Medieval Studies Sites
General medieval studies sites, which offer background, links to other sites, links to primary source sites, etc.
- "Virtuelle Bibliothek" for medieval history (University of Erlangen)Includes links to digital texts, indices of journals, introductions to sub-fields in medieval history and to particular regions, and much more. In German, but with links to materials in multiple languages, including English.
Specialized Sites with Primary Sources
- Anthology of Translated Texts Illustrative of the History of the Cult of the Saints (ed. by Thomas Head)Otherwise unavailable English translations of a variety of hagiographic sources from the early Middle Ages.
- Kemble (British Academy - Royal Historical Society Joint Committee on Anglo-Saxon Charters)While the charters are in Latin or the venacular of the time, the supporting materials are in English.
What is a Primary Source?
Primary sources:
- Are original records created at the time an historical event occurred; they may also be written well after-the-fact by participants in the event
- Need not focus on a specific event; rather, they may more generally reflect the ideas and values of a particular time period
- May include personal writings such as letters and diaries
- May be produced by institutions such as a government or religious body
In short, primary sources serve as the raw material to interpret the past, and when they are used along with previous interpretations by historians, they provide the resources necessary for historical research.
Adapted from Using Primary Sources on the Web, History Section, Reference and User Services Association, American Library Association, accessed 2/18/11]
Locating Primary Sources
To find primary source material, use the leads you find in secondary literature.
In addition, when looking at book descriptions in the Five College Online Catalog, watch for the words "personal narratives," "correspondence," or "sources" as part of the subject headings; this designation usually indicates a published collection of primary source material. (Occasionally it's used to refer to a secondary work that discusses primary sources.) Other clues will be buried in the authorship, etc.
You can also construct a search in the online catalog to look for primary sources, for example: crusades and (sources or personal narratives or correspondence)
A very useful bibliography of both printed and online primary sources in English translation is the Medieval Sources Bibliography (Fordham Univ.).
In addition to searching the online catalog for primary sources, note that there are several web sites that offer primary texts as well as other materials relating to medieval studies. (See the Medieval Sources Bibliography as well as the two boxes on the left.)
Evaluating Primary Sources
Using Primary Sources on the Web: Evaluating Primary Source Websites (Instruction & Research Services Committee, Reference and User Service Association History Section, American Library Association)
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