Wales and the Wars of the Roses

Overview

Wales played a crucial and often underestimated role in the Wars of the Roses. It was home to several influential families including the Herberts and the Tudors. The Marches and other areas of Wales provided fertile recruiting ground and Welsh troops proved pivotal in key battles such as Mortimer’s Cross.

This introductory module provides an overview of Welsh involvement in the Wars of the Roses, focusing on key families and individuals such as William Herbert, Jasper Tudor and Rhys ap Thomas. Using original material from the period including the poetry of Guto’r Glyn and cultural items such as paintings, you will witness the Wars of the Roses through the eyes of contemporaries.

This course enables you to study from home and participate in an online community of other students. The module is delivered through Blackboard, our online learning environment.

Programme

Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.    

• Unit 1 - Jasper Tudor – Uncle to a King 
• Unit 2 - William Herbert – Yorkist ‘Master lock’ 
• Unit 3 - The Vaughan Family 
• Unit 4 - Sir John Donne – Yorkist Diplomat 
• Unit 5 - Sir Rhys ap Thomas – Tudor Hero 
• Unit 6 - Guto’r Glyn – Wars of the Roses Poet  

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of Wales during the Wars of the Roses, and develop knowledge of the key individuals involved, including their cultural heritage.
2. Analyse, interpret and discuss a selection of primary sources related to Welsh involvement in the Wars of the Roses.
3. Select and synthesise information from a range of secondary sources, identifying key arguments in those materials.
4. Search, navigate and utilise material on websites for secondary and primary sources
5. Collate, analyse and synthesise information from a range of material used on the module, to write a short essay which develops an argument. 

Assessments

1. Source Analysis 500 words (25%)
2. Project on one of the individuals introduced during the course 1500 words (75%)

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.