Кафедрапрофессиональной иноязычной подготовки
УЧЕБНО-МЕТОДИЧЕСКОЕПОСОБИЕ
ДИСЦИПЛИНА: Практикаустной и письменной английской речи (V курс)
ТЕМА: Культураи искусство стран изучаемого языка
РАЗДЕЛ: АрхитектураВеликобритании
ЧАСЫ: 20часов
ОГЛАВЛЕНИЕ
Пояснительная записка
Содержание УМП
1. Цельи задачи изучения раздела
2. Учебно-методическийблок: серия заданий на основе видеоматериала
3. Учебно-исследовательскийблок: вопросы для самостоятельного изучения с помощью дополнительнойлитературы, тематика мини-исследований по теме
4. Информационныйблок: дикторские тексты видеофильма
5. Приложения:комментарии к дикторским текстам
ПОЯСНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ЗАПИСКА
Изучение культурного наследия стран изучаемого языка, вособенности такого вида искусства, как архитектура, должно проходить внестандартной форме. Предлагаемый аутентичный видеоматериал предназначен дляизучающий английский язык как иностранный. Он представляет собой блокстрановедческой информации, которая раскрывается на фоне запоминающихсязрительных образов. Все это усиливает эмоциональное воздействие на студентов,открывает дополнительные возможности пополнения знаний и формированияпрофессионально значимых умений.
Видеофильм «The Spirit of Britain» (Дух Британии) даетвозможность организовать серию занятий по практике устной и письменнойанглийской речи, основной практической целью которых выступаетсовершенствование умений аудирования и неподготовленной устной речи. Работа свидеоматериалами носит интегрированный характер, так как предполагаетпривлечение и использование знаний и умений, полученных студентами при изучениитаких дисциплин, как страноведение, литература Англии, стилистика.
СОДЕРЖАНИЕ УМП
1… ЦЕЛЬ И ЗАДАЧИ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ РАЗДЕЛА
· Практическаяцель – дальнейшее совершенствование навыков аудирования и развитие уменийнеподготовленной устной речи на изучаемом иностранном языке.
· Развивающаяцель – комплексное совершенствование умений восприятия фактов иноязычнойкультуры.
· Воспитательнаяцель – углубление понимания значения архитектуры как одного из видов искусства.
· Образовательнаяцель – расширение знаний студентов об истории и культуре Великобритании.
ЗАДАЧИ изучения раздела:
· датьпредставление о различных архитектурных стилях, известных в строительномискусстве Великобритании;
· научитьузнавать архитектурные особенности, характерные для британских памятниковархитектуры;
· развиватьумения восприятия и обобщения страноведческой информации, сравнения исопоставления ее с фоновыми знаниями о родной культуре.
2. УЧЕБНО-МЕТОДИЧЕСКИЙ БЛОК: серия заданий на основе видео
STOKESAY CASTLE (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. No doubt you've read some novels where the action is setin the Middle Ages. What do you think a medieval castle looks like? Share yourviews.
1.2. Can you guess what these word combinations mean?
— a manor house — a gate house
— a parish church — an architectural gem
1.3. Study these new words that will help you understand thevideo better.
— a huddle — woodworks
— a recess — elaborate
— opulence
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. While watching the video try to concentrate on findingthe answers to the following questions:
a) What purpose was Stokesay Castle built for?
b) Is the emphasis in Stokesay on comfort rather than ondefense ?
c) Does Stokesay have the right to be called an architecturalgem? Share you views.
2.2. Try to single out one of Stokesay nooks that caught yourfancy, give the reasons why.
2.3. Complete the following according to the information onvideo.
Stokesay is the most _____________ early fortified manorhouse in England.
This unique castle is ____________ hundred years old.
The castle has been under _____________________ programrecently.
The only really-fortified part of the castle is____________________.
What is remarkable about Stokesay is that_____________________.
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. Think of your very own answers to the following:
a) Would you prefer to live in Stokesay?
b) There is a proverb: «An Englishman's house is his castle» DoesStokesay prove this?
c) A parallel can be drawn between Stokesay Castle and onearchitectural relic in Belarus. Can you name this structure? Can you come upwith its detailed description?
3.2. Read the description of a medieval castle taken from thebook «Catherine, Called Birdy» by Karen Cushman, paying attention toall the details. Can you feel the atmosphere of the epoch?
"…Clattering over the moat bridge, we passed through themain gate into the castle yard. The castle seemed like a small stone city.Huddled against the great curtain wall with its stone towers were buildings ofall sizes – a slope-roofed storage shed, a kitchen with a chimney like a churchsteeple, the great hall, a brewhouse, thatched, barns and stables, a piggery, asmithy, and the chapel.
The yard teemed with sights and sounds. Great snorting horsescoming or going just milling around stirred the rain and snow dirt into a greatmuddy slop. Peasants held wiggling, squawking ducks and chickens by their feet,shaking them in the face of anyone who might buy. Laundresses stirred greatvats of dirty clothes in soapy water like cooks brewing up somegown-and-breeches stew. Bakers ran back and forth from the ovens at the side ofthe yard to kitchen with great baskets of steamy fresh bread. Masons chippedstones and mixed mortar as they continued their everlasting repairs. Everywherechildren tumbled over each other and everyone else, stealing bread, chasingdogs, splashing and slopping through the mud.
As we drew near to the great hall, the smells overpoweredeven the noise – the sour smell of the sick, the poor, and the old who crowdedabout the door, waiting for scraps of food or linen, the rotten sweet smell ofthe garbage and soiled rushes piled outside the kitchen door, and above all thesmell of crisping fat and boiling meat and the hundreds of spices and herbs andhoneys and wines that together make a castle dinner".
Does Stokesay correspond to your idea of a medieval castle?Explain, please.
3.3. There is a proverb: «An Englishman's house is hiscastle». Stokesay seems to be the very proof of this. Do you agree? Why(not)?
KENWOOD (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. There have always been castles and mansions famous notonly as architectural gems but also as frames for renowned art collections.Could you recollect the names of just a few of such places?
1.2. You'll have a chance to see the portrait of a LadyHamilton. Does her name ring a bell? Share your ideas with your groupmates, orbe prepared to dig for more information after class.
1.3. Study the following words and make sure you understandtheir meaning:
— a crest — grandeur/grandiose
— to bequeath/bequest — an array
— in one's own right — to dazzle
— ornate — wayward
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Answer the question: where does the secret of Kenwood'smagic and popularity lie?
2.2.Mark the sequence in which the following items appearedin the video:
_______Henry Moore's sculptures
_______the library
_______circular balustrade
_______the Guitar Player
_______Portrait of the artist
_______Sham bridge
_______mirrored recess,
_______Madonna and Child
2.3. Make sure you understood everything correctly. Study thebrief description below and say what is not in accordance with the narration init.
Rembrandt's Portrait of an Artist is one of the least famousof his paintings. Dated from four years before his death it reflects all thedespair of an aging painter. Yet this tragic figure still seems heroic, thoughaware of the fact that his glorious days are long gone.
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1. Some names of the painters mentioned in the videodefinitely ring a bell. Point them out and present some information concerningtheir life and creative activity.
2. Now watch the video sequence again and answer, what was sopeculiar about Lord Ivy's taste concerning paintings.
3. Kenwood is a real treasure trove, isn't it? But there issomething more than that. It reflects the personality of its owner; can youguess what Lord Ivy was like? Create his personality profile.
RIEVAULX ABBEY (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. You are going to see the remains of the first everCistercian monastery in England. Do you happen to know anything about theCistercian order? If not ask Teacher for more information.
