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HIS33260

Academic Year 2025/2026

Conquest: 1066, 1169: The Norman Invasions of England and Ireland (HIS33260)

Subject:
History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Dan Armstrong
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Separated by almost exactly a century, England and Ireland were conquered by Norman invaders. The years of conquest, 1066 and 1169, mark major turning points in the national historiographies of England and Ireland, with these invasions leading to the violent imposition of foreign rulers and regimes that altered the past, present, and future of the British-Irish Isles. In this module, students will consider these conquests in parallel, exploring their similarities and differences. The module will address the immediate impact of these violent and disruptive invasions, considering the years of conquest and resistance to these invasions. It will also explore the long-term consequences of 1066 and 1169, whilst seeking to place the violent subjugation of England and Ireland within a wider pattern of expansion and colonisation across eleventh- and twelfth-century Europe. Students will work with a range of primary sources including written chronicles, the Bayeux Tapestry, and the architecture and archaeology of Cathedrals and Castles. No prior knowledge of the period is required, with the first three weeks designed to provide a clear introduction to the topic.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should have
a) developed a strong understanding of the similarities and differences between the conquests of 1066 and 1169.
b) a strong grasp of the place of these conquests within a wider pattern of expansion and colonisation across eleventh- and twelfth-century Europe.
c) developed their ability to reflect on weekly readings and classes through the completion of learning journals.
d) improved their written and communication skills through class discussions, debates, and written assessments.

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1: England and Ireland before Conquest
Week 2: Invasion: 1066
Week 3: Invasion: 1169
Week 4: Writing the History of Conquest
Week 5: The Papacy, the Church, and Conquest
Week 6: Culture, Identity, and Society
Week 7: Rebellion, Resistance, and the Consolidation of Power
Week 8: Conquered Europe: Sicily, Spain, and the Latin East
Week 9: Women, the Aristocracy, and Conquest
Week 10: The Legacy of Conquest
Week 11: Conclusion and Essay Preparation

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Total

223

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module consists of one-hour lectures, followed by two-hour seminars. The lectures are designed to give a broad overview of the weekly topic, focussing on the important historiography, debates, and developments. The seminars will address a specific aspect in more detail, to explore the similarities and differences between the two conquests. Seminars will take the form of class discussions, small group-work, and debates. Advanced reading, research, and writing skills are developed through the completion of learning journals and the final essay. Autonomous learning is developed through these assessments, as well as student-led discussions and debates during the weekly seminars.

The use of AI tools (e.g. Gemini, Chat GPT, Copilot) is not permitted in this module. Students are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use of AI tools.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Active participation and engagement during the seminars Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
20
 No
Reflective Assignment: Students should submit a weekly Learning Journal on Brightspace responding to the assigned reading and discussions in class. A minimum of eight learning journals is required. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A research essay of c.3,000 to 3,500 words, based on work undertaken over the module. The project must be based on primary and secondary sources. Week 14 Graded No
40
 No

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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on learning journals and participation 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 essays plans before final submission, and by appointment after submission and grading.

Name Role
Dr Dan Armstrong Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
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