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Resource Guides
 

MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORY

Compiled by Ronald Crown, D.Phil., M.S.L.S.
Theological Studies Liaison Librarian
Updated October 25, 2006

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This guide identifies resources for the study of medieval church history found in Pius XII Memorial Library. The guide is intended for use by both beginning or advanced graduate students and faculty. It includes both English language and foreign language titles and includes general resources in Medieval Studies to supplement traditional theologically and ecclesiastically oriented sources. The annotations are intended to provide basic information or to supplement information found in the printed sources listed under RESEARCH GUIDES/BIBLIOGRAPHIES. To facilitate access to the information in these printed sources, cross references, including page and/or entry numbers have been included in many of the annotations.
 

CONTENTS


RESEARCH GUIDES/BIBLIOGRAPHIES: [Theology] [Medieval Studies]
GENERAL THEOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS/DICTIONARIES/MEDIEVAL
SPECIALIZED ENCYCLOPEDIAS/DICTIONARIES/MEDIEVAL
ONE VOLUME ENCYCLOPEDIAS/DICTIONARIES/MEDIEVAL
CHRONOLOGY
INDEXES/SERIAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES [Print] [Electronic]
MANUSCRIPTS AND EDITIONS
TRANSLATIONS
FULL TEXT DATABASES
INTERNET RESOURCES [WWW] [Discussion Lists] [Search]
 

RESEARCH GUIDES/BIBLIOGRAPHIES


Theology

Gorman, G.E. and Lyn Gorman. Theological and Religious Reference Materials: General Resources and Biblical Studies. Westport, CT and London: Greenwood Press, 1984.
     Ref. BS511.2.G67 1984

_____. Theological and Religious Reference Materials: Systematic Theology and Church History. Westport, CT and London: Greenwood Press, 1985.
     Ref. BR95.G67 1985
The two previous titles are the most comprehensive research guides for theology in English, at least up to their respective dates of publication. The tables of contents are virtually useless; to find information pertaining to a medieval topic, you should use the subject index under headings beginning with the word "medieval" or (in the volume on Systematic Theology and Church history) look at subheadings for "medieval" under the main index entry "history" or use a more specific subject heading.

Johnston, William M. Recent Reference Books in Religion: A Guide for Students, Scholars, Researchers, Buyers, & Readers. 2nd ed. Chicago and London: Fitzroy-Dearborn Publishers, 1998.
     Ref. Z7751.J654 1998
When you get past the trendy essay on "The Postmodern Revolution in Reference Books" and the problematic "Phenomenology of Types" of reference tools (the author tries to establish twenty-two distinct types of reference tools), there is actually some quite useful information for both beginners and advanced scholars in this book. Includes discussion of scope, strengths, weaknesses and competitors of each reference tool covered. Often quite opinionated and all the more enjoyable (though not necessarily more reliable) for that. Reference tools pertaining to different "Periods of Church History" are covered on pp. 172ff.; the "Medieval Church (313-1400)" is covered on pp. 185ff.

Kepple, Robert J. and John R. Muether. Reference Works for Theological Research. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD; New York; London: University Press of America, 1991.
     Ref. BR118.R441 1991
See ch. 26, "Medieval Church History," pp. 141-143.

McCabe, James Patrick. Critical Guide to Catholic Reference Books. 3rd ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1989.
     Ref. BX1751.2.M3 1989
See the section on medieval church history on pp. 219-223. The sections on "The Lives of the Saints" (pp. 49-56), "The Papacy" (pp. 230-238), "Councils" (238-243) and "Religious Orders" (pp. 243-260) also contain potentially relevant material.

