r08 The Early History of Britain
| Autor: David Vyhlídal | Škola: G Opatov |
| Strany: 1 A4 | Obrázky: ne |
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| Textový náhled: THE CELTS: Britain was part of the continent of Europe until about 6000 BC. Stone-age people arrived 3000 ago. First important settlers of British Island were Celts, who came there in 8th century BC. They knew the iron and they farmed on small square fields, their religion was polytheistic, their priests were called druids. They believed the soul is immortal and offered human sacrifices. THE ROMANS: In the 1st century BC Romans invaded the island and in 43 AD England was added to the Roman Empire, the Roman army was lead by Julius Caesar. The Romans built camps, fortresses, towns (one of these towns was also Londonium) and also stone roads. In spite of Roman occupation, the old Celtic social system was not completely destroyed and the British language existed side by side with Latin. Another Roman emperor, Hadrian, made on the border between today's Scotland and England a wall as a protection against the invasion of the Celtic tribes from the North (e.g. Scots in Scotland). THE ANGLO-SAXONS: After the withdrawal of Roman legions in 5th century waves of Angles and Saxons arrived from German lands on island and they made up there new culture. In the 7th century Anglo-Saxons controlled almost the entire island, they called it Angleland. In 7th century St. Augustine arrived on island and he brought there Christianity. In 10th century the strong warriors called Jutes came from Denmark. The Anglo-Saxons and Jutes united. THE VIKINGS: From the 8th to the 10th century was British Island several times attacked by Vikings (came form Scandinavia - Danes and Normans), who conquered the north part and made York their capital. This period is generally called the Dark Ages. The Saxon king Alfred the Great was successful in stopping their influence in the southern parts of the country, nevertheless the Danish wars wiped out many villages and the peasants suffered most. Alfred made peace with Vikings by leaving them north part of England (he wasn't strong enough). He was very well educated (as well as our Charles IV.), ha also started to write Anglo-Saxon chronicle, the first prosaic piece. WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR: In 11th century was the last successful invasion by French speaking Normans led by William, Duke of Normandy, who became William the Conqueror after defeating Harold in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William the Conqueror established a strong central government and appointed Norman nobleman to high positions. He made London the capital town and built the Tower of London. In this time the Norman and Anglo-Saxon language and customs merged. They influenced each other. The following ruler was Henry II, gained a piece of French Empire in the South. He had two sons Richard I, the Lion-Heart and John I, Lack land. MAGNA CHARTA: John I, Lack land (1199-1216), lost almost all the English possessions in France, including Normandy, in conflict with his barons he was forced to sign the Magna Charta in 1215 (Magnum Chartum Libertas - a step towards democracy, it declared bigger authority of aristocracy and restricted the king's authority). In Magna Charta stood, that nobody can be punished without sending to the trial. The time of Edward I (1272-1307) was marked by his wish to win back power from the barons. He joined Wales to England. HUNDRED YEARS? WAR: The Capulet's dynasty in France died and Edward III. wanted to be a king of France. This led to the Hundred Years? War (in the 14th century) and the defeat of England. At first, English won, at Crécy – the Czech king John of Luxemburg was killed there. But then Joan of Arc became a leader of French army. Later she was proclaimed as a witch and was burnt. After this war the English practically lost their power in France (they controlled just Calais). THE WAR OF ROSES: The Wars of the Roses took place in the 15th century. It was a long civil war between the House of York (whose emblem was a white rose) and the House of Lancaster (whose emblem was a red rose), who began struggle for the throne, the House of Lancaster had from the beginning a better position being led by king Henry IV. The battle which ended these wars was the Battle of Bosworth (1485) when the king, Richard III. (1483-1485) was killed and Henry Tudor (Lancaster) became King Henry VII. (1485-1509). He married Elizabeth of York, and thus joined the two houses. The Tudor monarchy lasted till 1603. 08.R The early history of Britain (history I) | |