Британская монархия. British Monarchy

А.Ф. Артемова 
О.А. Леонович 

БРИТАНСКАЯ  
МОНАРХИЯ 

BRITISH  
MONARCHY 

Учебное пособие 

3-е издание, стереотипное

Москва 
Издательство «ФЛИНТА» 
2020

УДК 811.111(075.8) 
ББК  81.2Англ-923 

А86 

Р е ц е н з е н т ы :  

д-р пед. наук, зав. кафедрой профессиональной иноязычной коммуникации

Волгоградского госуниверситета, проф. Т.Н. Астафурова; 

д-р филол. наук, зав. кафедрой английской филологии,  

проф. ПГЛУ П.И. Шлейвис

Артемова А.Ф. 

А86       Британская монархия. British Monarchy [Электронный ресурс] : учеб.  

пособие / А.Ф. Артемова, О.А. Леонович. – 3-е изд., стер. – М. : ФЛИНТА,  

        2020. – 204 с.  

ISBN 978-5-9765-2234-3 

Данное учебное пособие представляет собой систематизированное изложение

вопроса об одном из старейших в мире светских институтов – британской
монархии. В книге три основные части. Часть I состоит из кратких справочных
статей практически обо всех британских монархах от Альфреда Великого до
Георга VI. Часть II посвящена нынешнему монарху – королеве Елизавете II, 
месту монархии в современном британском обществе. Часть III включает в себя
оригинальные тексты, в которых критически рассматривается институт британской
монархии. Предназначается для преподавателей школ и вузов, студентов
институтов и факультетов иностранных языков, а также для всех, кто интересуется
английским языком и культурой. 

УДК 811.111(075.8) 
ББК  81.2Англ-923 

ISBN 978-5-9765-2234-3           
© Артемова А.Ф., Леонович О.А., 2015 
© Издательство «ФЛИНТА», 2015 

CONTENTS 
 
 
 
Introduction…………………………………………………………………….4 

British Kings and Queens………………………………………………………6 

The Royal Family……………………………………………………………122 

The Institution of Monarchy as Seen by Others……………………………..152 

I. Divine Right of Kings, 1610………………………………………….153 

      II. The Act of Supremacy, 1534…………………………………………155 

      III. The Monarchy (I. Jenkings)…………………………………………156 

      IV. The Queen (A. Sampson) ………………………………………...…161 

      V. Monarchy (A. Sampson)…………………………………………......173 

      VI. Diana’s Funeral…………………………………………………...…187 

      VII. A King Emerging…………………………………………………...194 

      VIII. From the Heart: The Queen’s Moving Words……………………..198 

       IX. On HTV: Television’s Biggest Ever Live Debate – Monarchy:  

             the Nation Decides………………………………………………….200 

Bibliography…………………………………………………………………202 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Introduction 
 
 
The British royal family is a unique institution – one that inspires respect, admira
tion and, of course, curiosity throughout the world. People are fascinated partly by 

the pageantry and spectacle – the brilliance of a royal wedding, the superb precision 

of Trooping the Colour, the solemnity of a State Opening of Parliament. And we are 

held in awe by an institution that has survived, through good times and bad, over 

more than a thousand years of history. Perhaps it is part of the British genius to have 

recognized in the monarchy a true and lasting symbol of the nation that transcends 

the fleeting quarrels of parties and persons. 

Since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 her reign has seen the British 

monarchy adapt to major changes in Britain’s position in the world and in British so
ciety. Most of the dependencies over which she reigned on her accession have be
come independent members of the Commonwealth, of which she is Head, and many 

of whose members continue to recognize her as head of State. Modern communica
tions enable the Queen and the royal family to make more overseas visits than ever 

before. In Britain, television has brought them much closer to the people, and meet
ings with ordinary men and women at home and abroad have accelerated the trend 

towards making the British monarchy a less aloof institution, while still evoking the 

national and Commonwealth unity, and the entire royal family play a supporting role, 

undertaking arduous programmes. A combination of the formal and the informal is a 

special feature of today’s monarchy, combining traditional pomp and ceremony with 

direct contact with people from all walks of life in their towns or at work. Both in 

Britain and during Commonwealth tours, «walkabouts» – mingling with the crowds – 

have become a popular feature. Royal jubilees, birthdays and weddings provide op
portunities for a practical affirmation of the close and affectionate relationship be
tween the monarchy and the people. 

The monarchy is the oldest secular institution in Britain, going back to at least the 

ninth century. The Queen can trace her descent from King Egbert, who united all 

England under his sovereignty in 829. The monarchy antedates Parliament by four 

centuries, and the law courts by three. Its continuity has been broken only once (dur
ing the republic under Cromwell from 1649 to 1660). 

There have been interruptions in the direct line of succession, but the hereditary 

principle has always been preserved. In Anglo-Saxon times the «Kings of the Eng
lish» were elected by the «Witan» from among the males of the royal line, and the 

elective principle was, in form at least, preserved under the first Norman kings, who 

submitted themselves to election, or more accurately «recognition», by the «Com
mune Concilium» (an act of recognition still forms part of the modern coronation 

service). Thereafter the hereditary system firmly became established. 

For centuries the monarch personally exercised supreme executive, legislative 

and judicial power, but with the growth of Parliament and the courts, the direct exer
cise of these functions gradually decreased. The XVII-th century struggle between 

Crown and Parliament led, in 1688-1689, to the establishment of a limited constitu
tional monarchy. 