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Medieval Studies


Berlioz, Jacques et al. L'atelier du medieviste: identifier sources et citations. Brepols, 1994.
    CB351.I32 1994
Intended to provide assistance in identifying various aspects of medieval source documents; there are chapters inter alia on the Latin Bible and glossa, Latin and Greek translations from Arabic and Hebrew, liturgical citations, canon law, conciliar and synodal decisions, lives of saints and hagiographical motifs, sermons, exempla, and iconographic sources. Contains much useful information including basic introductory material and both primary and secondary bibliography. The following list of sections from the first chapter ("La Bible latine et les gloses") will give an idea of the type of material presented. 1. Essential bibliography, including works of introduction and the principle instruments of research. 2. Historical outline of the Latin Bible including fundamental bibliography, a sketch of the major stages, important editions and databases. 3. How to locate a citation from the Latin Bible including lists of concordances for the primary sources (i.e. Vulgate, vetus latina, Septuagint) and how to access information on intermediate sources (church fathers, liturgical or encyclopedic sources, alternate readings in medieval sources). 4. Glossa including a sketch of the history of glossing the biblical text, editions of the Glossa and bibliography.

Boyce, Gray Cowan, comp. and ed. Literature of Medieval History 1930-1975: A Supplement to Louis John Paetow's A Guide to the Study of Medieval History. 5 vols. Millwood, NY: Kraus International Publications.
     Ref. D117 .B69 1980 Suppl.
Supplements (but does not replace) Paetow's Guide with more emphasis given to the needs of advanced students and scholars. Organized similarly to Paetow.

Caenegem. R. C. van. Introduction aux Sources de l'Histoire Medievale. Turnholti: Brepols, 1997.
     Ref. D117 .C23313 1997
Translation and update of Guide to the Sources of Medieval History (available at Vat. Film Ref. D117 .C2213 1978). Five sections: "Typology of the Sources of Medieval History," "Libraries and Archives," "Great Collections and Repertories of Sources," "Reference Works for the Study of Medieval Texts," and "Bibliographical Introduction to the Auxiliary Science of History," (e.g. diplomatic, paleography, numismatics, etc.)

Chevalier, U. Repertoire des sources historiques du moyen age: bio-bibliographie. 2nd ed. 2 vols. Paris: Alphonse Picard et Fils, 1905-07.
     Ref. Z6203.C53

_____. Repertoire des sources historiques du moyen age: topo-bibliographie. 2 vols. Paris, 1894-1903.
     Ref. Z6203.C522
The two Chevalier guides provide bibliography for persons and for places and things (listed alphabetically) respectively. "They are invaluable guides...but are difficult to use because no attempt has been made to weed out worthless material. Good and bad, old and new, accounts are jumbled together in long alphabetical lists." (Paetow). Useful for older biblography and for that especially obscure name or place.

Crosby, Everett U., C. Julian Bishko and Robert L. Kellog. Medieval Studies: A Bibliographical Guide. New York and London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1983.
     Ref. CB31.C76
Topically arranged (see the detailed table of contents) listing of about 9,000 reference books and monographs. Most entries have brief (one or two sentences) annotations. Intended to cover the "major collections of sources and the secondary literature considered to be of basic importance for the history and the culture of the western European Middle Ages, Byzantium, and medieval Islamic civilization." (Introduction)

Gullath, Brigitte and Frank Heidtmann. Wie Finde Ich Altertumswissenschaftliche Literature: Klassische Philologie, Mittel- und Neulatein, Byzantinistik, Alte Geschichte und Klassische Archaeologie. Berlin: Verlag Arno Spitz GmbH, 1992.
     Ref. PA91.G85 1992
Primarily a guide for classical studies, listed here because of relevant sections on "Mittel- und Neulateinische Philologie," covering the period 500-1500 and "Byzantinistik und Neugriechische Philologie."

Paetow, Louis John. A Guide to the Study of Medieval History. revised and corrected edition. Millwood, NY: Kraus Reprint, 1980.
     Ref. D117.P284 1980
The classic guide to medieval studies (originally appeared in 1917), still useful but must be supplemented by more recent guides. Classified arrangement; each topic begins with a list of major themes, events, etc. followed by recommended background reading, more detailed accounts, original sources, maps, etc., followed by more extensive bibliography.

