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HI4009: SPECIAL SUBJECT: THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE, 1286-1328 (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

In 1286 Alexander III of Scotland was found dead at the foot of a cliff and Scotland was engulfed in a period of political instability and eventually war that was to have a profound impact on the future development of the British Isles. The course considers key stages of the ‘wars of independence’ period in chronological sequence until the final triumph of Robert I in 1328. Due consideration will be given to international perspectives in trying to understand the Anglo-Scottish struggle, notably in relation to Ireland, France, Flanders and the Papacy. Download course guide.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Alastair Macdonald

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Erasmus Off Campus or History (HI)
  • Programme Level 4
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • HI4015 Special Subject 1 (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In 1286 Alexander III of Scotland was found dead at the foot of a cliff and Scotland was engulfed in a period of political instability and eventually war that was to have a profound impact on the future development of the British Isles. The course considers key stages of the ‘wars of independence’ period in chronological sequence until the final triumph of Robert I in 1328. Due consideration will be given to international perspectives in trying to understand the Anglo-Scottish struggle, notably in relation to Ireland, France, Flanders and the Papacy. There will also be full consideration of the ‘civil war’ aspect to the struggle most obvious in the clash of Bruce and Balliol supporters after 1306. Alongside this examination of the unfolding political events wider themes will be considered on a weekly basis. These themes include attempts to understand the personalities of some of the major players and analysis of a variety of social groups (women, clerics, ‘commoners’) and conceptual frameworks (geographical factors, national identity, frontier societies) for understanding both insular international relations in this period and important developments within the Scottish kingdom.

Further Information & Notes

Students are not permitted to register for this course after the end of week 2 of teaching.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

  • One 3-hour written examination (100%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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