Actions

Work Header

Rating:
Archive Warning:
Category:
Fandom:
Additional Tags:
Language:
English
Series:
Part 7 of Yuletide Fics
Collections:
Yuletide 2024
Stats:
Published:
2024-12-24
Words:
1,061
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
44
Kudos:
58
Bookmarks:
5
Hits:
311

3.0: Subject content

Summary:

Extracts from the subject specification for the UK A-level in Magical History (7081).

Notes:

happy yuletide, borderparasol! this is. very probably the strangest thing i've ever written in [redacted] years of writing fanfic. but once i thought of it, the idea seemed like huge fun (it was a real challenge to put together!) and in line with your prompt, so i took a run at it - i do hope you enjoy! the format is based off the AQA History A-level specifications. the content is a mix of events from the book, a little bit of real history, and a little bit of complete fabrication.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

1B: John Uskglass and the Golden Age, 1110-1434

This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions:

  • How effectively did John Uskglass manage political instability in his courts?
  • In what ways did fairy courtly ritual shape the political landscape in England?
  • What role did magic play in maintaining the north/south border?
  • How far did thaumaturgical practice standardise?
  • How important were ideological shifts in Christian theocracy towards magic?
  • To what extent was diplomacy more effective than war?

 

Part One: the establishment of Uskglass’ kingdom, 1110-1272

Conquest and settlement, 1110-1154

  • The political, social, magical, economic, and religious conditions of northern England in 1110
  • The battle of Newark: context and aftermath; strategic alliances; thaumaturgical impact of climate and geographical context
  • An enemy divided: conflict in the courts of southern England; the role of the Anarchy in Uskglass’ path to power
  • Uskglass and the clergy: alliance with Pope Paschal II; diplomatic relations with Sylvester IV; involvement in opposing the Second Crusade; turbulent relationship with Archbishopric of York

  Consolidation of power, 1154-1272

  • Uskglass as ruler: aims and ambitions; methods of government; despotism and democracy; regional divisions in Faerie and England; attitudes to religion
  • Campaigns in Faerie; securing borders; the Scarborough Rebellion; role of siege warfare in the conquest of Hell; the course and consequence of the expedition to the Far-Flung Dukedoms
  • Southern England as neighbour: expansion and contraction of Angevin lands; the impact of the Magna Carta; the crisis of succession and the Barons’ Revolts

 

Part Two: Legislation and reform, 1272-1434

Politics and diplomacy, 1272-1434

  • Treaties with the southern English kingdom: collaboration and conflict with Edward I; defence of Wales and Scotland; alliance with the High Kings of Ireland and opposition to English invasion
  • Delegation and mediation: the influence of William of Lanchester; intra- and inter-court conflicts between fairy and English advisers; the significance of gift-giving in court procedure
  • Economics and trade: tax routes and the King’s Roads; commerce and exchange with Cornwall, Denmark and Quick-Wishes; standardisation of weights and measures for Faerie and English produce
  • Uskglass and Europe: role in the French court; involvement in the election of Henry VII; interest in popular movements and the Flemish revolt

Law and order, 1272-1434

  • Establishment of legal doctrine: attempts to re-introduce Trial by Ordeal; foundation of magical and non-magical law courts; creation of Les Cinque Dragownes, Folflures and regional counterparts; burden of proof and controversy over use of transmutation in testimony
  • Vigilantism and magical retribution: the Alnwick Five; Uskglass as chief justiciar; the persecution and punishment of Kit Halftree; ideological debates on banishment, ostracization and capital punishment
  • Law and religion: the Meraudian heresy; the trial of William de la Zouche; sacrilege and heterodoxy on the use of exanimate witnesses

 

2E: The Restoration of English Magic, c. 1780-1820

This option facilitates the study in depth of a period of intense transformation and revolution in the social, political, and thaumaturgical conditions in England during an era of immense change. It develops understanding of key concepts such as nationalism, the separation of magical authority and the state, and political franchise. It encourages students to examine the place of magic in diplomacy and warfare, and its role in wider international relations.

