The radzivills

THE RADZIVILLS

 

1. Pay attention to the following words. Pick out sentences with these "words 
from the text and translate them into Russian:

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Russian Empire — Польско-Литовское содружество и Российская империя;

the Queen of Poland and Duchess of Lithuania — королева Польская и княгиня Литовская;

the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — Великое княжество Литовское;

governor (voivode) of Vilno (capital of the Great Duchy, nowadays Vtklus, the capital of Lithuania) — глава (воевода) Вильно (столица Великого княжества, сегодняшний Вильнюс — столица Литвы);

Kounia (nowadays Kaunas in Lithuania) — Коуниа (сегодня. — Каунас в Литве)

 

2. Practise saying the following proper names:

Radzivill	[rqdzi'vil]	Радзивилл
Lithuania	["liTjV'einiq]	Литва
Bierescie	[bq'restjq]	Берестье, Брест
Neswizh	['nesviZ]	Несвиж
Zyhimont II August	[Zihi'mOnt ]	Жигимонт II Август
Nickolay Radzivill Chorny	[nikq'lai rqdzi'vil 'CLni]	Николай Радзивилл Черный
Nickolay Kristof	[nikq'lai kris'tOf]	Николай Кристоф
Radzivill (Sirotka)	[rqdzi'vil si'rOtkq]	Радзивилл (Сиротка)
Franciska Ursula Radzivill	[frqn'siskq ' E:sjVlq]	Франсиска Урсула Радзивилл
Michail Kazimir Radzivill (Rybonka)	[maikl kqzi'mir]	Михаил Казимир Радзивилл (Рыбонька)

 

3. Read these international words and try to guess their meaning:

Encyclopedia, culture, education, empire, political career, agrarian an d economic reforms, legal principles, priority, integration, sponsorship, publishing center, architecture, autonomous municipal administration, campaign, historian, comedies and dramas, operas and ballets, restoration.

 

4. Read out the following words and memorize them:

imprint (n)	['imprint]	отпечаток, след
endeavour (n)	[in'devq]	усилие, попытка
meticulously (adv)	[mi'tikjVlqsli]	дотошно, скрупулезно
preserve (n)	[pri'zE:v]	сохранять
weapon (n)	['wepqn]	оружие
entire (adj)	[in'taiq]	полный, совершенный
aspiration (n)	["xspi'reiSn]	стремление, желание
triumphant (adj)	[tra'iAmf(q)nt]	блистательный
strengthen (v)	['streNTn]	силивать, укреплять
ardent (adj)	[Rdnt]	горячий, страстный, ревностный
travelogue (n)	['trxvqIOg]	книга с описанием  путешествий
drastic (adj)	[`drxstik]	решительный, радикальный, крутой
renowned (adj)	[ri'naVnd]	знаменитый
prosperity (n)	[prq'sperqti]	процветание, благосостояние
secular (adj)	['sekjVlq]	светский
implement (v)	['implimqnt]	осуществлять, претворять в жизнь

 

5. Read out these phrases several times till you remember them:

to fill a post — занимать пост;

with one's own money — за свои  собственные деньги;

to pursue a firm police — проводить  твердую политику;

due to — благодаря;

to grant the right to — даровать (давать) право на;

to issue orders to do smth. — издавать  приказ (указ) сделать что-либо;

to exert every effort — прилагать все усилия;

to encrust with — инкрустировать

 

6. Match the English words and their Russian equivalents:

1. cache                                       2. suite                                         3. consistent                                 4. to fill a post                              5. aspiration                                 6. prosperity                                 7. to strengthen                             8. triumphant                               9. grandeur                                   10. ardent

а. желание, стремление b. процветание с. тайник d. ревностный е. укреплять f. занимать пост g. блистательный h. свита i. последовательный j. великолепие

 

7. Combine the words with the help of the preposition of:

1. the history                               2. wide variety                            3. the Grand Duchy                    4. culture                                    5. the Queen                               6. governor                                 7. a firm policy                           8. the sovereignty                       9. parcels                                    10. the architecture

a. the Belarusian state b. Belarus с Radzivill palace d. human endeavours e. land f. Lithuania g. strengthening h. their nation i. Vilno j. Poland

 

8. Give the three forms of the following verbs:

To leave, to lead, to issue, to build, to do, to preserve, to burn, to hide, to begin.

 

9. Give the comparative and superlative of the following adjectives:

High, close, beautiful, renowned.

 

10. Give the plural of:

Family, encyclopedia,.enemy, taste, woman, men, career, right, opera, drama.

 

11. These words can be used both as verbs and nouns. Make up your own sentences to show the difference in their usage:

Influence, taste, base, fight, grant, care, search.

 

12. Gjve the derivatives of the following words:

Lead, weapon, strength, sovereign, found, publish, continue, administration.

