references; probably; scholarship; famous; priest; medieval; to defeat; to entrust; to state;

3) Give definitions to the following:

system of dating; cell; collection; venerable; theology; huge range of subjects;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- Where did Arthur defeat the Saxons?

- Where is Arthur first characterised?

- When will,according to the legend, Arthur return?

- Where was Bede born?

- When was 'The Ecclesiastical History of the English People' completed?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/excavations_techniques/launch_gms_dig_deeper.shtml

http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/arthmenu.htm

http://www.caerleon.net/history/arthur/

Unit 4 Alfred the Great (849 AD - 899 AD)

King of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex and one of the outstanding figures of English history, as much for his social and educational reforms as for his military successes against the Danes. He is the only English monarch known as 'the Great'.

Alfred was born at Wantage in Oxfordshire in 849, fourth or fifth son of Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons. Following the wishes of their father, the sons succeeded to the kingship in turn. At a time when the country was under threat from Danish raids, this was aimed at preventing a child inheriting the throne with the related weaknesses in leadership. In 870 the Danes attacked the only remaining independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom, Wessex, whose forces were commanded by Alfred's older brother, King Aethelred and Alfred himself.

In 871, Alfred defeated the Danes at the Battle of Ashdown in Berkshire. The following year, he succeeded his brother as king. Despite his success at Ashdown, the Danes continued to devastate Wessex and Alfred was forced to withdraw to the Somerset marshes, where he continued guerrilla warfare against his enemies. In 878, he again defeated the Danes in the Battle of Edington. They made peace and Guthrum, their king, was baptised with Alfred as his sponsor. In 886, Alfred negotiated a treaty with the Danes. England was divided, with the north and the east (between the Rivers Thames and Tees) declared to be Danish territory - later known as the 'Danelaw'. Alfred therefore gained control of areas of West Mercia and Kent which had been beyond the boundaries of Wessex.

Alfred built up the defences of his kingdom to ensure that it was not threatened by the Danes again. He reorganised his army and built a series of well-defended settlements across southern England. He also established a navy for use against the

Danish raiders who continued to harass the coast.

As an administrator Alfred advocated justice and order and established a code of laws and a reformed coinage. He had a strong belief in the importance of education and learnt Latin in his late thirties. He then arranged, and himself took part in, the translation of books from Latin to Anglo-Saxon.

By the 890s, Alfred's charters and coinage were referring to him as 'king of the English'. He died in October 899 and was buried at his capital city of Winchester.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

coinage; charters; education; code of laws; justice; settlements; guerrilla warfare; to baptise; to devastate; weaknesses in leadership;

3) Give definitions to the following:

Danelaw; to withdraw; sponsor; the boundaries ; to harass; strong belief;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- Who was Alfred's father?

- What was Wessex in 870?

- Wnen was the Battle of Ashdown?

- Who was Guthrum's sponsor?

- Why did Alfred attempt to improve the defences of his kingdom?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/excavations_techniques/launch_tl_ages_treasure.shtml

Unit 5 William the Conqueror (c.1028 - c.1087)

William was Duke of Normandy and, as William I, the first Norman King of England.

William was born in around 1028, in Falaise, Normandy the illegitimate son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy. He was thus known as 'William the Bastard' to his contemporaries. On his father's death in 1035, William was recognised as heir, with his great uncle serving as regent. In 1042 he began to take more personal control. From 1046 until 1055 he dealt with a series of baronial rebellions. William's political and military successes helped him in negotiations to marry Matilda, daughter of Count Baldwin of Flanders in 1053.

Early in 1066, Edward, king of England died and Harold, Earl of Wessex was crowned king. William was furious, claiming that in 1051 Edward, a distant cousin, had promised him the throne and that Harold had later sworn to support that claim.

William landed in England on 28 September 1066, establishing a camp near Hastings. Harold had travelled north tofight another invader, Harold Hardraade, King of Norway and defeated him at Stamford Bridge near York. He marched south as quickly as he could and on 14 October, his army met William's. It was a close-fought battle lasting all day, but Harold was killed and his army collapsed. William was victorious. On Christmas Day 1066 he was crowned king in Westminster Abbey. A Norman aristocracy became the new governing class and English bishops were replaced with Norman ones.

The first years of his reign were spent crushing resistance and securing his borders, which he did with ruthless efficiency. He invaded Scotland in 1072 and concluded a truce with the Scottish king. He marched into Wales in 1081 and created special defensive 'marcher' counties along the borders. The last

serious rebellion, the Revolt of the Earls, took place in 1075. In 1086, William ordered a survey to be made of the kingdom: this was to be the Domesday Book.