1.2. Make sure you know these words; that will facilitateyour understanding:
— serenity — tumult
— to thrive — to abandon
1.3. Make a list of the numerous architectural termsmentioned in the video. They are typical of descriptions of major religiousbuildings, aren't they? Compare your list with the teacher's one:
— an arcade — a nave
— a buttress — a shrine
— an aisle — an altar
— a transept
II.WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. While you are watching the video, try to unveil themystery: what drew people to this lonely and secluded spot?
2.2. Continue the statements based on the information.
— It was deliberately built by the monks____________________________
— Architecturally, it's an example of _______________________________
— The nave is a good demonstration of the early belief in______________
— The number of monks living here is estimated at___________________
— The first Abbot, William, was entered in a shrine after______________
2.3. Due to the peculiarity of natural conditions the canonsof religious architecture were violated. Which of the traditions was violatedand why?
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. Which of the adjectives can be attributed to the way oflife the monks used to lead in the Abbey? Find as much proof in the video asyou can to confirm your point of view.
Choose from: lonely, spiritual, far-away, abandoned, pious,elaborated, religious, creative, working, impractical, traditional, peaceful,serene, marvelous, free, tumultuous, wordly.
3.2. Now watch the video again and comment on the atmospherethat every visitor can't help feeling when inside the Abbey. Is that atmospherefelt as you watch the video?
3.3. These picturesque ruins could be used as a perfectsetting for a movie based on — well, choose one of the three possibilities.Could the film be based on (1) an anti-utopian fantasy; (2) a gothic novel; (3)an international spy thriller? (4) sci-fi odyssey; (5) musical; (6) soapymelodrama; (7) historical romance.
Explain your choice, please.
BELSAY HALL (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1 Read a beautiful description of a 'room with a view'taken from Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca (1938). Say what the flowers add to theatmosphere of the place and why.
This was a woman's room, graceful, fragile, the room ofsomeone who had chosen every particle of furniture with great care, so thateach chair, each vase, each small, infinitesimal thing should be in harmonywith one another, and with her own personality. It was as though she who hadarranged this room had said: 'This I will have, and this, and this,' takingpiece by piece (...) each object that pleased her best, ignoring the second-rate,the mediocre, laying her hand with sure certain instinct only upon the best.There was no intermingling of style, no confusing of period, and the result wasperfection in a strange and startling way, not coldly formal like thedrawing-room shown to the public, but vividly alive, having something of thesame glow and brilliance that the rhododendrons had massed there, beneath thewindow. And I noticed then that the rhododendrons, not content with formingtheir theatre on the little lawn outside the window, had been permitted to theroom itself. Their great warm faces looked down upon me from the mantelpiece,they floated in a bowl upon the table by the sofa, they stood, lean andgraceful, on the writing-desk beside the golden candlesticks.
The room was filled with them, even the walls took colourfrom them, becoming rich and glowing in the morning sun. They were the onlyflowers in the room, and I wondered if there was some purpose in it, whetherthe room had been arranged originally with this one end in view, for nowhereelse in the house did the rhododendrons obtrude. There were flowers in thedining-room, flowers in the library, but orderly and trim, rather in thebackground, not like this, not in profusion…
1.2. Many of the well-known plants have — well, if we may sayso — English roots. Study several descriptions and guess the English names ofthe plants. (See Appendix 1 for more information.)
A. It is a plant grown for its striped leaves and blue,white, or pink flowers. It is also called spiderwort. The name comes frommodern Latin, named for John Tradescant or his son. The name of the plant is________________.
В. It comes from Africa. It's a perennial plant that is widelycultivated for its showy flowers that are often unusual or irregular in shape.It was introduced in late 18th century and named for Charlotte ofMecklenburg-Strelitz, queen of George III. It's called_______________________.
СIt's commonly called wax plant or porcelain flower or waxvine. In fact, it is an Asian and Australian evergreen climbing plant or shrubthat is related to milkweed and bears waxy white flowers. It was named afterthe English gardener Thomas Hoy. It's original name is_______________________.
1.3. A house of a person of means is often a mirrorreflecting the image of the owner. Do you agree with the statement? Give acouple of examples to prove the above.
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Taking into account the indisputably original characterof Belsay, we can suggest the idea of Sir Charles Monk's originality, can't we?Take a mental note of Sir Charles' views on life and love, on lakes and lawns.
2.2. Mark the sequence in which the following themes arediscussed:
· Belsay gardens present a unique medley of local and tropicalplants, that looks as natural as it can be;
· Belsay Hall attracts visitors by its architectural perfectionmaking it one of the most magnificent estates in the Border Country;
· Belsay gardens are located in the former quarry, which suppliesspecial microclimate;
· the original nucleus of the estate was Belsay Castle;
· the grounds are a perfect place for crochet;
· bewitched by the Greek arch style, Sir Charles Monk renovated hisestate.
2.3. Explain the meaning of the words and expressions takenfrom the tape:
— the Border Country — a romantic tableau
— an eccentric — to be bewitched by
— a medley — to quarry
— a landscape architect — the feeling of utterseclusion
— features on the wail — sumptuous gardens
III.AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. Think of all the components that make Belsay Hall aharmoniously beautiful landmark of the Border Country. Which of them seems toyou the most stunning one?
3.3. One author described a fabulous house surrounded bypicturesque environs like «a jewel in a ring». This metaphor can bewell-applied to Belsay Hall, cant it? Can you come up with some of your ownmetaphors to refer to Belsay Hall?
DOVER CASTLE (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1. In the video you will hear several outstanding historicalfigures mentioned. Some of them are: William the Conqueror, Sir WinstonChurchill, QueenMother. Do you know anything about their role in history?
1.2.These words will help you to grasp the narrator's speechbetter:
— astride — a sweeping view
— a rampart — a siege
— a keep — a stronghold
II.WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Try to catch the names of two more famous Britonsmentioned in the narration. Both were military leaders. Their names are…Can yousay anything about their role in the history of Britain? Which of them appealsto you more and why? Don't hesitate to defend your point of view.
2.2. Give answers to the following questions:
a) Where and with what purpose was Dover Castle built?
b) What is its oldest surviving building? By the way, doesthe name ring a bell?
c) What can you say about Hubert De Burk and his contributionto the castle appearance and role?
d) The castle retained its strategic importance for centuriesdidn't it? Why was it put to military use during World War II?
e) What is so special and unique about Dover Castle?
2.3. Dover Castle is often referred to as the key to England. Pay specialattention to the information who and when tried to use that «key».
2.4. The conclusion to the narration is that Dover Castle is the mostimportant coastal defense work in Europe and probably one of Europe's bestpreserved strategic strongholds. Take note of the facts to prove that.
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1.Watch the video again and find detailed information forthe following:
a) Dover Castle in Early Britain;
b) Dover Castle in the Middle Ages;
c) Dover Castle in the 19th century;
d) Dover Castle during World War II and in the period of theso-called nuclear threat.
TINTAGEL CASTLE (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. Some architectural relics owe their fame to myths orlegends. Could you recall but a few of such places located anywhere in theworld.
1.2. Comment on the following passage from Thomas Malory's Deathof Arthur. «Yet many men say in many parts of England that King Arthur isnot dead, but had by the will of Our Lord Jesus into another place; and manymen say that he shall come again, and he shall win the holy cross. I will not saythat it shall be so, rather I will say that here in this world he changed hislife. But many men say that there is written upon his tomb this verse: HICIACET ARTHURUS, REX QUONDAM REXQUE FUTURUS. (Here lies Arthur, the once andfuture king.)» What does this text imply?
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Two enigmatic personalities are mentioned in the video.Try to catch their names and try to recall where and when you might have comeacross the information about them. Are they just mere names or more than that?
2.2.These words will help you understand the narrator'sspeech better. Make sure you understand them well.
