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History: Women, Queenship and Power in Medieval England
Course details
Course code
Q00017922Course date
Number of classes
1 sessionsTimetable
Branch
GrimsbyTutor
Guest SpeakerFee range
How you'll learn
Venue
The Minster (Grimsby)St James Square
Grimsby
DN31 1EP
Level of study
Entry Levels 1,2,3: If you have never studied this subject before and you’re not confident in your skills, Entry levels are a good starting point.
Level 1: Covers basic skills and knowledge needed for this subject
Level 2: Building on basic knowledge or experience. Similar to Grade 4/ C at GCSE or O level in England or Standards in Scotland.
Level 3: Learn about the topic in-depth and have a broad range of skills. Independent working Equivalent to an A level in England or Higher in Scotland.
Beginners: A perfect introduction if you have no experience and skills in this subject.
Improvers: The next step if you have basic skills or knowledge but want to progress them further.
Advanced: Build on the solid experience and skills you have in this subject, applying your skills and knowledge in a more complex way.
Course overview
Course description
This talk explores attitudes towards women in the Middle Ages, especially to women as rulers. In medieval England, just one woman – the Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I – inherited a claim to the throne in her own right. Yet, on her father’s death, her cousin, Stephen of Blois, seized control of England, so that Matilda was never crowned as queen. For many medieval people, the idea of a woman ruling in her own right was foreign to contemporary minds. Drawing on 25 years of writing about medieval women, Louise Wilkinson will share the fruits of her research. We will look at why there were concerns about women exercising power as rulers, drawing upon ideas inherited from the ancient world and religious role models for women. We will then look at the vibrant roles played, instead, by Anglo-Norman and Plantagenet queens consort, such as Matilda of Flanders (wife of William the Conqueror), Matilda of Scotland (wife of Henry I), Matilda of Boulogne (wife of Stephen), Eleanor of Aquitaine (wife of Henry II), and Eleanor of Provence (wife of Henry III, and the first queen to summon Parliament), in the political, diplomatic and cultural affairs of the kingdom.
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What financial support is available?
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We don't want anything to stand in your way when it comes to bringing Adult learning within reach so if you need anything to support you to achieve your goals then speak to one of our education experts during your enrolment journey. Most of our courses are government funded but if you don't qualify or need alternative financial help to access them then let us know.
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What other support is available?
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All of our digital content, teaching and learning activities and assessments are designed to be accessible so if you need any additional support you can discuss this with the education experts during your enrolment journey and we will do all we can to make sure you have optimal access.
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