Discover the Hidden History of York (FutureLearn)

Investigate York’s cultural and social history and the pivotal events and people that helped define a nation. Uncover fascinating facts about the city of York, from medieval times to today. York is a city bursting with engaging and unusual episodes from its rich and diverse history. On this three-week course, you’ll delve into the city’s past and learn about some of the most interesting events and people to have contributed to York’s story.

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Discover York’s secret history and its part in shaping modern Britain

From medieval mystery plays, religious crimes, and brutal punishments in the early modern period, to the emergence of a world-leading chocolate industry in the nineteenth century, you’ll learn how key events that played out in York helped define movements in a wider British context.

You’ll be introduced to key figures including Joan of Leeds and Margaret Clitherow, and discover their fascinating stories.

With this localised understanding of history, you’ll be able to draw parallels with religious reformation, industrialisation, and colonial movements across the British Empire, and frame York as a microcosm of British history.

Explore the rise of York’s chocolate empire and its role in the history of chocolate

Rowntree’s are synonymous with sweet treats and recognised as one of the titans of chocolate production.

Discover how a local family established an edible empire and cemented the city’s reputation within the chocolate industry.

Examine historical sources direct from the archives at the University of York

With access to artefacts from the Borthwick Institute for Archives, you’ll be able to investigate primary sources that bring the past to life.

You’ll develop your academic research skills while gaining insights into historical York from the people who were there.

By the end of this course, you’ll have gained an understanding of York’s history and how its people and its past have contributed to a national identity and narrative.

What topics will you cover?

- Joan of Leeds - gender and religious belief

- Immigrants in late medieval York

- The mystery plays and guild identity in late medieval York

- Early modern crime and punishment in York

- Historical sources for the Pilgrimage of Grace, Margaret Clitherow and The Cause Papers

- The Chocolate Industry in York: industrialisation, consumerism, and imperialism pertaining to the Chocolate industry.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Explore the medieval, early modern, and modern history of York

- Develop an understanding of the city of York as a microcosm of British History

- Investigate different forms of identity in history

- Explore and interrogate the historical sources for the history of York
Who is the course for?

This course is designed for prospective students considering an undergraduate history degree at the University of York, or those with an interest in the local history of the city.