Teaching & Experiential Learning
I teach three courses: HIST 241: Medieval Europe, CLST 206: Roman Britain and HIST 332: Medieval Britain. The study of Roman and Medieval European history in a medieval castle and its surrounding countryside is a perfect opportunity for students to experience first-hand the development of European societies. I help students develop a good general knowledge of the period they are studying. We explore themes such as the development of Roman and feudal societies and the transformative role of religion in the Medieval period through in-class debates using primary and secondary evidence.
For CLST 206 and HIST 332 we use the evidence from the archaeological digs which students carry out as part of the Field School. We also visit a number of locations, such as the British Library, Dover Castle and Canterbury Cathedral as experiential learning opportunities during which students further enhance their learning.
Research
I have maintained an active research interest on the theological aura of the Reconquista as part of the Crusading movement in the minds of the Northern European participants.
Supervision
I can supervise projects on:
- Medieval British, French, Portuguese or Spanish History
- Religious Conflict Studies
- Military History
- Crusades
- The ‘Reconquista’
- Maritime History
- Frontier Society
I have contacts at:
- Institute of Historical Research
- The Royal Historical Society
- Society for the Study of the Crusades and the Latin East
I have researched in:
- The National Archives (United Kingdom
- The British Library (United Kingdom)
- Bodleian Library (United Kingdom)
- The Vatican Secret Archives (Vatican City)
- The Archive of the Crown of Aragon (Spain)
- Archivo Nacional (Spain)
- Archivo General de Navarra (Spain)
Recent Publications
- ‘The Changing Priorities in the Norman Incursions into the Iberian Peninsula’s Muslim–Christian Frontiers, 1018–1191’, in Normans in the Mediterranean, eds. Emily Winkler and Liam Fitzgerald, MISCS 9, Turnhout: Brepols, 2021, pp. 81-119.
- ‘La guerra contra al-Ándalus: Una visión desde las fuentes narrativas ultramontanas (1064-1218)’, in Memoria y fuentes de la guerra santa peninsular (ss. X-XV), eds. Carlos de Ayala, Francisco García Fitz y José Santiago Palacios Ontalva, Madrid: Trea, 2021, pp. 103-129. https://www.trea.es
- ‘A Frisian Perspective on Crusading in Iberia as Part of the Sea Journey to the Holy Land 1217-1218’, Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History, 3rd Series, 15 (2018) (Pub. 2021): 67-149.
- Join with Dominic Alessio, ‘Re-thinking Religion and Empire: Non-State Organisations from the Knights Hospitallers to ISIS’, Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies 22 (2020): 1-17.
- ‘Was the Portuguese Led Military Campaign Against Alcácer do Sal in the Autumn of 1217 Part of the Fifth Crusade?’, Al-Masāq: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean 31:1 (2019): 50-67.