Manuscript skills: post medieval palaeography and diplomatic

This module considers the historical development of handwriting (palaeography) in Britain between c1450 and c1800, the characteristics of specific types of script, the principles of transcription and other editorial methods, and the development of common form in formal documents (diplomatic). Practical and technical skills in reading and transcription are developed through applying theory to practice in a wide range of manuscript material under careful guidance.

Tutor

Julie Mathias BA MA DAA PhD FHEA – Undergraduate Schemes Coordinator and Lecturer Department of Information Studies.

With a passion for local history and archive studies, Julie has held various posts over the years ranging from National Trust room steward, assistant archivist to tutor for Genealogical Studies in the School for Education and Lifelong Learning. After completing a PhD in this Department, Julie gained a post in DIS as a Teaching Fellow and then was appointed as a Lecturer.

Her research is in: records and record keeping, archival finding aids, archive user needs, local history, and her publications include:

  • Toward a toolkit for estate records Mathias, J., Evans, S. & Owen, G., 2019, In: Archives and Records: The Journal of the Archives and Records Association.40, 1, p. 86-109.
  • Editorial: estate archives Higgins, S., Evans, S. & Mathias, J., 2019, In: Archives and Records: The Journal of the Archives and Records Association.40, 1, p. 1-44.
  • The National Library of Wales's Duplicates Section Mathias, J., 2015.
  • Summer schools in library service at Aberystwyth (1917-1928) Mathias, J., 2015, Library Review, 64, 6/7, p. 489-502.
  • The Reconstruction of George Owen of Henllys’s Library Mathias, J., 2014.
  • More publications on the Research Portal

 

Prerequisites

 Students taking this short course should have a keen interest in manuscript skills.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

After completing this short course you should be able to:

  • Identify and date different styles of handwriting in common use during the period c1450 to c1800;
  • Accurately read different styles of handwriting in common use during the period c1450 to c1800;
  • Transcribe documents written in archaic styles, applying appropriate editorial methods;
  • Calendar documents written in archaic styles, applying appropriate editorial methods;
  • Recognise and interpret 'common form' in a wide variety of documents;
  • Convert archaic dating practices to the modern historical equivalent.

 

 

Apply

To apply please complete the Short Course Application Form. 

This form should be completed and returned - with your reference - as soon as possible to the Postgraduate Admissions Office: 

For further information, please contact the Department of Information Studies tel: (+/0)1970 622731 / 622189; e-mail: dis-dept@aber.ac.uk