Medieval pilgrims and pilgrimages: finding the pearl

City Lit

Course

In London

£ 189 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Location

    London

  • Start date

    Different dates available

This is a course about European pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. It is an exciting, intriguing topic, and covers some of the most fascinating texts and ideas of medieval period. Each week we focus on a different pilgrimage: among the destinations discussed are Jerusalem, other sites in the Middle East, Mecca, Constantinople, Rome, Assisi, Compostela, Bury St. Edmunds and Canterbury.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
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Keeley Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BA

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

be able to explain pilgrims’ motivation for their pilgrimage;be able to explain how pilgrimage as changed over the medieval period;be able to describe how pilgrims’ experiences impacted on their home societies;be able to evaluate the sources available for understanding medieval pilgrimage.

Books and suggestions for visits are recommended during the course, but these costs are not covered.

Each session is illustrated with slides. There is ample opportunity for discussion and questions. As the course progresses you may wish to play a greater part in learning by presenting an aspect of our course to the group or by introducing a discussion. Sessions are accompanied by a prepared handout providing selected sources, discussion questions and additional bibliography.

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Course programme

The nature and purpose of pilgrimage is discussed with reference to Jerusalem and the other destinations noted above. Most of the famous pilgrimages could be achieved by various routes, some more challenging than others. In the case of Santiago de Compostela people often started from home, but some travelled to Le Puy or Clermont Ferrand. The earliest Christian pilgrims to journey to Compostela journeyed in the later 8th century: once there they obtained and returned with a Galician scallop shell as a memento and evidence that they had reached the shrine of Saint James.

Additional information


General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details

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Medieval pilgrims and pilgrimages: finding the pearl

£ 189 VAT inc.

The best History courses

See all

See all