English Palaeography Course - Summer Term 2026

Course convenor: Dr Erin Connelly

This interactive course takes place online via Microsoft Teams. In each seminar the group will read early modern documents together with the help of the instructor. Weeks 1-8 cover the main hands found in English documents written between 1500-1700. The course culminates in Week 9 with an informal test. Weekly classes begin on Wednesday 6th May 2026 and run until 1st July 2026.

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 £300 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.

Applications for this course will open as soon as dates are confirmed. For further details specific to the syllabus, do contact the convenor, Dr Erin Connelly, erin.connelly@warwick.ac.uk

Schedule (all classes will be taught on Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm UK time)

*There may be minor changes forthcoming, but this schedule provides a general outline:

Class 1. 6 May: Introduction to handwriting styles and terminology
Class 2. 13 May: Italic hand
Class 3. 20 May: Anglicana
Class 4. 27 May: Court hands
Class 5. 3 June: Secretary
Class 6. 10 June: Secretary
Class 7. 17 June: Mixed hands
Class 8. 24 June: Round hands
Class 9. 1 July: Informal test