British Culture - User contributions [en]

Christmas speech

2010-06-27T12:10:03Z

Minnie Mouse: Created page with 'The Royal Christmas Speech, broadcasted on December 25, has become a traditional element of Christmas in Britain. The Queen sums up the events of the year and gives Christmas gre…'

The Royal Christmas Speech, broadcasted on December 25, has become a traditional element of Christmas in Britain. The Queen sums up the events of the year and gives Christmas greetings to all Britains.

== History ==
The first Christmas speech was held by George V in 1932 and by that time it was still to all of the Commonwealth. The speech could be heard live on the radio. In fact, it was the idea of "the founding father of the BBC, Sir John Reith." The speech was written by Rudyard Kipling. It was broadcasted from Sandringham, where the Royal Family use to spend Christmas, therefore the first speech contained the following words: "I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all.", underlining the realtion between the King and his subjects.
Elizabetz II gave her first message in 1952. In 1957, it was for the first time broadcasted on TV. Today it can also be followed on the internet. Since 1960, the speeches have been recorded a few days before Christmas. In the last few years, they were not recorded at Sandrigham any longer, but at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, although in previous speeches, the Queen emphasized the tradition of spending Christmas at Sandringham.
The text of the message stays top secret, and as there have been lacks of discretion in some years before, the recorded speech is only sent to the media outlets on Christmas Eve.

== 1992 - a special one ==
Most of the Christmas Speeches don't seem worth remembering, but in 1992 the Queen spoke of an "annus horribilis", having to bear two family marriages breaking up, one divorce and a fire at Windsor Castle.

== Sources ==
http://www.famous-speeches-and-speech-topics.info/famous-short-speeches/king-george-v-and-rudyard-kipling-1932-royal-christmas-message.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1728438.stm

http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/636934

Act in Restraint of Appeals

2010-05-13T14:13:57Z

Minnie Mouse: Created page with 'The Act in Restraint of Appeals(1533) was one of the most important steps towards England's independency from Rome. Thomas Cromwell had made it an political act by letting it be …'

The Act in Restraint of Appeals(1533) was one of the most important steps towards England's independency from Rome. Thomas Cromwell had made it an political act by letting it be passed by the anti-clerical Parliament. Religion was at that time very important and he wanted to avoid that people got the impression that the king made the act in the name of only a few. As the people were represented in Parliament, the act represented the people's wish and not only the king's.

== Objectives ==
The main purpose of this act was to legitimate King Henry VIII's marriage with Anne Boleyn and at the same time allow the annulment of his marriage with Catherine of Aragon.
But it also was the great break between England and Rome, it showed the Pope that he had lost his power in England.

== Beginning of the text ==
"WHERE by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles, it is manifestly declared and expressed, that this realm of England is an empire, and so hath been accepted in the world, governed by one supreme head and king, having the dignity and royal estate of the imperial crown of the same, unto whom a body politic, compact of all sorts and degrees of people, divided in terms, and by names of spiritualty and temporalty, be bounden and ought to bear, next to God, a natural and humble obedience: he being also institute and furnished, by the goodness and sufferance of Almighty God, with plenary, whole, and entire power, pre-eminence, authority, prerogative and jurisdiction, to render and yield justice, and final determination to all manner of folk, residents, or subjects within this his realm, in all causes, matters, debates, and contentions, happening to occur, insurge, or begin within the limits thereof, without restraint..."

== Sources ==
See full text: http://home.freeuk.net/don-aitken/ast/h8a.html#145
http://en.allexperts.com/e/s/st/statute_in_restraint_of_appeals.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/act_restraint_appeals.htm

Royal Coat of Arms

2010-04-28T12:45:16Z

Minnie Mouse: /* Sources */

The Royal Coat of Arms is used by the British Monarch to identify himself as Head of State. It has developed throughout the centuries, but is now unchanged since Queen Victoria.