 

Part One: The re-emergence of magic in England, 1780-1820

The origins of English magic, c. 1780-1807

  • The politico-magical status of England circa 1780: the legacies of John Uskglass; regional differences in the north and southern kingdoms; opposition and conformity in the British Parliament
  • The state of magical academia: significant themes in contemporary scholarship; the condition of magical libraries; the importance of societies of magic; established methods of magical instruction
  • The United Kingdom and Europe in 1789: Britain’s relationship with France; attitudes towards the French Revolution; the significance of the navy in the balance of power

The appearance of Gilbert Norrell, 1807-1809

  • The character and aims of Gilbert Norrell: amassing the library at Hurtfew; relationship with societies of magic and contemporary magicians; the role of John Childermass as enforcer
  • Early demonstrations of practical magic: the great animation at York Minster; the resurrection of Emma Wintertowne; the blockade of French ports
  • Parliamentary privilege: the employment of Norrell by the British government; the collaboration between Norrell and the British Admiralty; controversy and debate over the employment of magic for tax reform

The rise of Jonathan Strange, 1809-1815

  • The character and aims of Jonathan Strange: education and upbringing; significance of Scottish familial connections; involvement with previous occupations; aptitude as an independent magician
  • Collaboration and control: co-operation between Strange and Norrell; political and social instability amongst Norrell and his advisers; the influence of Henry Lascelles
  • Military instability: war with the United States; the Peninsular War and Napoleon; Strange’s magical assistance to the Duke of Wellington; use of magic in the field in Portugal and Belgium
  • Political adversity and change: the assassination of Spencer Perceval; the rise of Lord Liverpool

 

Part Two: Crisis, schism and conflict, 1815-1820

Public clashes and legal disputes, 1815-1816

  • The significance of publication and mass media: the anonymous release of Strange’s Review; the role of independent publishers and mass distribution; the increased circulation of magical ideas; the suppression of Strange’s book
  • Legal concerns and defamation: the ‘death’ of Arabella Strange and the public persecution of Jonathan Strange; the rise of Henry Lascelles; the emergence of Strange’s pupils
  • Violence and insurrection: the assassination attempt on Gilbert Norrell; the Ely Riots

Jonathan Strange in Venice, 1816-1817

  • Foreign affairs and international diplomacy: The Black Tower and political laissez-faire in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom; crisis in British-Austrian relations; collapse in negotiations with Prussia and the Habsburgs
  • Recognition of magical psychosis: contrasts in treatment of Lady Pole and Jonathan Strange; the publication of The Black Letters; ideological discourse on medical ethics; Starecross Hall and the foundation of magical asylums
  • Economic depression and domestic crisis: obstacles of industrialisation; the Corn Laws; poverty and unemployment; the Pentrich Rising

The events and aftermath of the disappearance, 1817-1820

  • Renaissance of a magical nation: instability and thaumaturgical reformation; the reappearance of magic in England; the outbreak of miracle-makers and charlatanism
  • The re-emergence of Faerie: the disappearance of Norrell and Strange; attempts to map the King’s Roads; obstacles to diplomacy with key Faerie principalities
  • The magical enlightenment: Strangeites and Norrellites; John Segundus and the establishment of magical schools
  • The King’s Book: deciphering the King’s Letters; cryptographs and the foundation of cryptothaumaturgy; failed prosecutions and absolutions of Vinculus of London

Notes:

just a small writing note - i tried very hard to think about what would end up becoming historical fact, versus what we see play out in the novel (plus what would become historically significant and what wouldn't) - i.e. what's going to be collaborated by external sources, what of those sources would survive and be considered reputable, etc. this is why Stephen isn't mentioned; i feel like he'd end up being totally overlooked as a historical figure, as would e.g. the other servants, so his absence is a conscious critique of modern historiography rather than an oversight. i like to think someone eventually realises the importance of Stephen and writes their revolutionary doctoral dissertation on him (but that's another fic!).

Series this work belongs to: