Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Document Analysis 1 (1,500 words) | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Document Analysis 2 (1,500 words) | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay (2,500 words) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Document Analysis 1 (1,500 words) | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Document Analysis 2 (1,500 words) | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay (2,500 words) | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Use their knowledge of high medieval Norway to construct scholarly arguments about the social and political developments which followed Sverrir’s arrival and the conflicts between different factions and the Norwegian Church in that period.
2. Critically evaluate primary source material relating to the rise of King Sverrir.
3. Illustrate their historical arguments regarding the causes and effects of the social and political developments of the later civil war period with primary source material.
4. Situate their historical arguments regarding the causes and effects of the social and political developments of the later civil war period within relevant historiographical debates.
Brief description
The author of Sverris saga relates that after finding out he was the son of King Sigurðr Munnr, Sverrir Sigurðarson travelled to Norway to claim his father’s throne. Although Sverrir would eventually be elected king, his route to power would not be an easy one. Magnús Erlingsson had already had himself pronounced king of Norway and would vigorously defend his right to rule alone. Sverrir would eventually defeat Magnús, but he continued to face challenges to his authority across his reign. Part one of this module will investigate the social and political developments which occurred in Norway following Sverrir’s arrival. It will follow the fortunes of the faction which arose to support his claims, the Birkibeiner (birch-legs), and explore their conflicts with rival factions, such as the Baglar (Croziermen), as well as the Norwegian Church.
Content
2. The rise of Sverrir and the Birkibeinar
3. Sverrir as a ‘gang leader’
4. War, conflict and society
5. Sverrir and the Church
6. Rebellious bishops
7.The rise of the Baglar
8. Conflict with the Baglar
9. How successful was Sverrir’s reign?
10. Norway after the death of Sverrir
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Seminars will include a range of activities aimed at developing students’ ability to express their ideas in a clear and well-structured manner. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be required to adapt their existing skills in analysing historical sources to a new topic. They will be encouraged to think flexibly about the historical debates in which they are engaging. |
| Information Technology | Students’ ability to select appropriate online resources for academic study will be developed throughout this module and assessed through their essays. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | A range of transferable skills will be developed throughout this module. Students’ ability to solve problems, analyse and evaluate evidence, and communicate effectively will be developed. Students will be asked to reflect upon their own arguments and reconsider them in light of other scholars’ ideas. |
| Problem solving | Students will be encouraged to engage with and provide solutions to methodological problems. |
| Research skills | Students will be asked to analyse the evidence of primary sources and use the information contained within these to evaluate the factors which have led to historical change. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students’ ability to use their knowledge of high medieval Norway to explain historical change will be developed as will their ability to interpret primary source material. |
| Team work | Seminars will involve group work. This will not be assessed. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6