HI1200 Europe, 1000-1250: War, Government and Society in the Age of the Crusades
Module Organiser: Professor Ian Robinson
Duration: Michaelmas term
Contact hours: 2 lectures per week and 6 tutorials over the course of the term
Weighting: 10 ECTS
Assessment:
20% Essay; 80% Examination
This module deals with social and political change in Europe during the two-and-a-half centuries of the development of the crusading movement. It focuses in particular on the internal development of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Byzantium (the Eastern Christian empire based on Constantinople) and the crusading colonies in the Near East. The most important themes are the development of royal and imperial authority, the structure of aristocratic society, rebellion and the threat of political disintegration, warfare as a primary function of the secular ruling class and the impact of war on the development of European institutions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Outline chronologically key events and developments in the history of western Europe and the Near East during the high middle ages
- Assess the causes and immediate consequences of the crusades
- Discuss the core features of European society during the high middle ages
- Analyse the impact of different aspects of political, social and military development on Europe during the high middle ages
- Undertake a basic analysis and evaluation of selected primary sources in translation relating to European and crusading history in the high middle ages
- Present and discuss in written and oral format analysis of key questions relating to the history of Europe and the Near East during the high Middle Ages.