HST6713 - Lives, Letters and Lifestyles: English Political Society during the Wars of the Roses

This special subject module will provide students with an understanding of fifteenth century English history, introducing one of the major sources for the period, the substantial letter collection of the Paston family. Personal letters were extremely rare before the mid-fifteenth century and this is an exceptional collection which, alongside other smaller collections relating to other gentry and merchant families, are extensively used by historians to throw light on the political, social and economic history of England during a period of extensive social and political change. This module gives students the opportunity to engage with local history and heritage, and meet with archivists to build up a network of professional contacts outside of the university.