 

13. Read these expressions and find their English equivalents in the text:

Известные семьи; ни одна из них не была более известна; скрупулезно  собирали; другие редкие и ценные вещи; в летописях указывается; любовное приключение века; в течение всей политической карьеры; благодаря ему; возглавил борьбу против; почти столетие; ему пришлось терпеть все лишения в одиночку; основала первый; инкрустированные множеством драгоценных камней; никто не может обнаружить; посылали специальные поисковые отряды.

 

14. Read the text and get ready to speak about the Radzivill family:

 

THE RADZIVILLS

There were a lot of noble families in the history of Belarus; however none was more renowned than the Radzivill family. The story of the members of this family occupies many pages in the modern encyclopedia of Belarus. The family left its imprint on a wide variety of human endeavours—from public and political life to culture and education. Members of the family were leaders in wars against the enemies of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Russian Empire. For centuries they had been meticulously collecting and preserving books, documents, paintings, weaponry, and other rare and valuable objects that could fill entire museums. With their own money, the Radzivills built painting shops in Bierescie (nowadays Brest), Neswizh, and other Belarusian cities. Not only did they influence politics, economics and culture of their nation, but they often did it according to their own needs, aspirations and tastes. History has preserved a lot of names of the Radzivill family. Let us recollect some of them here.

Barbara Radzivill (1520-1551), the Queen of Poland and Duchess of Lithuania was the most beautiful woman of her time. It is written in the chronicles that she was "triumphant in her beauty and love affairs". Indeed, the loVe she awoke in the heart of the Polish King Zyhimont II August was called "the love affair of the century".

Nickolay Radzivill Chorny (The Black) (1515 — l565) filledhighandresponsiblepostsintheGrandDuchy of Lithuania: great chancellor, governor (voivode) of Vilno (capital of the Great Duchy, nowadays Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania), major of Bierescie (nowadays Brest), Kounia (nowadays Kaunas in Lithuania) and Borisov and administrator of Livonia. Throughout his entire political career he pursued a firm policy of strengthening the sovereignty of the Belarusian state, and skillfully implemented agrarian and economic reforms. Due to his consistent political positions, our state reached its highest prosperity with its public life based on legal principles. As chancellor, Nickolay Radzivill wisely defined new priorities for our state's foreign policy in the 16^th century that led to a closer integration with Western and Northern Europe. His efforts and sponsorship led to the establishment of large publishing centers in Belarus. Duke Nickolay Radzivill was fluent in the Belarusian, Polish and other European languages.

His son Nickolay Kristof Radzivill Sirotka (1549—1616), an ardent Catholic, headed the fight against Cajvinism and issued orders to burn books published by Calvinist printing houses. At the same time, he exerted every effort to make the architecture of the Radzivill palace in Neswizh equal to that of contemporary European cities. He was famous as the author of a detailed travelogue describing his journey to Jerusalem, Syria, Egypt and other "exotic" countries and places.

In 1586 Neswizh was granted the right to an autonomous municipal administration (the so-called Magdeburg right), which added a lot to the grandeur and power of Neswizh. For over a century, the town had been growing and strengthening in a time of peace. But in 1706, Neswizh was drastically ruined after one of the war campaigns of the Swedish King Karl XII. For nearly 20 years Neswizh had to face its sufferings all alone: at the time the Radzivills were preoccupied with "big politics" and lived in Krakow, Warsaw and Vilho. Only in 1726 Prince Mikhail Kazimir Radzivill (Rybpnka) (1702-1762) began to take care of his estate and land again. The historians suggest that it was Prince Mikhail who had rebuilt the town and the castle in Neswizh. He filled high state posts, possessed the largest (at that time) parcels of land, and was a close friend of King August II (and later, of King August HI). He was a powerful magnate and Neswizh

was turned into a center of his estate.

In those years, his wife Franciska Ursula Radzivill (1705-1753), who was writing comedies and dramas, established the first Slavic secular theatre in Neswizh. Dramas, operas and ballets were staged there. Slutsk ballet school was attached to the theatre. This theatre was in action till 1760. That was also the time of restoration of book printing in Neswizh.

The suite of the Polish King was astonished by the golden bars they had seen in the Radzivill castle. "There were tons of gold, encrusted with numerous precious stones,” wrote one of them. By now no-one has been able in liml out where the treasures had gone. It is supposed that they are hidden in the Ncswizh caches, though during World War II the Nazis sent special search parties with field engineers to look for them.

 

15. Answer the questions:

1. Were there many noble families in the history of Belarus? 2. What family left its imprint on a wide variety of human endeavours? 3. What had they been doing for centuries? 4. What did they build? 5. What members of the Radzivill family do you know? 6. What posts did Niekolay Radzivill Chorny (Black) fill in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania? 7. Due to what did our state reach its highest prosperity at that time? 8. What languages did Duke Niekolay Radzivill know perfectly well? 9. Who headed the fight against Calvinism? 10. What orders did he issue? 11. What was Nikolay Kristof Radzivill Sirotka famous for? 12. Who ruined Neswizh in 1706? 13. Why did the Radzivills neglect the town of Neswizh for 20 years? 14. When did Prince Mikhail begin to take care of the town? 15. Who was the founder of the first Slavic secular theatre? 16. The Radzivill castle was richly decorated in gold and precious stones, wasn't it? 17. Where are the treasures now?

