Understanding Religion in Late-Medieval England: A Historiographical Analysis / Studying
Religion in Late-Medieval England: what have scholars found? / How have scholars interpreted
the relationship between religion and society in late-medieval England?
Introduction
● Background and historical context (what was religion at the time/what it meant)
● Purpose and significance of studying religion in late-medieval England
○ To gain a better understanding of the time's social, cultural, and intellectual
history. Religion played a central role in people's lives in this period, shaping their
beliefs, practices, and relationships with one another. By examining diverse
religious practices and beliefs in late-medieval England, scholars can gain
insights into a wide range of topics, including politics, gender roles, social
hierarchies, identity formation, and cultural change. Additionally, the study of
religion in this period reveals the complex interactions and interplay between
different religious groups, (Catholics, Lollards, Jews). It provides a window into
how religious practices and beliefs were shaped and reshaped over time. The
study of religion in late-medieval England is crucial for an understanding of the
period's history and its enduring impact on contemporary society.
● Thesis statement: This paper examines religion's historiography in late medieval
England. Understanding the diverse religious practices and beliefs of the time is vital to
understanding the period's social and cultural history.
Literature Review
● Overview of existing scholarship on religion in late-medieval England
● Major historiographical debates and themes
● Key primary sources and their interpretation
Research Question
● What aspects of religious life in late-medieval England have been most studied by
historians?
○ Gender and religion // The role of religion in shaping everyday life
● How has the scholarly understanding of religion in this period evolved over time?
● What topics and questions remain unexplored or understudied?
○ An overview of overlooked or understudied topics and perspectives //
Underrepresented groups in the existing scholarship
Evidence and Analysis
● Main arguments/themes of the existing scholarship on religion in late-medieval England
● Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various scholarly interpretations
Conclusion
● Thesis restated/summarize research question and main findings
● Evaluate the significance of the paper's argument in relation to the wider historiography
on the topic