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The Medieval City & the Church: Living & Dying in the later Middle Ages - CED00216C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

The study of medieval cities allows us a window into urban society and its institutions as well as the lived experience, beliefs and values of a range of medieval people. Drawing on a range of examples nationwide, including York, this module will investigate aspects of living in the medieval city such as the physical reality of city life, government, education, work, crime, civic ritual and drama as well as religious observance, death and commemoration.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The study of medieval cities allows us a window into urban society and its institutions as well as the lived experience, beliefs and values of a range of medieval people. Drawing on a range of examples nationwide, including York, this module will investigate aspects of living in the medieval city, including:

  • The origins of medieval towns
  • The physical reality of city life
  • Government
  • Education
  • Work
  • Crime
  • Civic ritual and drama
  • Religious observance
  • Death and commemoration.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the development and institutions of medieval British towns and cities
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the experiences of a range of people living in medieval British towns and cities
  • Interpret and analyse modern English translations of contemporary primary source material, as well as maps, paintings and images, linked to the topic
  • Discuss and construct arguments using evidence from primary and secondary source material linked to the topic

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • The Medieval Town: A Reader in English Urban History, 1200-1540 / edited by Richard Holt and Gervase Rosser, 1990.
  • Medieval England: Towns, Commerce and Crafts 1068-1348/ Edward Miller and John Hatcher, 1995.
  • Medieval British Towns/ Heather Swanson, 1999.
  • The Cambridge Urban History of Britain, Volume 1: 600 – 1540/ edited by D. M. Palliser, 2000.
  • The Parish in Late Medieval England/ edited by Clive Burgess and Eamon Duffy, 2006.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.