Writing in Lancaster Castle

Course Outline:

Why are Castles the setting and site of so much writing, from Gawain and the Green Knight to modern fantasy like Game of Thrones? This module uses the historic site of Lancaster Castle to explore these questions by investigating historical fiction, drama, testimonies, poetry, political tracts associated with the Castle and its history. Although, or perhaps because, Lancaster Castle is owned by the monarch in her title as Duke of Lancaster, it is the site of some of the most significant writings subverting centralised power embodied by the Church and State. What different kinds of protest do these writings give voice to? You will study a selection of texts in the historic site to which they relate as it is restored. You will thus learn how heritage sites are constructed and used by institutions and by writers of current and historical fiction, testimonies and political tracts, songs, poetry and drama.