Kingship, the Kingdom, and Identity: Scotland in the Thirteenth Century module (HY53004)

The module aims:

• To gain an understanding of the development and nature of Scotland’s monarchy and government in the important period immediately before the disruption of the Wars of Independence.
• To assess the adequacy of the frequently-used description of this period as Scotland’s ‘golden age’.
• To enquire into the extent to which Scotland could be said to have developed a ‘national identity’ before the end of the reign of Alexander III (1249 – 86).
• To place these issues in an international context, and particularly that of Anglo-Scottish relations.
• To consider how historiographical traditions may have distorted our understanding of this period.

The module will cover the following broad areas:

• Scotland’s distinct and distinctive kingship.
• The growth of government.
• Was there an ‘Anglo-Norman Era’ in Scottish history?
• Was the 13th century a ‘golden age’? Economy and society.
• Questions of identity.
• History and mythology: aspects of the historiography of medieval Scotland.

Assessment

Coursework (100%) consisting of:

• 50% Essay (4,000 words)
• 20% x 2 Assessed Tasks (2 short essays of c.1000 words each)
• 10% Contribution to Discussion Board