3409 - 1066: The tumultuous year that changed England forever (Peter Campos)
Course Description
Instructor: Peter Campos
1066 was the most significant year in English history. It was during those 12 months that what it meant to be “English” was forever changed. The best known event that year was the Battle of Hastings, when the Normans successfully invaded and defeated the Anglo-Saxons and took control of the country. We will begin by examining what life in England was like leading up to 1066. How did people live? What was the social structure, cultural expression, and religious influence? We then consider the events from January to September, from the death of the King through the successful defeat of a Viking invasion in the north. The Battle of Hastings will occupy our third week, including considering some recent challenges to the established narrative (e.g., where was it fought?). We will end by looking at how England changed forever with the advent of Norman rule: Learn about the Bayeux Tapestry, castle building, the Domesday Book, the increasing power of the Church, and the establishment of feudalism.
Bio: I was trained as a Clinical Psychologist, and I was formerly on faculty at Emory Medical School’s Psychiatry Department and SUNY-Binghamton’s Psychology Department. I taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in psychology, health, and statistical methods for over 40 years but my “passion subjects” have interested me most of my life, such as Roman and English history and travelogues. I look forward to sharing these topics with you at OLLI @ Emory.