Vikings in Britain (IEEL003)

The Viking Age was a dynamic period in European history which brought new cultures into contact, and which affected the formation of the modern nations of England, Wales, and Scotland.

Students will learn how to engage with different types of evidence from the Middle Ages including written sources, archaeological digs, sculpture, and place names. They will learn about the differences between real vikings and media portrayals, and the origin of modern British identities.

Module leader: James Davison

James is a PhD candidate at the University of Liverpool. His research centres on studying burial evidence in order to expand our concepts of gender in Anglo-Saxon period England. Connections between English and Scandinavian cultures in the early medieval world have been an important aspect of James’ research for several years.

Aims

To build students’ confidence in understanding, discussing, and communicating complex ideas, both in written and spoken language
To develop skills in research, collaborative learning and in preparing and delivering a group presentation
To provide an overview of Viking activity in Britain and its long term political and cultural impact.

Content

The following topics will be considered on the module:

Sources for the study of Vikings
The beginning of the Viking Age
Vikings in the Northern and Western Isles
Vikings in England: Conquest and colonisation
The Making of England
The Making of Scotland and Wales
The End of the Viking Age.

Structure

The module will be delivered over a three-week period in six two-hour sessions (four hours per week, total 12 hours contact time). The final two sessions will be for assessment.

Each session will take the form of a lecture followed by an interactive seminar or workshop. Students will have several opportunities to put what they are learning into practice with their classmates. Students will be expected to participate fully and actively throughout the sessions.

In addition, it is expected that students will spend 34-38 study hours outside of the classroom contact hours on activities including assigned reading, optional reading of areas of personal interest, homework tasks, web research and preparation for assessment. Students should be aware that to fully benefit from the face-to-face classroom sessions, they will need to have done the preparation work assigned beforehand.

The indicative schedule is as follows:

Session one: The beginning of the Viking Age

The course will begin with some general information about the module, including the aims and assessment. Then it moves on to consider records of the beginning of the Viking Age in Europe and the motives of Viking raiders. Chronicle records of the first Viking attacks will be analysed.

Session two: Vikings in the Northern and Western Isles

Perhaps one of the first areas in Britain to be settled by Vikings were the islands around Scotland. This session will consider how the surviving evidence sheds light of relations between Vikings and the native peoples in these areas and the contribution that Vikings have made to the identities of the islanders nowadays. Case studies of Viking burials in Scotland will be considered for the evidence they shed on Viking religion and culture.

Session three: Vikings in England: Conquest and colonisation

In a short period from the 860s to the 870s Vikings were able to bring most of the lands of England under their control. We will consider the reasons for their success. The evidence of Viking sculpture in England will be analysed to give an insight into cultural contacts between England and Scandinavia in the Viking Age.

Session four: The making of England

One area of England called Wessex was able to escape the Viking conquest and the expansion of this kingdom under Alfred the Great and his successors ultimately led to the formation of a united kingdom of England. As well as learning about this process of state formation, we will consider the economic impact of Viking activity through the evidence of Viking silver hoards.

Session five: The making of Scotland and Wales

In narratives of British identity, Scotland and Wales are often overlooked and yet these remain distinctive parts of the United Kingdom with their own languages and identities. The creation of these kingdoms influenced by the activities will be looked at through this lecture, as well as later saga narratives.

Session six: The end of the Viking Age

In this final session, students will consider the factors that led to the end of the Viking Age in medieval Europe.

Teaching methods

The teaching approach can include the following:

Taught sessions
Small group working
Group discussions
Presentations.

Assessment

Assessment will be by written essay/reflection of 1,000-1,200 words (worth 100% of the overall mark).

Standard University policies apply regarding late submission of assessments.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

Better understand and communicate complex ideas in written language
Research a topic and work collaboratively in this research to produce a written essay/reflection
Demonstrate familiarity with a range of sources (historical, archaeological, onomastic) relating to viking activity in Britain.

Skills

Key skills that will be developed:

Collaboration and teamwork, through group discussions, activities and tasks in class and collaborative research
Communication, demonstrated orally in group discussions, activities and tasks in class, and in writing by production of assessed assignment
Analytical skills - lectures will identify methods used to analyse different types of evidence, and group discussion will allow students to critically evaluate a range of primary sources for themselves.

Reading

The University Library website provides access to many relevant books and electronic books, as well as academic journals and databases.