1. Alfred the Great: The Birth of England // Альфред Великий: Рождение Англии // A2 listening
Переходи в канал для самопроверки при помощи диагностического вопроса https://t.me/be_quick_to_listen My name is Helen and I am a history teacher in London. Today I want to tell you the story of Alfred the Great. He was a king who lived more than one thousand years ago. I think he is one of the most important people in our history. Alfred was born in the year 849. His family was the royal family of a small kingdom called Wessex. In those times, England was not one country. There were many small kingdoms, and the kings often fought each other. Alfred had four older brothers, so he did not think he would be king one day. When Alfred was a little boy, he loved books. This was not common at that time, because most people, even kings, could not read. His mother showed him a beautiful book of poems. "If you can read this book," she said, "I will give it to you." Alfred worked hard, and he learned to read. He kept the book all his life. When Alfred was a young man, a big problem came to England. Soldiers from the north, called Vikings, came in long ships. They were strong and very dangerous. They burned villages, took gold, and killed many people. The English kings tried to fight them, but the Vikings won battle after battle. In 871, Alfred's brother, the king, died. Now Alfred was the king of Wessex. He was only twenty-two years old, and his country was in great danger. The Vikings took more and more land. By the year 878, Wessex was the only English kingdom that was still free. That winter was the worst time for Alfred. The Vikings made a surprise attack. Alfred had to run away. He went to a small island in the marshes with only a few friends. He was a king without a kingdom. There is a famous story from this time. Alfred stopped at a poor woman's house. The woman did not know he was the king. She asked him to watch her cakes on the fire. But Alfred was thinking about the war, and the cakes burned. The woman was very angry with him! Alfred said sorry like a normal man. In the spring, Alfred came back. He called all his soldiers to a secret place. They were ready to fight again. Alfred won a great battle against the Vikings. The Viking leader, Guthrum, asked for peace. Alfred was a wise man. He said, "I will give you peace, but you must become Christian." Guthrum agreed. After the war, Alfred did wonderful things. He built strong towns to protect the people. He made new ships for the sea. He wrote new laws that were fair for everyone. He opened schools, because he wanted children to read like him. He even translated books from Latin into English himself. Alfred died in 899. He was only fifty years old. He is the only English king we call "the Great." He saved his country and started the idea of one nation. England was born because of him.
Переходи в канал для самопроверки при помощи диагностического вопроса https://t.me/be_quick_to_listen My name is Helen and I am a history teacher in London. Today I want to tell you the story of Alfred the Great. He was a king who lived more than one thousand years ago. I think he is one of the most important people in our history. Alfred was born in the year 849. His family was the royal family of a small kingdom called Wessex. In those times, England was not one country. There were many small kingdoms, and the kings often fought each other. Alfred had four older brothers, so he did not think he would be king one day. When Alfred was a little boy, he loved books. This was not common at that time, because most people, even kings, could not read. His mother showed him a beautiful book of poems. "If you can read this book," she said, "I will give it to you." Alfred worked hard, and he learned to read. He kept the book all his life. When Alfred was a young man, a big problem came to England. Soldiers from the north, called Vikings, came in long ships. They were strong and very dangerous. They burned villages, took gold, and killed many people. The English kings tried to fight them, but the Vikings won battle after battle. In 871, Alfred's brother, the king, died. Now Alfred was the king of Wessex. He was only twenty-two years old, and his country was in great danger. The Vikings took more and more land. By the year 878, Wessex was the only English kingdom that was still free. That winter was the worst time for Alfred. The Vikings made a surprise attack. Alfred had to run away. He went to a small island in the marshes with only a few friends. He was a king without a kingdom. There is a famous story from this time. Alfred stopped at a poor woman's house. The woman did not know he was the king. She asked him to watch her cakes on the fire. But Alfred was thinking about the war, and the cakes burned. The woman was very angry with him! Alfred said sorry like a normal man. In the spring, Alfred came back. He called all his soldiers to a secret place. They were ready to fight again. Alfred won a great battle against the Vikings. The Viking leader, Guthrum, asked for peace. Alfred was a wise man. He said, "I will give you peace, but you must become Christian." Guthrum agreed. After the war, Alfred did wonderful things. He built strong towns to protect the people. He made new ships for the sea. He wrote new laws that were fair for everyone. He opened schools, because he wanted children to read like him. He even translated books from Latin into English himself. Alfred died in 899. He was only fifty years old. He is the only English king we call "the Great." He saved his country and started the idea of one nation. England was born because of him.