131-096 The Historian at Work: Archives, Palaeography, Theory and Writing History

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Subject Description

Instruction in the reading and transcription of manuscripts, for the most part handwriting in the Elizabethan Secretary Hand, which emerged as a distinctive hand about the middle of the sixteenth century. It was the cursive hand used by most people until about the end of the seventeenth century. The course will also include palaeographic examination of official or original documents and the processes which produced them. Principles of editing such documents will be examined and applied in practice. The material thus obtained is considered in the light of theoretical approaches and the arts of research and writing history. This subject provides training in Renaissance palaeography and the techniques of working in international archives. Archival evidence investigated by students will be used as examples to consider the relationship of the historian to historical persons and events, the historian's use of archival material in respect of modern theoretical approaches and the way in which historians may integrate archival research and theoretical insights as they exercise their craft as writers.

Assessment

Written work totalling 5000 words.