Lesson 59.The Brief History of British Military Uniform

Assignment 1. Read the following words and word combination, using transcriptions:

Soldier	['səulʤə]	Rank	[ræŋk]
Uniform	['juːnɪfɔːm	Officer	['ɔfɪsə
Regiment	['reʤɪmənt]	Sergeant	['sɑːʤ(ə)nt]
Artillery	[ɑː'tɪl(ə)rɪ]	Ceremonial	[ˌserɪ'məunɪəl]
Rifles	['raɪfl]	Parliament	['pɑːləmənt]
Onwards	[’ɒnwərdz]	Dragoon	[drə'guːn]
Venetian	[və'niːʃ(ə)n]	Tudor	['t(j)uːdə]
Edgehill	[eʤhɪl]	Cavalry	['kæv(ə)lrɪ]

 

Assignment 2. Active vocabulary: Learn the following words and word combination:

No.	Word/word combination	Russian equivalent
1.	Used to refer	Обычно относится
2.	The majority of regiments	Большинство полков
3.	Vivid shade of scarlet	Ярко красный
4.	To be adopted	Быть принятым
5.	Ordinary uniform	Повседневная форма одежды
6.	Garment	Предмет одежды
7.	Ordinance	Указ, закон
8.	Infantry regiments	Пехотные полки
9.	Facing	Кант, окантовка
10.	To be distinguished by	Отличаться (чем- либо)
11.	Isolated instances	Отдельные примеры
12.	Feather	Перо (птицы)

 

Assignment 3. Read the text, be ready to answer question:

Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, (apart from artillery, rifles and light cavalry), included a madder red coat or coatee. From 1870 onwards, the more vivid shade of scarlet was adopted for all ranks, having previously been worn only by officers, sergeants and all ranks of some cavalry regiments.

The red coat has evolved from being the British infantryman's ordinary uniform to a garment retained only for ceremonial purposes. Its official adoption dates from February 1645, when the Parliament of England passed the New Model Army ordinance. The new English Army was formed of 22,000 men, divided into 12 foot regiments of 1200 men each, 11 horse regiments of 600 men each, one dragoon regiment of 1000 men, and the artillery, consisting of 50 guns. The infantry regiments wore coats of Venetian red with white facings. A contemporary comment on the New Model Army dated 7 May 1645 stated "the men are Redcoats all, the whole army only are distinguished by the several facings of their coats".

There had been isolated instances of red military clothing predating its general adoption by the New Model Army. The uniforms of the Yeoman of the Guard (formed 1485) and the Yeomen Warders (also formed 1485) have traditionally been in Tudor red and gold. The Gentlemen Pensioners of James I (now the Gentlemen-at-Arms) had worn red with yellow feathers". At Edgehill, the first battle of the Civil War, the King's lifeguard had worn red coats, as had at least two Parliamentary regiments". However none of these examples constituted the national uniform that the red coat was later to become.

Answer the question:

1. What does Red coat mean?

2. Who wore the Red uniform from the late 17^th century to the early 20^th century?

3. When does the official adoption of the red coat date?

4. What did a contemporary comment on the New Model Army state?

5. What coat had the King’s lifeguard worn at Edgehill?

Assignment 4. Give definitions of the following words and word combinations:

Historical term, included, previously, retain, be evolved, ceremonial purposes, consist of, contemporary comment, traditionally, pensioners, yellow feathers, the first battle.

Assignment 5. Discuss in groups:

1. What new facts about the History of the British Military Uniform have you learnt?

2. What facts were you struck most of all?

3. Do you know anything about History of the Russian Military Uniform?

4. What else would you like to know about the History of the British Military Uniform?

Home assignment

Option 1.

Write an essay of 10-15 sentences on the new facts about the History of British Military Uniform.

Option 2.

Continue the following phrase:

1. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, ________________________

2. Red coat has evolved from being the British infantryman's ordinary uniform ____________________________________________________

3. A contemporary comment on the New Model Army dated

7 May 1645 stated ___________________________________________________

4. There had been isolated instances of red military clothing ____________________

5. At Edgehill, the first battle of the Civil War, the King's lifeguard had worn red coats, ______________________________________

Lesson 60.Uniform numbers

Assignment 1. Read the following words and word combination, using transcriptions:

authorized	[’ɔ:Ɵə‚raɪzd]	temperate	['temp(ə)rət]
ceremony	['serɪmənɪ]	khaki	['kɑːkɪ]
distinction	[dɪ'stɪŋkʃ(ə)n]	equivalent	[ɪ'kwɪv(ə)lənt]
universal	[ˌjuːnɪ'vɜːs(ə)l]	camouflage	['kæməflɑːʒ]
required	[rɪ'kwaɪəd]	linen	['lɪnɪn]
similar	['sɪmɪlə]	worsted	[wustɪd]
desert	['dezət]	identical	[aɪ'dentɪk(ə)l]
trews	[truːz]	olive	['ɔlɪv]
specified	[’spesə‚faɪ]

Assignment 2. Active vocabulary: Learn the following words and word combination:

No.	Word/word combination	Russian equivalent
1.	To number	Нумеровать
2.	To be prescribed	Предписано
3.	To note	Замечать
4.	Can vary	Может варьировать
5.	Aides	Помощники
6.	Consist of	Состоять из
7.	Comprise	Включать, содержать
8.	Collar	Воротник
9.	Cut in a similar fashion	Такого же покроя
10.	Similar to	Похожий на
11.	Is listed as	Включать в себя
12.	Tan trousers	Желтовато – коричневые брюки
13.	Stable belt	Жесткий ремень
14.	Being replaced	Замененный
15.	Waistcoat	Жилет
16.	In place of	Вместо

Assignment 3. Read the text, be ready to answer question:

The British army numbers its uniforms for ease of instruction. Fourteen 'orders' of dress are authorised and prescribed to be worn on various occasions; "Full Dress" is also prescribed for the most important ceremonies.

While there are officially fourteen different grades (or 'Numbers'), many of these are rarely worn altogether. Note that uniform distinctions can vary greatly from one Regiment or Corps to another.

Full dress is the most elaborate order worn by the British Army. Now it is rarely worn except by the Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry.

No. 1 Dress, sometimes referred to as "blues", is a universal ceremonial uniform which is almost consistent throughout the British Army. No. 1 Dress is only worn on ceremonial occasions, and, in some regiments, by the duty officer.