Text: The Magna Carta The Grear Chather Three miles south-east of Windsor is a famous place where King John signed the Magna Carta. There was constant struggle for power between King John Lackland and the barons. Finally the barons organized an open rebellion. In 1215 the king was forced to seal a document called the Magna Carta Libertata (the Great Charter), which limited the prerogative of the Crown or government and extended the powers of the Barons. The charter affirmed the individual's right to justice and liberty and has always been regarded by Englishmen as their chief constitutional safeguard against unjust and arbitrary rule. It has also found a place in the American Constitution and influenced modern human rights charter. The Magna Carta Memorial stands on a wooded hill-side. It represents a domed classical temple structure, containing a pillar of English granite on which is inscribed, "To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom Under Law". It was erected in 1957. Chief Clauses of Magna Carta: 1. Church to be free. 2. London, and all towns, to have their ancient liberties and customs. 3. Fines to be proportionate to the offence. 4. No one to be brought to trial on the bare word of a bailiff, without trustworthy witnesses. 5. No freeman shall be seized, or imprisoned except by the lawful judgement of his equals, or by the law of the land. 6. To no one will we sell, or deny, or delay, right of justice. the 7. Constables, Sheriffs, and bailiffs to be appointed from those who know law, and will keep it. 8. Every one in the kingdom to have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights and concessions. Task 2. Lexical Exercises Exercise 1. Find the English equivalents for the words and word- combinations given below. Великая Хартия Вольностей, подписал, восстание, скрепить печатью, утверждала, справедливость, свобода, гарантия, несправедливый, куполообразный, в ознаменование. Exercise 2. Match the English words and word-combinations given below with their Russian equivalents. 1) Король Джон Безземельный a) a wooded hill-side 2) исключительное право власти монарха b) right of justice 3) право человека c) the prerogative of the Crown 4) деспотичное управление d) on which is inscribed 5) лесистый склон e) trustworthy witness 6) на котором сделана надпись f) the individual's right 7) правонарушение g) arbitrary rule 8) судебный пристав h) offence 9) заслуживающий доверия свидетель i) King John Lackland j) bailiff 10) право на правосудие Exercise 3. Answer the following questions. 1. When did King John sign the Magna Carta? 2. What did the charter affirm? 3. How do the British regard the Magna Carta? 4. When was the Magna Carta Memorial erected? Exercise 4. Match the synonyms. 1) to sign a) to stretch 2) struggle b) a single person 3) prerogative c) to write one's name 4) to extend d) despotic 5) individual e) to declare 24 6) to affirm f) privilege 7) arbitrary g) a hard fight