HST5220 – Violence in Early Modern Europe

Early modern Europe was no stranger to violence. Wars were fought over religious differences, borders were redrawn by means of strength, apprentices wielded influence in urban London through rioting, etc. Yet violence was not meaningless. This module will introduce students to the uses of and motivations behind violence in early modern Europe. They will study both warfare and neighbourhood skirmishes, political fights and religious controversies, symbolic acts and riots in London streets. In the process, students will develop clearer insights into the written and unwritten rules that underpinned early modern society and the consequences when these were not upheld.