With the kingdom increasingly settled, William spent most of his last 15 years in Normandy, leaving the government of England to regents, usually clergymen. He spent the last months of his reign fighting the French king Philip I. He died on 9 September 1087 from injuries received when he fell off his horse at the Siege of Mantes. He divided his lands between two of his sons, with Robert receiving Normandy and William Rufus, England.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

duke; contemporaries; to land; increasingly; injuries; to recognize; camp; to collapse; to secure borders; truce; county;

3) Give definitions to the following:

the illegitimate son; governing class; bishop; rebellion; negotiations; regent;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- When was William recognised as heir?

- Who was crowned as king in 1066?

- What happened in 1066 near Hastings?

- What was William doing during the first years of his reign?

- What is the Domesday Book?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/launch_gms_battle_hastings.shtml

Unit 6 Henry I (c.1069 - 1135)

The youngest and most able of William the Conqueror's sons, Henry strengthened the crown's executive powers and modernised royal administration.

Henry was born in England in 1068 or 1069, the fourth son of William the Conqueror. By the time his elder brother William became king, one of Henry's other older brothers had died, leaving Robert as the only other potential successor. William was killed in a hunting accident in August 1100, and Henry had himself crowned a few days later, taking advantage of Robert's absence on crusade. With a number of barons supporting Robert, however, Henry's succession was precarious. He moved quickly to buy support by granting favours, abolishing abuses and making wide-ranging concessions in his Charter of Liberties. In November 1100, he married Edith, sister of the king of Scotland, in order to secure his northern border.

When Robert invaded England in 1101 Henry, with some popular and baronial support, agreed an amicable settlement. Robert relinquished his claim in return for Henry's territories in Normandy and a large annuity. However, his chaotic reign of Normandy prompted Henry to invade: he routed Robert's army at Tinchebrai in 1106, capturing Robert and holding him prisoner for life.

Henry's frequent absences from England prompted the development of a bureaucracy that could operate effectively in his absence. His reign marked a significant advance from personal monarchy towards the bureaucratised state of the future. The exchequer was developed to deal with royal revenues and royal justices began to tour the shires to reinforce local administration and inquire into revenues, often aggressively.

Abroad, his possessions in Normandy were challenged by Robert's son, William Clito. Henry was obliged to repel two assaults by Clito's supporters and Norman barons who resented Henry's officials and high taxes. By 1120, however, the barons had submitted, Henry's only legitimate son William had been married to the daughter of the powerful Count of Anjou and Louis VI of France had agreed terms for

peace after defeat in battle.

In November 1120, Henry's son died in a shipwreck and from them on the question of the succession dominated the politics of the reign. Henry summoned his only other legitimate child Matilda, back to England and made his barons pay homage to her as his heir. In 1128, Matilda was married to Geoffrey Plantagenet, another member of the Angevin family. English barons did not want to be ruled by a woman and an Angevin and on Henry's death in December 1135, there was a succession crisis which led to civil war.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

potential successor; absence; crusade; precarious; abuses; concessions; to secure; amicable settlement; to relinquish; prisoner;

3) Give definitions to the following:

to reinforce; bureaucracy; exchequer; shires; possessions; to submit; succession crisis;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- Who was Henry's elder brother?

- How did Henry try to attract supporters?

- Who supported Henry in 1101?

- How did Henry's son die?

- What caused the civil war?

- What family did Geoffrey Plantagenet come from?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.secretsofthenormaninvasion.com/

http://www.essentialnormanconquest.com/

http//www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/launch_gms_ancient_ob.shtml

Unit 7 John (c.1167 - 1216)

John was a king of England who is most famous for signing the Magna Carta.

John was born around Christmas in 1166 or 1167 in Oxford, the youngest and favourite son of Henry II. On his father's death in 1189 his brother, Richard, became king. John received titles, lands and money, but this was not enough. In October 1190 Richard recognised his nephew, Arthur, as his heir. Three years later, when Richard was imprisoned in Germany, John tried to seize control. He was unsuccessful and, when Richard returned in early 1194, was banished. The two were soon reconciled and, when Arthur was captured by Philip II in 1196, Richard named John heir.

In 1199 Richard died and John was king. War with France was renewed, triggered by John's second marriage. While asked to mediate between the rival families of Lusignan and Angoulême, he married the Angoulême heiress Isabella, who had been betrothed to Hugh de Lusignan. A rebellion broke out and John was ordered to appear before his overlord, Philip II of France. His failure to do so resulted in war..

