Religion, Rebellion, Magic, and Murder: Early Modern Controversies, 1500-1750



Overview

Discover some of the most controversial events in British history, from the Reformation through to witch hunters and even killing our King. Each of the events we will study had a profound impact on British history, either religiously, legally, socially, politically, or a combination of all of them, and the effects can still be felt in modern Britain today. The themes we will consider include conformity and/or resistance to authority, the links between religion and magic, the decline of absolute monarchy, treason, and different ways of enforcing a revolution.

Using a combination of primary and secondary sources we will study each topic in depth, drawing our own conclusions about these events. Do you agree with what happened? Do you disagree? Do you think there might have been an alternative? What legacy do you think these events had for Britain and the wider world?

This course is part of the Inspiring Oxford summer school.

Programme details

Seminars meet each weekday morning, followed by a lecture or excursion as well as lunch. The remainder of the afternoons are free to explore the many places of interest in and around Oxford or partake in the programme's optional social activities.

Monday

The Reformation and the Tudor Monarchs, 1510-1603

This session will focus on the Reformation of the Church of England, which began under Henry VIII in the 1530s but which carried on in one form or another under all of the Tudor monarchs, down to Elizabeth I. We will explore what Henry’s motives were for breaking away from the Church of Rome, and what impact this had for the reigns of his children.

Tuesday

The English Civil Wars, 1642-1649

This session will study one of the most tumultuous periods in British history, when the King was at war with his own subjects. We will explore the political and religious background to the war breaking out, the key events which influenced the success and failure of both armies, and the ultimate triumph of Parliament over Charles I. The King was put on trial on a charge of committing treason against his own people, was executed outside Banqueting House in London on 30th January 1649, and  the nature of monarchy and kingship in this country was changed forever.

Wednesday

The Glorious Revolution of 1688

Less than half a century after Parliament had killed a King, the country once again found itself with an unsuitable monarch. This session will explore why James II was deposed in 1688, and what lessons had been learned from the events of 1649. This was a bloodless revolution, and although the monarchy itself continued, the nature of Parliamentary power was dramatically increased, and remains so to this day.

Thursday

Field trip to the Bodleian Libary to study some relevant manuscripts.

Friday

‘Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’: The Witchcraft Hunters, 1542-1736

This session will explore the very controversial topic of witch hunting in early modern Britain. The Witchcraft Act of 1542 defined witchcraft as a crime punishable by death, and for almost 200 years a steady stream of men and women were accused of practicing the occult, many of whom later lost their lives. We will explore what supposedly constituted a witch, why society was so scared of them, and the unfortunate fate of some of the accused victims.

 

Field Trip
Destination: The Bodleian Library

Website: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Excursion Rating: Easy - up to an hour’s walk on even ground or less than half an hour’s walk on uneven/unpaved ground.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) £2310.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) £1980.00
Fee option 3 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) £2160.00
Fee option 4 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) £1625.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for applicants.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Payment terms

If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.

If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Extended stay fee

Participants staying multiple, consecutive weeks will be charged an additional bed and breakfast fee for the cost of the Saturday night between courses.

Cancellations and refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk, or by post to Inspiring Oxford, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid. 

  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2024 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2024 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2024 - no refunds will be made under any circumstances.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

2. Cancellation by us

Where there is good reason, OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course by giving you notice in writing at any time before the course is due to start. In these cases, we will endeavour to offer a transfer to another available course if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in course fees. Alternatively, we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred. The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2024. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, anyone affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2024, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice in exceptional circumstances that would prevent the course from being delivered e.g. tutor illness. In these rare instances, and if we are unable to find a replacement tutor, we will notify you as soon as possible and arrange a transfer to another available Inspiring Oxford course. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

3. Travel insurance

All participants must purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred. OUDCE cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. 

Tutor

Dr Charlotte Young

Tutor

Charlotte Young has a PhD in early modern history from Royal Holloway, University of London. She has previously worked as an Early Modern Contributing Editor for Northamptonshire Victoria County History, and as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant with the Civil War Petitions project, first at the University of Leicester and then with the University of Oxford. She has taught students at the Universities of London, Oxford, California, and Oregon, and is currently writing a biography of John Bradshawe, the judge who sentenced Charles I to death in 1649.

Teaching methods

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 16 people, teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/Presentations
  • Physical handouts
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Field Trip

Assessment methods

There are no assessments for this course.

Application

Registration closes on 22 May 2024. Courses can fill up fast so early registration is recommended.

Single accommodation may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page. 

If you would like a twin en suite room, please send us a completed enrolment form that names the other course participant you will be sharing with. Please note these rooms have limited availability.

If you experience any difficulties enrolling online please contact the Programme Administrator at inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Level and demands

Inspiring Oxford is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.

Accommodation

During your course you will stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Brasenose College, in the heart of the city in buildings overlooked by the iconic Radcliffe Camera. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning. 

You can find out more about Brasenose by visiting their website.

The following types of accommodation are available:

  • Single en suite
  • Twin en suite: shared between participants that apply to the programme together
  • Standard single: bathrooms are shared between, on average, four participants

  • a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Brasenose, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.

    Non-residential participants are encouraged to attend all aspects of the academic and social programme, and they have equal access to Brasenose as residential participants.
     

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet).

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support