LFU:online

Acquisition of basic skills for dealing with historic sources and presentations of the Middle Ages as well as skills in presenting the newly acquired knowledge orally as well as in writing. Acquisition of basic knowledge and application of relevant methods aiding scientific research.

The Normans appear from the late 8^th century onwards as homines borealis, the Northwind men, and plundered the coasts of England, France and even the Mediterranean. Later they settled in "Normandy", from where they conquered England in 1066. Led by Robert Guiscard, they occupied large parts of southern Italy and Sicily, where they established their own kingdom. Further expansions extended to North Africa and the Levant.

The content of the proseminar deals with these and other aspects of Norman history, beginning with the first raids of the Normans in the 8th/9th century and ending roughly with the Staufer's takeover of Sicily at the end of the 12th century and the loss of Normandy to the French king at the beginning of the 13th century. The aim of the seminar is to shed light on the often underestimated Norman influence on the medieval history of Europe and to work out the most important structures together.

Reading of specialized literature, joint discussion and working with medieval sources. Part of the work assignments will be elaborated in small groups.

Regular participation in the seminar, contribution in class (discussion and presentation), short treatise, written exam.

Hubert Houben, Die Normannen, München 2012.

Alheydis Plassmann, Die Normannen. Erobern – Herrschen – Integrieren, Stuttgart 2008.

Rudolf Simek, Die Geschichte der Normannen. Von Wikingerhäuptlingen zu Königen Siziliens, Stuttgart 2018.

Hans-Werner Goetz, Proseminar Geschichte: Mittelalter, Stuttgart ³2006

Wolfgang Gruber, Stephan Köhler (Hg.); Geschichte Siziliens. Insel zwischen den Welten, Wien 2012.

Positive assessment of compulsory module 1

Online registration necessary!