自考英语国家概况重点名词解释.docVIP

The British Isles: The British Isles are made up of two large islands and hundreds of small ones. The two large islands are Great Britain and Ireland. The Commonwealth ( or the British Commonwealth): It is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain. It has no special powers. The decision is left to each nation. At present there are 50 member countries within the Commonwealth. Witan: It was the council or meeting of the wise men. It was created by the Anglo-Saxons to advise the king. It’s the basis of the Privy Council which still exists today. Alred the Great: Alfred was a strong king of Wessex. He defeated the Danes and reached a friendly agreement with them. He founded a strong fleet and is known as “ the father of the British navy”. He also translated books, established schools and formulated a legal system. He got the title “Alfred the Great”. William the Conqueror: He was the Duke of Normandy and was crowned King of England after having defeated King Harold. He established a strong Norman government and the feudal system in England. Edward the Confessor: He was the king of England but he spent most of his life in Normandy. He appointed many Norman priest and ministers. He is also said to have promised the English throne to William, Duke of Normandy. When Edward died , four men laid claim to the English throne and finally William won the victory and established a Norman government. The Great Charter: King John’s reign caused much discontent among the barons. In 1215, he was forded to sign a document, known as Magna Carta, or the Great Charter. It has 63 clauses. Though it has long been regarded as the foundation of English liberties, its spirit was the limitation of the king’s powers, keeping them within the bounds of the feudal law of the land. The Black Death: It was a deadly disease which spread through Europe including England in the 14th century. It killed between one half and one third of the population of England and re