Journey back the height of the Middle Ages to world of castles and knights in shining armour. This fascinating course will explore the Medieval kingdom of England and one of its most powerful and notorious families. Learners will explore the profound changes that swept across England from William the Conqueror’s Norman Conquest of 1066, through 300 years of political intrigue.
We will explore the High Middle Ages from the perspective of those who lived there and the writings of Chroniclers, church-men and poets, such as Geoffrey Chaucer. Discover the lives of famous kings, such as William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart, and Empress Matilda. You will learn about pivotal moments including the signing of Magna Carta and the political intrigues that would lead to the Hundred Years’ War with France. These events will be explored through the Chronicles, laws, letters and other writings from the time, so learners will not only learn what happened, but also what the people at the time thought about it.
This course provides a thematic exploration of the Central Middle Ages (roughly 1066-1350) and will explore how culture, society and politics of the Kingdom of England developed on both the British Isles and Beyond.
The lessons will be a mixture of lecture-based context and group discussion about documents and writing from the time, so learners can explore the Middle Ages from the perspective of the people who were there.
Topics include but not limited to:
Other topics can be discussed in order to tailor the experience to areas of specific interest.
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. It is designed for adult learners with an interest in British history. No prior knowledge of history or the subject matter is necessary.
You are invited to bring a notebook or laptop for personal notes.
On completion, students may wish to enrol on another History or Mythology leisure course, or alternatively to pursue an accredited qualification.