— to jut out — an enigma
— a causeway — obscure
— to foster(somebody)
2.3. Complete the following statements according to thenarration.
Tintagel Castle is a place without _________________on theBritish Isles.
The building site must have been a former________________________.
The evidence is that it could have been the stronghold of____________.
Legend has it that it was in Merlin's cave that_____________________.
Tintagel's fame is based not on fact but on________________________.
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. Fact and fiction are intertwined in Tintagel Mythology.Separate fact from fiction with the help of the following chart.Fact Fiction
3.2. So what is it that draws crowds of curious tourists to thisenigmatic place: historic facts or legends? Try to argue your point.
3.3. If you ever made up your mind to go to Tintagel, what would beyour primary reason to do so? Explain your point of view.
3.4. Use the information in Appendix 3 to tell a magical Tale ofTintagel.
AUDLEY END (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. There are some mansions and palaces that simply compelus to describe them in such terms as «magnificent»,«opulent», etc. Could you name several places with such excellentcharacteristics?
1.2. Biblical themes and allusions are many in any form of art.Architecture and painting are no exception. What do know about the Last Supper.Why are so many works of art dedicated to this mythological meal?
1.3. Read the information below about an outstanding Englishlandscape gardener. He is better known under his assumed name. Identify thisname, which is a very unexpected one, by the way, while listening to thenarration.
Lancelot Brown (1715-1783) is an English landscape gardenerwho codified and popularized the principles of «English», or«natural», landscape gardening. Building on the work of hispredecessor William Kent, he rejected the geometric formality of the reigningFrench style in favor of more informal designs based on sweeping curves andnatural groupings of trees and lawns. His landscapes often includedartificially made but natural-looking lakes and watercourses. He landscapedmore than 100 estates. Under his influence, the English style spread throughoutEurope.
1.4. These word-combinations may come appear very handy whilewatching the video:
— the cream of the collection
— to complement something
— a huge undertaking
— to take pride of place
— a treasure trove
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. While watching the video try to remember all the Britishmonarchs whose names are connected with Audley End. Can you give any detailsconcerning that connection?
2.2. Complete the sentences:
1) Originally Audley End was so magnificent that...
2) Audley End is distinguished by ...
3) At this or that time of its long history Audley End waslinked with...
4) …adds to its splendor
5) Different elements like the Tea Houses Bridge, etc wereadded to.
6) The family accommodation was… while the first floor wasdistinguished for....
7) Nowadays Audley End is one third of its..., but…nonetheless.
III. AFTER-WATCHING 'ACTIVITIES
3.1. Explain the meaning of these names and terms used in thenarration.
· Lord-treasurer
· EastAnglia
· Jacobine
· Venice
· Dodges'Palace
· StMark
· Christie's
· Carpenter'sGothic
STONEHENGE (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. Naturally, you must have heard a lot or at leastsomething about Stonehenge. What period do you think it belongs to: (1) Anglo-Saxon;(2) Celtic; (3) Roman; (4) Norman' Share your knowledge with others.
1.2. These words will help you comprehend the method that wasused by prehistoric engineers while constructing Stonehenge:
— sandstone — bluestone
— a sarsen — a lintel
— mortise and tenon joints
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Some of the stones that comprise Stonehenge bear names. Try tomemorise them and think what could have given rise to this or that name.
2.2. Find out what exactly makes Stonehenge so unusual in terms ofarchitectural design.
2.3. Complete the sentences below and then arrange them inthe order they
appeared in the video:
a) Exactly why and how Stonehenge was built and...
b) 3500 years ago this was a temple made...
c) The original entrance was marked...
d) This astonishing construction is...
e) The stones were held together by...
f) At the focus of a central bluestone horseshoe is...
e) The «heel»stone is the one over which...
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. While watching the video try to find the clues thatcould prompt an inquisitive mind a somewhat different version of Stonehenge'soriginal designation.
3.2. Read through the information below and explain why the mystery ofStonehenge will never cease to captivate our imagination.
Why Stonehenge was constructed remains
3.3. Can you offer your own version what exactly Stonehengewas used for? Exchange your versions with your groupmates and find the mostplausible one.
3.4. Now that you've seen the place live, share your ideasabout what exactly Tess of the d’Urbervilles might have felt when she got toStonehenge on that fateful night.
BATTLE ABBEY (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
1.1. October 14,1066. Does that date ring a bell? Whathistory-making event took place then? What do you know about King Harold orabout William the Conqueror?
1.2. These words might prove helpful in understanding thenarration.
— to atone (for)
— a cloister
— a brazier
— a novice
1.3. While watching the video try to concentrate on somehelpful clues that can give a hint at what kind of man William the Conquerorcould have been. Charles Dickens in «A Child’s History of England»wrote, «O Conqueror! Of whom so many great names are proud now, of whom somany great names thought nothing then, it were better to have conquered onetrue heart than England!» Explain why the great novelist said so.
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Complete the following sentences and arrange them in theorder they appear on the tape:
a) The monks lived in this huge building which...
b) The altar of this church should be here, where...
c) The charter house was the place...
d) It remains one of the finest...
e) William ordered the building of an abbey on the...
f) There were alterations and...
g) Much of the abbots great hall has survived and now...
2.2. What has become of the Abbey in later centuries? Isthere any irony in the fact? Please, be prepared to explain your point of view.
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. The narrator calls the abbey a fitting tribute to a moment and abattle that changed the course of English history. Explain why.
3.2. The idea of atonement has always seemed very attractive.Can you recall any other structure(s) built with the same idea in mind?
3.3. Research the history of some famous British Abbeys (youmay start with Westminster Abbey) and present your findings in class.
OSBORNE HOUSE (2 часа)
I. PRE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
l.l. Queen Victoria is definitely one of the most renownedand revered among British monarchs. What do you know about the Victorian Age(1837—1901)? Why was that time often compared, and not unfavorably, with theElizabethan Age?
1.2. Pay attention to the following words that will prove tobe helpful.
— ornate — tranquil — rigour
— conceive — submit — centerpiece
1.3. Explain the meaning of the following word-combinations.
— an idyllic retreat — pride of place
— dominate the eye — all walks of life
II. WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
2.1. Osborne house was above all a family vacation home. Takenote of as many facts as you can that prove this.
2.2. Mark the sequence in which the following items appear inthe video:
a) the Peacock Column e) the marble-top table
b) the bathing machine f) Albert's posthumous mask
c) the hand-operated lift g) the marble-winged Victory
d) marble copies of limbs h) the ornate billiards table
III. AFTER-WATCHING ACTIVITIES
3.1. Could one call Queen Victoria an enlightened monarch whostrove to know her subjects better? Are there any arguments for or against thisin the video?
3.2. London is rich in landmarks connected with QueenVictoria, Prince Albert and their love for each other. Can you recall a few?
3.УЧЕБНО-ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЙ БЛОК: вопросы для самостоятельного изучения с помощьюдополнительной литературы, тематика мини-исследования по теме
STOKESAY CASTLE
3.1. A parallel can be drawn between Stokesay Castle and onearchitectural relic in Belarus. Can you name this structure? Can you come upwith its detailed description?
3.2. Scan the pages of historical /fantasy novel and find adetailed description of a castle. Translate it into English and present it toyour group (with the original, if possible).
KENWOOD
3.3. Some names of the painters mentioned in the storydefinitely ring a bell. Point them out and present some information concerningtheir life and creative activity.
3.4. Scan the pages of historical novels,reference books and encyclopedias and prepare a mini-report on the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace in Gomel. Pay special attention to the personality of itscreator.
3.5. Henry Moore's sculptures are famous all over the world.What do you know about the artist? Prepare a mini-report on his life and work.
