Module Identifier HYM1P20  
Module Title PALAEOGRAPHY AND DIPLOMATIC  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr Susan J Davies  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Dr Telfryn Pritchard, Mr Richard W Ireland  
Course delivery Lecture   44 Hours  
  Practical   44 Hours  
Assessment Semester Exam   3 Hours Theory Exam   50%  
  Semester Assessment   Equivalent to 2,000 words   20%  
  Semester Assessment   equivalent to 3,000 words   30%  

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

A. Palaeography:

B. Diplomatic:

Brief description

Palaeography and Diplomatic provide the necessary expertise for the study and interpretation of official documents. Palaeography, however, has a broader significance, since it extends beyond official documents to include the whole range of manuscript material which has survived from previous centuries, whatever its context.

Palaeography
is the study of old handwriting, with the primary aim of learning to read it, but with further, more subtle purposes, as indicated above.
Diplomatic
is the study of the form of official documents, considering both "external" and "internal" characteristics, and especially the standard formulae common to particular categories. The general purpose is to achieve correct interpretation but, as with Palaeography, Diplomatic involves a range of skills.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Consultation
Barnes, P. M. and Hector, L.C. (1968) A Guide to Seals in the Public Record Office. 2nd. HMSO
Bischoff, Bern. (1990) Latin Palaeography: Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Cambridge
Chaplais, P. (1971) English Royal Documents, King John - Henry VI, 1199-1461. Oxford
Cheney, C. R. (2000) A Handbook of Dates for Students of English History (Michael Jones, rev.). .. Cambridge
Dawson, G. E. and Kennedy-Skipton, L. (1968) Elizabethan Handwriting. London
Denholm-Young, N. (1954) Handwriting in England and Wales. Cardiff
Grieve, H. E. (1954) Examples of English Handwriting 1150-1750. Essex: Essex Record Office
Hector, L. C. (1966) The Handwriting of English Documents. London
Parkes, M. B. (1969) English Cursive Book Hands 1250-1500. London
Petti, A. G. (1977) English Literary Hands from Chaucer to Dryden. London
Stuart, D. (1992) Manorial Records. Phillimore