Glossary外国文学名著导读 (2).ppt

5.1 Magna Carta (1215) Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued by King John of England at Runnymede in the English county of Surrey under compulsion from the church and his barons on 15 June 1215. The Magna Carta influenced the early settlers in New England and inspired later constitutional documents, including the United States Constitution. 5.2 The Hundred Years’ War with France (1337——1453) The Normans and Plantagenet Kings of England were also French nobles. The basic causes of this 116-year-long war were partly territorial and partly economic. The war was in fact a series of separate wars and is commonly divided into three outstanding stages. 5.3 The Black Death (1348—1350) The Black Death was the modern name given to the deadly epidemic disease which was carried in the blood of wild black rats and the fleas that lived off the rats. The disease also caused far-reaching economic consequences. The impact of the Black Death upon the future of England was greater than upon any other European country. 5. 4 The Wars of the Roses (1455—1485) In the late 1400s, one of the branches of the Royal House of Plantagenet, the House of Lancaster, fought its rival the House of York for the throne of England. The civil wars started when the nobles of York rose against Henry VI of Lancaster who was a feeble ruler. Later, Henry again became king, but he lost his crown once more to Edward after the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. 6.The Decline of Feudalism ◎ Topics for Discussion Give a brief account of the First Civil War. Say something about the Second Civil War. Summarize the difference between the First Civil War and the Second Civil War. Why do we call the English Civil Wars as “Puritan Revolution”? What was the Glorious Revolution? What was the real significance of the Glorious Revolution? Talk about the Bill of Rights. 6.1 The Civil Wars The English Civil Wars were the series of armed conflicts and political schemes which took place between supporters of the