Potthast, August. Bibliotheca Historica Medii Aevi: Wegwiser durch die Geschichtswerke des europaeischen Mittelalters bis 1500. 2 vols. 2nd ed. Berlin: W. Weber, 1896.
     Ref. Z6203.P87
"A stupendous undertaking devoted to the classification of the primary sources of medieval history" (Paetow, p. 7). "The standard reference guide to medieval sources." (Crosby et al). The first of two parts lists printed collections of medieval sources both for Europe in general and for individual countries. The second part lists alphabetically medieval authors and their works including lists of manuscripts, editions, translations and secondary sources (books and articles). Though now somewhat obsolete, still useful for access to nineteenth century scholarship and for those authors or titles not yet covered by the Reportium Fontium Historiae Medii Aevi (see next title).

Repertorium Fontium Historiae Medii Aevi: primum ab Augusto Potthast digestum, nunc cura collegii historicorum e pluribus nationibus emendatum et auctum. Rome: Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo, 1962- (in progress).
     Ref. Z6203.R4
Intended to replace Potthast's Bibliotheca Historica Medii Aevi; the latest fascicle published extends coverage through the letters O. The first volume is a much expanded version of Part I of Potthast, including many printed sources either not mentioned by Potthast or which have only appeared since. The remaining volumes list medieval writings alphabetically by author (or title if the author is unknown) with references to manuscripts, editions, translations, facsimilies and secondary literature. Covers a wider scope of literature than Potthast (who focused on strictly historical sources) by including works of theology, philosophy, law, economics, art and literature. A supplemental volume adds to the list of printed sources in volume 1. See also Berlioz et al, L'Atelier du Medieviste 1, p. 34.

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GENERAL THEOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS/DICTIONARIES/MEDIEVAL


Baudrillart, Alfred, Albert Vogt and Urbain Rouzies, founding eds. Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Geographie Ecclesiastiques. Paris: Letouzey et Ane, 1912- .
     Ref. BR95.C2
Begun in 1909 and not yet even halfway through the alphabet; latest fascicle covers Julien de Cividale-Kalamona. See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 191f. (D0252): Kepple, Reference Works, p. 132 (BA13); Johnston, Reference Books, p.163f.; McCabe, Critical Guide, p. 213 (E8).

Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz and Traugott Bautz, eds. Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon. 19 vols. Verlag Traugott Bautz, 1975- .
     Ref. BR1700.2.B38 1975
"The ultimate who's who of Christianity assembles overwhelming bibliographies in an up-to-date format." (Johnston, Recent Reference Books, p. 80). See also Kepple, Reference Works, p. 132 (BA14); Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 192 (D0253). An on-line version is available at http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/."

Kasper, Walter et al, eds. Lexikon fur Theologie und Kirche. 3rd ed. 11 vols. Freiburg; Basel; Rome; Vienna: Herder, 1993-2001.
     Ref. BR95.L48 1993
The third edition of the classic German Catholic theological encyclopedia. See Johnston, Reference Books, pp. 158-159.

Krause, Gerhard and Gerhard Muller, eds. Theologische Realenzyklopadie. Berlin and New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1977- .
     Ref. BR95.T47
Latest fascicle covers Theologie, Christliche-Todesstrafe. See Kepple, Reference Works, p. 13 (C12); Johnston, Reference Books, p. 74. Useful for its lengthy articles on persons and themes and excellent bibliographies; not useful for looking up that isolated fact.

Livingstone, E.A., ed. Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
     Ref. BR95.O8 1974
A new edition of the standard one-volume reference work for church history. For information on the second edition, see Kepple, Reference Works, p. 131 (BA8); Johnston, Reference Books, p. 72f.

Vacant, A, E. Mangenot and E. Amann, eds. Dictionnaire de Theologie Catholique. 15 vols. in 30. Paris: Letouzey et Ane, 1930-1950.
     Ref. BX841.D68
See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 58 (C0299); Johnston, Reference Books, p. 163; McCabe, Critical Guide, p. 92f. (B185).

Viller, M., founding ed. et al. Dictionnaire de Spiritualite, Ascetique et Mystique, Doctrine et Histoire. 17 vols. Paris: Beauchesne, 1937-1995.
     Ref. BX841.D67
See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 58 (C0310); Johnston, Reference Books, p. 132f.; McCabe, Critical Guide, p. 118f. (B316).

