HST2115: The Archaeology of the late Medieval Church in England

20 credits (Semester 1)

Module Leader: Dr Hugh Willmott (2024-25)

Module Summary

This module will provide an overview of the archaeology of the later medieval church in England between 1066 and c.1540. Drawing on a wide range of archaeological, architectural and textual sources it will explore the nature of the church through a series of thematically organised lectures and seminars. Themes covered include the development of the parish church and its architecture, the place of the church in the rural landscape, churchyard archaeology, the impact of the Black Death, the fabric of monastic life, monastic economies and the effects of the Reformation. You will learn to critically evaluate and debate established approaches, and to develop fresh, evidence- based arguments that are relevant to current research.

Assessment

Please see this page for assessment details: Level 2 assessment

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to demonstrate:

detailed knowledge of the evidence, chronological frameworks, key debates and theoretical approaches relevant to the study of the archaeology of the church in England between the Norman Conquest and the Reformation
ability to evaluate critically competing interpretations of the archaeology of the church in the period
an awareness of the latest debates in the field
an ability to present cogent, evidence-based arguments in seminars and both oral and written assessments