Key facts

Type	Weekly Classes
Location	Reading
Address	Building 22 Room 113 London Road Campus Reading.
Dates	Thu 17 Jan to Thu 21 Mar 2013 Day: Thursday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10
Subject area(s)	History
CATS points	10
Fees	From £145.00
Application status	Course ended
Course code	R12P435HIW
Course contact	If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Overview

**PLEASE NOTE - This Course will start onJanuary 17 2013, and for the first week only will be held in Building 33 Room G12**

1066 remains a key moment in Britain's history. This course will explore the long-lasting influence of the events brought about by the Norman Conquest by examining the political, social and economic context in England between 1066 and 1216.

Description

Following the Norman Conquest, England experienced great and sudden changes affecting all levels of society. The significance of this key moment has been the subject of debate amongst scholars since the Medieval period and it is still the concern of the historian. Scholars agree, however, in acknowledging the impact and long-lasting influence brought about by the events of the Norman Conquest in England. In this course, we will be evaluating the significance of the period by examining the configuration of society in post-conquest England. We will look at the variations in the patterns of rulership and administration of the realm (evident in new enterprises like the Domesday Book), the renewed influence of the Church, the increasing militarisation of society, the gradual institutionalisation of feudalism, the new role of castles as centres of administration and social dominion in the land, and the cultural scene of the twelfth-century renaissance in England between the years of 1066 and 1216.

Programme details

Week 1: Introduction, the Norman invasion
Week 2: The Angevines and the Anglo-Norman Empire
Week 3: Kingship and the administration of the realm
Week 4: The Domesday Book and its influence
Week 5: Feudalism and economic organisation
Week 6: Increasing militarisation of society
Week 7: Norman castles
Week 8: Reform within Church
Week 9: The Twelfth-century renaissance
Week 10: Conclusion

Background reading:
Mayr-Harting, H. Religion, Politics and Society in Britain, 1066-1272
Clanchy, M. T. England and its Rulers, 1066-1272
Barlow, F. The Feudal Kingdom of England, 1042-1216
Bartlett, R. England under the Norman and Angevin Kings
Walker, D. The Normans in Britain

Staff

Course aims

Course aim:
To provide a comprehensive understanding of the long-lasting changes brought about by the events of the Norman Conquest in England and to provide an overview of the political, social and ecclesiastical scenario in England between 1066 and 1216.

Course objectives:
1. To provide a picture of the main political events in the period 1066-1216.
2. To explore the economic and cultural conditions in England in the period after the Norman Conquest.
3. To identify the longer-term processes of change introduced by the Norman Conquest in England.

Assessment methods

The primary form of assessment will be an essay, which may involve a review of a book or journal article. Students interested in a particular topic covered by the course will be able to propose an essay question to be approved by the Tutor.

Teaching methods

In each session the tutor will explain and synthetise relevant information and will present it to the students with the appropriate support of visual aids when necessary. Individual secondary material listed on the Reading-List will also be covered in each session. Students will be encouraged to participate in debates and discussions, and the introduction of excerpted primary material will give plenty of opportunity for further questions and analysis. A small amount of reading in between sessions will be expected from the students.

Teaching outcomes

By the end of the course students should have:
1. acquired a clear outline knowledge of the main events that followed the Norman Conquest of England
2. learned how to asses the ways in which social, economic and cultural structures changed in England, evaluating the influence the Norman Conquest had in instigating new developments.
3. gained skills in source-evaluation through the analysis of selected primary texts, with the aim of assessing their value as historical evidence.

Fee options

Programme Fee

Home/EU fee: £145.00

Non-EU fee: £145.00

Apply for this course