Heroes and Villains of the Middle Ages

Code

HIST2027

School

History

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

The module compares and contrasts key historical, legendary and fictional figures to examine the development of western medieval values and ideologies such as monasticism, chivalry and kingship. It explores how individuals shaped ideal types and how they themselves strove to match medieval archetypes. The binary oppositions between good and bad are explored through study of the ideal king, in Arthur of the Britons, and the creation of villains such as Richard III. Chronicles, lives and fictional works reveal how writers sought to judge the lives and achievements of individuals, and how their ideological assumptions shaped their views. However, writers also challenged archetypal values through the creation of anti-heroes such as Robin Hood. The module also explores how historians have judged these figures and how their interpretations have changed over time according to the contingencies of national and gender politics, confessional histories and the interests and working methods of scholars (including genres of historical writing such as biography). Finally, it engages with modern-day appropriations of these medieval heroes and villains in a range of representations and practices commonly known as medievalism. Topics include: William Marshall, Bernard of Clairvaux, King Arthur, Joan of Arc, Robin Hood; Richard III.

Target Students

Studentsmust have taken HIST1001orHIST1002. Also available to exchange students hosted by the Department of History and Liberal Arts.

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

Assessment

• 50% Coursework 1: Individually assessed coursework item: source based assessment (2,500 words, if written)
• 50% Coursework 2: Individually assessed coursework item: essay (2,500 words)

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

(a) Knowledge and understanding. 
By the end of the module students should be able to: 
• explain and interpret some of the major western ideological values of the middle ages and the ways in which these were articulated, reflected on and challenged across the period 
• Reflect on the nature of History as a discipline. 

(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 
• assess and evaluate competing historical interpretations put forward in the secondary literature 
• 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 secondary sources
• form an argument based on appropriate research 
• to identify and compare key arguments in those materials 
• to demonstrate appropriate footnoting and bibliographical skills
• to use the University intranet to access the library catalogue. 

(d) Transferable skills. 
The module will also develop students’ ability to:  
• to manage a large and disparate body of information
• to express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing essays and documentary exercises
• to work and learn actively with others 
• to manage and take responsibility for their own learning
• to respect the views of others
• to use IT for research and presentation purposes. 

Conveners

• Matthias Bryson