3.6. Art on display in Kenwood grounds can hardly be called classical.What is your opinion of abstract art – is it a sign of changing times orchanging mentality? Does any of the names seem familiar? (if not, some researchis in store for you)
RIEVAULX ABBEY
3.7. Prepare a mini-report on ancient specimen of Belorussianreligious architecture (you may start with Kalozha Church in Grodno).
BELSAY HALL
3.8. Study Appendix 1 and prepare a report on your favouritehouse plants.
TINTAGEL CASTLE
3.9. Study Appendix 2 and prepare a report on King Arthur'searly life.
3.10. Now try to prepare a similar chart about one the manyancient architectural relics situated on Belarusian soil.
AUDLEY END
3.11. Conduct a research on the Dodges' Palace in Venice,Italy that inspired so many great masters, Canaletto included.
3.12. Audley End is but one place out of many on the Britishroil connected with the names of Royalty.
Make mini-research about one of such places and present yourfindings to the group.
STONEHENGE
3.13. Remember where famous commemorative stones are placedon Belarusian soil. What names or events are associated with them? Prepare amini-report on each.
BATTLE ABBEY
3.14. Prepare a narration to accompany a tour of Britishschool students to the Brest Fortress.
OSBORNE HOUSE
3.15. Reread the famous ballad Recessional (1897) by RudyardKipling and add a new dimension to your commentary on it.
3.16. Rudyard Kipling's father, Lochwood Kipling, madedesigns for part of hors d'ouevre's room. Do you think the designer's son tookgreat pride in the fact? Do you think it could have shaped Kipling's attitudetowards the great concept of the Empire where the sun never set?
4. ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫЙ БЛОК: дикторские тексты видеофильма
STOKESAY CASTLE
Not far from the border with Wales stands the ancient markettown of Lladllow which grew up on the banks of the river Teem. In the late 13thcentury the leading wool-merchant of his day Lawrence of Lladllow decided tobuild a new home a few miles north of the town at the head of a narrow valleythat runs to the midst of the Shropshire hills. The result is the mostperfectly preserved early fortified manor house in England.
This is an extraordinary picturesque huddle of castle, parishchurch and gate house, quite simply, an architectural gem.
Built at the time of newly established peaceon the Welsh borders, Stokesay took advantage of the first chance in centuriesto create a community that had more a domestic atmosphere than a military one.It gives a unique glimpse into how a rich merchant would have lived sevenhundred years ago.
The core of the house is the great hall, a vast room where anentire household would have eaten together including guests and servants aswell as the family. The six large windows were glazed in the top half but onlyshuttered in the low half. The magnificent timber roof, recently restored as apart of extensive renovation program at Stokesay, is supported by huge curvedpieces of wood standing on stone core walls. At the north end a very rare exampleof the surviving medieval staircase supported by large timber brackets builtinto the walls and made up of solid timber treads cut from whole tree trunks.
The stairs lead to the north tower where a spacious secondfloor apartment provided extra accommodation for family or guests. The archedrecess would probably have held a lamp. Beside it is fine example of the late13th century decorated fireplace, on the floor medieval clay tiles,some of which still show traces of decoration. The roofs on the north and westwalls are timber framed and by projecting out of the outer wall giveconsiderably more floor space.
On the other side of the great hall is the solar block, athree-storeyed unit where principal members of the family would live. The roomswere updated in the middle of the 17th century with Jacobine paneledwoodwork, a sure sign of opulence and decorated with grotesque carved figuresbased on Flemish design.
This was a place of privacy, of intimacy in which to work orentertain as well as keeping an eye on what was going on down in the greathall.
The only really-fortified part of the house is the southtower built on a perfectly geometrical base. It has a battlement parapet witharrow loops.
Although the windows are narrow, the wide splays increasetheir light; the emphasis, again, is on comfort rather than defense.
The original stone gate house was replaced in the 17thcentury by a timber framed building. Its highly decorated elaborate interior istypical of the region and is similar to the gate house in Shropshire nearby,which was built in 1620.
What is remarkable about Stokesay is not so much that it has survivedin such good condition, but rather after centuries of neglect and a civil warwhich destroyed so many other manor houses of its type that it has survived atall.
KENWOOD
It's a perfect setting. On the crest of Hamstead Heathcommanding a superb view over London in a midst of spectacularly beautifuly landscapeis a house which contains one of the finest collections of paintings inBritain...
Kenwood and its renowned art collection was bequeathed to thenation in 1927 by Edward Guinness, first Earl of Ivy. It's known as the Ivybequest the original house dating from the 17th century wasremodeled by Robert Adam, the leading architect and interior designer of hisday in the 1760 — 70's. Many of the rooms in Kenwood stand as works of art intheir own right. In Adam's new wing is one of the most impressive late 18thcentury interiors to be found anywhere in the country. The library or greatroom, considered by many to be Robert Adam's finest room, this is a shiningexample of neo-classical style that Adam made so fashionable in the late 18thcentury.
The eminent Venetian painter Antonio Zucci, husband ofAngelica Kaufmann, whose paintings can also be found in Kenwood was chosen topaint the finely ornate ceilings.
Mirrored recesses were designed to reflect the fine prospectsthrough the opposite windows. Balancing the room they provided an alternativeto windows; they could only have had a rather grandiose view on kitchen garden.
Later, new rooms were designed by George Sonders who washeavily influenced by Henry Holland's modifications to Carlton House in PallMall. The striking similar circular balustrade here in the dining room lobbyrecalled Carlton's octagone vestibule.
But it's in the dining room that one comes across the finestof Kenwood's paintings. Here are the richest of the old masters' work from LordIvy's bequest. This is one of the most famous paintings in the world — Rembrandt's «Portrait of an Artist». Dated from four years before hisdeath it has all the grandeur of an autobiography presented to posterity.Employed by his son to avoid creditors and living off his daughter's savingsthis tragic figure still seems heroic, confident of his genius. A fine paintingby Rubens of the Madonna and Child and St Joseph, the child Jesus like aninfant Hercules with a halo of golden hair. Lord Mainsfield's dressing roomoffers still more beautiful paintings by great artists like Gainsborough. LordIvy gathered together in his collection of paintings a dazzling array ofbeautiful women/Gainsborough's portrait of Mary, Countess How, is perhaps themost striking image in the Kenwood collection. In one of the Gainsborough'smost admired works his seemingly casual swirls of paint create the impressionof the most ornate lace. There is also «Lady Hamilton of the spinningwheel», Lord Nelson's rather wayward future mistress by Romney.
The art on display at Kenwood is not merely restricted topaint on the canvas. Robert Adam described the grounds as amazingly gay,beautiful, magnificent and picturesque. On the eastern end of a 1000 poundpond, so called because it cost 1000 pounds to make in the 1790's is the ShamBridge, only inches wide. Here too is eye catching art of a different era — sculptures by Henry Moore and other modern sculptors.
In his bequest Lord Ivy also insisted that his fabulous artcollection and magnificent landscape that surrounds it must remain open to thepublic free of charge. No wonder Kenwood remains one of the most popular as oneof the most beautiful places in the whole of London.
RIEVAULX ABBEY
In 1132 in the valley of the river Rye in Yorkshire workbegan on the north of England's first Cistercian monastery. Today its ruins arethe most important of their type on the British Isles.
This has always been a lonely place, deliberately built bythe monks as far away as possible from the temptation of town and city. In timethough the community here was to become a very busy thriving one.
At the heart of the Abbey the great church with its splendidearly English arcades and three-tiered wall — a breathtaking example of EnglishGothic architecture. It was built in the early 13th century andlater fine buttresses were added to support the north aisle wall and to pin thebuilding which had started to slide down the hill. The raised platform of thehigh altar which according to convention usually faces east, is actually nearerto the south side of the Abbey. Because of the site of the Abbey in the Ryevalley was so narrow, the monks had to abandon the normal rules of Ecclesiasticarchitecture and build an new monastery on an almost south-north access.
