Kingship in Crisis: Politics, People and Power in Late-medieval England
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| HIST2001 | History | 2 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- HIST2001
- School
- History
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
Political and constitutional history forms the core of this module, which covers a period when kingship in England was a high-risk occupation. From the mid-thirteenth century until the late fifteenth century a series of political crises rocked the English monarchy, resulting in as many as seven depositions. The module investigates the nature of kingship and the circumstances when a king's authority was challenged.
Target Students
Students must have taken HIST1001 or HIST1002. Also available to exchange students hosted by the Department of History, and Liberal Arts students.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: Piece of individually assessed coursework
- 50% Coursework 2: Piece of individually assessed coursework
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The aim of this course is to examine the political history of late-medieval England, that is, from the middle of the thirteenth century until the late fifteenth century. The focus is on the politics of the period, placing particular emphasis on the occasions when the king's authority was either challenged or, ultimately, overthrown by his subjects - there were a total of seven depositions between 1327 and 1485! We thus consider the limitations and weaknesses of the English monarchy in the late medieval period, but also the extent to which the monarchical system involved the participation of the broader political community, from the nobility, to the Commons in parliament and even the broader populace. We ask what made successful kings successful and what made bad kings bad. At the end of the module students should have a good understanding of the nature of politics and governance in late medieval England. Seminar topics include: 'Simon de Montfort and the Crisis of 1258'; 'Edward III and the Crisis of 1340-1'; 'Henry IV: the Usurper King'; and 'Richard III on trial'.Learning Outcomes
a. Knowledge and Understanding.
By the end of the module, in their assessed work, students should be able to:
• explain and interpret the politics of England between c.1258 and 1485
• demonstrate an understanding of the major events in this period
• evaluate the forces of change and continuity at work within the period.
b. Intellectual Skills.
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• think critically and imaginatively about the subject matter
• identify and address key problems relevant to it
• interpret secondary sources upon it and be aware of differing historical interpretations of the subject matter
• construct coherent and independent historical arguments of their own.
c. Professional/Practical Skills.
The module will develop students ability to:
• select, sift and synthesise information from a range of primary and secondary sources
• identify and compare key arguments in those materials
• demonstrate appropriate footnoting and bibliographical skills.
d. Transferable Skills.
The module will also develop students ability to:
• manage a large and disparate body of information
• express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing essays
• work and learn actively with others
• manage and take responsibility for their own learning
• use IT to word process their assessed essays.