By 1206, John had lost Normandy, Anjou, Maine and parts of Poitou. These failures were a damaging blow to his prestige and he was determined to win them back. However, this required money so his government became increasingly ruthless and efficient in its financial administration. Taxes soared and he began to exploit his feudal rights ever more harshly.

This bred increasing baronial discontent. Negotiations between John and his barons failed and civil war broke out in May 1215. When the rebels seized London, John was compelled to negotiate further and, on 19 June at Runnymede on the River Thames, he accepted the baronial terms embodied in the Magna Carta, which limited royal power, ensured feudal rights and

restated English law. It was the first formal document stating that the monarch was as much under the rule of law as his people, and that the rights of individuals were to be upheld even against the wishes of the sovereign.

This settlement was soon rendered impractical when John claimed it was signed under duress. Pope Innocent took his side and in the ensuing civil war John laid waste to the northern counties and the Scottish border. Prince Louis of France then invaded at the barons' request. John continued to wage war vigorously but his death in October 1216 enabled a compromise peace and the succession of his son Henry III.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

nephew; to banish; to trigger; to mediate; ruthless; to soar; harshly; to restate; to sign; to wage war;

3) Give definitions to the following:

baronial discontent; overlord; feudal rights ; request; compromise peace; heiress;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- When and where was John born?

- Was John Richard's heir?

- How did John exploit his feudal rights?

- What was embodied in the Magna Carta?

- What happened in 1216?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/museum/item.asp?item_id=3

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page60.asp

Unit 8 William Wallace (c. 1270 - 1305)

Wallace led the Scottish rebellion against Edward I and inflicted a famous defeat on the English army at Stirling Bridge. He is remembered as a patriot and national hero.

William Wallace was born in the 1270s in Elderslie in Renfrewshire into a gentry family. Very little is known about his early years and there are significant periods of his life for which there are no reliable sources.

In 1296, Edward I of England had taken advantage of a succession crisis in Scotland and imposed himself as ruler with an English administration. Within months, Scottish unrest was widespread.

In May 1297, Wallace attacked the town of Lanark, killing the English sheriff and unrest quickly became full-blown rebellion. Men flocked to join Wallace and he began to drive the English out of Fife and Perthshire. In September 1297, Wallace defeated a much larger English force at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. This and subsequent military successes severely weakened the English hold on Scotland. Wallace then launched raids into England. In late 1297 or early 1298 he was knighted and appointed 'guardian of the kingdom' in the name of John Balliol, the deposed king of Scotland.

The shock of the defeat at Stirling rallied the English around Edward, who marched north with an army. Wallace's strategy was to avoid confrontation and gradually withdraw. He destroyed the countryside as he went, forcing Edward to march deeper and deeper into Scotland. In July 1298, the Scottish and English armies met near Falkirk, and the Scots were defeated. Wallace escaped and little is known of his movements, but at some stage he resigned the guardianship and was succeeded by Robert Bruce and John Comyn.

Wallace then went abroad, notably to France, to seek support for

the Scottish cause. He returned to Scotland in 1303. In his absence Robert Bruce had accepted a truce with Edward I and, in 1304, John Comyn came to terms with the English as well. Wallace was excluded from these terms and the English king offered a large sum of money to anyone who killed or captured him. Wallace was seized in or near Glasgow in August 1305, and transported to London. He was charged and tried with treason, which he denied, saying he had never sworn allegiance to the English king. His execution was held on 23 August, where he was hung, drawn and quartered. His head was placed on London Bridge, and his limbs displayed in Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling and Perth.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

gentry; reliable sources; unrest; to rally; shock of the defeat; to seize; to drive out; to appoint; to depose; widespread;

3) Give definitions to the following:

full-blown rebellion; subsequent military successes; allegiance; execution; cause; to severely weaken;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- Why did Scottish unrest start in 1296?

- What town was the first target of Wallace?

- When was Wallace knighted?

- Who fought near Falkirk?

- Was Wallace mentioned in the terms of the truce?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/independence/features_independence_wallace.shtml

Unit 9 Thomas More (1478 - 1535)

More was an English lawyer, scholar, writer, MP and chancellor in the reign of Henry VIII, who was executed for refusing to recognise the break with Rome.