Built into the walls of the south transept is the remains ofa passage, which led directly to the monks dormitories. Services were often heldin the middle of the night. The oldest part of the church is the nave. This isthe earliest surviving Cistercian nave in Britain. It's a good demonstration ofthe early belief in simple and unelaborated design. Below the nave thecloisters where monks and the lay brothers would spend much of their dayworking, writing or at discussion. A cones section of the 12th centuryarcade around the cloisters has been built from original stone and it looksexactly as if would have been done 800 years ago. Beyond the cloister, an areaset aside for the more practical aspects of Abbey life. This is the lavatorium,equipped with rows of recessed wash basins. And beside it — the huge refectory,where the community would take its meals.
In the west wall the remains of the spiral staircase to apulpit where prayers were read during the meals, the eating area with a storeroom or undercroft beneath had to be big. At one time no less than 140 monksand 500 lay brothers were in residence here. In the kitchen next door there's ahatch to pass the food through. In the 13th century the only placein the cloisters where the fire was allowed for heating purposes was thewarming house. Fires were lit in the huge double fireplace.
A chapter house, where the community met daily to beaddressed by the Abbot, often after a reading of a chapter of the rule of StBenedict's. That was a traditional burial place of the Abbots. Rievaulx’s first Abbot,William was entered in a shrine after he was made a saint.
This is still a lonely place. It also remains as its thirdand most famous Abbot Alerod said: «A place of peace, serenity and amarvelous freedom from the tumult of the world».
BELSAY HALL
In beautiful Border Country, 15 miles to the north-west ofNew-Castle and set in 30 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens, is one ofthe north most striking country houses. Begun in 1807, the creation of awealthy eccentric, Sir Charles Monk, this is one of the most importantneo-classical buildings in Britain.
Almost as famous as the house are the gardens. To the south,a pattern of borders echoes the extraordinary symmetry of Belsay Hall itself.It's planted with the informal medley of evergreens and perennials. Below, theterraces look out over the rhododendron garden. And below that Sir Charles, theadmirer of the work of the landscape architect Sir Homphrey Reapton, created astunning new lake. In fact, until the building of the new hall, Sir Charles'sancestors, the Middletons, had lived in Belsay Castle, the original nucleus ofthe estate/which had been built as a fortified home because of centuries offighting around the Border Country with Scotland.
The oldest part of the estate is the tower, built before1460, which was certainly intended to be defensible. Features on the south wallwere also decorative to be admired by the travelers passing by on the roadwhich ran past in front of the castle. Beside it, in 1614, Thomas Middletonadded an unfortified range, a witness to more peaceful times. His coat-of-armson the carved stonework proclaiming his and his wife Dorothy's achievements canstill be clearly seen above the porch of the main range.
The family moved out on Christmas day 1817 and by the 1840'smuch of the building had been carefully reduced to create a romantic tableau.Work on the new Belsay Hall with its precise geometric dimensions (it's exactly100 feet square) was begun on Sir Charles Monk's return from his two-yearhoneymoon in April 1806 during which he and his new bride had visited Greeceand became bewitched by the romantic appeal of the architecture there. The newhome bore resemblance to a Greek temple. The capitols and ten heads of the columnsin this pillar hall were put in place in 1812, each carved by a differentmason. The balustrade wasn't inserted until the 1830's. Other rooms, many ofthem now empty, reveal Sir Charles interest in the new methods of heating withfire crates and double floors pugged to reduce heat loss. In its day, it wouldhave been a very comfortable place to live. The sandstone for the house wasquarried within the park to the west of the hall, and when excavation wascomplete, Sir Charles transformed the quarry into a huge picturesque garden.
The unforgettable Belsay quarry garden is a man-madelandscape, of course, but the wild woodland style of gardening helps make itlook natural. Later it was added to by Sir Charles' grandson, Sir ArthurMiddleton. Because it's so sheltered, the quarry garden is a superbly stableenvironment in which plant life can thrive.
Exotic plants have been carefully positioned to make themseem natural too. Huge, water-loving plant from South America abounds. And in asheltered corner by the arch there's even a palm-tree. «It's not warm, andit's not frosty either, but the climate moves steadily from extreme to extreme,so plants are flung around between the opposite extremes and they do well. Youcan come in here in December, hen the — sky is black and it's snowing and therhododendrons 30 feet high are in full bloom and it's magic».
Beside the rhododendrons are many other species of delicateplants and ferns which thrive in the warm moist conditions. The feeling ofutter seclusion and the absence of wind is heightened by the ranks of toweringScottish pine, for which Belsay is famous.
In summer the sunken lawns of the winter gardens are used forcrochet, a perfect setting. For more than 150 years the scene has beendominated by a vast Douglas fur planted here immediately after its introductionfrom North America in 1827.
And so, back to the hall via the magnolia terrace, which isnow being replanted with new varieties including shrub rose and geranium.
Sumptuous gardens and medieval castle and extraordinaryneoclassical Georgian hall. After 600 years of history Belsay remains one ofthe most remarkable estates in the north of England.
DOVER CASTLE
High above the bustling modern port like an ancient crownastride the famous cliffs stands a castle, which is unrivalled in its position,history and sheer breathtaking size. Built within the ramparts of theprehistoric Iron Age fort Dover has the longest recorded history of any majorfortress in Britain. William the Conqueror spent eight days here in 1066strengthening the existent Saxon defenses although what remains today datesfrom the 12-13 centuries.
The central keep of the castle is one of the finest in Europebuilt for Henry II in thell80's. The main entrance is in the huge forebuilding, the most ambitious structure of its type in castle building before orsince. Built into it a pail of tiny chapels designed in what we now call earlyEnglish style: the round arches of late Norman combined with Gothic columns.The stairs were originally partly open to the sky commanded by the battlementabove and in the middle there must have been a draw bridge. Inside are the vastrooms of the royal apartments where Henry II and the court who traveled withhim could stay in absolute safety and comparative warmth and luxury. At thesouth end of the second floor the King had own very private chapel. It isbeautifully proportioned and similarly planned to a tiny parish church. Theroof of the keep was strengthened by Georgian military engineers over 500 yearslater to carry heavy guns. It is still a superb viewpoint. From here with agreat sweeping view of a harbor and the town nearly 500 feet below, it's easyto see why Dover Castle became known as a key to England. In the early 13thcentury new gate ways and defense works were built on Dover outer western wall.This is a gate house of two periods. A. conical roof was added to. a big muraltower of king John's reign in about 1300.
In the 1220's the castle had a magnificent new entrance — thework of famous Hubert De Burk, Constable of Dover, who had successfully heldthe castle against the French in the siege in 1216. Constable's gate was one ofthe greatest gate houses of its day, although its top section was modernized bythe Victorians, most of it looks now just as it did 750 years ago — a dotingprospect to any would-be-attackers.
After a period of comparative quiet Dover entered a new eraof life in 1740's when Georgian and later Victorian engineers set to work onthe ramparts and once again updated its defenses. In fact the oldest survivingbuilding within the castle wall is the Roman light house. The Pharos is one ofthe tallest standing structures of its age west of the Alps. It wasstrengthened, then heightened in the 15' century as a bell tower. Beside it theAnglo-Saxon church of St Mary-in-Castro almost completely rebuilt in the1860's.
The original cruciform plan and scale of a church indicatesthat it would have held minister status as a home of the community of priests.Beside the door there is the list of priests dating back to the early 13thcentury.
