HST 151: History of England -- Norman Conquest to 1600

1. Geography, Climate, and Resources 
2. Earliest History to the Norman Conquest
3. The Norman Conquest to the Acts of Clarendon 
4. Crusades, Common Law, and Constitutionalism
5. Rise of English Nationalism and the Hundred Years’ War
6. The War of the Roses and the Tudor Dynasty
7. The English Reformation and the Age of Elizabeth I

1. Lecture
2. Class discussion
3. Designated related readings

1. explain the contributions of the Celts to Britain.
2. list and discuss the major contributions of the Romans to Britain.
3. explain how the Anglo-Saxons conquered Britain.
4. explain the development of Anglo-Saxon institutions.
5. discuss the impact of Danish rule in Britain.
6. describe the struggle of the English against the Danes from the 9th to the 11th century.
7. list and discuss the major claims to the English throne upon the death of Edward the Confessor.
8. explain in detail how William of Normandy was able to defeat Harold of England.
9. list and discuss the contributions the Normans gave England.
10. explain how William the Conqueror created a highly developed state and monarchy in England.
11. evaluate the long term impact of the Norman conquest on the English.
12. list and discuss the major contributions of the Angevin or Plantagenet Kings.
13. explain the significance of the Magna Carta as a political document.
14. trace the evolution of Parliament during the 13th century.
15. explain the conflict that existed between the barons and monarchy during the 13th century.
16. explain why the 14th and 15th centuries were times of turmoil and violence in England.
17. list and discuss the major events that added to the decline of feudalism and the expansion of Parliament in the 14th and 15th centuries.
18. explain in detail how the 100 Years War impacted England and France.
19. identify the major issues that caused the struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York.
20. explain in detail how Henry VII and the Tudors developed a strong government that restored peace, order, and stability.
21. analyze Tudor and Stuart Proclamations.
22. explain how England changed under the reign of Henry VIII.
23. explain how the Tudors increased the power of the monarchy while limiting Parliament.
24. discuss why religion was the central issue in English history during the second half of the 16th century.
25. explain how Queen Elizabeth I led England to one of its most glorious periods in history.

1. Three (3) exams
2. Special projects
3. Research paper

Roberts, Clayton and Roberts, David, A History of England, Volume I, Prehistory to 1714, 4^th ed., Prentice Hall, 2002.

Goldberg, Medieval England: A Social History 1250-1550, Arnold, 2005.