Medieval History
The following two modules will be completed during the AS year, but not necessarily in this order.
AS Module 1: The Crusading Movement and the Latin East, 1095-1204
This module provides an overview of the first four crusades and the fortunes of the crusader states. The course of the crusades, and the fate of the crusader states and their relations with neighbouring powers, will enable candidates to evaluate the role of individuals and institutions such as Urban II, Bohemond of Taranto, Richard I and Saladin, or the papacy, the empire of Byzantium and the monarchy in Jerusalem.
Key issues for study and examination
How did the motives for the Crusades and the success of the movement change during
this period?
Introduction
This unit provides an overview of developments in medieval Europe during the twelfth
century, taking as its major theme change through time as exemplified by the course of
the four crusades and the fortunes of the crusader states. An understanding of the
variety of factors contributing towards change and their interconnections will be
developed through the study of issues such as the impact of religious faith and the
economic, social and political motivations of the participants in crusading. Spiritual and
moral issues will be integral in the study of changing motivation. The course of the
crusades, and the fate of the crusader states and their relations with neighbouring
powers, will enable candidates to compare, explain and assess the nature, pace and
extent of change and to evaluate the role of individuals and institutions such as Urban
II, Bohemond of Taranto, Richard I and Saladin, the papacy, the empire of Byzantium
and the monarchy in Jerusalem. The length of period gives a realistic opportunity to
assess the impact of changing ideas and attitudes as well as institutions and states.
There are extensive opportunities for debate on, and interpretation of, ideas, events
and issues.
Content
The First Crusade and the creation of the Crusader States in Outremer,
1095–c1140
- The rise of the Seljuk Turks and the problems of the Eastern Empire
- The Council of Clermont and the response to Urban II’s call for a crusade
- Motivation and incentives: lay piety, religious zeal and material interests
- The course of the First Crusade: Constantinople, Doryaleum, Antioch and the
fall of Jerusalem - Feudal structure of Outremer: the King, the Church, military orders, castles,
barons and Italian sea powers
The Second Crusade and its impact, c1140–c1180
- Political, social and economic developments in the Latin East by the 1140s
- The fall of Edessa
- Louis VII, Conrad and the Second Crusade
- Bernard of Clairvaux and the changing motivation of the crusaders
- Damascus and relations between East and West after the Second Crusade
The Third Crusade and the crisis of Outremer, c1180–1192
- Political crisis in Outremer in the 1180s
- Growing unity and success in the Muslim world and the rise of Saladin
- Hattin and the fall of Jerusalem
- Richard I, Philip II of France and the changing motivation of the crusaders
- Acre, Arsuf and the truce of 1192
The Fourth Crusade and its consequences, 1192–1204
- The continuing crisis of the crusader states and calls for a new crusade
- Pope Innocent III, Venice and the changing motivation of the crusaders
- The diversion of the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople
- Relations between Byzantium and the west
- The position of the Crusader States in 1204
AS Module 2: The Norman Conquest: Britain, 1060-1087
Introduction
This unit provides an opportunity to study the dynamics of change caused by the
Norman Conquest of England in 1066 and the extent to which there was continuity
between Anglo-Saxon and Norman England after this date. Students should have a
sound understanding of the context and chronology of Edward the Confessor’s reign,
but the main emphasis will be on the events following his last years, and their
subsequent effects. The role of William the Conqueror and the consolidation of his hold
on England will be central, as will be the work of individuals such as Lanfranc. The
study of the conquest and its subsequent effects in the political, religious, military,
economic, social and cultural spheres will allow candidates to judge the degree of
change and continuity that it engendered.
Wider Historical Context
In order to judge the extent of change across the period, candidates will need to have a
broad understanding of the reign of Edward the Confessor and of the situation in the
final years of his reign which led to the disputed succession and the relationship
between the various candidates, especially Harold Godwinson and William of
Normandy, and the reasons behind their claims to the throne. Candidates should also
have an awareness of other aspects of English history prior to 1066, such as the
political power of the earls, the nature of Anglo-Saxon society and the role of the
Church.
The Norman Conquest
- The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis of 1066
- The rival claimants and the success of Harold Godwinson
- Military and political preparations of Harold and his enemies
- The events of 1066 and their outcomes
- William’s victory and coronation
Securing the Kingdom
- The rebellions of 1067–1075: the causes of rebellions, how William responded to them, the reasons for ultimate failure
- William and Scotland, 1067–1080: reasons for William’s involvement in Scotland and the methods used to establish military and political control
- William and Wales, 1067–1087: the reasons for William’s involvement in Wales, methods of establishing control, including the creation of the marcher earldoms
- The extent to which William had consolidated his power by 1087
Government, 1066–1087
- The nature of Kingship and the role of the royal household
- Changes in government and justice: feudal courts, murdrum fines, frankpledge, forest laws
- Continuity in government and justice: sheriffs, writs, shire courts
- Domesday Book and its significance for Norman government
The Church, 1070–1087
- Changes in the Church and the extent of reform in secular religion and the monastic life
- The role of Lanfranc
- The impact of Normanisation and the relationship between the Church and the King resulting from feudalisation
- William’s attitude towards the papacy
The Impact of Norman Rule on English Society by 1087
- The nature and impact of military feudalism
- The role and importance of knights and tenants in chief
- The impact of Norman rule on surviving English landholders
- The impact of Norman rule on the peasantry
Assessment
At the end of the year there will be three examinations, which will assess each of the modules which have been studied:
- The Crusading Movement and the Latin East
Students will be required to answer two questions from a choice of 3 two-part questions.
