how did historians study various manuscripts while analyzing them
Answers
Answered by
1
the concept of a primary source is subject to much simplification. Every manuscript written in the medieval era is an authentic artifact of that era. However, every manuscript was not penned by its author, and every author was not a living witness to the events he or she penned. Historians existed in the medieval era, chronicling events of many generations past. Their selections, their attitudes and their prejudices represent primary source material for their time, even if the stories they wrote were seen through the filter of legend. (See Bagley 1972) The remains of the monastery of Jarrow are a compilation of many centuries, as the works of Bede were an assemblage from many centuries, but an authentic witness to the attitudes of the early church in England.
the particular concerns of medieval authors can tell us much about their value systems. However, they left some blanks in their record. After all, they were writing for their times, not for curious readers hundreds of years in the future. Archaeologists investigate many angles which are not covered by the written records, and that can give us some comparison between the life of the mind and life in the cold, hard world. The deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in Yorkshire was investigated by archaeologists for over 30 years, revealing many aspects of village life not perpetuated in written records.
Written records can be used in a diversity of ways to make inferences about historical questions which could not have been further from the minds of the scribes who penned the words. Financial and legal records are a mine of information about social history, with a little help from an interpreter. The granting of privileges or the dispensing of justice reveals much about social conditions, relations and expectations. The church, when seen in its role as major business enterprise, shows its relationship to the world of politics, work and community. The Benedictine Abbey of Selby in Yorkshire has left little for archaeologists, all but its church having vanished under later building, but it has left a set of accounts that tell much about daily life and work in the community and the town.
Hope this helps
the particular concerns of medieval authors can tell us much about their value systems. However, they left some blanks in their record. After all, they were writing for their times, not for curious readers hundreds of years in the future. Archaeologists investigate many angles which are not covered by the written records, and that can give us some comparison between the life of the mind and life in the cold, hard world. The deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in Yorkshire was investigated by archaeologists for over 30 years, revealing many aspects of village life not perpetuated in written records.
Written records can be used in a diversity of ways to make inferences about historical questions which could not have been further from the minds of the scribes who penned the words. Financial and legal records are a mine of information about social history, with a little help from an interpreter. The granting of privileges or the dispensing of justice reveals much about social conditions, relations and expectations. The church, when seen in its role as major business enterprise, shows its relationship to the world of politics, work and community. The Benedictine Abbey of Selby in Yorkshire has left little for archaeologists, all but its church having vanished under later building, but it has left a set of accounts that tell much about daily life and work in the community and the town.
Hope this helps
Similar questions