German History from Charlemagne to Napoleon (c.800 to 1815)
(800 to c. 1800).
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 03 Oct 2025End Date: 05 Dec 2025Fri (Daytime): 15:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Of course, neither Charlemagne nor Napoleon were German, but the figures of the Frankish and the French Emperor mark the beginning and the end of the Holy Roman Empire which, for a thousand year, losely bound together the German lands and some territories beyond. How was the Empire governed, and why did it fail to develop into a centralised nation state like England or France? What was the political significance of the Reformation and what did the rise of absolutism entail? How did the struggle for supremacy between Austria and Prussia affect the Holy Roman Empire and why did the French Revolution lead to its demise? These are some of the big questions that this course will address.
What will we cover?
Imperial ambitions and princely power; the changing role of the church and the rise of cities; peasants at work and in revolt; the role of women and the status of Jews; military engagements from the crusades to the Thirty Years’ War; German cultural production from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand how the German lands came to aquire their decentralised structure and religious diversity; how their stratified society and diversified economy evolved; and how a unified German language and culture took shape over the course of centuries.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is aimed at interested students of all backgrounds. No knowledge of German or other
special skills are required. An open mind and a willingness to engage, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will take the form of ten two-hour sessions, combining lectures, vido presentations and class discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other costs, and students needn’t bring anything to class apart from an open mind and a readiness to learn.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HEH47 Germany in the long nineteenth century (1815-1918).
Dr. Rudolf Muhs, Emeritus Reader in Modern European History at Royal Holloway, University of London, studied at the universities of Freiburg and Edinburgh and has been teaching German history in England since 1987.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.