Time : 1 hour 15 min
Weighting : 50% of the AS assessment. - The Norman Conquest
Students will be required to answer two questions, a compulsory source-based question with two parts and one two-part question from a choice of two.
Time : 1 hour 30 min
Weighting : 50% of the AS assessment
Conclusion
The AS is assessed at a standard appropriate for students who have completed the first year of a two-year Advanced course - that is at a standard between GCSE and Advanced level. It forms the first half of the Advanced GCE course in terms of teaching time and content. When combined with the second half of the Advanced GCE course, known as 'A2', the AS forms 50% of the assessment of the Advanced GCE. However, the AS can be taken as a 'stand alone' qualification.
The A2 year
The following two modules will be completed in the second year and together with the AS units will comprise the full A-level.
A2 Module 3 : The Angevin Kings of England: British Monarchy, 1154–1216
Introduction
This unit promotes an understanding of change and continuity over the period of the
reigns of King Henry II and his sons, Kings Richard and John. Through the study of key
events in depth, candidates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the
interrelationship of individuals, ideas and other factors and their relative importance to
the processes of change and consolidation. There is focus on the relationships
between Crown, Church and barons, and the Angevin rulers’ attempts to maintain and
extend royal authority. The role of individual kings and of others such as Thomas
Becket, Hubert Walter and William Marshal provide an opportunity to consider the
causes and course of conflict and co-operation, and also the challenges posed to royal
authority, for example, over the Church in the light of its increasing independence and
the growing power of the papacy. Additionally, as a result of the study of the period as
a whole, candidates will be able to demonstrate how issues, ideas and other factors
change during the period, for example, the nature of kingship or feudalism, or social
attitudes towards women and the Jewish minority in Angevin England.
Content
Henry II, 1154–1162
- Henry and Theobald: the Church’s gains in power and independence
- Henry’s restoration of royal authority
- Henry’s gains through inheritance and marriage
- Eleanor of Aquitaine: her position as wife and mother
- The position of the Jews in Angevin England
Henry II: Power and Authority, 1162–1174
- The crisis of Becket’s death: Henry’s Church policy; Becket’s viewpoint; reason for, and result of, the quarrel; the aftermath of Becket’s death
- Feudal authority, royal government and the nobility, the Cartae Baronum and the Inquest of Sheriffs; the rebellion of 1173–1174
- The ‘Angevin Empire’: nature of the Empire; implications and results of their position as vassals of the French Kings; rivalry with the Capetians and its results
- Eleanor and the rebellion of 1173–1174
- The financial role of the Jews in Angevin England, and their relationship with the king
Henry II, 1175–1189
- Vacancies, elections and Henry’s control over the episcopacy
- Knighthood in England and the Assize of Arms, 1181
- Angevin family divisions, the succession and Henry II’s defeat
- Jews as social and religious outsiders; Aaron of Lincoln and the ‘Exchequer of Aaron’
Richard I, 1189–1199
- Richard the crusader king; the role of Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury and justiciar of England
- Absentee kingship and the government of England; the roles of Prince John and William the Marshal
- Richard’s war with Philip II, the loss of Gisors, the building of Chateau Gaillard
- The role of Eleanor during Richard’s absence
- The York pogrom and growing anti-semitism; its links with crusading fervour
John, 1199–1216
- John’s conflict with the papacy; the reasons for the Interdict; settlement between the King and the Pope; the role of Stephen Langton
• The importance of John’s personality and the loss of Normandy; John, the barons and Magna Carta; feudal authority and royal finance
• John, French suzerainty and the Angouleme marriage; John’s loss of his continental lands, the battle of Bouvines
• Eleanor and the disputed succession of 1199, the impact of her death
• Anti-semitism and baronial hostility towards the Jews
Assessment
At the end of the year there will be an examination:
Students will be required to answer two essay questions from a choice of three.
Time:1 hour 30 minutes 30% of the total A Level marks
Weighting : 50% of the A2 assessment
A2 Module 4: HIS 4X: Historical Enquiry
A personal study of approximately (3500 words): an analysis of an historical issue devised by the centre. The issue developed will show understanding of change over 100 years.
Assessment
20% of total A level marks
Internally assessed by the centre. Moderated by AQA.