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SPECIALIZED ENCYCLOPEDIAS/DICTIONARIES/MEDIEVAL


Kazhdan, Alexander P., ed. The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. 3 vols. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.
     Ref. DF521.O03 1991
According to the preface, this is the "first attempt to collect within a single work data concerning all fields of Byzantine studies." Perhaps because of this attempt at comprehensiveness, religious history is deemphasized. Though useful, usually possible to obtain fuller coverage in either the Lexikon des Mittelalters (see next entry) or Dictionary of the Middle Ages. See Johnston, Reference Books, p. 171.

Lexikon des Mittelalters. 10 vols. Munich and Zurich: Artemis, 1977- 1999.
     Ref. D101.5.L49
The most comprehensive encyclopedia of the middle ages in any language. Has a more scholarly thrust than the Dictionary of the Middle Ages (see below). Excellent bibliographies. See Johnston, Reference Books, p. 185f.

Strayer, Joseph R., ed. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. 13 vols. New York: Scribner's, 1982-1989.
     Ref. D114.D5 1982
See the discussion in Johnston, Reference Books, p. 186-187. The most comprehensive English-language encyclopedia for the medieval period. Although (or perhaps, because) it covers a well-nigh comprehensive range of medieval topics, it does better at offering introductory surveys than penetrating research. Nevertheless, a good starting point, especially to become familiar with medieval topics new to you. Has an excellent index volume.

Vauchez, Andre, ed. Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. 2 vols. Chicago and London: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 2000.
     Ref. D114.5.L49
Translation of Dictionnaire Encyclopedique du Moyen Age (available in Vat. Film Ref. CB351.D5 1997); compared to the Dictionary of the Middle Ages and Lexikon des Mittelalters coverage is restricted to "medieval Christendom" and "peoples and religions that were in contact with it" including Jews and Muslims. Written primarily for a European audience and intended to help such an audience "identify with an inheritance that still marks their way of life and some of whose aspects still charms them, but whose meaning escapes them," the encyclopedia gives a privileged place to philosophy, theology, spirituality, liturgy and iconography."

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ONE VOLUME ENCYCLOPEDIAS/DICTIONARIES/MEDIEVAL


Bunson, Matthew E. Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1995.
     Ref. D114.B86 1995
Mostly brief entries primarily useful (to the advanced student) for quick verification of a fact, etc. Includes a "Chronology of Medieval History, 410-1492", three appendices listing "Rulers of Medieval Europe," "Dynasties of Medieval Islam," and "Rulers of Medieval Islam," a "Glossary of Medieval Terms," and a suggested reading list.

Dahmus, Joseph. Dictionary of Medieval Civilization. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1984.
     Ref. CB351.D24 1984
Like the previous entry, another ready reference source with brief entries, definitions of terms, etc.

Dinzelbacher, Peter. Sachwoerterbuch der Mediaevistik. Stuttgart: Alfred Kroner Verlag, 1992.
     Ref. D114.S24 1992
Much work on the medieval period is, of course, in German; this title may be especially useful when consulting other German reference works or reading German monographs and articles.

Fauvier, Jean. Dictionnaire de la France Medievale. Librairie Artheme Fayard, 1993.
     Ref. DE60.6F38 1993

Grabois, Aryeh. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Medieval Civilization. London: Octopus Books, Ltd.; New York: Mayflower Books Inc., 1980.
     Ref. CB353.G7
Intended for the general reader, probably of greatest potential use as a source of illustrations.

Le Goff, Jacques and Jean-Claude Schmitt, eds. Dictionnaire Raisonne de L'Occiedent Medieval. Librairie Artheme Fayard, 1999.
     Ref. CB351.L414 1999
A collection of 82 essays on a variety of topics of interests to medievalists; church historians will find useful essays on such topics as "Bible," "Cathedrale," "Clercs et Laics," "Eglise et Papaute," "Heresie," etc.

Loyn, H. R., ed. The Middle Ages: A Concise Encyclopedia. London: Thames and Hudson, 1989.
     Ref. CB351.M565 1989
Useful as a ready reference tool and for the 250 illustrations.

