HIS32680 Medieval Myth and History

Academic Year 2022/2023

*** Not available in the academic year indicated above ***

From a modern perspective, we are confident in our ability to distinguish between myth, legend, and historical fact. Yet the line between these genres was often blurred for medieval chroniclers and historians. A comet could predict the loss of a major battle; the miracles of a saint could lead to the foundation of an abbey; and a heroic ancestor could slay giants and begin a dynasty. This course examines a wide range of pseudohistorical material from the Middle Ages in its historical context, exploring the many ways in which medieval authors used religious miracles, folklore, encounters with the supernatural, mythical creatures, and legends such as that of King Arthur in the writing of ‘real’ history. As we do so, we will both interrogate our modern definition of a ‘historical’ source and gain an appreciation of how that definition has changed over time.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course students should have:
- an understanding of how and why medieval historians used pseudohistorical material
- developed skills in analysing medieval historical writing
- shown an ability to comment on contemporary sources in writing and verbally.

Indicative Module Content:

The module addresses such topics as:
- The nature and purpose of medieval historical writing
- The use of religious miracles in writing history; the intersection of religious and political narratives
- Origin legends (national and dynastic)
- The role of King Arthur and other pseudohistorical figures
- The supernatural: ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and zombies
- Local legends, folklore, and placenames
- Signs, portents, and prophecy
- The reactions of medieval historians towards their predecessors and contemporaries
- The historiography of modern approaches to medieval source material
- Fictionality and historicity in the Icelandic sagas

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

223
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module combines a 1-hour lecture with a 2-hour seminar. Weekly lectures provide overviews of the topic, with focus on background to readings, and its
relation to modern scholarship. Weekly seminars focus on small-group active and task-based learning by means of class debates, discussion and presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: c.4000 Week 12 n/a Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: assignmet Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on continuous assessment is given individually and to the class, verbally and in writing, throughout the semester. Feedback on end-of-semester essays is given individually and to the class on drafts and essays plans before final submission, and by appointment after submission and grading.