Today the castle and its church are expecting an importantvisitor. The post of Constable of Dover, once held by Hubert De Burk stillexists. Other notable constables have included the Duke of Wellington and SirWinston Chuchill. An annual visit to the parish church is one of the duties ofthe current Constable. Her majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother has beenConstable of Dover since 1978. She takes her duties very seriously.
During World War II Dover Castle was once again put tomilitary use. The harbor below was of strategic importance and in the hugenetwork of tunnels buiil in the cliffs beneath the castle a new secret militaryheadquarters was constructed. The evacuation of the British Army from Dunkerkwas coordinated from here as well as the monitoring of the enemy ships andallies' shipping movement in the Channel and wireless transmission fromoccupied Europe which lay a mere 22 miles away across the Straight of Dover.
There was also an anti aircraft operations room whereinformation on the course of enemy aircraft from observers on the new chain ofradar masts was charted on screen and plotting tables. Up until the 1970's thetunnels of Dover remained prepared for being original seat of government incase of an emergency such as nuclear attack.
Dover Castle is a unique military monument with 2000 years ofmilitary technology inside and beneath its ancient ramparts.
It is the most important coastal defense work in Europe andprobably one of Europe's best preserved strategic strongholds.
TINTAGEL CASTLE
Jutting into the wild and wind-swept seas of theNorth-Cornish coast an ancient place of mystery and romance probably withoutrival on the British Isles — Tintagel Castle. Even today Tintagel remains acomplete enigma. Overlooked from the hill-top on the mainland by the village ofTintagel, the island is connected by a thin causeway. The word «tin»means «fortress», «tagel» — probably a narrow strip ofland, the neck of the island. The island is known of the medieval castle, thehighest points of which, the upper and lower walls, are actually on themainland. The castle was — almost certainly built by Earl Richard of Cornwall,younger brother of King Henry III, who created his new fortress in 1233 on thesite of what have been probably a roman trading post.
A doorway leads into the inner ward on the island proper.Tintagel's fame though is based not on fact but on the legends which havebrought it an extraordinary and almost magical atmosphere. According tofolklore, this was the mystical home of the ancient magician Merlin and thebirthplace of King Arthur of the Round Table. And the evidence is that it couldhave been the stronghold of some post-roman Cornish ruler, possibly a king.What's so strange is that a castle should be built here on an island of littlestrategic importance, miles away from the main inland trading routes ofCornwall. Then it fell into disrepair — by the 14th century thegreat hall lost its roof. The chapel was extended when the castle was built,originally dedicated to an obscure Celtic saint Judith. It was still in use in1483 and long after the castle was in ruins. At the base of the island thespectacular Merlin's cave, inside which, according u to the legendso loved by the poet Tennyson, the infant Arthur was discovered. But after thetempests when the long waves broke all down the thundering shoals of brine andmoss there came a day as still as heaven and then they found a naked child uponthe sands of dark Tintagel by the Cornish sea. And that was Arthur. And theyfostered him till he by miracle was a proven king.
AUDLEYEND
In 1605 Thomas Howard, first Earl of Suffolk andLord-treasurer to the King James I started work on what was to become one ofthe largest and most magnificent country houses in England. It was a hugeundertaking. Today, although only a third of its original size, this remainsone of the great houses of East Anglia.
In its day Audley End was so magnificent that even the kingsof England were worried that the Essex state had grown grander and moreimpressive than their own royal palaces.
Inside Audley End is a treasure trove of paintings,furniture, and ossign in rooms with striking variety of styles. Dominating thegreat hall of the house is a massive wooden Jacobine screen superbly coveredwith distinctive patterns and figures, characteristic of its age, which mayoriginally have been brightly painted. This was a house designed specificallyto accommodate royalty as guests, and indeed James I stayed here in 1610 and1614. Later, Audley End was owned by Charles II.
The family accommodation was usually confined to the groundfloor of the house, once the main reception rooms were on the first floor.
This is the dining-room, re-modeled by the third LordBraberook, who inherited Audley End in 1825. It's presided over by Larkin'smagnificent full-length portrait of the forth Lord of Braberook. Lord Braberookalso created a colorful sitting-room, in which he housed the cream of AudleyEnd's collection of paintings. Taking pride of place, Venice, by AntonioCanalli Canaletto, depicting a view of the Campanelli and Dodges’ Palace on thebay of St Mark, illustrating Canaletto's brilliant feeling for light. There areoutstanding landscapes by the Dutch painter Van Goyen. This is «theShore», bought for 21 pounds in Christie’s in 1773.
In the north wing now looking almost exactly as it did inphotographs taken in 1891, Lady Braberook's sitting room. The commode andcupboards are Louis XVI. There is also fine Louis XIV’ furniture in thelibrary, in the bay window, a superb writing table. Below the south library,Robert Adam's masterpiece of interior design, a wonderful little sitting-roomfor the ladies to escape to once the gentlemen got started on the port afterdinner. Adam also built the bridge on the grounds known as the Tea-house bridgein 1782, the river Cam had already been dammed to make a lake. A boathouse wasadded in the 19th century to complement the sweeping grounds, laidby Cabability Brown so, too, was an enchanting rose-garden. On the hill to thesouth a fine temple of Concord was built in 1790 to celebrate George the 3rdrecovery from insanity. It has always been hoped that George III would visitAudley End and the apartments were designed and made specifically for the royalguest. The magnificent state bed was completed in 1786. But, alas, the kingnever used it. Audley End had its own chapel and it is a remarkably completeexample of the style known as Carpenter's Gothic. The painted glass over thealtar depicts the Last Supper. Except on Sundays when they went to churchfamily and the stuff would pray here every morning, afterwards, breakfast wouldbe served in another of Audley End's huge variety of contrasting rooms. This isthe saloon with its extraordinary Jacobine ceiling, decorated with plaster seamonsters and ships. For their breakfast the family would sit here in thesaloon's little bay window with its floor specially raised to take advantage ofthe view. A view over what is still probably, the most memorable estate in, theEast of England.
STONEHENGE
A summer sunrise over Salisbury plain and the historicalgiant that is without doubt the most important prehistoric monument in thewhole Britain is brought alive by the early morning light. 3500 years ago thiswas a temple made up of an outer circle of huge blocks of sandstone called«sarsen» dragged from a site about 20 miles to the north ofStonehenge. The biggest sarsens weigh over 45 tons. Inside the sandstone circlestand the smaller bluestones, brought here over 240 miles from the Prescilleymountains in South Wales. At the focus of a central blue stone horseshoe is afallen stone that became known as the «altar» stone, a semi-buriedblock of bluestone from Pembrokeshire. One of the refinements which makesStonehenge so unusual is the way the stones have been squared to shape bypounding with stone hammers, with the lintels held in place by thesophisticated mortise and tenon stone joints. The original entrance is markedby a fallen slaughter stone and beyond it, in the distance the famous«heel» stone, over which the midsummer sun passes in the longest dayof the year when viewed from the center of the stones.
Exactly why and how Stonehenge was built and in what preciseway it was used as a temple will remain a mystery forever. What we do know isthat this astonishing construction is probably the most remarkable achievementof prehistoric engineering in Europe.
BATTLE ABBEY
You know there is something special about this picturesque litleSussex town the moment you arrive. It's grown-up beside an abbey which is builton the site of probably the most famous battle in English history. On thesefields in October 14, 1066 an invading army of about 7000 troops led by WilliamDuke of Normandy fought and eventually defeated the English army, who weredefending the crest of the hill. Legend has it that King Harold was killed byan arrow through his eye and today a stone commemorating his death lies almostexactly where he fell.
William ordered the building of an abbey on the site of hisfamous victory to atone for the death of so many people. The altar of hischurch should be here, where his great enemy had fallen. Most of the originalabbey buildings were completed in 1100. There were alterations and enlargementsin the 13th century and later the 14th century, includingthe tower on the west of the abbot's guest range.
