A bonnet was then placed on his head, and while this was being done, the clergy chanted the litany, or the service that is performed to hallow a font. The King was now dressed in a churchman’s clothes, like a deacon; and they put on him shoes of crimson velvet, after the manner of a prelate. Then they added spurs with a point but no rowel; and the sword of justice was drawn, blessed and delivered to the King, who put it again into the scabbard, when the Archbishop of Canterbury girded it about him.
The crown of Saint Edward, which is arched over like a cross, was next brought and blessed, and placed by the Archbishop on the King’s head. When mass was over, the King left the church, and returned to the palace, in the same state as before.
* Now Froissart calls Henry ‘king’, because he had been anointed after the manner of the Kings of Israel and Judah, though not yet formally crowned.
Précis
After his anointing, Henry was dressed in fine robes suitable for his coronation in the Abbey. To these, a knight’s spurs were added, and he was girt with a sword, blessed as a symbol of Justice. Then the crown of St Edward was set on his head, before Mass was sung and the new King returned to the Palace. (59 / 60 words)
After his anointing, Henry was dressed in fine robes suitable for his coronation in the Abbey. To these, a knight’s spurs were added, and he was girt with a sword, blessed as a symbol of Justice. Then the crown of St Edward was set on his head, before Mass was sung and the new King returned to the Palace.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, besides, despite, if, not, or.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Ceremony. Return. Same.
2 Being. Like. Lord.
3 Ask. Back. While.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Verb and Noun Find in Think and Speak
Many words can serve as noun or verb depending on context: see if you can prove this with the examples below. Nouns go well with words such as the/a, or his/her; verbs go well after I/you/he etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Return. 2 Breast. 3 Hold. 4 Leave. 5 Back. 6 People. 7 Point. 8 Strip. 9 Shoe.
Variations: 1.if possible, use your noun in the plural, e.g. cat → cats. 2.use your verb in a past form, e.g. go → went. 3.use your noun in a sentence with one of these words: any, enough, fewer, less, no, some.
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Point. 2. Left. 3. Like. 4. Man. 5. Draw. 6. Hold.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
tnt (5)
taint. taunt. tenet. tent. tint.
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