Despite its cultural and ethnic diversity, England unified earlier than most of the rest of medieval Europe, makings its kings stronger and its administration more widespread relative to other kingdoms. This class will focus on medieval England from the reign of Alfred (d. 899) to around 1500. The guiding questions for the class will be how was social order created, what constituted social disruption, and whether these concerns changed over time or according to social class? Through lectures and discussions students will explore primary sources and historiographical debates to uncover the social and political experiences of the aristocracy, urban dwellers, and peasantry; what were their daily lives like materially and culturally, what did they view as threats to their way of life, and what did they do to maintain order? Ideally students will have had 209, 210, 211, or 220, but they are not required. Class work will consist of papers and class discussion.

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