INGLAND UNDER FOREIGN KINGS

The Danes returned again and again to attack England. The English people had to pay tribute. But the Danes wanted to rule over the country and after many battles took the crown from the English. They held it for twenty-four years. Three Danish kings, one after the other, ruled over England. One of these kings - Canute was at the same time king of England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The rule of Danish kings over England came to an end soon after Canute's death in 1035. Now the Normans began to attack the coasts of England from Normandy (France). In 1066 the Normans won the victory and William, Duke of Normandy, was crowned king of England and called William the Conqueror. The invaders burnt houses and killed people. The land was taken from the English and given to the Normans. The invaders spoke French, and it was the language of the upper classes and the government. English was the language of the lower classes. to. role—управлять the Normans — норманны a crown—корона Canute—Канут Norway—Норвегия Sweden—Швеция death — смерть a duke—герцог to crown—короновать a conqueror— завоеватель to burn (burnt; burnt) —жечь to kill — убивать upper classes—аристократия ROBIN HOOD After Duke Wiliiam conquered England he took away lands and houses, money and cattle from the Anglo-Saxons and gave them to the Normans. Many poor Anglo-Saxons became the serfs of the Normans. Two different peoples lived in England at that time: each spoke its own language, and each hated the other. This went on for a very long time. Robin Hood was a legendary hero of those times. He was well known_and loved by the poor people of England. He was tall strong handsome, and his songs were heard everywhere. He was brave too and there was no better archer in that part of the country. He was also kind in never hurt the weak or the poor._One day the Normans came with many soldiers to Robin's house. There was a terrible fight in which Robin's father was killed. The Normans took everything from the house and burnt it down. Only Robin was saved, because he fougfit so bravely that no soldier could go near him, kill him or take him prisoner. But when Robin saw that his father was dead and that his house was burnt down he stopped fighting and ran away to the great forest of Sherwood. Many other Saxons, who were oppressed by the Normans, soon learned that Robin was in Sherwood Forest. A great number of poor men joined him. In short time there were very many men in the forest who wanted to take revenge upon the oppressors. They made Robin Hood their leader. The poor people loved Robin and his men whom they called the Merry Men. Robbin became known as Robin of Sherwood Forest or Robin Hood. We do not know how he got the name Hood. Some people say that he was called Hood because he and his men wore green_hoods. He became known not only in England, but in many other countries as Robin Hood. And now we know him also as Robin Hood. to learn (learned;learnt) —узнавать a number — число; количество to join — присоединяться to take revenge upon —отомстить a hood — капюшон a serf — крепостной different — различный to hate—ненавидеть to go on— продолжаться handsome—красивый an archer—стрелок из лука kind— добрыйto hurt (hurt;hurt) — обижать, причинять больweak — слабыйterrible—ужасныйa fight — битваto save— спасать (ся)to take smb. prisoner — взять кого-л. в пленdead [ded] — мертвыйto oppress — угнетать