Reading the Past: Introduction to Early Modern Handwriting and Palaeography c155
23 January 2027
9.45am Saturday - 5pm Sunday
Rewley House 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Event status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
23 January 2027 - 24 January 2027
Study Format:
In-person day/weekend
Fees:
£260.00
Are you keen to undertake research using original historical documents and begin reading scripts used in England post 1550?
Join us in Oxford for this in-person weekend event. We will look in detail at the main scripts in use across this period (Secretary, Italic and Mixed Hands), through practical examples from common record types. We will cover original sources such as property records, wills, accounts and correspondence.
The principal focus will be on documents written in English, although some in Latin may be included (no prior knowledge of Latin is required).
The weekend will provide the opportunity to cover both theoretical and practical aspects of palaeography and reading handwriting. We will look at reading strategies and tips throughout, as well as key reference and study resources for further study.
The course tutor is an experienced archivist and will use documents from collections she has worked with as examples, as well as from published and online sources. Teaching methods will range from short lecture-style talks on theory and historical context, as well as in-depth practical sessions focusing on reading documents, either individually, in pairs or as a class.
Please note:
- This event will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT on 20 January 2027.
- This weekend event will recycle some documents used in the 2022 weekly classes version of the event.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Accommodation
Accommodation for Saturday night can be booked directly online, subject to availability, when you register your place via the ‘Book now’ button. This includes a buffet breakfast on the Sunday morning.
Our accommodation in Wellington Square has been rated as 4-Star Campus Accommodation from Visit England. All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview television, private bath/shower rooms and free WiFi. For more details see our accommodation information.
If you wish to extend your stay with us, either before and/or after the event, please contact our Residential Centre for availability and discounted rates.
Call +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk
Recommended reading
Forrest, M., Reading Early Handwriting 1500-1700 (British Association for Local History, 2019)
Jarvis, C., Teach Yourself Palaeography: A Guide for Genealogists and Local Historians (History Press, 2022)
Programme details
Saturday 23 January
9.45am
Registration at Rewley House reception
10am
Theory 1: Introduction to Handwriting and Early Modern Palaeography
11am
Tea/coffee break
11.30am
Theory 2: Secretary Hand
1pm
Lunch break
2pm
Theory 3: Abbreviations, Weights and Measures
3.30pm
Tea/coffee break
4pm
Practical 1: Secretary Hand
5pm
End of day
7pm
Dinner at Rewley House (for those who have booked)
Sunday 24 January
8am
Breakfast (for those staying at Rewley House)
10am
Theory 4: Italic
11am
Tea/coffee break
11.30am
Practical 2: Italic
1pm
Lunch break
2pm
Practical 3: Mixed Hands
3.30pm
Tea/coffee break
4pm
Practical 4: Secretary Hand and Further Resources
5pm
End of weekend
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Event fee (includes tea/coffee) | £260.00 |
| Saturday baguette lunch | £7.90 |
| Saturday dinner | £33.10 |
| Saturday hot lunch | £22.40 |
| Single B&B (Saturday night) | £128.00 |
| Sunday baguette lunch | £7.90 |
| Sunday hot lunch | £22.40 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Payment
Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.
Dr Charlotte Berry
Charlotte qualified as an archivist in 2001 and is a Fellow of the Archives and Records Association, the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London. She has worked extensively with medieval collections at Hereford Cathedral and Magdalen College Oxford. She was recently appointed as City Archivist at Bristol Archives.
Module code: O26P102LHR
Please use the ‘Book’ button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.
