HIST 320 Conquest and Resistance: The Normans, English, and Celts in Medieval Britain
The Middle Ages in Britain witnessed the increasing expansion of the power of the English crown over different regions in the British Isles. However, this aggressive assertion of English dominance helped to foster resistance to the conquerors - think of Mel Gibson as William Wallace in Braveheart. This class will explore the real history behind that story: the English drive for conquest in Medieval Britain, examining facets such as kingship, mythology, and clerical reform which helped propel this drive. It will also examine the cultural and political resistance of the peoples of Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, demonstrating how they defined their own existence separate from England and how they fought through war and diplomacy to preserve their respective independence in the face of this ruthless expansion. Along the way, students will encounter such famous names as "Bad" King John, William Wallace, Owain Glyn Dwr, Princess Nest of Wales, and Diarmaid mac Murchadha, and be exposed to several topics which underscore the broader themes of conquest and resistance during this period: medieval warfare, notions of law and liberty, cultural forces such as chivalry and the Church, trade, and the links between geography and social life. This class will utilize lectures and in class discussion to demonstrate why the history of Medieval Britain and Ireland is at the heart of modern relations between the countries within the United Kingdom as well as the present relationship between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.