Course Resources Archive

The module focuses on the government and society of female rulers in early modern Europe, in particular Elizabeth I and her contemporaries. It develops students’ understanding of the relationship between social, economic, political, religious and cultural aspects of history, and how they apply specifically to women leaders.

The module examines in detail women who filled the highest roles in governance and courtly society, what approaches individual women took, and whether they can be considered successful or not. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between gender and power in the early modern world, and on the conceptualisations of political culture and patronage. Weekly topics include the differences between queens who ruled and those who were consorts, the role of the regent or queen-mother, and unofficial roles of mistresses and favourites. Other topics include portraiture and propaganda, the importance of marriage and motherhood, and mythologies about powerful women created after their deaths. A focus on England, Scotland and France includes Margaret of Anjou, Anne Boleyn, Diane de Poitiers, Mary of Guise, Catherine de Medici, Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots. The course makes use of some of the most recent scholarship in this area.

i. Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to demonstrate:
a) a knowledge of elite women’s roles in politics and society, and how these were related to family, religion, and culture;  
b) the ability to analyse individual developments and to consider the relationships between them;
c) an understanding of major historical debates about the period;
d) a deeper knowledge of the sixteenth century.

Staff / student contact: 20% (lectures, workshops, tutorials)
Student directed learning: 80%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.