Read the information about British emblem and describe it.

The Royal1 Coat of Arms2 carries the symbols representing England, Scotland and Ireland, the Sovereign's motto3 and the lion and the unicorn4.

On the left, the shield5 is supported by the English Lion. On the right it is supported by theUnicorn of Scotland. (The unicorn is chained6 because in mediaeval times a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast7).

 

The Royal Arms8 we see today have evolved9 over nine centuries, since Richard the Lionheart chose three lions to represent England. This symbol on the King's shield would immediately identify him in the midst10 of battle.

The full version of the Royal Coat of Arms is now used only by the Queen in her capacity11 as the Sovereign. In the version used by the government and consequently as the official coat of arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the crown is shown resting directly on the shield, with the helm12, crest13 and mantling14 not displayed (like in the black and white picture above).

In the coloured photograph you see that the unicorn horn15 is missing (it may have fallen off).

The main element of the Arms is the shield which is divided into four quarters.

1 royal [′rÉı(ə)l] – королевский, монарший

2 Coat of Arms [′kəυt əv ′a:mz] - герб

3 motto [′mÉtəυ] – девиз, лозунг

4 unicorn [′ju:nıkÉ:n] - единорог

5 shield [∫i:ld] - щит

6 chain [t∫eın] – приковывать цепью

7 beast [bi:st] зверь, животное

8 arms [′a:mz] - герб

9 evolve [ı′vÉlv] – развивать(ся)

10 midst [mıdst] - середина

11 capacity [kə′pæsıtı] – роль, положение, должность

12 helm [helm] - шлем

13 crest [krest] – гребень шлема, украшение наверху гербового щита

14 mantling [′mæntlıŋ] – мантия на гербе

15 horn [hÉ:n] – рог

 

Shield of the Royal Arms

The first and fourth quadrants1 represent England and contain three gold lions passant2 on a red field; the second quadrant represents Scotland contains a red lion rampant3 on a gold field; the third quadrant represents Ireland and contains the gold harp4 of Ireland on a blue field.

Why is Wales not represented on the shield and Coat of Arms?

 

Wales was recognized as a Principality by the creation of the Prince of Wales long before the incorporation5 of the quarterings for Scotland and Ireland in the Royal Arms. The arms of the Prince of Wales show the arms of the ancient Principality in the centre as well as these quarterings.

1 quadrant [′kwÉdr(ə)nt] – квадрант; четверть круга, шара

2 passant lion [′pæsənt ′laıən] – лев, идущий с поднятой правой лапой и смотрящий на зрителя

3 rampant [′ræmpənt] – стоящий на задних лапах

4 harp [ha:p] - арфа

5 incorporation [ın‚kÉ:pə′reı∫n] – объединение, слияние

 

What is the motto of England?

The motto of England and the Sovereign is

"Dieu et mon Droit"
(French for ‘God and my right’).

 

The motto was first used by King Richard I in 1198 and adopted as the royal motto of England in the time of Henry VI.

The motto appears below the shield of the Royal Coat of Arms.

I. Read and memorize the following words:

monarchy [ mÉnəkı] монархия
majority [mə dZÉrətı] большинство
minority [maı nÉrətı] меньшинство
to succeed [sək si:d] следовать за, сменять
reign [reın] правление, власть
to adopt [ə dÉpt] принимать
to pass the law [pa:s] утвердить (принимать) закон
lawmaking body   законодательный орган
to summon [ sÙmən] созывать
to dismiss [dıs mıs] распускать
to carry out the duties   выполнять обязанности
to sign [saın] подписывать
the royal family [′rÉıəl] королевская семья
shelter [′∫eltə] приют
charity work [ t∫ærətı] благотворительность
the pageantry of royalty [ pædZəntrı] роскошь, великолепие королевской семьи
to preside [prı zaıd] осуществлять контроль, руководство
to exercise [′eksəsaız] осуществлять, выполнять
bill [bıl] законопроект
to propose a bill [prə pəυz] внести законопроект
to arrange business [ə reındZ] организовать деятельность
to comprise [kəm praız] включать в себя
to dissolve [dı zÉlv] распускать (парламент)
to introduce bills [ ıntrə dju:s] вносить на рассмотрение законопроекты
amendment [ə mendmənt] поправка
to delay [dı leı] откладывать, отсрочивать
to approve [ə pru:v] утверждать
universal suffrage [jυ:ni′və:sl ′sÙfrıdZ] всеобщее избирательное право
to be in office   быть у власти
trade union [ treıd ju:nıən] профессиональный союз
to review [rı vju:] пересматривать
to determine [dı tə:mın] устанавливать
appeal [ə pi:l] апелляция
criminal offences [ə fensız] уголовные преступления
to try [traı] рассматривать (дело)
jury [ dZυərı] присяжные
circuit judge [ sə:kıt ′dZÙdZ] окружной судья