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Semester 2

The English Discovery of Russia, 1553-1648 (HIST10484)

Subject

History

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed 3 History courses at grade B or above, and please note that we will only consider courses with a specific focus on History (not including History of Art) towards these pre-requisites. We will only consider University/College level courses. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

In 1553, the sole surviving ship of the English Merchant Adventures reached the shores of Russia, where the English were warmly welcomed by its current ruler, Ivan the Terrible. A trading partnership, and later a diplomatic relationship, swiftly followed, uniting the two kingdoms in amity, but likewise trapping them in a unilateral relationship. In this course, we will explore the first hundred years of the Anglo-Russian relationship.

Course Description

The course introduces students to early modern Russian history through the perspective of Anglo-Russian diplomatic and trading relations. Despite their shared European and Christian heritage, the two countries maintained vastly different socio-political and cultural structures, leading the English to nickname Russia a 'rude and barbarous kingdom'. It was, however, a place of extensive mercantile wealth and natural resources, as well as royal generosity. For the majority of the relationship, the English were permitted to trade tax-free and were seen as the favoured nation. There were even discussions about Ivan the Terrible marrying Elizabeth I. The course explores the relationship between England (later Britain) and Russia from three perspectives: trade, diplomacy and exchange. We will consider questions such as why Russia was seen as an important trading partner and what were the chief imports/exports ferried by the English Muscovy Company. From a diplomatic perspective, we will consider the consequences of different political aims of the two countries and examine instances of diplomatic tension. How did one appease a ruler such as Ivan the Terrible? We will likewise examine the perceptions of Russia and its people as expressed through contemporary English travel and diplomatic writings, whilst also exploring the lives of English/Scotsmen who entered the Tsar's service. In the process, we will consider broader issues of maritime exploration, premodern diplomacy and the legacy of the first 100 years of Anglo-Russian relations. The course will likewise introduce you to the emergent field of 'new' diplomatic history.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

Unless you are nominated on a History or HCA exchange agreement, visiting students are only permitted to enrol in two 3rd year History courses each, per semester, before the start of the relevant semester’s welcome period – and spaces on each course are limited so cannot be guaranteed for any student. This includes courses in Economic History and Scottish History. Enrolment in a third course from this group will depend on whether there are still spaces available in the January Welcome Period, and cannot be guaranteed. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact staff within this subject area to ask for an exception to be made; all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. This is due to the limited number of spaces available in this very popular subject area.

view the timetable and further details for this course