Medieval Castles in Context
| Module title | Medieval Castles in Context |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC3406 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Oliver Creighton (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
You will explore the archaeology and history of medieval castles in Britain between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries, looking at these sites as fortifications, homes and status symbols. You will pay particular attention to the social contexts of castles and their impacts upon and settings within the landscape. The module will consider a wide range of evidence ranging from standing buildings, archaeological excavations, portable artefacts, historical maps and documents, and the landscape itself.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to develop an appreciation of medieval castles and related sites in Britain between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries. It adopts an holistic approach to these sites within their broader social and landscape contexts, and provides an overview of key differences in castle design both temporally and spatially, as well an appreciation of different debates concerning their interpretations, functions and meanings. While rooted in the study of British sites, material from Continental Europe and the Middle East will be used to explore broader developments and to provide comparison and contrast.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Advanced knowledge of the principal site types and key trends in their chronological development and regional variation, alongside an appreciation of their wider social and landscape contexts
- 2. Advanced knowledge of the range of techniques and data sources available for the study of these sites and their settings
- 3. Critically assess the presentation of castle heritage to the public
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Develop advanced awareness of the kinds of material culture encountered and appreciate the mechanisms for their interpretation
- 5. Develop advanced understanding of different scales of spatial organisation and how they are expressed in the archaeological record
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Research a topic guided by a bibliography, and understand and appreciate information from a variety of sources
- 7. Evaluate terms, concepts and examples and organise such information synthetically in order to address key thematic issues
- 8. Contribute to workshop presentations using visual aids where appropriate
- 9. Respond to comments in discussion and ask pertinent questions
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction and castle origins. The Norman period; earth and fortification; early castles of stone
- Donjons: functions, meanings and evolution; masonry castle planning: defence and domesticity
- Late medieval castles and fortified houses
- Continental currents and influences; castle-building in Scotland and Ireland
- Crusader castles; the impact and influence of castles in the Middle East
- Landscape context 1: Castles and the rural scene; landscapes of lordship and design
- Landscape context 2: Castles and urbanism; townscapes and the impact of authority
- Social context 1: Castles and castle-building society; the image of the castle
- Social context 2: Living in castles: the archaeological contribution
- Workshops: (1) interpreting pictorial sources; (2) deciphering documents
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 129 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 16 | 8 x 2 hour lectures. OR an equivalent portfolio of online sessions, including lectures and presentations, both live and recorded, and online group activities. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 4 | 2 x 2 hour workshop. OR an equivalent portfolio of online sessions including live and recorded material. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | Tutorial (one) |
| Guided Independent Study | 129 | Guided independent study including reading, research and preparation for classes, presentation and assignments. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illustrated poster | 50 | Up to 1000 words | 1-9 | Verbal and Written feedback |
| Examination | 50 | 1.5 hours | 1-5 | Verbal and Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | Poster up to 1000 words | 1-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Examination | Examination (1.5 hours) | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
• Creighton, O.H. 2012: Early European Castles: Aristocracy and Authority, AD 800-1200. London:
• Bloomsbury. (E-book available)
• Liddiard, R. 2005: Castles in Context: Power, Symbolism and Landscape, 1066 to 1500 . Bollington: Windgather. (E-book available)
• Johnson, M. 2002: Behind the Castle Gate: Medieval to Renaissance . London: Routledge. (E-book available)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
• ELE:
• Homepage of the Castle Studies Group: http://www.castlestudiesgroup.org.uk/
• Gatehouse Gazetteer: http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/home.html
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.50 |
| Module pre-requisites | Not taken ARC2406 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | January 2009 |
| Last revision date | 17/02/2021 |
