This course introduces students to the people, society, politics, and culture of Western Europe during the later Middle Ages. Focusing primarily on England, but branching into French, Flemish, Italian, Spanish, and German history, it will explore some of the socio-political structures, mentalities, and events that contribute to our understanding of the later medieval period. In addition to exploring such themes as social relations, power, and beliefs, this course will engage with concepts of periodisation, including the terms ‘medieval’ and ‘early modern’, and with notions of historical change, transition, and continuity.

This course aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of a period central to European history, and to challenge preconceptions about medieval life with fresh perspectives on the people and culture of Western Europe in the later Middle Ages.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their academic skills in several areas:

-         evaluation of different forms of primary evidence

-         research and critical analysis of primary sources and historiography

-         formulation of logical arguments substantiated with historical evidence

-         written and oral communication

1)  tutorial participation, including one 500 word tutorial paper and weekly contributions (20%);

2)  one 1500 word essay (30%)

and

3) one of the following options (50%):

either

- a 3000 word essay

or

- a research proposal. This exercise allows students scope to pursue their own interests. They will select a topic relevant to the course and investigate the secondary literature surrounding that area. Based on their preliminary reading, the student will then formulate a research question in consultation with the course convenor. The student will be expected to identify a range of primary and secondary sources appropriate for exploring their research problem, which they will compile into an annotated bibliography for submission. The bibliography will be accompanied by a 2000 word outline of the topic/research problem identified, the literature on the area, and the evidence and methods the student would employ in order to research the issue.

One lecture session of 90 mins (this will usually take the form of two 45 minute lectures with a break) and 1 tutorial per week for thirteen weeks. Lectures will normally be recorded.

Completion of 2 courses (12 units) in History at first year level or with permission of the convenor. For the purposes of this course, all courses with codes beginning HIST1xxx, together with EURO1004, ANCH1013 and ANCH1014 count as first-year History subjects.

Recommended preliminary reading: 

Marcus Bull, Thinking Medieval: An Introduction to the Study of the Middle Ages, Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, 2005. Maurice Keen, English Society in the Later Middle Ages 1348–1500, Penguin, Harmondsworth, 1990.

To access details for each topic please use the topic link at the top of the page.