University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 60

ECTS credits : 30

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: Full Year

Planned timetable: TBC

Charlemagne's reputation as the 'Father of Europe' has seen his memory claimed and reused by, among others, Napoleon, the Nazis, and the European Union. The study of his reign enables us to ask about the origins of Europe, and the transformation of the world of Late Antiquity into that of the Middle Ages. His reign was dominated by brutal but sophisticated military campaigning, which resulted in the rapid establishment of an empire of around 1 million square kilometres. At the same time, however, the emperor surrounded himself with the great scholars of the day, and embarked on an ambitious and serious mission to completely reform society according to Christian moral principles. Charlemagne is therefore a paradoxical and intriguing character. He is also the best documented early mediaeval ruler by some way, and we will use a variety of types of source (including annals, histories, biographies, visions, governmental records, architecture, art and poetry) to examine warfare, court politics, ritual, ideology, the cult of the saints, religious reform and culture in the late eighth and early ninth centuries. We will also study the various pagan, Christian, Islamic and Celtic societies which came under Frankish attack in the period, and consider how Charlemagne was remembered, including the rumours of scandal, incest and visions of the emperor in hell which circulated soon after his death.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:

Scheduled learning hours: 88

Guided independent study hours: 512

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews:

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 60%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 40%

Personnel