Module Information
Module Identifier
HYM0020
Module Title
Medieval London c. 1200 - 1500
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay 1 Essay on an aspect of the module 3000 Words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay 2 Essay on an aspect of the module 3000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay 1 Essay on an aspect of the module 3000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay 2 Essay on an aspect of the module 3000 Words | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of relevant themes and approaches to the history of medieval London.
Understand the use of appropriate evidence in formulating historical arguments regarding medieval urban history.
Demonstrate through written work an ability to integrate methodological themes into their own research.
Brief description
This module will explore the topographical, political, social and economic development of London, the (sometimes fraught) relations between the city and the crown, the governance of London, and the role of the church in the capital in the high and later Middle Ages. A wealth of documentary and archaeological material survives from medieval London, accompanied by an extensive historiographical tradition, a combination that will enable students to investigate in depth different aspects life in the medieval city.
Each seminar will focus on a different aspect of medieval London, with discussion based on primary sources (usually texts, although sometimes visual / material) which will be highlighted and some extracts provided in advance.
Each seminar will focus on a different aspect of medieval London, with discussion based on primary sources (usually texts, although sometimes visual / material) which will be highlighted and some extracts provided in advance.
Aims
- To provide students with an understanding of medieval London
- To familiarise students with a range of primary sources
- To enable students to use skills acquired through this module in other academic and non-academic contexts
- To familiarise students with a range of primary sources
- To enable students to use skills acquired through this module in other academic and non-academic contexts
Content
The course will consist of ten seminars:
1) Introduction: sources and key questions
2) Shaping the city: the location, topography and development of London
3) Governing medieval London
4) Cat and mouse? The city and the crown
5) Organising wealth: mercantile and artisan guilds
6) Trade and economy
7) Social networks
8) Faith in the city, part I: religious houses and St Paul’s Cathedral
9) Faith in the city, part II: the parish and religious guilds
10) Review
1) Introduction: sources and key questions
2) Shaping the city: the location, topography and development of London
3) Governing medieval London
4) Cat and mouse? The city and the crown
5) Organising wealth: mercantile and artisan guilds
6) Trade and economy
7) Social networks
8) Faith in the city, part I: religious houses and St Paul’s Cathedral
9) Faith in the city, part II: the parish and religious guilds
10) Review
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Critical and analytical thinking | Critical analysis of sources |
| Digital capability | Ability to engage with a range of digital resources relevant to the module |
| Subject Specific Skills | Ability to analyse historical evidence |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7