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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: groom on Wednesday 23 August 17 14:56 BST (UK)
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This free FutureLearn course "England in the Time of Richard III" starts next week. I first did it just before he was reinterred so thought I'd refresh my memory and see what they've added. I found it fascinating the first time round. Probably one of the best courses I've done.
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/england-of-richard-third?lr=0
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Hi Groom
I've done that one amongst a whole host of historical courses and enjoyed it immensely. Also enjoyed the Royal Food and Feasting course, especially the cooking and eating and the Agincourt one. Quite enjoyed the Empire course except for the discussions which got a bit heated and a bit nasty. People continually telling me as an English person I should apologise for slavery. Sorry I don't agree, I wasn't there, and come to that, whilst my ancestors weren't slaves, english ag labs didn't have much more freedom, money or better lives.
In September I am going to do one about Bonnie Prince Charles and the Jacobites which sounded interesting.
Kerry :)
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I've done the Agincourt one and Food and Feasting as well, and agree that they are both very good. I also enjoyed the Hadrian's Wall one, which was the first one I did.
Last time I did Richard III some of the discussion got a bit heated as well, with a group of people who insisted that Shakespeare's version of Richard was the only correct one. They wouldn't have it that he was writing long after the events, so not writing from first hand experience and that he was writing for a Tudor monarch. Good fun though!
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I've signed up for this one, thanks for the link :)
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Thanks for this Groom.
Looks fascinating. I registered interest. The 7 topics listed are exciting.
Would you describe the format of how the course is led and what is expected each week please?
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You work very much at your own speed and can do as much as you want each week. The week is usually divided up into sections and after each section there is a chance to join in the online discussion with other course participants, but it is entirely up to you whether or not you do this.
The course contains a mixture of pieces to read, a tutor talking or a video and there are often links to other sources if you want to follow things up. I think there are also quizzes after some of the sections, but you get lots of chances to get the right answer.
There is no pressure at all, and if you decide you want to miss out sections or even give up completely no one chases you up.
You can chose to follow people on there, so that when they comment you can see what they put - it's quite a good idea to follow the tutors. I know that when a lot of Rootschatters did the genealogy course a year or so ago, we made ourselves known and followed each other.
Hope you enjoy it.
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Thanks Groom. :D
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Thanks for the link Groom.
This is exactly the kind of thing I enjoy so I've signed up straight away.
Keith
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The recent Richard lll course didn't fit very well for timing, so instead I have been doing the History of Royal Food and Feasting course. I think if I was paying for it I might be a bit disappointed, but for free I have no complaints.
This morning I have been notified that the next Richard lll starts on Jan 8th and I must say I feel quite excited.
I am grateful to Groom for the tip off. :D
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Thanks groom for posting this link, even though it was a while ago, I've just signed up for the course in January.
I'm looking forward to learning more about one of our contravershall characters and the Wars of the Roses.
Read many fictional books, so it will be nice to learn the truth.... as far as one can!
Caroline
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I do hope you enjoy it, I’ve done it twice now.
Remember though it is England in the time of Richard III, so deals with life how it would be then, not just royalty. I found it very interesting and it gives a good insight into life at the time.
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I do hope you enjoy it, I’ve done it twice now. Remember though it is England in the time of Richard III, so deals with life how it would be then, not just royalty. I found it very interesting and it gives a good insight into life at the time.
Thanks Groom. I'm sure I will find it enjoyable as I am fascinated by the impact that political manoeuvres had on the "common" people.
Though I am also hoping for hard evidence being shown which might help to illustrate Richard's personality.
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I do hope you enjoy it, I’ve done it twice now.
Remember though it is England in the time of Richard III, so deals with life how it would be then, not just royalty. I found it very interesting and it gives a good insight into life at the time.
I'm looking forward to all aspects of the course.. learning more about 'us commoners' is always helpful for FH... if you can get back that far of course!
I've done FL courses before and found them very enjoyable.. particularly the interaction with other course participants.
Thanks
Caroline
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They are certainly good aren't they, especially as they are free unless you choose to pay to upgrade. I've done about 8 now and enjoyed them all.
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It's good that they're repeating the Richard III course. It was interesting and instructive and I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in history.
Unfortunately I've been unable to find anything with which to follow it.
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Have you done the Hadrian's Wall one, Keith, that was the first one I did and I enjoyed that. Another one I enjoyed was "A History of Royal Food and Feasting"
I've also done two WW1 courses the best was : "World War 1:Trauma and Memory" which really opened my eyes.
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No, I hadn't noticed the Hadrian's Wall course. I'll go looking for it. I doubt I would get on well with the food course. The only part of Richard III I didn't enjoy was part 5, food of the time. I guess I'm not a gourmet.