Historiography

The study of history itself comes in many disciplines. Every field of study from art to science has a history and each its own unique view point. There are also several theories about history and how it is shaped that influence how historians study the subject. The two main theories that most people use, are the Great Man theory and the Great Events theory. The great man theory holds that history is moved by individuals and leaders. The great events theory suggests the opposite in that the events shape the people. There is a third theory that has recently grown in popularity that combines the two in a cultural theory, that events and people shape each other. This third form of study focuses more on the how and why of history and less on the facts of what.

For the my focus on 12th and 13th century Western Europe the use of these theories is helpful in creating a picture of life in those times. Cultural studies start at the bottom with the lowest classes asking questions about daily life. What did they eat and wear? What did their houses look like and what did they do for work? As you move through each level of society you recreate the whole picture with no missing pieces. Did they go to school? What was worship like? Events studies creates a time line that holds each society together. Were there wars, rebellions? Who was allied to who? Were they allied through marriage, treaties, did the alliance last? In the study of great men/women we follow the lives of kings and queens, popes and heretics, scientists and philosophers, artists and rebels. These are the people who were in the right place at the right time to effect a change in their societies that had a lasting impact. Had they lived earlier or later things might have been different for them, but we can only speculate on the might have beens. 

For more information on historiography and other views on the study of history check out Michael Bentley's Modern Historiography: An Introduction.