Text 1 King, Parliament and Church (the 18-th century)

Vocabulary

nonetheless [,n٨nðә’lәs] — тем не менее, все же

bribe [braib] — давать взятки, подкупать

borough [‘b٨rә ] — (небольшой) город

repeal [ri’pi:l] — аннулировать, отменять (закон)

preach [pri:t∫] — проповедовать, поучать, выступать в защиту

convert [‘kә nvз:t] — новообращенный

to and froe [tu: ænd freu ] — туда и сюда, взад и вперед

preside over [pri’zaid әuvә ] — осуществлять руководство

heyday [‘heidei] — расцвет, лучшая пора

stud [st٨d] — усеивать

insipid [in’sipid] — скучный, вялый, безжизненный

revive [ri’vaiv] — оживлять, воскрешать

admiration [‚ædmә‘rei∫n] — восхищение

distinction [di’stink∫n] — отличительная особенность, оригинальность

infantry [‘infәntri] — пехота

accuse (smb of smth) [ ә‘kju:z] — обвинять кого-то в чем-либо

lack [læk] — отсутствие, недостаток

courage [‘k٨ridз ] — смелость

bewilder [bi’wildә ] — сбивать с толку, вводить в заблуждение

In 1714 George Hanover became George 1 of England (1714-11727). He was only distantly related to the English Royal Family, but he was the nearest Protestant heir. He was wholly German in language, culture and political outlook. He spoke no English and left many decisions to his ministers, who became known as the Cabinet. They were usually members of the House of Lords, and chosen from the Whig Party, who had supported the Hanoverian claim to the throne.

During the 18th century the power and importance of Parliament continued to grow, so its support was vital to the king and Cabinet. Ministers often gained support in the House of Commons by bribing or making deals with MPs. Most MPs came from the upper classes and had rich friends who helped to get them elected. In some areas (known as pocket boroughs) elections were run by local landowners who put pressure on voters to choose a particular candidate. It is thought that over half the MPs in the Commons were elected in this way.

Between 1711 and 1714 the Tories passed acts forbidding Non-Conformists (people who did not belong to the Anglican Church) from holding public office and setting up their own schools. In 1719 the Whigs repealed these acts, and became popular with non-conformists as a result. At that time the Anglican Church was becoming increasingly disorganized and corrupt. In 1729 two brothers, John and Charles Wesley, began preaching around the country. They thought the Church was failing its duty to the poor and they preached modernization and self-denial. The Wesleys made many converts, especially in the countryside, and their followers became known as Methodists.

George 1 was not much of a real ruler, and he left the running of the government to his chief minister Robert Walpole. In 1732 MPs began to call him the “Prime Minister” although the name was not officially recognized until 1905. George spent as much time as he could in Hanover or in his trips to and fro, and died on his way there.

George 2 (1727-1760) presided, without great enthusiasm, over a period of unprecedented prosperity for Britain at home and abroad. It was a heyday of the English aristocracy, whose great and beautiful houses studded the land. The royal court, by contrast, was a dull and almost insipid affair, revived only by the King’s passion for music, and admiration for Handel. George’s one claim for distinction was military: he fought well and was the last reigning King of England to lead troops into battle, which he did in 1743, when he advanced on foot at the head of his infantry, and defeated the French. No one could ever accuse George 2 of lacking courage.

George 2’s son, Frederic, prince of Wales, died in 1751, and the heir to the throne became his young son, George, who was aged 22 when he succeeded. George 3 (1760-1820), unlike his two predecessors, was an English King rather than a German ruler and was proud to be so. Intensely patriotic, he laboured hard and long at the bewildering political problems associated with the American and French Revolutions.

Тask 1. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What was the political and religious background of the first king of the House of Hanover?

2. What ways did the politicians chose to gain victories in the 17-th century political struggle?

3. Who were political opponents in Parliament and what did their opinions differ in?

4. What distinctions of George II could be referred to as his strengths?

5. In what respect is the borderline drawn here between George III and his two predecessors? How long did he remain on the throne?

Task 2. Find the equivalents in the text:

Был отдаленно связан с английской королевской семьей; был немцем по языку, культуре и политическим убеждениям; оставлял многие решения за министрами; важный, жизненно необходимый; давая взятки; большинство членов Парламента были родом из высших классов; которые оказывали давление на избирателей, чтобы выбрать определенного кандидата; Виги (либералы) отменили эти акты; Англиканская церковь становилась чрезвычайно неорганизованной и коррумпированной; начал проповедовать по стране; много новообращенных; стали известны как «Методисты»; туда и сюда; осуществлял руководство без особого энтузиазма; период неоспоримого процветания; это был расцвет английской аристократии; королевский суд, напротив, был скучным и почти безжизненным занятием; страсть короля к музыке; отличительная особенность; военный; он был последним правящим королем Англии, который привел войска к битве; когда он вступил на землю во главе пехоты; разбил французов; никто не мог обвинить Георга второго в отсутствии смелости; наследник трона; когда он унаследовал престол; в отличие от своих предшественников; сбивающие с толку политические проблемы.

Task 3. Express the main idea of the text in one or two sentences. Say if you liked or disliked the text and why. (See Appendix).