Pulsiano, Phillip, ed. Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia. New York and London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1993.
     Ref. DL30.M43 1993
Similar in treatment to the Dictionary of the Middle Ages, but more detailed for the geographical region covered (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) and more up to date bibliographically. Similar volumes are now available for Medieval France (Ref. DC33.2.M44 1995), Medieval England (Ref. DA129.M43 1998), Medieval Germany (Ref. DD126.M43 2001), Medieval Iberia (Ref. DP99.M33 2003), and Medieval Jewish Civilization (Ref. DS124.M386 2003).

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CHRONOLOGY


Storey, R. L. Chronology of the Medieval World 800 to 1491. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994 (rep. of 1973 ed.).
     Ref. D118.S855 1994
Although many of the encyclopedias listed in the previous section contain chronological tables, this is probably the most comprehensive chronology for the time period covered. Left-hand pages list political events, right-hand pages cover religious, intellectual and artistic developments. Events are dated to the precise day, month, season or year if possible, otherwise, a general indication is given. For chronology prior to 800 see H.E.L. Mellersh, Chronology of the Ancient World 10,000 B.C. to A.D. 799 (Ref. D 54.5.M45 1994) which follows the same format.

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INDEXES/SERIAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES


The following two sources list indexes/serial bibliographies of relevance for medieval church history:

Rouse, Richard H. Serial Bibliographies for Medieval Studies. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1969.
     Ref. Z6203.R66
Annotated listing of 283 serial publications containing ongoing bibliographies useful to the medievalist. Some information may be dated but still useful. See especially Ch. 8 ("Ecclesiastical History") and Ch. 8 ("Intellectual History").

Walsh, Michael J., compiler. Religious Bibliographies in Serial Literature: A Guide. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1981.
     Ref. BL48.W25 1981
Annotated listing of 178 serial publications containing ongoing bibliographies covering all fields of religion and theology. For bibliographies on medieval church history, see the subject index under "Medieval Studies" or other relevant entries.

Printed Indexes/Serial Bibliographies

The following indexes/serial bibliographies are presented as a sample of what is available to the student of medieval church history. Many more examples may be found in the two sources listed above

L'Annee Philologique. 1924- .
     Ref. Z7016.M35A on East Index Shelves
The primary bibliography for classical studies and thus covering, in the main, "pre-medieval" topics; nevertheless very useful for "early medieval" topics and figures (e.g. Augustine and Boethius). Indexes editions, translations, conference proceedings, monographs, and articles. See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 140 (D0011); Kepple, Reference Works, p. 98 (AA14); Rouse, Serial Bibliographies, p. 121f. (#251); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, pp. 15-17 (#13). The volumes covering the years 1974-1989 can be searched on The Database of Classical Bibliography on CD-ROM; inquire at the reference desk.

Bibliographia Internationalis Spiritualitatis. 1966- .
     BX2350.2.B542
The focus of this annual bibliography is indicated by the title. Covers all aspects of spirituality, asceticism, monasticism, and related subjects. There is a section covering "Historia Spiritualitatis" containing sub-sections on the medieval period (defined as eighth-thirteenth centuries) and the histories of particular religious orders. See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 7 (C0023); McCabe, Critical Guide, p. 116 (B302); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, p. 40f. (#35).

Bulletin Annuelle du Moyen Age Tardif. 1991- .
     Ref. D113.B53
Covers Latin authors and texts from 1250 to 1500. See Berlioz, L' Atelier du Medieviste, p. 36.

Bibliographie Internationale de l'Humanisme et de la Renaissance. 1966- .
     Ref. Z6207.R4B5 on East Index Shelves
Annual index of books, articles and congresses covering virtually all aspects of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Some problems with currency, the gap between a volume's publication date and its date of coverage is usually about four years (e.g. the volume published in 2001 covers items published in 1997). See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 8 (C0025); Walsh, Religous Bibliographies, p. 45f. (#39); Rouse, Serial Bibliographies, p. 4 (#4).

