This course explores the social function and meaning of violence in medieval society, and the development of rituals and institutions to control violence. Among the topics treated are the feud in Germanic and Icelandic society, aristocratic violence, the peace and truce of God, chivalry, the development of criminal justice systems, violence against minorities, and violence and gender. Students will read secondary literature in anthropology, social history, and legal history, and will examine selected primary texts (in translation).