MONARCHY - The UK is the most ancient (starodawny, starożytny) secular institution in the world.

WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR - 1^ST English monarch

MONARCHY WAS BROKEN ONCE (THERE WAS A REPUBLIC).

The continuity was broken 1649-1660 (11 years). There was a struggle between Parliament and monarch, monarch lost and was beheaded. Oliver Cromwell became a president. When he died, they asked monarch's son to gain the throne, and monarchy was restored.

THE PRESENT QUEEN

1. House of Windsor - she descended from Queen Victoria (Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha dynasty - German name). But there was a conflict with Germany during the World War I, so they decided to change name to House of Windsor.

2. 1953 - present Queen started reigning

COAT OF ARMS

English	Scottish

THE ROYAL TITLE

1. Realms and territories - now: dependent territories (at that time: colonies)

2. Head of Commonwealth - British colonies decided that it's easier to not break ties with Great Britain and to cooperate

3. Defender of the Faith - head of church, the title was given to Henry VIII (ironically) because before he broke ties with the Pope, he had been fought on pope's side and the Pope gave him that title

THE ROYAL STANDARD

English	Scottish

Harp is Welsh.

QUEEN LEGALLY:

1. Head of executive (she officially nominates PM and important ministers)

2. Part of legislature - all bills must be signed by the Queen

3. Head of judiciary - she gives appointments to highest judges and some Members of Parliament

4. Head of the Armed Forces - she nominates highest people, they are on the Queen's order

5. Head of the Commonwealth - officially (!) she leads them

*In practice she does not too much.

THE SEAT (rezydencja) OF THE MONARCH IN GREAT BRITAIN

1. Buckingham Palace

2. Windsor Castle

3. Palace of Holyroodhouse (Scotland)

4. Balmoral Castle (private house in Scotland)

TITLES

1. Charles - Prince of Wales (Edward I made the tradition - his son was first who was given the title. Welsh people did not want to have a king who spoke English, Edward I's son spoke Welsh) - then William, Harry

2. Anne - Princes Royal

3. Andrew

4. Edward

QUEEN'S DUTIES

1. Open and dissolves Parliament

2. Gives Royal assent - her signature

3. Appoints ministers, diplomats, governors (in dominions, dependent territories), judges, officers in the armed forces, senior clergy (bishops and archbishops)

4. Confers (nadaje): peerages, knighthoods and other honours (orders)

5. Declares war and peace

6. 
   Recognizes foreign states and governors (ambassadors) - Ball for ambassadors in Buckingham Palace

7. Opens the Commonwealth Games (kind of Olympic games)

8. Signs documents and treaties

Order of the Garter (Order Podwiązki) - for the bravest
Order of Thistle - for people important for Scotland (they don't have to be Scottish people)
The Order of the British Empire
The Royal Victorian Order

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

1. Trooping the Colour - military ceremony, different regiments presents flags in front of the Queen

2. The Garter Ceremony (Windsor Castle) - long black Ropes of the Garter wore by people who own Order of the Garter

3. The Royal Maundy - connected with Thursday before Eastern. Every year in different church. People important in particular parish get Maundy coins (they get two purses with Maundy coins and normal money). Amount of money depends of Queen's age (age + 1 so now it's 86)

4. Christmas Speech - 3 o'clock, it lasts about 10 minutes

5. The Changing of the Guard (everyday, but once a week it's bigger) - 11 o'clock in front of Buckingham Palace, it's very popular with tourists

6. State Opening of Parliament - Earl of Marshall walks in front of the Queen with a sword

7. Swan Upping - on the river Thames all swans belong to the Queen - in July, when new swans are born - they mark them (there's a special person - Swan Master, very important)

FINANCING - WHO PAYS FOR THAT?

1. 75% Government (if Queen uses train, Minister of Transport provides money for her etc.)

2. Civil List - every year Parliament votes how much money give to members of the Royal Family for performing official duties (salary - it's decided for 1 year)

3. Private Purse - The Duchy of Lancaster (fields, factories). Till 1990 Queen didn't pay taxes. There was a discussion if she should do that, and she decided herself to pay taxes like ordinary citizens.

KULTURA - WYKŁAD - 08.11.2011

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