Cabinet : The executive group of ministers, usually about 20 in number, who are chose by the Prime Minister, to determine government policies, exercise supreme control of government departments. The Cabinet usually meets once a week at N° 10, Downing Street. Compare Shadow Cabinet.

Cambridge University : One of the two oldest universities in England, the other being Oxford. It was founded in the 13^th century. There are at present 28 colleges at Cambridge University, with one for men only. Among the best-known colleges are King's College (founded in 1441) and Trinity College (1546). There are about 9,000 students at residence in Cambridge.

Carroll, Lewis : Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), real name Charles Lutwige Dodgson, is known internationally as the author of 'Alice in Wonderland' (1865) and 'Through the Looking-Glass' (1871)

Chancellor of the Exchequer : The title of the British finance minister, responsible for the annual Budget, which makes him one of the most important members of the Cabinet.

chippy : A colloquial name for a fish and chip shop.

Christie, Agatha : (1890-1976) one of the most famous and successful writers of detective novels, most of them featuring an elderly detective, Miss Marple or a Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. ('the ABC Murders', 'Death on the Orient Express', 'Ten Little Niggers', …) . Agatha Christie's play 'The Mousetrap', also a detective story, has been running continuously in London since 1952.

Churchill, Winston : Winston Churchill (1874-1965) became a major political figure during the Second World War. In 1940 he became both Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. He inspired the confidence of the British people in the struggle for victory and his radio speeches did much to boost the nation's morale at a time of crisis and deprivation. Churchill was a gifted orator and many of his speeches contained memorable phrases, such as 'This was their finest hour', or speaking of the fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain, 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few' , or the famous 'blood, sweat, tear and pain'. Churchill's other talents and achievements, his historical writings, his paintings, his career as Prime Minister after the war, his international role as a statesman make him one of Britain's greatest leaders.

civil servant : A person employed by the government. As such he has no right to be actively involved in politics, or to become an MP. His position is not affected by a change of government.

cockney : 1. The standard London dialect with characteristic pronunciation and vocabulary. 2. A native Londoner who speaks such a dialect.

Commonwealth : An association of countries (currently 51) that have been, or still are, ruled by Britain. All such countries recognise the reigning British sovereign as the head of the Commonwealth. - Among the 51 members are Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Fiji Islands, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe. Some countries, like Australia, Canada or New Zealand, recognise the British sovereign as their head of State.

comprehensive school : A large state secondary school providing a large ('comprehensive') range of education. About 90 % of all secondary school students attend a comprehensive school. Compare grammar school and public school.

Conservative Party : One of the two largest political parties in Britain (together with the Labour Party), and the major right-wing party. It supports free enterprise, encourages property owning, and finds its support in the middle and upper classes, traditionally in rural areas.

cricket : A very popular sport which is played between two teams of eleven people. They play on a grass field at the centre of which is the 'pitch' (playing area). The aim is for one team (the batsmen) to score a large number of runs by hitting the ball 'bowled' (thrown) to them by the other team (the fielders). The fielders try to send the batsmen out of the game as quickly as possible, for example by catching a ball hit by a batsman before it touches the ground. Cricket is usually played by men and boys wearing white clothes.

Cromwell, Oliver : (1649-1658 AD) was a strict Puritan with a Cambridge education when he went to London to represent his family in Parliament.

1642 was a banner year for Parliament. They stripped Charles I of the last vestiges of prerogative by placing the army and navy directly under parliamentary supervision. Charles entered the House of Commons (the first king to do so), intent on arresting the leader of Parliament, but the conspirators had already fled, making the king appear inept. Charles traveled north to recruit an army and raised his standard against the forces of Parliaments (Roundheads) at Nottingham on August 22, 1642. England was embroiled in civil war. Cromwell proved most capable as a military leader. By 1644, Cromwell's New Model Army had routed Cavalier forces and Cromwell earned the nickname "Ironsides" in the process. Within a year, Charles surrendered to the Scots, who turned him over to Parliament. By 1646, England was ruled solely by Parliament, although the king was not executed until 1649.

The Parliament dismantled the machinery of government, abolishing not only the monarchy, but also the Privy Council, even the House of Lords. England was ruled by an executive Council of State and the Rump Parliament. Cromwell ended the Rump Parliament with great indignity on April 21, 1653, ordering the house cleared at the point of a sword. By 1655, Cromwell dissolved his new Parliament, choosing to rule alone (much like Charles I had done in 1629).

The military's solution was to form yet another version of Parliament. A House of Peers was created, packed with Cromwell's supporters and with true veto power, but the Commons proved most antagonistic towards Cromwell. The monarchy was restored in all but name; Cromwell went from the title of Lord General of the Army to that of Lord Protector of the Realm (the title of king was suggested, but wisely rejected by Cromwell when a furor arose in the military ranks). The Lord Protector died on September 3, 1658, naming his son Richard as successor. With Cromwell's death, the Commonwealth floundered and the monarchy was restored only two years later.

darts : An indoor game popular in pubs. Short, weighted steel darts with a feathered base are thrown at a circular cork board (dartboard) marked out in numbered sections. The aim is to score a particular number of points, usually 301 or 501.

Dickens, Charles : (1812-1870) is popularly regarded as one of the greatest British novelists. He denounced the social evils of Victorian England as well as showing humour. Many of his characters, often with unusual names, have entered popular folklore : Old Scrooge or Oliver Twist. His story 'A Christmas Carol' is probably the most popular and best known work that Dickens produced.

double decker : a bus with two passenger decks. At many seaside resorts or tourist areas, double deckers with an open top are used in the summer season for sight-seeing tourists.

Downing Street : 1. a short street in central London where the official homes of the Prime Minister (Number Ten) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Number Eleven) are. 2. A term used for the British government.

Duke of Edinburgh : The principal title held by , the husband of Queen Elizabeth, and the one by which he is known. Born in 1926, he served in the Royal Navy both before and after his marriage in 1947 to Elizabeth. He shows great interest in industry and in the achievements of young people.

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