 

16. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. The Radzivill family was the oldest and the richest family in the history of Belarus. 2. The members of the family were great scientists. 3. They published books and had their own museum of paintings, weaponry and precious stones. 4. The Radzivills built printing houses in Brest, Neswizh and other Belarasian towns. 5. Barbara Radzivill (1520-1551), the Queen of Poland and Duchess of Lithuania was the most beautiful woman of her time. 6. Niekolay Radzivill Chorny (Black) was the head of the Belarusian army. 7. As chancellor, Niekolay Radzivill built a new palace for his family. 8. Niekolay Kristof Radzivill Sirotka was notorious for his cruel attitude towards his servants. 9. Niekolay Kristof Radzivill Sirotka was the founder of the first Slavic secular theatre.

 

17. Put in the right prepositions where necessary:

1. The Radzivill family left its imprint... a wide variety … human endeavours —... public and political life … culture and education. 2. The members ... the family were leaders … wars against the enemies . . . the Grand Duchy … Lithuania. 3.... their own money, the Radzivills built painting shops ... Bierescie (nowadays Brest), Neswizh, and other Belarusian cities. 4. Throughout his entire political career Niekolay Radzivill Chorny followed a firm policy.. .strengthening the sovereignty ... the Belarusian state. 5. Due ... his consistent political endeavours, our state reached its highest prosperity ... its public life based ... legal principles. 6. Duke Niekolay Radzivill was fluent.. . the Belarusian, Polish and other European languages. 7. His son Niekolay Kristof Radzivill Sirotka headed the fight ... Calvinism, 8. He was famous... the author... a detailed travelogue describing his journey... Jerusalem, Syria, Egypt. 9. … 1586 Neswizh was granted the right... an autonomous municipal administration (the so-called Magdeburg right), which added a lot ... the grandeur and power ... Neswizh. 10. Only ... 1726 Prince Mikhail Kazimir Radzivill Rybonka began to take care ... his estate and land again.

 

18. Choose a word from the box to put into each gap:

1. It is said in many books that the family of Radzivills was the most... and rich in old times. 2. They were famous for their big ... of books, weaponry and other rare and ... objects. 3. Niekolay Radzivill Chorny pursued a firm policy of strengthening of... of the Belarusian state throughout his entire political .... 4. Due to his consistent political position, our state reached its highest... with its public life based on.. principles. 5. At this time the Radzivills were preoccupied with ... and lived in Krakow. 6. It is said that there were golden bars in the castle but no one has been able to find out where ... had gone.      

 

legal, valuable, treasures, sovereignty, noble, prosperity, big politics, collection, career

 

19. Fill in the table with the main events from the text:

1520-1551
1515-1563
1549-1616
1586
1705-1753
1706
1726
1702-1762
1760

                                              .

20. Draw the family tree of the Radzivills:

 

THE RADZIVILLS

 

21. Work in groups. Find out from your partners:

— what members of the Radzivill family they know;

— who founded the first Slavic secular theatre in Neswizh;

— what policy Nikolay Radzivill Chorny followed;

— what Nikolay Kristof Radzivill Sirotka was notorious for;

— who rebuilt the town of Neswizh;

— whether the treasures of the Radzivill's castle have been found.

22. Comment on:

— the treasures that the family of Radzivills had;

— the political views of Nickolay Radzivill Chomy;

— the fight against Calvinism.

 

24. Prove that:

— the Radzivill family was the most famous family in the history of Belarus;

— Barbara Radzivill was the most beautiful woman of her time;

— the Radzivills were very rich.

 

25. Imagine that:

—You are a guide in the local museum. One of the visitors is interested in the life of Nikolay Radzivill Chorny. Role-play a dialogue with your partner on the topic.

— Your teacher of history is ill and she asks you to give a Jesson to younger pupils instead of her. What are you going to tell them about the Radzivills?

 

26. Comprehension check. Choose the best alternative according to the text:

1. The family of Radzivill was

a) the richest in Belarus;

b) the most renowned at that time;

c) the poorest in Belarus.

 

2.  The family left its imprint

a) only on the political life;

b) on all the spheres of social and political life;

c) on the sphere of education only.

 

3.  For centuries they had been meticulously collecting and preserving a lot of rare and valuable objects

a) with the aim to give them to one of the famous museums;

b) to create their own museum;

c) with the aim to hide them in the Neswizh caches.

 

4.  The Radzivills built painting shops

a) with their own money;

b) and then sold them to other rich families;

c) with the money from the state budget.

 

5. Barbara Radzivill, the most beautiful woman of her time,

a) married the Polish king Zyhimont II August;