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Universidad Carlos iii de Madrid

Deciphering Secrets: Unlocking the Manuscripts of Medieval Toledo (Spain)

Universidad Carlos iii de Madrid via edX

Overview

This course evaluates the medieval history of Toledo from the reign of King Alfonso “The Wise” (1252-1284) until the creation of the blood purity statutes in the 1450s.

This local history will concentrate on the relations of Jews, Old Christians, and converts to Christianity (conversos). We will study King Alfonso X’s efforts to characterize himself as the “king of three religions” via his legal codices, the creation of the Cantigas de Santa María, and his intellectual endeavor known as the Toledo School of Translators.

We evaluate the robust Jewish and converso noble families of the city and appreciate their intellectual, religious, and economic contributions to Castilian life. We will bear witness to the rise of anti-Jewish blood purity statutes, the creation of the Inquisition, and the expulsion of the Jews. We will virtually-tour the Cathedral of Toledo, El Transito Synagogue, Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue, and several of its neighborhoods.

We also will study and transcribe manuscripts from the municipal, cathedral, and national historic nobility archives to make new scholarly breakthroughs.

No knowledge of Spanish is needed to participate in the course or in our transcription efforts.

Taught by

Roger L. Martínez-Dávila

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Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 12 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Deciphering Secrets: Unlocking the Manuscripts of Medieval Toledo (Spain)

  • Anonymous
    Unfortunately I was unable to complete the course due to family commitments but found it so very informative and well laid out. I am pleased to be able to look at the course work I could not do at a later stage and when time permits enrol again. I have studied a Chinese course through you which again was excellent, so have given your details to several friends for distance learning. Thank you.
  • This was my fourth MOOC in the Deciphering Secrets series, which is an indication of how addictive I have found these courses. They are based on the premise that MOOCs can be used to teach learners paleography skills which can then be used as part o…
  • Annie B
    This was an enjoyable and fascinating course and it gives a fresh perspective on the history of Spain. Students have the opportunity to engage with manuscripts and develop skills in paleography. Professor Martinez-Davila is a committed educator wh…
  • Anonymous
    The Course is well laid out and has plenty of references. Progress is measured by frequent key issue questions that are core to the subject. There are plenty of links to useful additional information. I liked the blending of artifacts from the per…
  • Anonymous
    DS Toledo is a next installment in a series of MOOC's on Al-Andalus, the Iberian Peninsula in the period 711-1492. This MOOC, like the others in the series, stands on its own and deals with Toledo. The MOOC offers videos with reading material, as we…
  • Anonymous
    Excellent course, well paced and well balanced between history and paleography. Excellent resources and materials. Quizzes made me reflect in some of the material that I studied. The final project was challenging as well as a lot of fun! I am excited to continue with the next course.
  • Anonymous
    The course was very interesting and the resources were fascinating. It was also amazing that the events of that period give food for thought about today's society and its problems. The paleography skills I gained can be very useful for further researches on original materials. I hope there wil be more courses of this kind!
  • Jim Baker
    Fascinating and rewarding. The history of the period leading upto the paleography exercises laid the groundwork. I had struggled, in DS Burgos, but appreciated in DS Toledo, that the paleography exercises were broken into three sections: beginners, intermediate and advanced. Keep up the great, totalling absorbing work Roger. Looking forward to the next episode.
  • Anonymous
    Excelente curso sobre una cultura,la mía,de la que se habla poco,una apuesta arriesgada de una historia que al menos en mi país parece olvidada.Ya he hecho los MOOS,de Burgos y Toledo,animo al profesor que el siguiente sea de Barcelona,ciudad donde también vivieron las tres culturas.Saludos,Bea.
  • Anonymous
    This course is engagingly presented. Its real highlight is the way it helps learners gain confidence in deciphering medieval Spanish documents, and in so doing to contribute to further research on convivencia in Spain.
  • Anonymous
    This particular iteration of Prof. Martinez-Davila's Spanish history and paleography courses is a fantastic addition. This is a challenging course truly at the college level. It provides an excellent and thorough introduction to Spanish history, as…
  • Anonymous
    Este fue mi segundo curso y superó al primero!. He disfrutado enormemente el profesionalismo con el que ha sido realizado y el entusiasmo y dedicación del profesor Martinez. Como historiadora, la idea de hacer participar al público de una investigación académica en base a fuentes primarias me parece fascinante. La información histórica de calidad y el metodo novedoso para facilitar las trascripciones paleográficas, me parecen los más grandes aportes del curso. !Buen trabajo todos y vamos a por mas!

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