Thereafter, the course will focus on the upper layer of landowners, the 'barones' of the 12th and 13th centuries - though always with an eye to what differentiated them from the next wrung down the social ladder, those later known as the gentry. Issues to be examined in this course include the developing role of the nobility both in the monarch's perception and their own, their relationship to the other sectors of society, and the development of the class both in times of stability and conflict. More generally, we will be examining the changes which take place within and to the nobility overall in our period, and examine how they relate to the political, social and economic climate of the times. Marks will be deducted for poor presentation, spelling, grammar and late submission. Quotations and ideas which are not your own MUST be identified either by use of a footnote or endnote.
Credit is given for the development of a coherent, consistent, and credible argument.
To achieve maximum impact, you need to know how the essay will end before you start writing it. Careful planning is therefore essential. A bibliography MUST be supplied with each essay submitted and primary documents are to be used in backing up your argument. For more information on essay presentation, see History Handbook 2001-2002 . The text commentary is due at the end of the day on which it is presented.