Renewal and Expansion in Europe in the Twelfth Century
FRSEM-UA 558
Thursday, 2-4:30
Fall 2014
Professor Jill Claster
Jill.claster@nyu.edu
The twelfth century was a period of astonishing change and creativity. The century witnessed an
explosion of energy and optimism which had its roots in the peace that gradually came to Europe after
several centuries of outside invasions and chaos. By the early twelfth century we see the unprecedented
development of agriculture and the rapid growth of population – all of which contributed to the lengthy
list of remarkable changes which still inform our lives and remain part of our culture.
The growth of towns and trade; the expansion of literacy and the rise of universities; the rise of the
position of women; the growth and expansion of technology; an amazing amount of travel and
adventure—the crusades only reveal part of the story… all these and more are part of our inheritance
from the twelfth century.
There was also an underside of this century and we will study that as well: the rise of anti-Semitism; the
persecution of heretics; the treatment of lepers and the poor—what one historian has called “the
formation of a persecuting society.” But overall there was a sense of exuberance and accomplishment.
The requirements for this seminar, which will be explained more fully at our first class meeting, are:
keeping up with the reading on a weekly basis, two short essays, and a research paper of approximately
15-20 pages due at the end of the semester. Some of the readings for each week may be divided among
you for presentations in class.
The following main books required for everyone are available in paperback editions at the NYU
Bookstore:
Richard Southern, The Making of the Middle Ages
Colin Morris, The Discovery of the Individual
The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, ed. B. Radice (includes The History of my Misfortunes)
Joseph Lynch, The Medieval Church
The following books are on reserve in the Reserve Reading Room in Bobst:
Andreas Capellanus, The Art of Courtly Love, trans. Parry
Charles Haskins, The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century
R.I. Moore, The Formation of a Persecuting Society
Christopher Brooke, The Twelfth Century Renaissance
R. Benson and Giles Constable, Renaissance and Renewal in the Twelfth Century
M. Mollat, The Poor in the Middle Ages
Charles Wood, The Quest for Eternity
Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Christendom
Jill Claster, Sacred Violence
Reserve Reading List (cont.)
Jean Gimpel, The Medieval Machine
Joseph Lynch, The Medieval Church
G. Duby, Rural Economy and Country Life
Charles Wood, The Quest for Eternity
Sept. 4. An Introduction to the Twelfth Century: The Expansion of Europe and the Changes that Made
Renewal Possible. How the Seminar Will Be Organized.
Sept. 11. The Land, the Growth of Population and Rural Society
(some of these will continue next week)
Wood, ch. 1, 4, 5
Gimpel, ch. 2
Duby, ch. 3, 4
Sept. 18. The Growth of Towns and the Expansion of Trade
Gimpel, ch. 4
Southern, bottom of p.41 (under heading “Trade”) through the end of p.49
Wood, ch. 5
*First short paper due next week; topics will be given out*
Sept. 25. The Reform of the Church and the Expansion of Christian Life
Lynch, ch. 9, 11, 12, 13
Southern, ch. 3 “The Ordering of the Christian Life”
*First short paper due*
Oct. 2. The Revival of Learning and the Discovery of the Self
Southern, ch. 2, 3
Abelard, “The History of my Misfortunes”
Morris, ch. 3, 4
Brooke, p. 21-52
Oct. 9. The Revival of Learning and the Discovery of the Self (cont.)
Southern, ch. 4
Haskins, ch. 2
Oct. 16. Normandy, England, and France in the 12th Century
Readings to be assigned.
*Second short paper due next week; topics to be assigned*
Oct. 23. The First Crusade and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem
Claster, p.34-59
Southern, p.49-top of 63
*Second short paper due*
Oct. 30. Crusading in the 12th Century
Claster, ch. 6
Nov. 6. The Background and Revival of Roman Law
Brooke, ch. 3, 4
Nov. 13. The Formation of a Persecuting Society
Moore, p. 27-65, 73-88
Nov. 20. People on the Margins, including women
M. Mollat, Introduction, all of Part II
Chazan, Jews of Medieval Christendom, chapters to be assigned.
Readings on women will be recommended.
Nov. 27. Thanksgiving. Have a happy holiday!
Dec. 4. Love, Love, Love
Morris, ch. 5
Letters of Abelard and Heloise
Capellanus, The Art of Courtly Love
Dec. 11. Was There a Twelfth Century Renaissance? What Made the Twelfth Century Unique?
Morris, ch. 8
Brooke, prologue
**FINAL PAPER DUE. Timely submission will improve the overall disposition of the
Professor.