V. The First Bankers in Britain

Read and translate the text.

Find in the text sentences that say:

а) Where did the first bankers come to City from?

б) Where did they settle down in London?

в) Why did the Lombards leave London?

г) What role does Lombard street play in our days?

The first bankers in Britain were Italians who came to do business in the City of London a few centuries ago. They came from Lombardy, a region in Northern Italy where there was a group of independent cities. This group was called the Lombard League.

The Lombards settled down in the part of the City of London which was later called after those Italians, Lombard Street.

The Lombards did not stay in London long. After a century or so they left London because they were made bankrupt. It happened mostly because they loaned money to kings who did not repay the loans.

So the Lombards left, but their name is still alive in London. Lombard Street is still the centre of British banking. This is the street where the head offices of the biggest English and foreign banks are located.

After text exercises

VI. Read the text attentively and put these sentences in right order in accordance to the text:

1) The Lombards did not stay in London long.

2) Lomhard Street is still the centre of British banking.

3) They came from Lombardy, a region in Northern Italy.

4) The Lombards settled down in the part of the City of London.

5) The first bankers in Britain were Italians who came to do business in the City of London a few centuries ago.

6) After a century or so they left London because they were made bankrupt.

7) The Lombards left, but their name is still alive in London.

VII. Complete the following sentences according to the text:

1. The first bankers in Britain were…….

2. The Lombards settled down in the part of the City of London …….

3. This group was called …….

4. After a century or so they left London …….

5. They came from Lombardy а region …….

VIII Match the sentence halves:

1. The first bankers in Britain were Italians...   2. They came from Lombardy, a region in Northern Italy...   3. The Lombards settled down in the part of the City of London...   4. They loaned money to kings… 5. This is the street…

a)… after those Italians, Lombard Street.   b)… where the head offices of the biggest English and foreign banks are located.   c)… who did not repay the loans.   d)… where there was a group of independent cities.   e)… who came to do business in the City of London a few centuries ago.