Reference Works and Research Aids

On line or off , the best place to start is Olin Library.  It always helps to ask a reference librarian for advice. The library has a page specializing in medieval studies reference resources.

Medieval Sourcebook--Full Texts

Medieval Sourcebook--Selected Texts, which is the basis of the on-line reader.

Sources for the History of Medieval Religion and the Church

Labyrinth, an on-line medieval studies resource that includes links to bibliographies, texts, and some on-line journals.

Subject Bibliographies and Aids:

Periodicals and Scholarly Journals:

  • One of the most important sources of detailed information about the past is the scholarly journal. These are magazines for scholars and students, which publish original historical work, generally based on archival research into medieval or other historical documents. Students generally miss out on these in favour of books, but there are good reasons for acquainting yourself with these when it comes time to research any subject more deeply. Books may seem comprehensive but they are often the distillation of material first presented in journals. The journal article is much more likely to present an argument fully and with a clear idea of what evidence and what facts from the past justify the author's opinion. In other words, journals often allow you to examine the evidence more critically yourself and to see others' close reading of evidence.

    A second advantage to journal articles is that they may represent the only scholarly work done on a topic, which hasn't yet warranted a book, especially a book in English. I find also that an author often first presents his or her results in an article that is more pithy, if not nuanced, than a longer book treatment would be. Journal articles are also the places where most scholarly debates are worked out and can act as catalysts for your own further questioning. The most relevant journals vary greatly depending on your subject. While you might find what you need by browsing, the many dense-looking volumes can be repellent or overwhelming. The best way to find an article is to examine the bibliographies and footnotes of people who have written on the subject. Some online bibliographies can help, as can a flesh-and-blood librarian, but I advise talking to me and getting a recent book on the subject and checking the back. A good scholarly book will pretty well list all the relevant works known.  Footnotes can similarly guide you to other good articles. When you find your interest piqued, look at the nearest footnotes. They will often indicate where the author went to learn more, and you can follow. Below are a variety of journals and bibiliographic aids relevant to this course.

    Journals devoted to medieval subjects:

    • Speculum. A Journal of Medieval Studies
    • The Journal of Medieval History
    • Mediaeval Studies
    • Exemplaria
    • Viator
    • Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies

    General History Journals with relevant articles:

    • Past and Present
    • American Historical Review
    • English Historical Review

    Relevant Focussed Journals

    • Social History
    • Sixteenth-Century Journal
    • Journal of British Studies
    • Ecclesiastical History Review

     

    Notes and Citations in Papers

    See Paul Halsall's advice on citing electronic sources.