Step into the world of murderous, usurping kings and those who were fortunate only to endure captivity. In considering royal deaths we ask: who had an argument with a poker; who was killed by a pig, and who died on the toilet?
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This course explores takes a thematic approach to the study of kingship before 1500
What will we cover?
How do we know a king when we see one? According to Monty Python and the Holy Grail he was the one who wasn’t covered in shit! We go a stage further and begin our investigation by looking at the evolution of royal regalia and coronation ritual. Thereafter we look at kingship thematically: The weekly topics will be: The Evolution of Kingship; The Perfect King; The Elected King; The Foreign King; The Saintly King; The Usurper King; The Captive King and, finally, The Death of Kings. A detailed coursebook will be made available on Google Classroom just before the course starts.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Explain why Edward III has been described as ‘the perfect king’
Say what the Wilton Diptych reveals about Richard II’s perception of kingship
As a usurping king, describe how you might seek to legitimise your rule
Identify ways in which a captive king might use the visual arts to restore confidence in his kingship
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge is required. However, a good standard of reading, writing and speaking English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points and then we will be reading and discussing contemporary sources (in translation). You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. There will be occasional homework reading provided but it is not obligatory
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other expenses other than note-taking materials. You are not expected to purchase any reading material. All essential reading will be available online in Google Classroom.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in Medieval English, Scottish and European history.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/portraying-the-medieval-monarch2998652Portraying the Medieval Monarchhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Online courses228511771178118217311228511771178<p>Step into the world of murderous, usurping kings and those who were fortunate only to endure captivity. In considering royal deaths we ask: who had an argument with a poker; who was killed by a pig, and who died on the toilet? </p><p> </p>002998625Portraying the Medieval Monarch219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeFriOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH132219219Portraying the Medieval Monarch175142219Vanessa Kingportraying-the-medieval-monarch/heh132-2526<p>Step into the world of murderous, usurping kings and those who were fortunate only to endure captivity. In considering royal deaths we ask: who had an argument with a poker; who was killed by a pig, and who died on the toilet? </p><p> </p>0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>This course explores takes a thematic approach to the study of kingship before 1500</p><p>Step into the world of murderous, usurping kings and those who were fortunate only to endure captivity. In considering royal deaths we ask: who had an argument with a poker; who was killed by a pig, and who died on the toilet? </p><p> </p><p>How do we know a king when we see one? According to <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail </em>he was the one who wasn’t covered in shit! We go a stage further and begin our investigation by looking at the evolution of royal regalia and coronation ritual. Thereafter we look at kingship thematically: The weekly topics will be: The Evolution of Kingship; The Perfect King; The Elected King; The Foreign King; The Saintly King; The Usurper King; The Captive King and, finally, The Death of Kings. A detailed coursebook will be made available on Google Classroom just before the course starts.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Explain why Edward III has been described as ‘the perfect king’</li><li>Say what the Wilton Diptych reveals about Richard II’s perception of kingship</li><li>As a usurping king, describe how you might seek to legitimise your rule</li><li>Identify ways in which a captive king might use the visual arts to restore confidence in his kingship</li></ul><p> </p><p>No prior knowledge is required. However, a good standard of reading, writing and speaking English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.</p><p>PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points and then we will be reading and discussing contemporary sources (in translation). You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. There will be occasional homework reading provided but it is not obligatory</p><p>There are no other expenses other than note-taking materials. You are not expected to purchase any reading material. All essential reading will be available online in Google Classroom. </p><p>Other courses in Medieval English, Scottish and European history. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual175219142HEH132NONEFri24/04/26 - 12/06/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:008 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineVanessa KingAvailable courses2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities219219Portraying the Medieval Monarchportraying-the-medieval-monarch/heh132-2526<p>Step into the world of murderous, usurping kings and those who were fortunate only to endure captivity. In considering royal deaths we ask: who had an argument with a poker; who was killed by a pig, and who died on the toilet? </p><p> </p>0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>This course explores takes a thematic approach to the study of kingship before 1500</p><p>Step into the world of murderous, usurping kings and those who were fortunate only to endure captivity. In considering royal deaths we ask: who had an argument with a poker; who was killed by a pig, and who died on the toilet? </p><p> </p><p>How do we know a king when we see one? According to <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail </em>he was the one who wasn’t covered in shit! We go a stage further and begin our investigation by looking at the evolution of royal regalia and coronation ritual. Thereafter we look at kingship thematically: The weekly topics will be: The Evolution of Kingship; The Perfect King; The Elected King; The Foreign King; The Saintly King; The Usurper King; The Captive King and, finally, The Death of Kings. A detailed coursebook will be made available on Google Classroom just before the course starts.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Explain why Edward III has been described as ‘the perfect king’</li><li>Say what the Wilton Diptych reveals about Richard II’s perception of kingship</li><li>As a usurping king, describe how you might seek to legitimise your rule</li><li>Identify ways in which a captive king might use the visual arts to restore confidence in his kingship</li></ul><p> </p><p>No prior knowledge is required. However, a good standard of reading, writing and speaking English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.</p><p>PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points and then we will be reading and discussing contemporary sources (in translation). You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. There will be occasional homework reading provided but it is not obligatory</p><p>There are no other expenses other than note-taking materials. You are not expected to purchase any reading material. All essential reading will be available online in Google Classroom. </p><p>Other courses in Medieval English, Scottish and European history. </p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