Thomas More was born on 7 February 1478 in London, the son of a successful lawyer. As a boy, More spent some time in the household of John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury. He later studied at Oxford, and qualified as a lawyer, although he did contemplate becoming a monk. From 1510 to 1518 he was one of the two under-sheriffs of London and in 1517 entered the king's service, becoming one of Henry VIII's most effective and trusted civil servants and acting as his secretary, interpreter, speech-writer, chief diplomat, advisor and confidant. In 1521 he was knighted, in 1523 he became the speaker of the House of Commons and in 1525 chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

At the same time More was building a reputation as ascholar. He was close to the radical catholic theologian Erasmus, but wrote polemics against Martin Luther and the protestant reformation. Around 1515 he wrote 'The History of Richard III' which established that king's reputation as a tyrant and has been described as the first masterpiece of English historiography; and in 1516 published his most important work 'Utopia' - a description of an imaginary republic ruled by reason and intended to contrast with the strife-ridden reality of contemporary European politics. More remained a passionate defender of Catholic orthodoxy - writing pamphlets against heresy, banning unorthodox books, and even taking responsibility when chancellor for the interrogation of heretics.

More took the post of lord chancellor in 1529, just as Henry had become determined to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The previous chancellor, Lord Wolsey, had failed to

achieve this objective. Henry was close to breaking with the Church of Rome, and the so-called 'Reformation Parliament' was about to convene.

When Henry declared himself 'Supreme Head of the Church in England' - thus establishing the Anglican Church and allowing him to end his marriage - More resigned the chancellorship. He continued to argue against the king's divorce and the split with Rome, and in 1534 was arrested after refusing to swear an oath of succession repudiating the Pope and accepting the annulment of Henry's marriage. He was tried for treason at Westminster and on 6 July 1535 was executed on Tower Hill.

Assignments

1) Translate the text paying special attention to historical terminology.

2) Give Ukrainian equivalents to the following:

successful lawyer; monk; confidant; masterpiece; contemporary; passionate; strife-ridden; reason; to obtain; objective;

3) Give definitions to the following:

to convene; annulment of marriage; treason; civil servant; responsibility; divorce;

4) Answer the questions on the text:

- Who was born on 7 February 1478 in London?

- What was John Morton?

- Did Thomas More support Reformation?

- Why did More resign chancellorship?

- Where was More executed?

5) Put questions to the underlined words in the text.

6) Speak on this issue adding extra information from other sources.

Interactive content:

http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/tmore.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/church_gallery.shtml

Unit 10 Mary I (1516 - 1558)

The first queen to rule England in her own right, she was known as 'Bloody Mary' for her persecution of Protestants in a vain attempt to restore Catholicism in England.

Mary was born at Greenwich on 18 February 1516, the only surviving child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Her life was radically altered when Henry divorced Catherine to marry Anne Boleyn. He claimed that the marriage was incestuous and illegal, as Catherine had been married to his dead brother, Arthur. The Pope disagreed; Henry broke with Rome and established the Church of England.

Henry's allegations of incest effectively bastardised Mary. After Anne Boleyn bore Henry another daughter, Elizabeth, Mary was forbidden access to her parents and stripped of her title of princess. Mary never saw her mother again. With Anne Boleyn's fall, there was a chance of reconciliation between father and daughter. However, Mary refused to recognise her father as head of the church. She eventually agreed to submit to her father and Mary returned to court and was given a household suitable to her position. She was named as heir to the throne after her younger brother Edward, born in 1537.

Edward VI succeeded his father in 1547 and, under the protectorate of the Duke of Northumberland, zealously promoted Protestantism. Mary, however, remained a devout Catholic. When it became clear that Edward was dying, Northumberland made plans for his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, to take the throne in Mary's place.

On Edward's death in 1553, Jane was briefly acclaimed queen. But Mary had widespread popular support and within days made a triumphal entry into London. Once queen, she was determined to re-impose Catholicism and marry Philip II of Spain. Neither was popular: Philip was foreign and distrusted and many in England had a vested interest in the Protestant church, having received church lands and money after Henry dissolved the monasteries.

In 1554 Mary crushed a rebellion led by Sir Thomas Wyatt. Making the most of her advantage, she married Philip, pressed on with the restoration of Catholicism and revived the laws against heresy.

Over the next three years, hundreds of Protestants were burned at the stake. This provoked disillusionment with Mary, deepened by an unsuccessful war against France which led to the loss of Calais, England's last possession in France, in January 1558. Childless, sick and deserted by Philip, Mary died on 17 November 1558. Her hopes for a Catholic England died with her.

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 1257