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The majority of literary, historical and archival sources from the medieval period have not been published in a modern edition: it is therefore essential for medievalist researchers to learn how to deal with unpublished materials. The first aim of the course is to teach students how to read manuscript books and documents. It also provides introductory training in the description and dating of manuscript books, in textual criticism, and in the methods and concepts of 'diplomatics', the study of how medieval documents were composed and used.

Where possible, students will be encouraged to use the collections of medieval manuscripts and documents in London, which has a concentration unrivalled in the English-speaking world. In particular, students will be required to study a manuscript of their choice in detail, either using online digital images, or choosing a manuscript from the British Library’s collections to study in person. Students are encouraged to choose a manuscript tailored to their personal research interests. Technical training will be set in the context of the cultural history of writing in the medieval West.

The module encourages students to realise that the methods and concepts of literary and social theory are not alien to the study of medieval manuscripts. The emphasis will be on Latin manuscripts and documents, but students with a special interest in Middle English or another vernacular can be given extra training if required. Any student having no prior knowledge of Latin is required to attend the Latin for Beginners course.