This flower blooms This flower blooms in Great Britain in in Great Britain in the first summer the first summer month. The English month. The English are great lovers of it. are great lovers of it. It is considered to be It is considered to be “the queen” of “the queen” of flowers. Have you flowers. Have you already guessed already guessed what flower it iswhat flower it is? ?

Yes, you are right. It Yes, you are right. It is the rose.is the rose.

Two Dukes fighting for the Two Dukes fighting for the rights to the Crown of Englandrights to the Crown of England

The Duke of YorkThe Duke of YorkWhite roseWhite rose

The Duke of LancasterThe Duke of LancasterRed roseRed rose

Adopted over a century after Adopted over a century after the end of the warsthe end of the wars

For many centuries For many centuries the the purple thistle purple thistle has been has been Scotland’s national emblem.Scotland’s national emblem.

There is a legend that There is a legend that explains why it became the explains why it became the Scottish emblem. Scottish emblem.

Ancient Scandinavians Ancient Scandinavians wanted to plunder the land of wanted to plunder the land of Scotland and settle there.Scotland and settle there.

The Scots were sleeping and The Scots were sleeping and did not expect the enemies.did not expect the enemies.

But one of the Norsemen But one of the Norsemen stepped on a thistle. So the stepped on a thistle. So the Scots heard this “alarm” and Scots heard this “alarm” and put the Norsemen to fight.put the Norsemen to fight.

That is how the thistle That is how the thistle became the emblem of became the emblem of Scotland.Scotland.

Wales has got two national Wales has got two national symbolssymbols::

They are both connected to the Patron Saint of Wales.

The The leekleek had been recognized as the had been recognized as the emblem of Wales since the middle of the emblem of Wales since the middle of the 16th century. Its association with Wales 16th century. Its association with Wales can in fact be traced back to the battle can in fact be traced back to the battle of Heath-field in 633 AD, when St. David of Heath-field in 633 AD, when St. David persuaded his countrymen to distinguish persuaded his countrymen to distinguish themselves from their Saxon foes by themselves from their Saxon foes by wearing a leek in their caps.wearing a leek in their caps.

It was decided that from 1984, British £1 It was decided that from 1984, British £1 coins would feature different reverse coins would feature different reverse designs for each of the four parts of the designs for each of the four parts of the United Kingdom. All £1 coins dated 1985 United Kingdom. All £1 coins dated 1985 feature on the reverse the Welsh Leek.feature on the reverse the Welsh Leek.

Nowadays, the leek is worn on March 1 Nowadays, the leek is worn on March 1 (St. David's Day—the Welsh national (St. David's Day—the Welsh national holiday) and at international rugby holiday) and at international rugby matches. matches.

The The daffodildaffodil is also a Welsh is also a Welsh national emblem because its national emblem because its Welsh name is translated as a Welsh name is translated as a type of leek.type of leek.

The daffodil is also associated The daffodil is also associated with St. David’s Day, due to the with St. David’s Day, due to the fact that it breaks into blossom fact that it breaks into blossom on that day. Interesting to note on that day. Interesting to note that one of the many Welsh that one of the many Welsh names for a daffodil is names for a daffodil is “Cenhinen Bedr” which means “Cenhinen Bedr” which means “Peter’s leek”.“Peter’s leek”.

The Shamrock The Shamrock is the symbol of is the symbol of Northern Ireland. It is also Northern Ireland. It is also connected to St. Patrick, Patron connected to St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.Saint of Ireland.

Saint Patrick is most famous for Saint Patrick is most famous for bringing Christianity to Ireland.bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Soldiers of the Royal Irish Regiment of the British army use the shamrock as their emblem, and wear a sprig of shamrock on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Queen Victoria decreed over a hundred years ago that soldiers from Ireland should wear a sprig of shamrock in recognition of Irish soldiers who had fought bravely in the Boer War.

During the Russian Civil War a British officer Col. P. S. Woods, of Belfast, established a Karelian Regiment which had a shamrock on an orange field as its regiment badge.

The shamrock has been registered as a trademark by the Government of Ireland. It is also informally used as an emblem for sports teams.

