Discussions

Specific primary documents and questions will be assigned to augment topics discussed in lecture. Please see below or Foxtale for specific dates. Each response must be 1-2 or 2-3 pages long depending on the topic. Responses are worth 20-30 points. Discussions are due during class and students must specifically refer to the documents to receive full credit. Please cite using in-text citations (author or title and paragraph number if available) or footnotes. Failure to include citations will result in a loss of points.

All documents can be found in Foxtale unless indicated

Discussion 1- Anglo-Saxon Christianity (2-3 pages) 7 September

  • Old English Exodus
  • The Dream of the Rood

1. These poems both reveal glimpses into Anglo-Saxon Christianity. Examine the ways in which these poems reflect the values of this society. How have these stories been altered for a Anglo-Saxon audience?


Discussion 2- Alfred the Great (in class only) 14 September

Asser, Life of Alfred, parts 1 and 2

1. This document is not simply history, but propaganda as well. Looking at this document, what did society value and admire in its leaders?


Discussion 3 - Norman Invasion (2-3 pages) 21 September

  • Harold's Visit to William (4 versions)
  • Edward the Confessor's deathbed nomination of Harold (3 versions)
  • Harold's Accessions to the English throne (4 versions)
  • William the Conqueror invades England - version 1
  • William the Conqueror invades England - version 2
  • Battle of Hastings - version 1
  • Battle of Hastings - version 2
  • William of Malmesbury, Battle of Hastings

The documents above represent almost all of the source material we have for the Norman Conquest and concern the important issues of who was the rightful king of England in 1066 and why the English were not successful in defeating the Normans at Hastings.

1. Break these documents into the following sections 1) Harold's visit to William 2) Harold being chosen as king and the type of king he was 3) the Battle of Hastings and why the English were defeated. Looking at these documents outline where they agree and disagree regarding what occurred.

2. Which specific questions are difficult to answer giving the source material available.

Discussion 4- Jews in Medieval England (in-class only) 28 September

  • The Persecution of the Jews
  • Crusades and the Persecution of the Jews
  • Innocent III: Letter on the Jews
  • Lateran IV: Canon 68
  • Gregory X: Letter on the Jews
  • King John of England and the Jews
  • English Law and the Jews
  • Removal of Jews from Certain Towns to Others
  • Jews Expelled from England

1. What do these documents reveal about the situation of the Jews in High Medieval England?

2. What did the papacy say about the Jews? What arguments did they present?


Discussion 5 - Nobles, Church and Crown (In class only) 15 October

  • Magna Carta
  • Song of Lewes
  • Letters from Innocent III

1. Outline the arguments for the crown, nobles and church. In what areas are they willing to acknowledge the power of the others?


Discussion 6 - Peasants Revolt (2 pgs) 26 October

  • Medieval Revolutionary
  • Beginning of the Peasants' Revolt
  • English Peasants Rebel Against Feudalism and Wealth
  • King Richard Fails to Meet the Peasants at Blackheath
  • Angry Peasants March on London
  • King Richard Confronts the Peasants at Mile End, versions 1 and 2
  • King Richard Confronts the Peasants at Smithfield

1. Outline the demands of the peasants. While the king did agree to meet these demands, he quickly went back on his word. Could Richard have reasonably granted any of the demands of the peasants?

2. How do the documents present events in order to put the peasants in a negative light?


Discussion 7 - Joan of Arc (in class only) 2 November

  • The Trial of Joan of Arc
  • Joan of Arc before the French King
  • First Letter from Joan of Arc to the English
  • Joan of Arc enters Orleans
  • Victory for the French at Orleans - Version 1
  • Victory for the French at Orleans - Version 2

1. By all accounts, Joan was exactly what history has remembered her as - a common peasant girl, who believing she was sanctioned by God, convinced Charles to grant her troops which she led to victory against the English. One of the difficulties in a series of events such as this is dealing with the fact that Joan of Arc believed she heard angels and saints who gave her messages from God. As Christians and historians how do we assess this? How do we analyze the motives and seemingly miraculous events of Joan's life?

Discussion 8 - Reformation (2 pgs) 16 November

  • Queen Elizabeth's Proclamation to Forbid Preaching, 1558
  • Elizabeth's Act of Uniformity, 1559
  • The Injunctions of 1559
  • Act Against the Jesuits and Seminarists, 1585
  • Act Against the Puritans

1. Looking at these documents, what aspects of society and religion was the state attempting to control?

2. What are the limitations placed on Catholics and Puritans?

3. Why are non-Anglicans perceived as such a threat in this period?

Discussion 9 - Stuart England (2 pages) 3 December

Documents will be handed out

1. All of these documents discuss the civil war. Analyze the different reasons presented for why England descended into civil war.