== Features ==

It consits of six major elements. In the middle of the Coat of Arms, you can see the a shield that is again subdivided into four quarters. The first and the fourth quarters show the Three Golden Lions on a red background, representing England. Richard Lionheart was the first Monarch who wore the Three Lions as identification in battle. The second quarter shows the Lion of Scotland and the third shows the Harp of Ireland. Wales is not represented in the shield.
Around the shield, you can read the motto of the Order of the Garter: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("Evil to him who evil thinks").
Above the shield there is the Royal Crown. Under the shield you find the motto of the British Monarchs: "Dieu et mon droit" ("God and my right"). This motto was first used by King Richard I in 1198, and became the motto of the monarch under King Henry VI.
Left of the shield, supporting it, there is the English Lion and on the right we can find the Unicorn of Scotland.

== Scotland ==

In Scotland, the Royal Coat of Arms looks somewhat different. All English symbols are replaced by the Scottish ones and the other way round. The motto of the Order of the Garter is missing.

== Sources ==
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/motto.html

http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/arms/meaning.htm

Royal Coat of Arms

2010-04-28T12:44:11Z

Minnie Mouse: /* Sources */

Royal Coat of Arms

2010-04-28T12:43:38Z

Minnie Mouse: /* Scotland */

The Royal Coat of Arms is used by the British Monarch to identify himself as Head of State. It has developed throughout the centuries, but is now unchanged since Queen Victoria.

== Features ==

It consits of six major elements. In the middle of the Coat of Arms, you can see the a shield that is again subdivided into four quarters. The first and the fourth quarters show the Three Golden Lions on a red background, representing England. Richard Lionheart was the first Monarch who wore the Three Lions as identification in battle. The second quarter shows the Lion of Scotland and the third shows the Harp of Ireland. Wales is not represented in the shield.
Around the shield, you can read the motto of the Order of the Garter: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("Evil to him who evil thinks").
Above the shield there is the Royal Crown. Under the shield you find the motto of the British Monarchs: "Dieu et mon droit" ("God and my right"). This motto was first used by King Richard I in 1198, and became the motto of the monarch under King Henry VI.
Left of the shield, supporting it, there is the English Lion and on the right we can find the Unicorn of Scotland.

== Scotland ==

In Scotland, the Royal Coat of Arms looks somewhat different. All English symbols are replaced by the Scottish ones and the other way round. The motto of the Order of the Garter is missing.

== Sources ==
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/motto.html [http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/motto.html]

http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/arms/meaning.htm[http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/arms/meaning.htm]

Royal Coat of Arms

2010-04-28T12:31:39Z

Minnie Mouse: Created page with 'The Royal Coat of Arms is used by the British Monarch to identify himself as Head of State. It has developed throughout the centuries, but is now unchanged since Queen Victoria. …'

The Royal Coat of Arms is used by the British Monarch to identify himself as Head of State. It has developed throughout the centuries, but is now unchanged since Queen Victoria.

== Features ==

It consits of six major elements. In the middle of the Coat of Arms, you can see the a shield that is again subdivided into four quarters. The first and the fourth quarters show the Three Golden Lions on a red background, representing England. Richard Lionheart was the first Monarch who wore the Three Lions as identification in battle. The second quarter shows the Lion of Scotland and the third shows the Harp of Ireland. Wales is not represented in the shield.
Around the shield, you can read the motto of the Order of the Garter: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("Evil to him who evil thinks").
Above the shield there is the Royal Crown. Under the shield you find the motto of the British Monarchs: "Dieu et mon droit" ("God and my right"). This motto was first used by King Richard I in 1198, and became the motto of the monarch under King Henry VI.
Left of the shield, supporting it, there is the English Lion and on the right we can find the Unicorn of Scotland.

== Scotland ==

In Scotland, the Royal Coat of Arms looks somewhat different. All English symbols are replaced by the Scottish ones and the other way round. The motto of the Order of the Garter is missing.

[http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/motto.html]
[http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/arms/meaning.htm]