Unit 2. THE HOUSE OF LORDS RECORD OFFICE (THE PARLIAMENTARY ARCHIVES)

 

Exercise 1

Read the text. Translate it (orally). Make use of the Notes and the Vocabulary.

 

       The House of Lords Record Office holds the archives of both Houses of Parliament. The archives are kept in the Victoria Tower which measures nearly 400 feet to the top of the flagpole. The tower was purpose-built as a repository for the records of Parliament following the fire of 1834 which destroyed many records of the House of Commons.

       The earliest record in the archives - an Act of Parliament - dates from 1497. Other records include some of great constitutional significance, such as the Death Warrant of Charles I, the Bill of Rights (1689), the Articles of Union between England and Scotland of 1706, and the Reform Act of 1832.

       The graphic designs in the Record Office include a sequence of royal signatures, all taken from documents in the archives. It is complete from King Henry VII to the present sovereign, Elizabeth II.

       As well as records of national importance, there are sources in the Record Office for family and local historians. These include Acts of Parliament to effect divorces, naturalizations and changes of name, plans deposited in connection with private Bills for the construction of railways, roads and other such schemes, etc.

As far as admission and access are concerned, intending searchers should write or telephone for an appointment, giving at least a week's notice, describing the nature of their research and (if possible) the specific documents to be consulted. No special letters of introduction are required and no readers' tickets are issued. Access to the office is by the public entrance nearest to the Victoria Tower on the west front of the Houses of Parliament. The entrance is suitable for disabled access. The adjacent Pass Office will issue a day pass for admission to the Record Office on proof of identity and on confirmation of appointment.

           The Search Room is open to members of the public from Monday to            Friday (certain Public Holidays excepted). The Search Room supervisor will advise about use of the records and explain the range of lists and finding aids which are available together with works of biographical and parliamentary reference. The use of portable computers, scanners and dictaphones is at the discretion of the supervisor. Copying facilities are available. But the Record Office will allow photocopying only if there is no risk of damage to original records. Searchers are requested to help safeguard the documentary heritage for the use of future generations by observing the Search Room regulations for the handling of records.

 

 

Notes

the House of Lords - Палата Лордов, одна из двух палат парламента Великобритании; другой палатой является Палата Общин (the House of Commons)

the Victoria Tower - башня королевы Виктории; одна из двух башен здания парламента Великобритании; более известной является башня Big Ben

an Act of Parliament - постановление парламента

the Death Warrant of Charles I - распоряжение о приведении в исполнение 31 января 1649 года приговора к смертной казни короля Карла I

the Bill of Rights - законопроект о правах, принятый парламентом в 1689 году, который определил конституционное устройство Англии

the Articles of Union between England and Scotland - договор о союзе между Англией и Шотландией, подписанный в 1706 году

the Reform Act/Bill - законопроект о реформе парламента в Англии в 1831-1832 годах

naturalization - принятие иностранца в гражданство

a private bill - законопроект, имеющий местное значение

readers' ticket - читательский билет

Pass Office - бюро пропусков

 

 

Vocabulary

record office архив

archive(s), n архив; документ(ы)

repository, n хранилище

record, n документ

source, n источник

historian, n историк; local historian краевед

access, n доступ

finding aid научно-справочный аппарат

 

 

Exercise 2

Translate the 5^th and the 6^th paragraphs of the text beginning with the words “As far as admission and access are concerned ...” and ending with the words “... regulations for the handling of records” (in written form).

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Exercise 3

Divide the text into logically connected parts and entitle them. Present the points of your plan in written form in the space below.

 

 

Exercise 4

Present the general idea of the text in 3-4 sentences. Do it in written form.

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Exercise 5

Give your opinion on the structure of the House of Lords Record Office, its treasures and the way its work is organized. Present your interpretation in the form of a thesis. Write it down in the space below.

 

 

 

TUTOR’S REMARKS

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