There are a number of palaeography offers available for anybody interested in Oxford happening in Michaelmas 2024, coordinated by Dr Laure Miolo, Lyell Career Development Fellow in Latin Palaeography and Dilts Fellow at Lincoln College, historian of late medieval Europe, specialising in manuscript studies and history of early libraries with a special focus on scientific books and practices. Contact her for any of the below under laure.miolo@history.ox.ac.uk.
Header Image: Lincoln College/EL/OAS/D1
- French Palaeography Manuscript Reading Group, Mo 10.30-12
- Exploring Medieval Oxford through Lincoln & Magdalen Archives, Fr 2-3pm
- Latin Palaeography Manuscript Reading Group, Tue 2-3.30pm
1. French Palaeography Manuscript Reading Group
This group is open to anyone with an interest in Old French, Middle French and Anglo-Norman manuscripts. We study and read manuscripts from the 12th century to the 16th century with a special focus on palaeography. We meet every Monday between 10.30am-12pm in the Weston Library.
If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information, please write to Laure Miolo.
2. Exploring Medieval Oxford through Lincoln & Magdalen Archives
Every Friday 2-3pm from week 2, Seminar Room 1, EPA Centre, Museum Road, OX1 3PX
Following the focus on medieval documents from Lincoln College last year, the seminar will now also include documents from Magdalen College in collaboration with Richard Allen (Magdalen College’s archivist). Both Colleges holds an outstanding collection of archives predating the Colleges’ respective foundations. A part of those documents relates to several parishes of Oxford, such as All Saints, St Michael’s at the Northgate and others.
This weekly one-hour seminar aims to investigate these unpublished documents, mostly deeds, dating back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, that bear witness to everyday life in Oxford at the time. Anyone interested in analysing primary sources and conducting a comprehensive examination of the documents are welcome to attend. Working in pairs on a self-selected source, the research will entail the examination of the record’s external characteristics (such as writing surface, layout, marks of use) as well as transcription, translation, and identification of locations and individuals mentioned in the records to establish a context. Special importance will be given to the seals attached to these documents.
As well as collaborating on unpublished sources, attendees will gain experience in digitisation of sources and publish their analysis online. Students will prepare their item for exhibition, and a one-day workshop on these sources will be held in Trinity Term. Those who are interested can contact the convenor, Laure Miolo
3. Latin Palaeography Manuscript Reading Group
(advanced beginner, intermediate and advanced levels)
For those wishing to develop, deepen or maintain their skills in Latin palaeography, we meet every Tuesday between 2pm and 3.30pm in the Weston Library (Horton Room or Visiting Scholars Centre). We explore a wide range of medieval manuscripts and documents from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The session includes analysis of different scripts, abbreviations and codicological features. Practice is the key to developing palaeographical skills and becoming more comfortable with different scripts, including the more cursive and abbreviated ones. The aim of this group is to teach the basic elements of each script and abbreviation in order to help in the direct reading and analysis of the manuscripts. Those who are interested can contact the convenor, Laure Miolo
