Архитектурные шедевры Великобритании. Рябцева Е.В. - 11 стр.

UptoLike

ВУЗ: 

ТГТУ | Тамбов

Составители: 

Рубрика: 

ples of nineteenth-century craftsmanship in wood and metal, including the great standing brass candelabra on
either side of the throne. High on the walls are eighteen large bronze statues of barons and prelates who wit-
nessed the signing of Magna Carta, and in the arched recesses large frescos extol the virtues of justice, religion
and chivalry. The elaborate panelled ceiling was restored in 1980 – 1884 after a small part of it fell into the
chamber during a late night sitting. Investigation revealed that much of the wood was fixed only with glue, which
had dried out over the years.
It is in this magnificent setting that the peers conduct their business. Like the House of Commons, the
House of Lords holds general debates, puts questions to ministers (of whom about twenty are members of the
House) and considers legislation. Its procedure and practices differ in detail from those of the Commons, and its
powers over legislation are qualified: the Lords may not amend 'money bills', and they can only delay other
bills passed by the Commons for an effective period of thirteen months.
The House of Lords also has a judicial function as the final Court of Appeal for England, Wales and Northern
Ireland, and, in civil matters only, for Scotland. Such business is conducted by the Lords of Appeal, who include
senior judges specially appointed to the Lords.
The House is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, who sits on the woolsack in front of the throne. The
woolsack is stuffed with wool, and is thought to have been first placed in the Lords during the reign of Edward III.
It symbolised the importance of wool to the wealth of the nation. The other peers sit on the red padded benches,
with the Government party sitting on the throne's right hand. Apart from the Lord Chancellor and the bishops,
peers do not wear special costume except at the State Opening or when taking part in the introduction of newly
created peers. In former times this side belonged to the Lords Spiritual, and still contains a special bench to ac-
commodate the bishops (easily identified by its armrests, not provided on the other benches). The cross-benches
are at the north end of the chamber, in front of the Bar of the House where the Speaker and MPs stand at the State
Opening, and from where barristers make their speeches when the chamber is used for judicial sittings. Behind it
lies the archway leading to the Peers Lobby. The fine pair of studded brass gates in the Peers Lobby, which lead
into the Lords’ chamber, have been much admired ever since the building was completed. Brass panels of tracery
combine with emblems of state and monarchy in a triumph of heraldic display, which Pugin checked by con-
structing a full-scale model in wax and wood. The gates were made to his designs by the Birmingham firm of
John Hardman which he persuaded to move from button making to metal working in the medieval style. Pugin
and Hardman worked together on the central feature of the Peers Lobby floor, which includes a Tudor rose of
Derbyshire marbles. Pugin insisted on deep cutting of the decorated brass plates which has ensured that the pat-
tern remains clear.
The Lords first occupied their magnificent chamber in 1847, when ‘The Builder’ magazine enthused that ‘the
whole glitters with colours and gilding – carving in stone, stained glass, encaustic tiles, and fine work in metal’.
The area of the palace occupied by the House of Lords includes
committee rooms, libraries, dining rooms and offices. Many of these rooms have been altered little since their
completion, and are furnished with over
1,100 pieces of original furniture.
Answer the following questions.
1. Where can you see the decorative climax of the Houses of Parliament?
2. How is the importance of the Queen’s throne pointed?
3. What was restored in 1980 – 1994?
4. How do practices and procedures in the House of Lords differ from those in the House of Commons?
5. What another function has the House of Lords?
6. Where do the members of the House of Lords sit?
7. What is the difference between a special bench for bishops and the cross-benches?
8. Which rooms does the House of Lords contain?
It’s interesting to know.
The State Opening of Parliament
After the Queen’s ceremonial procession into the House of Lords, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is
sent to the House of Commons. Their door is first slammed in his face, to symbolise the Commons’ claim to ex-
clude the Sovereign from their deliberations. Black Rod knocks three times on the door and is finally admitted to

Страницы