Violence in Medieval Society

3.00 credits · Undergraduate

Comparison of two types of violence in Western Europe during the Middle Ages: the interpersonal violence of everyday life, and the less common but often sensationalized violence of war. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding how these two systems of violence paralleled and sustained one another, how gender, class, and religion affected ways in which Europeans defined and approached violence, and how violence changed over time and in different regions of Europe. Specific topics include: the ancient origins of medieval attitudes; medieval strategy, tactics, and logistics; dispute resolution; insult, feud, and duel; the 'feudal revolution'; chivalry; military literature; medieval peace movements (the Peace of God); criminalization and state control of violence; heresy, Inquisition, and torture; and domestic violence.