To enable students to revise and practise their skills in Latin grammar, and to gain an understanding of medieval usage and a familiarity with medieval word lists and textbooks.

To develop palaeography skills through written and verbal exercises, so as to be able to translate a variety of documents commonly encountered in local record offices.

To enable students to recognise and transcribe the different scripts, abbreviations and contractions, found in administrative, legal and financial records produced by English manors, central and local ecclesiastical and secular courts, and parochial and civil administrations, dating from 1100 to 1500.

To familiarize students with the language and diplomatic formulae used, so that they may identify and understand the records and their historical significance.

To equip students with the skills required to provide competent archival finding aids and assist the public in the search room.

(LO1) An improved ability to read the language covered by the module, and the development of appropriate linguistic tools and metalanguage to describe and analyse its main features, making effective use of relevant language reference materials

(LO2) Knowledge of the development of letter forms and scripts during the period and in the country covered by the module, including abbreviations and contractions

(LO3) An ability to read, transcribe, translate and interpret, accurately documents from the period and country covered by the module, demonstrating knowledge of the conventions of transcription

(S1) Working knowledge of Latin

(S2) Ability to read, transcribe and interpret historical documents

(S3) Self management and discipline including time-management

Topics covered during the module may include:

Introduction to resources for transcription and translation of medieval Latin;

Conventions of transcription;

Dating clauses in medieval English documents.

Small-group workshops involving the transcription and translation of a range of medieval Latin documents: deeds (including calend aring), quitclaims, final concords, administrative and legal documents (including testaments and inquisitions). Manorial documents.

Seminar:
11 x 2 hour seminars. Learning is achieved through small group work and individual formative work. Students are supplied with reproductions of medieval documents on which to practice both transcription and translation. Students will be required to undertake formative work between each tutorial.

The majority of teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on-campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.