 

The flag of the city of Monreal has a shamrock that is located in the lower right

quadrant. The shamrock represents the Irish population.

Four Leaf Clover is Four Leaf Clover is often confused with often confused with shamrock of shamrock of symbolism attached symbolism attached to them. Four Leaf to them. Four Leaf Clover is a symbol of Clover is a symbol of good luck, while the good luck, while the trifoliate leaf clover is trifoliate leaf clover is a symbol of Ireland a symbol of Ireland and Irish people in and Irish people in general and Irish general and Irish Christianity in Christianity in particular.particular.

UK England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland

Land, sq. km

244,000 130,000 21,000 78,000 14,000

Population, mln

54 45 3 5 1

Capital London London Cardiff Edinburgh Belfast

Largest cities

Belfast, Cardiff Liverpool, Oxford Brecon, Suonsy Glasgow Belfast

Rivers Tay Thames, Severn Dee Spey Bun

Lakes Loch-Lomond District Woy Loch-Ness Loch-Ney

Mountains Ben Nevis Pennine Chain Snowdon Ben Nevis Karantuil

National Emblems

Flag

Flags of the UK

The United Kingdom flag was officially adopted on January 1, 1801.

the Union Jack

The flag of the UK is a combination of the flags of England (the cross of St. George), Scotland (the cross of St. Andrew), and Ireland (the cross of St. Patrick).

the Union Jack

the Union Jack

Dating to the 12th century, the historic cross of St. Andrew was first hoisted in 1512. Also known as the Saltire, it is one of the oldest country flags. The Saltire is a flag with a diagonal cross whose arms extend to the corners of the flag

The flag of Scotland - St Andrew’s Cross

The flag of England - St

George’s Cross

The flag of Ireland - St Patrick Cross

The Welsh flag

This flag was officially adopted in 1959, but the red dragon (possibly Roman in origin) has been associated with Wales for many centuries. The green and white background stripes represent the House of Tudor, a Welsh dynasty that once held the English throne.

Flag of Ulster Flag of Northern Ireland

Look at the screen and say which Look at the screen and say which national emblem belongs to which national emblem belongs to which country. country.

1.1. What flower is considered to be “the queen” of What flower is considered to be “the queen” of flowers?flowers?

a)a) DaffodilDaffodil

b)b) RoseRose

c)c) PoppyPoppy

2.2. The leek had been recognized as the emblem The leek had been recognized as the emblem of Wales since…of Wales since…

a)a) the middle of the 16th century.the middle of the 16th century.

b)b) 18-1918-19thth century century

c)c) yesterdayyesterday

3.3. The daffodil is the national emblem of...The daffodil is the national emblem of...

a)a) Scotland c) EnglandScotland c) England

b)b) Wales Wales

4. Saint Patrick is most famous for … 4. Saint Patrick is most famous for … a) picturesa) pictures;;

b) his poemsb) his poems;;

c) bringing Christianity to Ireland.c) bringing Christianity to Ireland.

5. The Shamrock is the symbol of 5. The Shamrock is the symbol of Northern Ireland. It is also Northern Ireland. It is also connected to…connected to…

a) a) St. Patrick, Patron Saint of IrelandSt. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland;;

b) St. Davidb) St. David

1 - 1 - Northern Ireland;Northern Ireland; 2 - 2 - England; England; 4 - Scotland;4 - Scotland; 6 - 6 - Wales.Wales.

1.1.bb

2.2.aa

3.3.bb

4.4.cc

5.5.aa

А.В. Шереметьева. Страноведческий справочник А.В. Шереметьева. Страноведческий справочник

Internet informationInternet informationVisit to WalesVisit to Waleswww.galenfrysinger.com/wales.htmwww.galenfrysinger.com/wales.htmCastles of WalesCastles of Waleswww.castlewales.comwww.castlewales.comScotlandScotland

http://www.kidskonnect.com/Scotland/http://www.kidskonnect.com/Scotland/ScotlandHome.htmlScotlandHome.html

http://www.town4kids.com/town4kids/kids/http://www.town4kids.com/town4kids/kids/music4kids/world/european/bagpipe.htmmusic4kids/world/european/bagpipe.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112187/http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112187/scotland.htmscotland.htm