Course begins May 14, 2025
Weekly live sessions with the instructor from 1:00 to 3:00pm Eastern U.S. time
Week 1
Henry II and the rise of the Angevins
The first session will discuss the origins of the Angevin dynasty and how Henry II came to rule a vast empire covering the British Isles and the majority of France. Themes will include dynastic politics, warfare, and the structures of the Angevin government.
Week 2
‘Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?’ Henry II, the English Church, and Thomas Becket
This session will investigate one of the most famous episodes of English history – the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. We will place the murder into the context of relations between church and state, investigate the causes of the dispute and the fallout from Becket’s murder.
Week 3
Henry, son of Henry: the king that never was
This week we will discuss the life of Henry the Young King. Eldest son of Henry II, Henry is the only associate king in English history, being crowned during the lifetime of his father. Famous for his chivalry and extravagance, Henry led several rebellions against his father. We will focus on the most important of these uprisings: the Great Rebellion and how it set the stage for the constant family strife which eventually brought down Henry II.
Week 4
The Reign of Richard the Lionheart
Richard the Lionheart is one of the most famous English monarchs. Known for the Third Crusade, Richard’s rule of England is often overlooked in mainstream narratives. This week we will concentrate on Richard’s rule after his return from crusade, including his imprisonment in Germany, his relations with his brother John, and his wars in France.
Week 5
Bad King John?
This week we will discuss the reign of one of England’s most infamous kings. John’s reign is known as one of failure: he lost almost all the Angevin’s continental dominions and so oppressed his people that they finally rebelled. We will examine these aspects of his reign as well as his relations with the church, to assess whether or not John really was a bad king.
Week 6
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is one of the most famous documents in history, yet this importance is a later creation. The Magna Carta issued in 1215 was a dead letter within a few months. For our final session, we will discuss Magna Carta in the context of John’s reign, the role it plays in the First Barons War (1214-17), and how the legacy of Magna Carta has shaped our understanding of the last truly Angevin king.
Meet Your Instructor
James Barnaby
Dr James Barnaby is an historian of central and later medieval England, with a focus on the Angevin Empire, the medieval church, and conflict. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and previously lectured at the University of East Anglia. He is currently a visiting fellow at the University of Southampton and the series editor for the Anthem Impact in Medieval Europe book series.
He has published articles on the rebellion against King John, the cult of Thomas Becket, and monastic legal disputes. His book Religious Conflict at Canterbury Cathedral in the Late Twelfth Century: The Dispute between the Monks and the Archbishops, 1184-1200, investigates legal disputes at Canterbury cathedral during the period of the three Angevin kings and how it influenced the reigns of the three Angevin kings. He is currently writing a book investigating the use of the cult of St Edmund of Bury in warfare.