Marc Bloch, historien du Moyen Âge | Benoît-Michel Tock, professeur d'histoire médiévale

The lecture provides a valuable and insightful analysis of Marc Bloch’s contributions to medieval history, delivered by an expert in the field. Professor Tock demonstrates a deep familiarity with Bloch’s works and the historiographical context, offering a nuanced interpretation of Bloch’s approach. The discussion of ‘The Royal Touch’ is particularly strong, as Tock explains Bloch’s method of moving from events to mentalities, and his use of anthropological perspectives. Tock’s comparison of Bloch’s ‘Feudal Society’ with a contemporary work by Joseph Calmette effectively illustrates Bloch’s innovative ‘de-institutionalizing’ approach. The lecture is well-structured, with clear themes and a coherent argument. However, it is relatively short and does not delve deeply into all of Bloch’s major works; for instance, ‘French Rural History’ is only briefly mentioned. The presentation is primarily oral, with limited visual aids, which may affect engagement. The speaker’s expertise lends credibility, but no external sources are cited beyond Bloch’s own works, and the lecture does not engage with recent scholarship on Bloch. The title’s promise to explore Bloch’s paradox is fulfilled, though the conclusion could have been more developed. Overall, this is a solid, informative lecture suitable for an academic audience, though it may not offer groundbreaking new insights for specialists.

The title accurately reflects the content: a lecture on Marc Bloch as a medieval historian, exploring his contributions and his reluctance to be labeled as such.

8/10

The speaker is a professor of medieval history at the University of Strasbourg, providing an expert analysis of Marc Bloch's work. The content is well-structured, based on primary sources (Bloch's publications) and historical context. The presentation is nuanced and critical, acknowledging Bloch's paradoxes. No sources are explicitly cited beyond the works discussed, but the speaker's expertise lends credibility.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and acknowledgments for the study day on Marc Bloch.
• 03:00Start of the lecture: Marc Bloch as a medieval historian, his common portrayal and his own reluctance.
• 05:00Discussion of 'The Royal Touch': the legend, its historical context, and Bloch's analysis of why people believed.
• 10:00Bloch's use of anthropology and his concept of sacred kingship.
• 15:00Analysis of 'Feudal Society': Bloch's de-institutionalizing approach compared to traditional institutional histories.
• 20:00Conclusion: why Bloch resisted the medievalist label and his broader vision of history.

• Les Rois thaumaturges — Bloch's major work on the royal healing power, discussed extensively.
• La Société féodale — Bloch's seminal work on feudal society, analyzed for its innovative approach.
• L'Étrange Défaite — Mentioned as one of Bloch's well-known works outside medieval history.
• Apologie pour l'histoire — Bloch's reflection on the historian's craft, referenced in the lecture.
• Les Caractères originaux de l'histoire rurale française — Mentioned as a medieval-focused work.
• Réflexions d'un historien sur les fausses nouvelles de la guerre — Bloch's article on false news, cited as an influence on his thinking.

• Marc Bloch: A Life in History — Biographical work that likely aligns with the lecture's portrayal of Bloch.
• The Annales School: An Intellectual History — Supports the discussion of Bloch's methodological innovations.

• Marc Bloch: Historian of the Annales School — Some scholars may emphasize Bloch's role as a modernist historian, potentially downplaying his medieval focus.