Deciphering Secrets
Unlocking the Manuscripts of Medieval Burgos (Spain)
This history course delves into the medieval history of the city of Burgos, from its inception in 884 c.e. as the homeland of the Spanish Kingdom of Castile and Leon, until the completion of the Spanish Reconquista in 1492. We will study complicated legendary heroes like Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, “The Cid”, both a champion of the Christian Reconquista and a friend of Islamic rulers, who lays buried in the Cathedral of Burgos. Like the Cid, medieval Burgos presented two competing views for Spain’s future – one centered on overt Castilian supremacy and another more nuanced one that incorporated religious minorities, especially Jews and Jewish converts to Christianity (conversos), into every element of political, economic, and even religious life.
This course will investigate the disastrous impact of the Plague and how it led to the death of King Alfonso XI and the ruinous civil war between the half-brothers, Pedro “The Cruel” and Enrique II of Trastamára. We will also appraise the collapse of the kingdom’s “Old Christian” nobility and the generation of new elite clans, some of whom hailed from Jewish ancestries. It was also the era of anti-Jewish pogroms, Christian fixations on “blood purity” and unsuccessful pleas for Christian harmony, and the last gasps of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim coexistence.
We will virtually-tour the Cathedral of Burgos, the Museum of Burgos, and what remains of the city’s medieval neighborhoods and structures. We will also study and transcribe intriguing vellum and paper manuscripts from the cathedral and municipal archives so that we discover new facets of this history.
No knowledge of Spanish is needed to participate in the course or in our transcription efforts.
What you'll learn
- Garner knowledge and assess the history of medieval Spanish intercultural coexistence in the city of Burgos and the Kingdom of Castile and Leon
- Explore the world of medieval manuscripts and texts held in the archives of the Cathedral of Burgos and the city of Burgos
- Learn the craft of medieval paleography, or reading authentic handwritten manuscripts
- Transcribe medieval manuscripts and contribute to new scholar knowledge
Get a Reminder
Rating | 4.3★ based on 3 ratings |
---|---|
Length | 7 weeks |
Effort | 7 weeks, 2–3 hours per week |
Starts | On Demand (Start anytime) |
Cost | $50 |
From | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, UC3Mx via edX |
Instructor | Roger L. Martínez-Dávila |
Download Videos | On all desktop and mobile devices |
Language | English |
Subjects | Humanities Art & Design |
Tags | Art & Culture Humanities History |
Get a Reminder
Similar Courses
What people are saying
window into historical research
This course taught by Dr. Roger Martinez-Davila opens a window into historical research.
dr. roger martinez-davila opens
course taught by dr.
documents we transcribed
The background history builds a framework of understanding of the time when the documents we transcribed were written.
our great teacher
I learned much more than I expected, with the support of Professor Roger Martinez, our great teacher.
paleographic lessons trained
The paleographic lessons trained the skills needed for the transcriptions.
transcribed were written
professor roger martinez
background history builds
looking forward
I will be looking forward to other MOOCs on this topic!
other moocs
skills needed
Careers
An overview of related careers and their average salaries in the US. Bars indicate income percentile.
Christian Mentor $39k
Spanish Teacher Trainee $39k
Kindergarten Spanish Teacher $50k
ESL and Spanish Teacher $55k
Production Editor, Medieval Institute Publications $55k
Production Editor, Medieval Institute Publications $55k
Spanish and Science Teacher $60k
Spanish English Interpreter $61k
Spanish Language Teacher $65k
Spanish Language Editor $68k
Professor of Spanish and Spanish Education Program Chair $106k
Professor of Christian Higher Education $123k
Write a review
Your opinion matters. Tell us what you think.
Please login to leave a review
Rating | 4.3★ based on 3 ratings |
---|---|
Length | 7 weeks |
Effort | 7 weeks, 2–3 hours per week |
Starts | On Demand (Start anytime) |
Cost | $50 |
From | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, UC3Mx via edX |
Instructor | Roger L. Martínez-Dávila |
Download Videos | On all desktop and mobile devices |
Language | English |
Subjects | Humanities Art & Design |
Tags | Art & Culture Humanities History |
Similar Courses
Sorted by relevance
Like this course?
Here's what to do next:
- Save this course for later
- Get more details from the course provider
- Enroll in this course