Практичне заняття №1

1. Prove that William, the Conqueror is regarded as one of the outstanding

figures in western European history.

William left a profound mark on both Normandy and England and is one of the most
important figures of medieval English history. His personal resolve and good fortune
allowed him to survive the anarchy of Normandy in his youth, and he gradually
transformed the duchy into the leading political and military power of northern France.
His support for monastic reform and improved episcopal organization earned him
respect from church leaders and further strengthened his hand in the duchy. His
conquest of England in 1066 altered the course of English history, even though he
adopted a number of Anglo-Saxon institutions and continued various social and
economic trends that had begun before 1066. The English church was Normanized by
William and brought more fully into line with developments on the Continent.
William also imposed a new aristocracy on England that was French in language and
culture; English language and literature and art and architecture were transformed
because of William’s conquest. The new king and his nobility were also very much
involved with affairs in Normandy and France, and, therefore, the orientation of
English royal policy shifted toward Continental affairs. New forms of land tenure and
military service were established after the conquest, and castles dotted the landscape
as a symbol of the new regime. As conqueror and king, William significantly shaped
the history of England.

2. Interesting facts about the foundation and the development of the British
Parliament through 14th-20th centuries.

The first English Parliament was convened in 1215, with the creation and signing of
the Magna Carta, which established the rights of barons (wealthy landowners) to serve
as consultants to the king on governmental matters in his Great Council.

Over the course of the next century, the membership of Parliament was divided into
the two houses it features today, with the noblemen and bishops encompassing the
House of Lords and the knights of the shire and local representatives (known as
“burgesses”) making up the House of Commons.

During Henry IV’s time on the throne, the role of Parliament expanded beyond the
determination of taxation policy to include the “redress of grievances,” which
essentially enabled English citizens to petition the body to address complaints in their
local towns and counties. By this time, citizens were given the power to vote to elect
their representatives—the burgesses—to the House of Commons.

More than 100 years later, in 1523, philosopher and writer Sir Thomas More, a
Member of Parliament (M.P. for short), was the first to raise the issue of “freedom of
speech” for lawmakers in both houses during deliberations.

In 1649, the House of Commons took the unprecedented step of abolishing the
monarchy and declaring England a commonwealth.

Four years later, though, Cromwell disbanded the Rump Parliament and created the
Nominated Assembly.

Over course of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Parliament, and its powers, evolved
—just as the United Kingdom itself did.

Практичне заняття №3

1. Taking into consideration different achievements of Henry VIII prove that his
reign was really the stupendous page in the history of Great Britain.

1. Launched the Largest Invasion Attempt on France After King Henry V.

Henry VIII was always inclined to develop a stronger army which was also equipped
with powerful weapons. The Mary Rose was developed during the early years of his
reign. It was the first English gunship of its kind. He made a few strategic decisions
that paid off. For instance, he established Woolwich and Deptford as the Royal
Dockyards. He was fondly called ‘Father of the English Navy.’

2. Raged War Against Scotland and France.

He emerged victorious in the battle of Flodden against the Scots. His aspiration to be
more powerful as an empire led him to expand his naval might from five ships to more
than sixty ships. He was also a strategist. Circa 1540, he developed coastal fortresses
along the shoreline to protect the empire from invasions. Later in mid 1540s, he
defeated the French when they landed on the coast of England.

3. Transitioned Between Faiths.

Despite being a devout Catholic and being acknowledged by Pope Leo X as the
‘Defender of the Faith’, he led a religious reformation by going against the Roman
Catholic faith and switched to being a Protestant. He established the Church of
England and also passed the Act of Supremacy. His primary interest in going against
the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church was to be able to remarry but his actions had
long term repercussions in the evolution of Christianity over the five centuries
henceforth.

4. Combined Imperial and Feudal Concepts.

He curbed the power of noblemen and their families. Instead, he enhanced the power
of the monarchy and the parliament. He paved the way for the constitution of England.

2. Prove that Elizabethan age was one of the most glorious in English history.

England started to prosper and bloom under Elizabeth I, the Spanish who were Super
power at the time, were soundly defeated when the Armada tried to invade England. 

Trade boomed and was encouraged as it expanded though the World. 

Literature flourished including Shakespeare writing many of his plays, and much
literature, poetry and the Arts were promoted. 

The Religious unrest lessened, under Elizabeth's monarchy as Catholics were allowed
to practice their religion, as long as it was in their own home, and did not threaten the
Crown. 

Basically it was the start of the rise of England as a super power, and Elizabeth also
balanced the Governments revenues, and ensured there was cash in hand.