Bulletin de Theologie Ancienne et Medievale. 1929- .
     BR3.B85
The first four volumes (1929-1933) were published as part of the journal Recherches de Theologie Ancienne et Medievale. Each volume consists of several fascicles appearing over several years. Indexes appear only after a volume is complete; without the index, the user must resort to browsing. All entries are abstracted; some of the abstracts amount to mini-reviews. Can be useful as a sort of "current awareness" service but not recommended as a basic research tool. See Kepple, Reference Works, p. 136 (BB7); Mccabe, Critical Guide, p. 62 (B24); Gorman, General Resources, p. 68 (A0198); Rouse, Serial Bibliographies, p. 103f. (#213); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, p. 67f. (57).

Bulletin Signaletique. 1970-1994.
     BR1.A1B844
This index ceased print publication with the 1994 volume so it provides coverage only for the years indicated above. Covers religion in general but the bulk of coverage relates to Christianity with some coverage of Judaism and Islam. See the detailed tables of contents (in French or English); there are sections on "Medieval Church" and "Medieval Judaism". Also has a good subject index (in French). See Kepple, Reference Works, p. 63 (M13); Gorman, General Resources, p. 68f. (A0199); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, pp. 71-73 (#61).

Byzantinische Zeitschrift. 1980- .
     DF501.B78
This journal publishes a regular bibliographical section including books, articles and essays on the Byzantine period (345-1453). Occasional annotations and references to reviews. See Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, p. 73f. (#62)

"Elenchus Bibliographicus" in Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses. 1924- .
     BR1.A1E55
Published as the second of three annual issues of the journal. Organized according to the categories of systematic (dogmatic) theology but there is a section on "Historia theologiae et theologorum" containing a sub-section on the "scholastic period" (Aetas scolastica). See also the excellent Index Historiae Theologiae at the end of the volume listing names of historical figures; the first section of this index groups patristic and medieval figures together. Vols. 1-34 (1924-1958) are on microfilm. Provides the most current form of access to European theological literature (more comprehensive than the ATLA Religion Database in its coverage of foreign theological literature). See Kepple, Reference Works, p. 63 (M12); Gorman, General Resources, p. 78 (A0251); McCabe, Critical Guide, p. 62 (B28); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, pp. 95-97 (#83).

International Medieval Bibliography. 1967- .
     Ref. Z6203.I63
Indexes articles and review-articles (but not book reviews per se) in approximately 800 journals as well as essays in Festschriften, conference proceedings and other collections. Each volume is organized topically but has a general index as well. Now available on CD-ROM; see below. Inquire at reference desk. See Gorman, SystematicTheology and Church History, p. 168 (D0141); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, p. 115f. (#101)

Medioevo Latino. 1979- .
     Ref.O'size PN661.M4
Classified bibliography of primary and secondary sources in medieval studies, often with extensive annotations. Indexes of authors and manuscripts.

Revue d'Histoire Ecclesiastique: Bibliographie. 1900- .
     Ref. BX940.5 R5
The bibliographies appearing in every issue (with exceptions to be noted) of the journal Revue d'Histoire Ecclesiastique are taken out and bound together to be shelved in the Reference collection. The exceptions are the bibliographies in vols. 1-15 and 17-20 which will be found in the bound volumes of the periodical itself at BX940.R5. See Gorman, Systematic Theology and Church History, p. 180 (D0194); Kepple, Reference Works, p. 130 (BA7); McCabe, Critical Guide, p. 212 (E2); Rouse, Serial Bibliographies, p. 69f. (#141); Walsh, Religious Bibliographies, pp. 173-175 (#152).

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Electronic indexes/serial bibliographies

ATLA Religion Database. 1949- . Database Network
     General theological database, covers journal articles and book reviews from 1949 and essays in books from 1960. Updated twice a year.

Catholic Periodical and Literature Index. 1980- . Database Network
     Covers Catholic journals and book-essays. For pre-1980 material consult the printed volumes at Ref. AI3.C32. Updated once a year, so you made need to consult one of the recent, quarterly printed issues for the most current indexing.

International Medieval Bibliography.
      Online version of printed index described above. Available at http://www.slu.edu/libraries/pius/databases/dbdesc/imb.html.

The Philosopher's Index. 1940- . Reference Desk
      General philosophy index limited to English language books and articles, now available on CD-ROM in the Reference Department. Updated quarterly. I.D. is required for in-library use of CD-ROM on a stand-alone workstation. Inquire at reference desk.

