專八人文知識精講(7)：向現(xiàn)代英國的過渡

Distinctive features of the English Renaissance:?1) English culture was revitalized not so much directly by the classics as by contemporary?Europeans under the influence of the classics;?2) England as an insular country followed a course of social and political history which was to a?great extent independent of the course of history elsewhere in Europe;?3) Owing to the great genius of the 14th century poet Chaucer, the native literature was?sufficiently vigorous and experienced in assimilating for foreign influences without being?subjected by them;?4) English Renaissance coincided with the Reformation in England.

Because of the absolute rule of Charles, the confrontation between Charles I and the parliament?developed into the civil war. The war began on August 22,1642 and ended in 1651. Charles I was?condemned to death.?The English Civil War is also called the Puritan Revolution. It has been seen as a conflict?between the parliament and the King, and a conflict between economic interests of the Crown. The?economic interests of the urban middle classed coincided with their religious (Puritan) ideology while the Crown's traditional economic interests correspondingly allied with Anglican religious?belief. The English Civil War not only overthrew feudal system in England but also shook the?foundation of the feudal rule in Europe. It is generally regarded as the beginning of modern?world history.

When Oliver Cromwell died in 1658 and was succeeded by his son, Richard, the regime began to?collapse. One of Cromwell's generals George Monck, occupied London and arranged for new?parliamentary elections. The Parliament thus was elected in 1660 resolved the crisis by asking?the late King's son to return from his exile in France as king Charles II. It was called the?Restoration.

In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James was brought up in exile?in Europe, was a Catholic. He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious vies. But?England was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years ago. So the English?politicians rejected James II, and appealed to a Protestant king, William of Orange, to invade?and take the English throne. William landed in England in 1688. The takeover was relatively?smooth, with no bloodshed, nor any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was the most famous of the Catholic conspiracies. On Nov. 5,1605, a?few fanatical Catholics attempted to blow King James and his ministers up in the House of?Parliament where Guy Fawkes had planted barrels of gun-powder in the cellars. The immediate?result was the execution of Fawkes and his fellow-conspirators and imposition of severe anti?Catholic laws. The long-term result has been an annual celebration on Nov. 5, when a bonfire is?lit to turn a guy and a firework display is arranged.