The monks lived in this huge building which unusually wasbuilt into the slope of the hill. All parts of Williams determination of theabbey must be built on the exact site of the battle. That's why the novices'room on the south side has a particularly high-vaulted ceiling supported by acentral row of huge pillars, it allows the dormitory above to be built on alevel floor. At the other end of the buildings cut into the hill, the monks'common room, has a much lower ceiling which would have helped to keep the roomwarm in winter. Portable braziers sometimes were brought in during the fewleisure periods the monks were allowed. The chapter house like Rievaulx was theplace where monks would gather on stone benches once a day to discuss theabbey's business affairs.
Much of the abbot's great hall in the west range has survivedafter being rebuilt in later centuries. It's now part of the school. On eastfront the remains of superb cloister arcading along the lower part of the wall.In the late 1330th the gatehouse was built and it remains one of thefinest medieval monastic gatehouses in England, a fitting tribute to a momentand a battle that changed the course of English history.
OSBORNE HOUSE
Queen Victoria called this her «dear beautifulOsborne», a seaside home where for fifty years she and her family enjoyedsome of the happiest days of their lives.
Osborne was built between 1845 and 1851 under the personaldirection of Prince Albert. The view across the sea reminded the Prince of theBay of Naples and it was perhaps this memory that made him put so much emphasison the Italian style that echoes through the house and the gardens. Albert hadhired a London building contractor, Thomas Cubert to develop the estate usingthe simple classic lines of the newly fashionable Italian style Cubert had usedso effectively in Bloomsbury, Belgravia and Pimblico. Every corner of theterraces had to be filled with copies of Italianmoulds. It was all part of theplan to create an idyllic retreat words away from the rigours of British stateceremonial.
The visitors' entrance to the house is at the west front.Here again classical subjects dominate the eye. The marble winged Victory inthe grand corridor was bought by the Queen for Prince Albert at the GreatExhibition of 1851. Osborne was above all a private family house. A picture ofthe family group including the five eldest royal children was hung here inpride of place in the dining-room on Queen Victoria's birthday in 1849. Inthose days dinner was served promptly at 8 p.m. But by the end of the centuryit was 9.15 when the Queen arrived and the company could sit down to eat.
Much of the Queen's day would have been spent upstairs in thesitting-room where she would attend to urgent matters of state. She would workon her dispatch boxes at her desk, while the beloved Prince Consort would sitat his own desk submitting memoranda for the Queen's inspection in his capacityas her personal and private secretary. Later when the Queen grew she had tocome down from ner suite on the first floor by a lift hand-operated by anattendant in the basement. The formal drawing-room was downstairs. The Queendescribed it as an extremely handsome room with its yellow Damask satincurtains and furniture to match. The marble-top table depicting views of Romewas presented to Victoria in 1859 by Pope Pious IX after her visit to Rome withthe Prince of Wales. The grand piano was often used by the Queen and othermembers of the household to entertain guests which often included visitingforeign royalty. The piano and six matching cabinets surmounting the bookcasesare decorated with porcelain plagues showing the copies of Italian old masterpaintings. The Queen withdrew to the drawing-room after dinner whilst thegentlemen retired to the billiards room. The two rooms were cleverly adjoinedso that while technically the gentlemen were still in the Queen's presence andrequired to stand, curtains drawn across the column screen kept them out ofsight to do as they chose. The Queen, too, played billiards. She learned thegame on this ornate slit table, the frieze panels were designed by PrinceAlbert. The Prince also conceived the elaborate lightning above the table. Hereas elsewhere in the house is the evidence of Albert's great love for Victoria.He also purchased a painting depicting Raphael painting one of his Madonnas. Itwas not only Albert's taste that strongly influenced the design of OsborneHouse. Seventeen years after Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1874, astate banqueting hall, the Hors d'oeuvres room was added to the house. Itsdeeply carved ceiling was made of fibrous plaster. Every surface is richly embellished.25 workmen worked over 500 hours to produce the Peacockalone. The walls framedwith tick are enriched with plaster and papier-mache. The completion of theroom in 1893 coincided with the introduction of electricity in Osborne House.These lampstands were specially designed for the room in recognition of this.
Part of hors d'oeuvres room, was designed by LochwoodKipling, Rudyard Kipling's father. The principal craftsman was Byram Sing whoseportrait by the Austrian court artist Rudolph Svoboda hangs in the corridoroutside. Beside it, the Queen's most famous Indian servant Abdul Karim who cameto Osborne in 1887 and rose to become her principal Indian secretary. Despitebeing Empress Queen Victoria never went to India. But in an effort to find out moreabout the country she commissioned Svoboda to go there and paint portraits ofordinary people from all walks of life. Such was her enthusiasm for all thingsIndian that the Queen even learnt Hindustani.
The main house is some distance from the sea, and todayvisitors can enjoy the journey through the estate towards the coast in the samemanner the royal family would have done a hundred years ago. Close to the beachis Swiss cottage much favored by the royal children where the family couldrelax in even greater privacy. Close by — the Queen's bathing-machine with thechanging room and it own WC.
In the main house the younger royal children were confined tothe nursery suite. The centerpiece here — a superb mahogany-framed swing cradlemade for Vicky the Princess Royal in 1840. Nearly are the cots with hingedsides and upholstered pads to protect the children. As was the fashion, marblecopies were made of the children's limbs.
There's thehand of Edward, Prince of Wales, aged 14 month and the foot of PrincessVictoria who was then 2 years old. The nursery suite was situated so as toprovide Victoria and Albert with an easy access from their own privateapartments. This is Queen Victoria's bedroom. On the headboard, above the bed,a posthumous picture of Albert who died in 1861 and beside it a holder for hispocketwatch. It was in this room that in January 1901 the Queen herself died.It was, most people agree, the end of an era, as well as the end of a 64-yearreign, during which, for one family at least, the most carefree and peacefuldays were spent here, in a tranquil corner of the Isle of Wight.
5. ПРИЛОЖЕНИЯ
Приложение 1
Марина МАСЛОВА
О КОМНАТНЫХ РАСТЕНИЯХ — СКВОЗЬ АНГЛИЙСКИЕ ОЧКИ
Скажите, неужели там правда такая зеленая трава?
Или это только на пленке так?
Сергей П., студент гр. 1151 (2001)
Всё в самом деле так. И трава в Англии (правда, дело было весной)зеленая-зеленая, и среди травы растут те самые daffodils, про которые писалВордсворт, и поскольку растут они, как у нас одуванчики, то их с удовольствиемтопчут и жуют громадные английские овцы в черных разбойничьих масках. И каждыйкусочек земли — пусть даже размером с носовой платок — любовно возделан иухожен.
Но все это известно — даже если не увиденные воочию, но по книгами видео. Любопытно другое: оказывается любовь и интерес к растениям отличалаангличан всегда. Чтобы понять это, достаточно изучить любое руководство длялюбителей комнатных растений — ну а затем зайти в цветочный магазин ипосмотреть на все сквозь «английские очки».
Итак, полистаем энциклопедию...
Начнем с растения, чьи желто-оранжево-зеленые крупные листьяукрашают полки любого цветочного магазина. Кодиеум, избалованный южныйкрасавец, привезен из Индии примерно в 1860 г. английским садоводом исобирателем растений Джоном Гоулдом Вейчем. Трудно сказать, чего это растениепринесет вам больше — радости или хлопот, но его оригинальный вид несомненнопривлечет ваше внимание.