Responsible government in Britain has two main elements: ministers are respon
sible to Parliament in that they can not govern without the support of an elected ma
jority; and they are responsible for the advice they tender to the Queen, and, there
fore, for any action she may take. Political decisions are taken by the ministers, and 

the Queen is left free to perform the functions of an impartial head of State. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British Kings and Queens 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alfred, ‘the Great’ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Born: Wantage, Berkshire, 849 

Ascended the Throne: 23April 871 

Coronation: Kingston-upon-Thames, 871 

Married: Ethelswitha, a Mercian princess 

Children: Three sons and three daughters 

Died: 899 

Buried: Newminster Abbey, Winchester 

 

Alfred the Great (849-899) was King of the West Saxons in England. He saved 

his country from Danish conquest, laid the basis for the unification of England under 

the West Saxon monarchy, and led a revival of learning and literature. An out
standing leader in both war and peace, he was the only king of England to be called 

«the great». 

Alfred was born at Wantage in Berkshire. As a boy, he was curious and eager to 

learn. There is a story that his mother offered a prize to the first of her five sons who 

learned to read. Alfred, the youngest, won the prize, a book of Anglo-Saxon poems. 

Before he was seven, he had travelled to Rome twice, and was confirmed by Pope 

Leo IV. These travels impressed upon young Alfred the contrast between the civilised 

parts of Europe and his more backward England. 

Alfred became king in 871, after the death of his fourth brother. The West Saxons 

had been at war with the Danes for many years. After several losing battles, Alfred 

made peace with the invaders. But the Danes renewed their attacks four years later, 

and defeated Alfred at the battle of Chippenham. Alfred finally defeated the Danes at 

the battle of Edington in 878. The Danish leader, Guthrum, agreed to be baptized as a 

Christian. After the Danes broke the peace once more, Alfred won his greatest mili
tary victory, the conquest of London in 886. The Danes withdrew to the eastern third 

of England, called the «Danelaw». All the English recognized Alfred as their king, 

and paid him homage. Alfred built forts as strategic points and stationed a fleet of 

ships along the coast to protect his kingdom and guard against invasion. He also is
sued a great code of laws to improve government. 

Alfred encouraged learning. Education declined because the Danes had looted 

monasteries and churches, the only centres of learning. Few even among the clergy 

could read or write. Alfred brought teachers and learned men from Wales, northern 

England, and Europe to Wessex. He himself helped translate books from Latin into 

Anglo-Saxon. He also kept a record of current events. Called the «Anglo-Saxon 

Chronicle», it was continued after his death until 1154. It was the best source for An
glo-Saxon history.  

«The cultural and material havoc of these (Danish) invasions can hardly be over
estimated. «So great was the decay of learning among Englishmen», Alfred lamented, 

«that there were very few on this side Humber and I ween not many north of it who 

could understand the ritual and translate a letter from Latin into English. No, I cannot 

remember one such, south of the Thames, when I came to the throne». ... It is his suc
cessful efforts to arrest this decay even more than his military ability that mark Alfred 

as one of the greatest figures in English history. ...Alfred encouraged learned men to 

come from Europe and even from Wales and in middle age taught himself to read and 

write both in Latin and English, a feat that Charlemagne was never able to accom
plish. He sought eagerly for the best knowledge that the age afforded and in a less il
literate time would probably have attained a really scientific outlook. Constantly in ill 

health, never long at peace, the extent of his work is remarkable, and his thorough
ness is attested by the long period of peace that followed his death». 

(«A People’s History of England» by A.L. Morton) 

 

«... In the winter of 878, a Danish force attacked the castle where Alfred was 

celebrating Christmas. Alfred and a small band of loyal soldiers escaped and hid in 

the forest until Easter. 

Alfred spent this time training and rebuilding his armies. Many legends have 

grown up about Alfred’s adventures during those trying times. The most famous is 

the story of Alfred and the cakes. According to that legend, he took refuge in a forest 

hut. An old peasant woman who lived there asked him to watch the cakes baking in 

her oven while she went about her work. Alfred was so busy worrying about his 

kingdom and planting new battles that he let the cakes burn. When the woman re
turned, she gave Alfred a severe scolding. But he did not embarrass her by telling her 

that he was the king. 

... With the help of scholars, Alfred translated several books from Latin into Eng
lish. These were among the first books ever written in the language of the country, 

and were the foundation of English literature. 

... When Alfred died, about 899, an unknown chronicler wrote, «There passed 

away Alfred the king ... the famous, the warlike, the victorious, the careful provider 

for the widow, the helpless, the orphan and the poor; the most skilled of Saxon poets, 

most dear to his own nation, courteous to all, most liberal ... most watchful and de
vout in his service of God». 

(«The New Book of Knowledge») 

 

«Alfred was one of the greatest men in the history of Britain. He combined cour
age and leadership in war with love of learning and law, and in reign of twenty-nine 

years he made himself dearly loved by his people who, for generations after his 

death, talked about the good days of his rule. 

… This remarkable man also invented the candle-clock, the candle-lantern, and 

other gadgets, and he showed himself to be an expert on architectural matters. 

Sad though it was when he died in 900, he left his kingdom in good order». 

 («They Made History» by P.S. Fry) 

 

«Alfred’s was a mind of wide interests, more characteristic of the 16th than the 9th 

century, but practical and down-to-earth (among other achievements, he invented a 

kind of water clock ). He left his own epitaph: “I desired to live worthy all my life, 

and leave to the men who should come after my memory in good works” 

            (“History of England” by D. Mountfield)