Undergraduate Course: The Wars of the Roses: Warfare, Politics and Society in Late Medieval England (LLLE07024)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars that took place in England during the fifteenth century. These conflicts involved a number of fascinating personalities, including Edward IV, Warwick ¿the Kingmaker¿ and the enigmatic Richard III. This course will help to explain the causes of the wars, the outcomes of the fighting and the subsequent impact on society. Students will also be encouraged to consider the international dimensions, exploring the significance of England¿s relations with Burgundy, France and Scotland.
Students will be introduced to a range of primary sources, where necessary in translation, including extracts from chronicles, letters and records. Sources for discussion will include, among others, The Crowland Chronicle and the famous Paston Letters. This course will also provide an opportunity to consider the importance of archaeological evidence, in the light of recent excavations at Bosworth, Towton and (above all) Leicester.
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| Course description |
1. Setting the Scene: England in the Fifteenth Century
An introduction to fifteenth-century England and its people, with an emphasis on the structures of society.
2. How do we know? Exploring Medieval Sources
An introduction to the study of medieval sources, which will be used extensively throughout the course. We will look at extracts from a wide range of fifteenth-century sources, including chronicles, letters and records.
3. Prelude to Conflict: The Reign of Henry VI
The reign of Henry VI and the causes of the Wars of the Roses. We will consider the role of important personalities, as well as discussing some of the long term factors (including social and economic issues) that may have pushed England towards civil war.
4. The First War: 1455-61
Events in the period 1455-61, from the first Battle of St Albans to the coronation of Edward IV. In the second half of the class we will look more closely at the role of Margaret of Anjou, considering medieval and modern interpretations of her story.
5. Reconstructing a Medieval Battle: Towton, 1461
This week¿s class will focus on the Battle of Towton, the largest and bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses. There will be extensive discussion of the archaeological evidence, which provides a fascinating insight into the realities of medieval warfare.
6. Fortune¿s Wheel: 1461-71
The first reign of Edward IV, the ¿Readeption¿ of Henry VI and the second war of 1469-71. This class will provide an opportunity to consider the international dimensions of the Wars of the Roses, including England¿s relations with Burgundy, France and Scotland.
7. Order Restored? The Second Reign of Edward IV
The second reign of Edward IV, from 1471 to 1483. We will also consider the role of Edward¿s youngest brother, Richard, and his career as ¿Lord of the North¿.
8. The Crisis of 1483 and the ¿Princes in the Tower¿
Events following the death of Edward IV, and the brief reign of his eldest son, Edward V. We will discuss the reasons why Richard III chose to depose his nephew, whether he was justified in doing so, and the subsequent fate of Edward V and his brother.
9. Richard III
Richard¿s attempts to establish himself as king, and his defeat and death at the Battle of Bosworth. There will also be an opportunity to discuss the impact of the modern excavations at Leicester, and the discovery of Richard¿s remains.
10. The End of the Wars?
Discussion of the reign of Henry VII. We will move on to consider the long term impact of the Wars of the Roses, and the place of the wars in British history.
Students will be introduced to a range of primary sources, where necessary in translation, including extracts from chronicles, letters and records. Sources for discussion will include, among others, The Crowland Chronicle and the famous Paston Letters. This course will also provide an opportunity to consider the importance of archaeological evidence, in the light of recent excavations at Bosworth, Towton and (above all) Leicester.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyse the causes of the Wars of the Roses.
- Describe the subsequent course of warfare and political events, with an emphasis on the careers of key personalities.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the political, military and social structures of late medieval England, allowing students to situate personal stories within a broader context.
- Assess the impact of the Wars of the Roses on English society.
- Demonstrate the above learning outcomes in the assessment.
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Reading List
Essential:
Grummitt, D., 2013. A Short History of the Wars of the Roses. London: I.B. Tauris.
Recommended:
Goodman, A.E., 1981. The Wars of the Roses: Military Activity and English Society, 1452-97. London: Routledge.
Hicks, M.A., 2012. The Wars of the Roses. London: Yale University Press.
Hicks, M.A., 2002. English Political Culture in the Fifteenth Century. London: Routledge.
Horrox, R.E., 1989. Richard III: A Study of Service. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pollard, A.J., 1988. The Wars of the Roses. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Ross, C.D., 1974. Edward IV. London: Eyre Methuen.
Santiuste, D., 2011. Edward IV and the Wars of the Roses. Barnsley: Pen and Sword.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Critical thinking.
Comparative analysis.
Sensitivity to context when approaching historical evidence.
Verbal communication.
Ability to work with others.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sally Crumplin
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: |
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