Комнатноерастение, похожее на изящную елочку, носит экзотическое имя − араукария.С момента ее волнующей встречи с совершавшим кругосветное путешествие капитаномКуком (да-да, тем самым…) прошло много лет. Теперь лишь специалисты-ботаники (атеперь и читатели Эльфа) знают, что Кук впервые нашел эту красавицу в 1775 г.на островах Норфолк в Тихом океане. В этой экспедиции, кстати, принимал участиеи не менее знаменитый ботаник − сэр Джозеф Бэнкс. С именем Бэнкса,президента Королевского Ботанического общества, связано появление в Европестрелиции − растения, похожего одновременно и на цветущий куст, и набукет из желто-оранжево-синих цветов.
Не отставал от своего коллеги и сэр Вильям Джексон Хукер, бывший всвое время директором ботанического сада Кью. Хукер «подарил» нам витфиелдию(уайтфилдию) — деревце с кожистыми темными листьями и прелестными белымицветами; а также растение с весьма странным названием «ятрофаподагрическая» и с не менее странными привычками — ярко цветущее изабавное, оно ядовито — и зачем его держать дома? Кто их поймет, этих англичан!
Английские дамы никогда не отставали от своих мужественныхсоотечественников — это утверждение верно и для ботаники.
Сестры Элизабет и Сара Мэри Фиттон опубликовали в Лондоне книгу«Conversations on Botany» в 1850 г По всей видимости, именно за этов их честь и было названо открытое чуть позднее небольшое травянистое растениес зелено-белыми листьями. В ней есть что-то очень сдержано английское Теперь фиттониюможно найти в любой цветочной лавке — вот она, в специальной, уютной коробкесреди других небольших растений.
Еще одну даму, удостоившуюся чести дать название целому родурастений, звали Матильда Смит, и была она в 1840-х годах рисовальщицей растенийв ботаническом саду Кью. Смитинианта красива и во время цветения, и просто какдекоративно-лиственное растение. Интересно, была ли Матильда Смит так же всегдаочаровательна?
Если вы устали от имен и названий, следующий объект вниманияпозволит вам расслабиться. Ведь это — скромная традесканция, извечное украшениешкольных кабинетов и больничных холлов А названо это растение в честь двухнастоящих Традескантов: придворного садовника короля Карла I — Джона Традесканта-отцаи Джона Традесканта-сына, тоже садовника, а затем ботаника и путешественника Нучто, удивлены?
Еще одно растение — напоминает традесканцию. Но название звучиточень уж по-испански: хойя. Тем не менее, это самое что ни на есть английскоеимя, потому что садовника герцога Нортумберлендского звали Томас Хой. Он жил вовторой половине 18 века и был известным селекционером и садоводом.
А растение на рисунке справа, хоть родом из Латинской Америки, но названопо имени двух Мильтонов: орхидеевода лорда Фицвильяма, виконта Мильтона, изнаменитого поэта Джона Мильтона. Поэтому и называется оно — мильтония. Вэнциклопедии говорится, что
Мильтония − растение не для начинающих.
Что ж, прямо как стихи Мильтона. Но кто знает, кто знает...
Дома у автора — фиттония и кодиеум. А у вас, читатель?
Приложение 2
You who disbelieve in miracles and magic, you who are gluedto their TV and computer screens for hours on end, read this extract from thebest book about King Arthur and learn how young Arthur became king of allEngland
Arthur, the son of Uther Pendragon, high king of Britain, wasborn during a time of war and great confusion To protect the child, Uther gavehim to the magician Merlyn, who secretly brought him to a knight named EctorSir Ector raised the boy as his own When Uther died — without an heir, his subjectsthought — there was much disagreement about who should be king
Then stood the realm in great jeopardy for a long while, forevery lord that was mighty of men made himself strong and wanted to be kingThen Merlyn went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and told him to send for allthe lords and knights of the realm, that they should come to London byChristmas For Jesus, who was born on that night, would of His great mercy showby some miracle who should nghtwise be king of this realm
So at Christmas, in the greatest church of London, all thelords came to pray And there was seen in the churchyard a great square stonewith an anvil of steel in the middle And stuck in the anvil was a fair swordand letters written in gold around the sword that said this:
WHOSO PULLETH OUTE THIS SWORD OF THIS STONE AND
ANVIL IS RIGHTWYS KYNGE BORNE OF ALL ENGLAND
And when they saw the writing some who wanted to be kingattempted, but none could move the sword «He is not here,» said theArchbishop, «who shall win the sword, but fear not that God will soon makehim known » So it was ordered that every man who wanted to be king shouldtry the sword And upon New Year's Day, a tournament was held so that allknights could joust there
And so it happened that a knight named Sir Ector rode untothe jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay, his son, and young Arthur who was hisfoster son And as they rode to the joust, Sir Kay noticed that he had left hissword at his father's lodging, and so he asked young Arthur to ride for it
«I will well,» said Arthur, and he rode fast afterthe sword
And when he came home, the house was closed, for all were outto see the jousting Then was Arthur angry and said to himself, «I willride to the churchyard and take the sword that sticks in the stone, for mybrother, Sir Kay, shall not be without a sword this day»
So when he came to the churchyard, Arthur found no knightsthere, for they, too, were at the jousting So he took the sword by the handleand lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone and rode his way until hecame to his brother, Sir Kay, and delivered him the sword And as soon as SirKay saw the sword, he knew it was the sword of the stone and so rode to hisfather, Sir Ector, and said, «Sir, here is the sword of the stone,therefore I must be king of this land „
When Sir Ector beheld the sword he returned to the church andmade Sir Kay swear upon a Bible how he came by the sword
“Sir,» said Kay, «my brother, Arthur, broughtit to me.»
«How got you this sword?» said Sir Ector to Arthur
«Sir, I will tell you When I came home for my brother'ssword, I found nobody at home And I thought my brother, Sir Kay, should not beswordless, so 1 came here and pulled it out of the stone „
“Now» said Sir Ector to Arthur, «1 understandyou must be king of this land, for never should a man have drawn out this swordbut he that shall be nghtwise king Now let me see whether you can put thissword where it was and pull it out again „
So Arthur put it in the stone Then Sir Ector tried to pullout the sword and failed
“Now you try,» said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay And hepulled at the sword with all his might, but it would not be
«Now shall you try,» said Sir Ector to Arthur
«1 will well,» said Arthur and pulled it out easily
And then Sir Ector and Sir Kay knelt down to the earth
«Alas1» said Arthur «Mine own dearfather and brother, why kneel you to me?»
«No, my Lord Arthur, it is not so I was never yourfather nor of your blood, but now I know you are of a higher blood than I everthought you were » And then Sir Ector told him how he had been entrustedto him by Merlyn And Arthur was very sad when he understood that Sir Ector wasnot his father
Then they went unto the Archbishop and told him about thesword And all the lords came there to try to take the sword, but none couldtake it out but Arthur Then were many lords angry and said it was a great shameto them all and to the realm to be governed by a boy of no high blood born Andso they all argued and it was put off until Candlemas, when all the lordsshould meet again
So at Candlemas many more great lords came there to win thesword, and as at New Year's Day, Arthur pulled out the sword easily The lordswere very angry, and many said to put it off until the high feast of Easter Butsome of these great lords were so angry that it was put off even until thefeast of Pentecost
And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men tried to pullout the sword, but none could do it but Arthur, and he pulled it out before allthe lords and commons that were there Then all the commons cried at once,«We will have Arthur for our king' We will delay him no more, for we seethat it is God's will that he shall be our king, and whoever holds against it,we will slay him „
And they knelt at once, both rich and poor, and asked Arthurfor mercy because they had delayed him so long And Arthur forgave them and tookthe sword between both his hands and offered it up upon the altar to theArchbishop, who made him a knight And soon the coronation was celebrated, andArthur was sworn unto his lords to be a true king, to stand with true justicefor all the days of this life.