HI3439 The Archaeology of Medieval Warfare 1000-1300

Module Organiser: Professor Terry Barry
Duration: All Year
Contact hours: 3 hours per week
Weighting: 20 ECTS
Assessment: 20% Essay; 80% Examination

This special subject will examine the origins and growth of earthen, timber and stone castles in Ireland, Britain and other areas of Europe in the High Middle Ages. By employing archaeological, historical and geographical methods of research it will also analyse their spatial and chronological relationship within the broader settlement pattern of the period. The chronology and development of town walls and defensive manor houses as well as other types of lesser military fortifications will also be studied. Students will be encouraged to do some fieldwork as well as primary documentary, cartographic and aerial photographic research.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Outline major developments in the history of warfare in Western Europe from c.1000 to 1350
• Classify and identify the significant trends in the interpretation of the period
• Organise a coherent personal reading programme based upon the leading interpretative accounts of the era
• Undertake an advanced analysis of a wide range of primary sources that throw light upon the major interpretative problems of the period
• Critically apply different techniques of evaluation and interpretation of these sources
• Critically interrogate scholarly authorities in this area utilising both archaeological and historical sources
• Provide a personal synthesis grounded upon a comprehensive reading of both primary and secondary material
• Defend any such synthesis in both oral and written presentations.