Summer School in Digital Palaeography at the University of Göttingen

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree at UL in English and History, Laura Purcell began her PhD supervised by Carrie Griffin. It involves studying a previously unresearched early modern manuscript, the compendium of statutes, orders and decrees relating to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, which is held in the Special Collections archives of the Glucksman Library.  Laura recently attended the Summer School in Digital Palaeography at the University of Göttingen, Germany, over a two-week period to develop her digital and palaeographic skills.

Whether at the beginning of one’s training or having worked in these academic fields for many years, there is always something new to learn, as Digital Palaeography is a growing and captivating field of study. The morning sessions began with an introduction to a particular script, starting with Capital Scripts and following the evolution of scripts to Caroline Minuscule and Insular Scripts. The class participated in practical exercises in individual transcription and reading chosen texts as a group. Afternoon sessions involved working within the Special Collections and Conservation departments of Göttingen State and University Library. The highlight for Laura was the information sessions regarding Codicology and Practical Bookbinding, where they received a demonstration of how books were bound with apparatus used by medieval bookbinders.                                                                                                           

Regarding the digital aspects of the Summer School, a tour of the Digitisation Lab was given, along with Multispectral Imaging and Digital Microscopy information sessions and demonstrations. A very informative session also involved the expanding area of Automatic Transcription with a practical demonstration using eScriptorium. Participants also received introductions to coding for producing their own digital editions and publications.            

Overall, the Summer School in Digital Palaeography was an exciting, engaging, and instructional experience that Laura will carry forward to her own research. A great benefit of the school was learning from leading experts in each session, with the added bonus of learning from other participants in the course, covering a wide range of experience working with manuscripts in general. This was both an inspiring and motivating course and an unforgettable experience for Laura.