Module HIST58230: Saints' Cults, Shrines and Relics in Anglo-Saxon England

Department: History

HIST58230: Saints' Cults, Shrines and Relics in Anglo-Saxon England

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To enable students to gain specialist knowledge and understanding of the historical significance of the cult of saints, either through researching a particular cult (where texts in translation exist) or by developing a particular approach, involving aspects of religious, social ad political history. A programme of independent bibliographical research and reading focussed on a particular theme or area of research to be selected according to the special interests of particular students and leading to an essay to be defined on the basis of that reading.

Content

• the social basis of pilgrimage and miracles (who came to shrines and what sort of people were the supposed beneficiaries of miracles)
• royal saints and their political significance (why were there so many royal saints in Anglo-Saxon England and how were they regarded by their successors in royal office?)
• cults and the development of church architecture (how can the cult of saints be understood through studying the lay-out of churches and their crypts?)
• saints' cults, landed estates and land claims (saints are often mentioned in charters and their lives often refer to grants of land)
• saints' cults and rights of sanctuary in church

Learning Outcomes

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

There is no seperate formative assessment, but at least one initial draft of the summative essay will be handed in for comment. The tutor will provide regular oral feedback on work in progress.