.英语国家概况复习要点Part One UKThe Country1. Different Names for Britain and its Parts Name：EnglandBritainGreat Britain (GB/G.B.)British IslesBritish EmpireThe monwealthThe United Kingdom(The UK)The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandParts：England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland2. Official name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Geographically, the British Isles includes Great Britain, the whole of Ireland, and all the offshore islandsPolitically, the British Isles is made up of U.K. and Republic of Ireland.3. the highest mountain in Britain：Ben Nevis(本尼维斯山) the largest mountain range in Britain：the Grampians格兰扁山脉4. the longest river：The Severn River (塞文河) The most important river in Britain and the second longest river: Thames泰晤士河5. the largest lake in Britain：Lough Neagh伊湖 ( Northern Ireland)6. Backbone of England：the Pennies奔宁山脉The people7.The first known settlers of Britain were the Iberians.人们所知的英国最早居民是伊比利来人。8.Basis of Modern English race The earlist people known in Britain were nomads游牧者from mainland Europe in the Old Stone Age旧石器时代,followed by Neolithic新石器时代 Iberians 伊比利亚人) and the Beaker Folk(比克人in the Bronze Age青铜器时代9.the contributions made by Anglo-Sa*ons to the English state.established Old English.laid the foundations of the English state. divided the country into shires. created the Witan to advise the King(the basis of the Cabinet)10. different invaders First invasionIn 55 BC, Julius Caesar SecondCaesars second raid in 54 BC Third and finalIn 43 AD, Emperor Claudius, final and successful Roman invasion of Britain (recorded) LeftIn 410, Germanic barbarian attack Rome, forcing Roman troops to leave Britain, and thus ending its occupation of the islandHistory9. Who is known as the father of the British navy Sir Francis Drake10. The Norman Conquest and its consequencesThe Norman Conquest (1066-1071)Fuse: Edward ruled for 24 years and died in January, 1066. Harold was chosen to be king. William, Duke of Normandy, heard the news of Harolds coronation, he got very angry and claimed that he had the sole right to be king of England because Edward had promised the crown to him and that Harold had promised to help him bee king of England. Duke William led army and landed on the coast. The two armies met at Hastings.Consequences：v It increased the process of feudalism.v William established a strong monarchy in England.v He introduced new ideas in laws.v It brought changes in the church.v The French language came along with the Normans.11. When was the feudal system established in England封建制度Under William, the feudal system was pletely established. Medieval Britain (1066-1485)12. Who signed Great Charter King John 签署大宪章13. Great Charter (time, contents, nature) Time: Magna Carta 1215Contents:容A. the king was not to e*act payments from the feudal vassals without their consent;B. the laws were not to be modified by the arbitrary action of the king;C. should the king attempt to free himself from law, the vassals had the right to force the king to obey it, by civil war or by otherwise.Nature: a feudal document14. The Hundred Years War. Time: intermittently from 1337 to 1453. Countries: France and Britain. Factors: partly territorial and partly economic The English kings wanted to get back the lost land in France. The economic interests of England and France clashed in Flanders.New national consciousness of England. Fuse: French throne successionEdward III claimed the French Crown. The French refused to recognize the claim.Three outstanding stages of the warA. At first the English were brilliantly successful.B. Henry V renewed the war in 1415 and he was recognized to the French throne in 1420.C. After Henry Vs death in 1422, the French, encouraged by Joan of Arc, their national heroine, drove the English out of France. Two decisive reasons for French to win:effective use of guns &Joan of Arc.Significance:The war was very e*pensive and it cost the English great deal of death, wealth and property, thus the feudal rule was weakened in the war. .Effects of the war: After this war, the ruling Normans began to:A. regard England as their home.B. regard themselves as belongings to the English nation.C. reestablish English (language) as their official language.D. make effort to try to develop their industry(The e*pulsion of the English from France is regarded as a blessing for both countries; the superior size and wealth of France would have hindered the development of separate English national identity, while French national identity was hindered so long as a foreign power occupied so much French territory.)15. The War of Roses (1455-1485). Rival groups：the House of Lancaster & the House of Yor