Finding primary sources can be a daunting task for any student, and medieval sources are some of the hardest to locate and interpret. Here are a few suggestions that can be found online and in existing texts that might make the job a little easier, no matter how obscure the topic may be.
Internet Medieval Sourcebook
The Internet Medieval Sourcebook is a compendium of medieval texts put together by Fordham University. This is a free collection of medieval texts that has been carefully transferred to the Internet for use by anyone, anytime. The spectacular feature of this resource, besides the fact that it's free, is that all of the documents the Sourcebook provides are fully translated with references and back information that helps put the primary document into perspective.
The different sources are carefully grouped into subsections to help the user navigate through the documents. From the Carolingian period of the Franks to the more general Crusades, there are a number of topics and regions to choose from. This should certainly be the first stop for any medieval primary source research.
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
While the Internet Medieval Sourcebook is a solid directory of major medieval chroniclers and religious documents, it has its limitations. For the more refined and obscure topics it may be best to search larger directories, such as the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. This encyclopedia is free and houses a large selection of papal bulls and other major and minor church documents, such as correspondence. The Catholic Church was the only predominate class of literate individuals during the medieval period, making New Advent a wonderful source for primary documents as they are the most consistent writers of the time.
One thing to keep in mind is that this is a Catholic encyclopedia. Some documents may seem biased and one-sided. Keep this in mind while researching. Biased documents are a normal part of medieval research and it takes an extra moment of thought to filter through what is biased. Regardless of any notable bias, the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia is an indispensable tool for any medieval researcher.
Secondary Sources
If all else fails finding that perfect primary source, the next step is to search out secondary source monographs and accredited journal articles on the desired topic. For undergraduates or even graduate students, quality primary sources can be found in existing research. It may be difficult to figure out exactly what to look for, making past research an important tool. Primary sources are often listed separately from secondary sources in the book’s bibliography or in footnotes, but others may be hidden.
For example, if a book uses Dante’s Divine Comedy to help explain the discontent in fourteenth century Europe, the Divine Comedy can be used as a primary source since it was written by a contemporary of the time in question. Little tools sources such as these can often be found and exploited with a little exploration and a lucky Google search.
With tools like the Internet Medieval Sourcebook and the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, and a little ingenuity, primary source research can become a success. Most of all, remember that the documents are out there, it just takes time, hard work, and a little luck.
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