Religious and Theological Abstracts on CD-ROM. 1958- . Reference Desk
     General theological database covering journal articles only from 1958. Covers fewer journals than the ATLA Religion Database but is valuable for the abstracts. I.D. required for in-library use of CD-ROM on a stand-alone workstation. Inquire at reference desk.

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MANUSCRIPTS AND EDITIONS

The Vatican Film Library, housed in Pius XII Library, is one of the premier centers for manuscript research in the U.S. The library has both a large collection of manuscripts on microfilm and a reference collection to support manuscript research. For more information on the collection, visit the Vatican Film Library homepage at http://www.slu.edu/libraries/vfl/.

The Stanford University Library's Medieval Pages have a Manuscripts page and Georgetown University's Labyrinth has a page for Manuscripts, Paleography and Codicology.

The sources listed below are only a small sampling of the electronic and print resources available either in the Vatican Film Library or Pius XII Library.

In Principio: Incipit Index of Latin Texts. Reference Department
      Database of 750,000 incipits (first few words of text). I.D. required for in-library use of CD-ROM on stand-alone workstation. Inquire at the reference desk.

Iter Italicum on CD-ROM. Vatican Film Library
      Electronic version of Paul Kristeller's multivolume listing of "uncatalogued or incompletely catalogued humanistic manuscripts of the Renaissance in Italian and other libraries" (to borrow from the subtitle of the printed work). The printed volumes may also be consulted in the Vatican Film Library Reference collection.

Kristeller, Paul Oskar. Latin Manuscript Books Before 1600: A List of the Printed Catalogues and Unpublished Inventories of Extant Collections. 4th ed. revised and enlarged by Sigrid Kraemer. Muenchen: Monumenta Germaniae Historica, 1993.
     Vat. Film Ref. Z6601.A1K7 1993.
Essentially a catalogue of manuscript catalogues. This tool will not identify manuscripts of individual writers but identifies catalogues where such information may be found. Four sections: "Bibliography and Statistics of Libraries and their Collections of Manuscripts," "Works Describing Manuscripts of More than One City," "Printed Catalogues and Handwritten Inventories of Individual Libraries, by Cities," and "Directories and Guides to Libraries and Archives."

Schoenberger, Rolf and Brigitte Kible. Reportium edierter Texte des Mittelalters aus dem Berich der Philosophie und angrenzender Gebiete. Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 1994.
     B721.S33 1994
A bibliography, listing in alphabetical order by the Latinized form of a medieval author's name, the primary critical editions of medieval authors from Alcuin to Nicholas of Cua (800-1450). The "Philosophie" of the title is interpreted broadly and includes most if not all titles of theological relevance; the only types of texts that are deliberately excluded are texts of primarily literary or scientific (astronomy, medicine) character. Includes translations and dual-language editions.

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TRANSLATIONS


Sources of information about translations of medieval texts may be found in the following sources listed previously under RESEARCH GUIDES/BIBLIOGRAPHIES: Crosby, Medieval Studies, pp. 27f. and Boyce, Literature of Medieval History, vol. 1, p. 44f. Listed below are two bibliographies of English translations of medieval texts.

Farrar, Clarissa P. and Austin P. Evans. Bibliography of English Translations from Medieval Sources. New York: Columbia University Press, 1946.
     Ref. Z6517.F3

Ferguson, Mary Anne Heyward. Bibliography of English Translations from Medieval Sources, 1943-1967. New York and London: Columbia University Press, 1974.
     Ref. Z6517.F47

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FULL TEXT DATABASES



Archive of Celtic-Latin Literature.
Vatican Film Library
     Contains Celtic-Latin literature (i.e., from Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and Scotland) of the patristic and medieval periods (ca. 400-1200 A.D.).

