Emergence of the nation

The 15^th century is a border-line in the history of the English people. In 1485 there ended the War between the Roses. The end of the war meant the end of feudalism and the beginning of capitalism, a new, more peaceful era and the transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. An absolute monarchy was established, the first absolute monarch being Henry Tudor. It meant a real unification of the country, political and economic, resulted in the development of capitalism and made it inevitable that one nation and one national language be established.

The first king of the period, Henry VII (1485—1509) strengthened the monarchy and provided the revenue (государственные доходы) imperative (обязательный) for its very existence. During his reign com merce and shipbuilding were encouraged, and the material wealth of the country increased. New lands — Newfoundland and Nova Scotia ([nəuvə'skəuʃə] Новая Шотландия, провинция Канады) — were discovered. Following in his steps, his son, Henry VIII (1509—1547) broke away from the ecclesiastical influence of Rome, made himself head of the Church of England and of the State and transferred the property of the monasteries to himself. Dozens of large ships were built, trade continued to develop, and new territories were drawn into trade. It was during the reign of Henry's son, Edward VI (1547—1553), that trade with Russia was opened up.

The long reign of Elizabeth I (1558—1603) was one of the most remarkable for the country. England became one of the great sea powers of the world. In 1588 Philip II, king of Spain and the most powerful ruler on the Continent, sent renowned Spanish Armada ([ɑː'mɑːdə] - a fleet of warships) to fight England’s small navy. The fight seemed unequal; Philip should easily have invaded England, occupied it, and restored the supremacy of the Roman Ca tholic Church on the island. Yet the English navy won an amazing victory, aided by the inhos pi table climate of the English seas. After this victory England forgot that it was a little island and became a great sea power. On December 31, 1599, the East India Company was chartered; world trade and colonization had begun. Queen Elizabeth's reign was also particularly rich in learning — it was the age of Shakespeare, Sidney, Spencer, Bacon, Marlowe and many other famous names.

Ne verthe less, the evident achievements in foreign policy, trade and culture did not put an end to the con troversy of various powerful forces in the country. Another problem was the strife between the Crown and Parliament aggravated (intensified) by religious differences. The development of the country required more regular revenue, and forced the Crown to raise taxes, which met with disapproval from Parliament advocating the interests of the new developing classes of society.

In the XVII century Charles I (1625—1649) for over a decade ruled without Parliament, but had finally to reach a compromise, according to which the powers of Parliament were greatly extended. From that time on, one legal system was to apply to the king and his subjects alike, and no taxation was to be raised without Parliament's consent. However, when Paliament demanded further concessions (уступка), denied the king control of the army, a crisis followed which is now known under the title of the Great Rebellion. The Crown lost the en su ing ([ɪn'sjuɪŋ] = next) war, Charles I surrendered and was executed, and for over a decade the country was ruled by Parliament alone, the most notable leader of that time being Oliver Cromwell. Granted the title of Lord Protector, he was a virtual dictator of the nation, heavily relying on the Army and disillusioning Parliament which had first brought him to power.

After the death of Oliver Cromwell the Army and Parliament were unable to agree on a government, and the restoration of monarchy that followed in 1660, when the son of the executed king, Charles II, was invited to return to the throne, was more a restoration of Parliament than of the King himself. Charles II, who during the time of Cromwell lived in exile ['eksaɪl] in France, brought with him from the Continent a keen interest in scientific development, culture and arts, together with a considerable influence of the French language spoken by his supporters.

Дата добавления: 2014-01-11