England (1300-1600): History and Texts

The purpose of this course is to examine in detail the history of England in the late middle ages and early modern period, with special reference to primary sources composed in the English language during the time-span c.1300-c.1600. The course will provide a basic grounding in Middle and Early Modern English, and will consider the problems of doing historical research using vernacular documents (administrative, historical, literary, religious and others). The course will examine the main social, economic and religious changes of this period against the background of political change.