international

summer school 2014

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES 2014

King Arthur: Investigating the

Myth and Legend

international

summer school 2014

Academic programme The International Summer School is your chance to experience one of the UK’s top

universities, studying one of our accredited pathways.

Our King Arthur pathway is an interdisciplinary course taught by Exeter faculty from the History,

Archaeology and English departments and allows you to immerse yourself in the legend and

explore it from a number of different viewpoints.

The academic programme combines lectures, seminars and workshops plus guided independent

study and is accredited at 15 Exeter credits and 7.5 ECTS credits.

King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and the LegendAcademic Coordinator: Dr Daniel Steinbach

The legend of King Arthur sits at the core of European medieval tradition and has inspired literature, fine arts and film for a millennium. Yet the Arthur myth is also a prime example of the interdependency of art, religion, power and politics in the medieval world. By combining history, archaeology and literary studies, this interdisciplinary module introduces you to the historical origins of the myth of King Arthur in the early Middle Ages, its popularisation during the 12th century in the court of Henry II of England, and its subsequent importance for European romantic culture.

The module will encourage you to investigate the

legend of King Arthur and its metamorphoses over

the centuries through different academic and scholarly

methods. You will learn about:

• the historical background of medieval England and

Europe

• explore the historical works of Geoffrey of

Monmouth

• analyse medieval literature (e.g. Le Morte d’Arthur).

You will also consider specific questions relating to the

legend of Arthur, e.g. the medieval ideas of kingship

and knighthood, the connections between religion,

magic and love.

Finally, a visit to Glastonbury as well as Exeter

Cathedral and its rich medieval archives will provide

you with a unique material access to the topic of King

Arthur.

King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend

international

summer school 2014

TimetableDate

Saturday 19 July Day trip to the Eden Project

Sunday 20 July Free day

Monday 21 July Medieval Court CultureCatherine RiderRomance, Courtship and Courtly LoveCatherine Rider

Tuesday 22 July Magic and the SupernaturalCatherine RiderThe Holy Grail: Arthur and ReligionCatherine Rider

Wednesday 23 July The Legacy of Arthur: The Gothic Revival in Victorian Britain John WithringtonArthur in Film & Fiction in the 20th Century Catherine Rider

Thursday 24 July Preparation for presentations

Friday 25 July PresentationsGala Dinner

Saturday 26 July Depart for Heathrow Airport and London

Assessment

Formative Assessment 500 word commentary plan and feedback during seminars

Summative Assessment 2,000 word commentary on an extract from one of the module texts20 minute group presentation

King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend

Date

Saturday 5 July - Tuesday 8 July Arrival and orientation in LondonThis is an opportunity to meet fellow students and visit the major sites including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Globe Theatre before travelling to Exeter for the academic programme.

Wednesday 9 July Introduction: Who is King Arthur?Helen Birkett

Thursday 10 July The Origins of the Arthur Legend in Early Medieval Britain Helen Birkett

Friday 11 July Arthur in Europe: French and German Medieval Literature Naomi HowellMedieval Manuscripts: Seminar at the Exeter Cathedral Archive Naomi HowellInternational Pub Quiz

Saturday 12 July Daytrip to Stonehenge and Bath

Sunday 13 July Free Day

Monday 14 July England and Europe in the High Middle Ages Simon Barton Medieval Kingship and the Cult of King ArthurSimon Barton

Tuesday 15 July Chivalry and Society (1): Knights and HonourSimon BartonChivalry and Society (2): King Arthur and Other Role Models Simon BartonKaraoke Night

Wednesday 16 July Arthur & Archaeology Duncan WrightField Trip to Glastonbury Duncan Wright

Thursday 17 July Arthur in late Medieval LiteratureJohn WithringtonMorte d’ArthurJohn Withrington

Friday 18 July Day trip to St Ives

Key readings

Nick Higham, King Arthur: Myth-making and History (London, 2002)

Christopher Snyder, Exploring the World of King Arthur (London, 2002)

international

summer school 2014

Why study King Arthur at Exeter?The Legend of King Arthur belongs to the whole world, but he belongs first and

foremost to the West Country. Tradition has it that Arthur was born at Tintagel, and

is buried at Glastonbury. Merlin supposedly built Stonehenge, while King Arthur’s

Round Table can be seen at Winchester. Cadbury Castle is often associated with

Arthur’s royal court of Camelot, while the magical Isle of Avalon is frequently

associated in legend and fiction with Glastonbury Tor.

King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend

international

summer school 2014

The University of Exeter, located in the county of Devon in the West Country, is the natural place to study

Arthurian legend. Faculty across a range of disciplines – historical, literary, archaeological – combine to give

you an oversight of the fact and fiction behind the myth and legend of the world’s most famous King.

The University of Exeter’s College of Humanities is ranked in the world Top-100 according to the

2013-14 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, reflecting the quality of our research and

teaching.

The University library maintains extensive holdings, extensive audio-visual collections and a

number of medieval manuscripts (including the Syon Collection), while Exeter Cathedral Library

and Archives contain further significant medieval manuscripts, documents and early printed books

making Exeter the perfect choice to study the myth and legend of King Arthur.

King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend

Why study King Arthur at Exeter?

Email: iss@exeter.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1392 725451

www.exeter.ac.uk/international/summerschool/

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King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and LegendVisit our website for full information about the International Summer School

programme including entry requirements, applications, fees and accommodation.

www.exeter.ac.uk/international/summerschool/

international

summer school 2014

King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend