Online Course: The Normans in Europe - Medievalists.net

"We get started by exploring the origins of the Normans in the county and then duchy of Normandy. We will understand their Norse background and their relationship with the Carolingians. The timeline approach will help us discover all the counts and dukes of Normandy, and what they contributed to their realm. This will set the foundation for the interconnected stories that will lead us to England and the Mediterranean."

"This session addresses the specific socio-political circumstances that led up to the 1066 Norman Conquest of England. Our journey through the British Isles will see the Normans becoming kings. We will reflect on the challenges of the cross-channel connections and the issues this conquest will bring for the dynasty moving forward. We'll also explore the impact of the Normans in the areas of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland."

"How did the Normans get all the way from France to Italy? We look at the socio-political and religious background of the country up until the 11th century, and the role this played in shaping the Normans relative to their cousins in Northwestern Europe. This session also includes an overview of the achievements of the Hauteville family. Finally, the developments in Italy take us to other Mediterranean regions impacted by the Normans such as Malta and Antioch."

Five-week program begins February 7 and meets Saturdays 2:00–3:30pm EST with recorded videos available. Week 1 examines Norman origins in the county and duchy of Normandy, Norse background, relations with Carolingians, and the counts and dukes' contributions. Week 2 analyzes socio-political causes of the 1066 conquest, the Normans' rise to kingship, cross-Channel challenges, and impacts in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Week 3 traces the Norman arrival in Italy, examines 11th-century socio-political and religious contexts, reviews Hauteville achievements, and outlines expansion into Malta and Antioch.

Read at Medievalists.net