131-049 Monasticism and Late Medieval Politics

Formerly available as 131-247/347. Students who have completed 131-247 or 131-347 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first-year history, see Prerequisites.

This subject studies late-medieval monasticism, including the influential Benedictine Order, the innovative Franciscans and Dominicans, their religious ideals, and the contribution they made to medieval society, especially to political ideas and behaviour and the role of conscience, as distinct from power, in shaping the early modern state. The influence of monastics and other political thinkers upon concepts of political power and governance is studied. At the heart of the subject, the ideals of community and order are set within the context of practical politics, routine governance and violent social upheavals. On completion of the subject students should have a knowledge of events both general and detailed in the period of medieval monasticism, particularly notions of community and themes of social and political life.

Class participation, and written work totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.