This workshop is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of students undertaking research on the middle ages and early modern period (c.1086-1782).

Day one will focus on developing expertise in finding records in The National Archives and elsewhere. You will learn how best to use the advanced search functionality in Discovery, our catalogue, and what to do when online searches do not return you the results you expect. We will introduce some tips for archival research which will help you plan your time in the archives, including the use of online resources, such as State Papers Online and the E179 database (which catalogues our taxation records), and of paper indexes and other finding aids which are yet to be made available online.

The second day will be devoted to helping you read and interpret historic documents by developing your skills with palaeography and diplomatic. The medieval and early modern sessions will include examining and reading patent rolls, state papers, equity pleadings, tax returns and much more.

At the end of the course you will have increased confidence in your ability to find and access previously challenging medieval and early modern documents and to read their contents.

This event is aimed at current taught postgraduate and PhD students. The workshop is held over two days on site at The National Archives. Tea and coffee at registration and lunch on both days are provided.

For more information about the PAST programme please see The National Archives' website or email past@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

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Programme

Day 1 (Tuesday 13 March)

09:00 Registration & coffee (provided)

09:30 Welcome and introductions

09:45 Discovery: how to use our online catalogue

11:15 Break

11:45 Online resources, databases and catalogues

13:00 Lunch (provided)

13:45 Onsite resources: finding aids in the Map and Large Document Reading Room

15:15 Break

15:45 Document skills: material, form, pagination, dates and abbreviations

17:00 End of Day 1

Day 2 (Wednesday 14 March)

Palaeography, Diplomatic and Medieval Latin.

09:00 Medieval and Early Modern Grants, Deeds and Petitions

10:30 Break

11:00 Medieval and Early Modern Letters

12:30 Lunch (provided)

13:30 Medieval and Early Modern Accounts

15:00 Break

15:30 Medieval and Early Modern Legal Documents

16:30 Questions and round up discussion

17:00 Close