Through looking at a series of crises usually considered to makeup the historical backbone of the period, we will consider not only their importance, but through them both the theoretical and real roles of kings, nobles, knights, and society at large in the later Middle Ages. Themes examined will include the nature of late medieval kingship, the development of the nobility, the place of parliament and the importance of more 'general' events such as the Black Death and the Peasants' Revolt. 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 2000-2001 . The text commentary is due at the end of the day on which it is presented.