ENG31350 Books, Kings, Dynasties: Romances and Breton Lays in the Auchinleck manuscript

Academic Year 2018/2019

Books, Kings, Dynasties: Romances and Breton Lays in the Auchinleck manuscript.
It may not be Game of Thrones, but the book at the heart of this course is, according to some critics, as preoccupied with the making of dynasties or national identity. For others, it is simply a collection of popular texts of the early fourteenth century, the kind of material that Chaucer or other literate well-to-do families would have read. Either way, the Auchinleck Manuscript, now held in the National Library in Scotland, is considered one of the most important Middle English books of the fourteenth century. So, who owned this book? Who is responsible for selecting the collection of stories it contains? What principles, if any, informed the selection? How does our interpretation of the texts change when we read them as part of a whole book rather than as individual stories? Can we find overlapping patterns in the treatment of gender, kingship, marriage, social virtue. Are there changing emphases in the understanding of heroism and adventure?
To address the questions raised in this module, students will be given a brief introduction to the principles of manuscript production in order to examine a selection of the Breton Lays and Romances as they occur in the Auchinleck manuscript.

The Auchinleck Manuscript is available, fully digitalized on the National Library of Scotland website: http://auchinleck.nls.uk/

N.B. I need to make clear the following point to students:
Each week, a student will need to bring to class a printed copy of the text for discussion or a device as large or larger than a tablet. A phone will not suffice for the purposes of classroom discussion.

Selection of texts will include:
Sir Degaré
Lai le Fresne
Floris and Blanchflour
Guy of Warwick
Hornchild

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module the student will be able to demonstrate:
1. a critical understanding of the medieval romance and the Breton Lay
2. knowledge of the socio-political and cultural environment in which the Auchinleck manuscript was produced
3. a preliminary understanding of the medieval book including principles of selection and reproduction in the medieval period
4. an introduction to the challenges and opportunities for contemporary scholars to reproduce, edit and critically engage with medieval texts
5. the ability to research, write, plan, draft, edit and submit an essay

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

12
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

52
Total

100
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Before registering for this module students must have completed TWO of the Level 2 modules listed.

Learning Recommendations:

Students should have a basic introduction to Reading Medieval Engligsh Literature or a European Equivalent.



 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Essay: 3,000 word essay

75

 Coursework (End of Trimester)
Continuous Assessment: Attendance and Contribution

25

 Throughout the Trimester

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

Students who fail this module will need to repeat or resit the module depending on the availability of the module in the following semester. If you have failed, please contact the module coordinator for information on how to remediate the module. If you are taking this module as an option or an elective, you may be able to substitute another module. Check with your Programme Office if this is possible.

Name Role
Ms Sarah Nangle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer