Making Sense of Manuscripts – Saturday 14 June 2014, UCL History Department

A workshop introducing students to the study of medieval documents.
Saturday 14 June 2014, UCL History Department
Diplomatic is the formal term for the study and analysis of documents in medieval
manuscripts. Diplomatic encompasses a broad range of documents from the Middle
Ages (royal charters, papal bulls, diplomas, legal writs, contracts, judicial records,
treaties, etc.) and requires a number of technical skills. But it is more than a merely
antiquarian pastime. The careful use of documents is essential for writing the
political, institutional, religious, social, economic and intellectual history of the Middle
Ages.
Despite its importance, provision for introducing British students to the study of
Medieval Diplomatic remains limited. This one-day workshop at UCL will fill that gap.
Led by Professor David d’Avray the workshop will provide an introduction to some of
the technical skills necessary for analysing different types of British and continental
documents. Equally importantly, it will demonstrate how Diplomatic can help answer
a range of historical questions about secular governance, the papacy, monasteries
and social power, and medieval rationality.
The workshop is open to all students and will be of particular benefit to those
considering graduate work in medieval history.
Attendance is free and no knowledge of Latin is required. Lunch and refreshments
will be provided.
To register or find out more information, please contact the course organiser by
email (z.mistry@ucl.ac.uk) with your name and details. Please note that priority will
be given to undergraduates.
For more information about the UCL Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies,
visit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mars.