The course will culminate in an informal exam. Useful online resources and bibliography can be found on this page (right) and will be updated periodically. All classes will be taught virtually via interactive seminars on Microsoft Teams. Start date, Wednesday 30th April 2025, 5-6.30pm (UK time).

This course, run by Warwick's Centre for the Study of the Renaissance, does not confer university credits. However, on the basis of students' attendance and performance in the final test, the CSR will issue a certificate of completion and of having passed the course.

Participants will pay £200 for the course before the beginning of term. Participants whose institution belongs to the Newberry Library Consortium may be eligible to receive consortium grants to cover the cost of the course. (Contact your local consortium representative for details.) Warwick PhD Students will not have to pay the course fees.

Places on the course are limited, so selection will be based on the details given in your brief application, link HERE. Deadline for applications is Friday 17th May 2024.

For further details specific to the syllabus, do contact the convenor, Dr Tim Wade (after April 1st 2025)

Schedule:

• Class 1. 30th April: Introduction to course. Background to early modern handwriting styles, manuscript production and print culture. Technical terms and transcription styles. Tips and tricks for problem solving
• Class 2. 7th May: Italic hand. Different types of document
• Class 3. 14th May: Anglicana and Black Letter. Common abbreviations
• Class 4. 21st May: Chancery hand. Punctuation
• Class 5. 28th May: Secretary. Different styles of transcription
• Class 6. 4th June: Secretary. Numbers, dates, titles and names
• Class 7. 11th June: Mixed hands
• Class 8. 18th June: Mixed hands
• Class 8. 25th June: Informal test