Discover medieval Ireland using the Book of Kells, a ninth-century manuscript featuring the four gospels of the new testament. The Book of Kells manuscript, housed at Trinity College Dublin is world famous - it attracts almost one million visitors a year. But what can this book tell us about Irish history? And what significance is the manuscript in today’s world?
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On this course you will use the Book of Kells as a window through which to explore the landscape, history, faith, theology, and politics of early medieval Ireland. You will also consider how the manuscript was made, its extended biography and how it has affected different areas of the contemporary world.
What topics will you cover?
- Where and how the manuscript was made
- The social context from which the manuscript emerged, including early medieval faith and politics.
- The artistic context of the manuscript, reflecting local and international styles.
- The theology and interpretations of the text.
- How and why the manuscript survived
- The Book of Kells and contemporary culture.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...
- Explain the function and meanings of medieval Irish art
- Understand how medieval manuscripts were made
- Engage critically with methodologies and scholarly debates which have shaped interpretations of the period
- Demonstrate knowledge of the distinctive features of the Irish Church in this era
- Combine visual analysis with theological and historical appraisal regarding medieval material culture