CETEDOC Library of Christian Latin Texts. Reference Department (check out disks for in-library use at Reference Desk, I.D. required)
      Full text database of modern critical editions of Latin patristic and medieval Christian texts on two CD-ROM disks; one disk contains patristic texts (texts dated to 735 A.D.); the second disk contains medieval texts (dated 736 A.D. to the end of the fifteenth century). The majority of the editions are from Corpus Christianorum but other sources drawn upon include Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiastorum Latinorum, Sources Chretiennes , Migne's Patrologia Cursus Completus: Series Prima, Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Acta Sanctorum, and other miscellaneous editions. The disk containing patristic writings also includes the text of the 1975 Stuttgart edition of the Vulgate and texts of selected Latin Old Testament pseudepigrapha drawn from various sources.

Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Vatican Film Library
      Electronic version of part of the Monumenta Germaniae Historica, a series of critical editions of medieval texts. The first release of the database contains texts from only eighteen of the more than 300 volumes now published as part of this series. Updates are planned annually; each is to contain a comparable amount of new material to that available on the initial release until the entire series is available on CD-ROM. There is an online guide to using the MGH CD-ROM at http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/medieval/EMGHQG.HTM. For information on the printed series, see Paetow, Literature of Medieval History, p. 128 (#978) and the other sources of information there indicated; Crosby et al, Medieval Studies, p. 180. Information is also available at the MGH website at www.mgh.de/.

Patrologia Latina Database. Reference Department (check out disks for in-library use at Reference Desk, I.D. required)
      Contains the complete text (including apparatus) of Migne's Patrologia Cursus Completus: Series Prima on five CD-ROM disks. Also available online at http://pld.chadwyck.com for Saint Louis University users only. See Berlioz, L'atelier du medieviste: identifier sources et citations, chapter 18, pp. 279-294 for an introduction to the Patrologia Cursus Completus: Series Latina. Especially useful for its description of the indexes found in many of the individual volumes and the listing of the 235 (!) indexes found in the supplemental volumes (218-221).

Thesaurus Linguae Graecae. Reference Department (check out disk for in-library use at Reference Desk, I.D. required)
      Full text database of classical, patristic and medieval Greek literature. For more information on the TLG project visit the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae home page at www.tlg.uci.edu/.

Thomae Aquinatis Opera Omnia cum hypertextibus in CD-ROM. 2nd ed. Reference Department (check out disk for in-library use at Reference Desk, I.D. required)
      Full text of the 118 writings of Aquinas and of 61 writings of other medieval authors "belonging to the same cultural milieu."

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INTERNET RESOURCES


World Wide Web

The Internet is rich in resources for medieval studies. Several sites are listed below; most of these will lead to many further sites of potential interest and/or usefulness.

Stanford University Library Medieval Pages.
     http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/medieval/medieval.html
Based on Stanford's printed library guide for medieval studies. Includes sections on Source Collections (including Authors and Texts), General Bibliographies and Guides, Encyclopedias, Indexes and Abstracts, National Historical Bibliography, Manuscripts and Early Printed Books, Electronic Texts, Images and Exhibitions and other websites. There are also subject bibliographies including inter alia those for Church History, Reformation, and Saints.

Research Tools of Medieval History.
     http://the-orb.net/bibliographies/rtools.html
An unannotated bibliography including. Includes "Basic Tools," "Diplomatics and Paleography," "Great National and Other Source Collections," "Letters and Letter Collections," "Administrative and Legal Records," "Agrarian Records," "Fiscal Records," "Lists of Persons," "Records of Accounts," and "Manuscripts and Archival Sources."

Byzantium: Byzantine Studies on the Internet.
     http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/
The focus is on Byzantine studies, naturally, but contains much that is of interest for the medieval church historian. Contents include information on the annual Byzantine Studies conference, course syllabi and outlines, shareware available over the Internet, bibliographies, full texts, images, articles, book reviews, list of discussion lists relevant for Byzantine studies and many links to other web resources.

The Labyrinth: A World Wide Web Server for Medieval Studies.
     http://www.georgetown.edu /labyrinth/labyrinth-home.html
Based at Georgetown University; intended as a "global information network providing free organized access to electronic resources in medieval studies through a World Wide Web server at Georgetown university. The Labyrinth's easy-to-use menus and hyper-text links provide automatic connections to databases, services, and electronic texts on other servers around the world" (to quote from the project's self-description). There are sections devoted to Philosophy and Theology and Church History but the historian of medieval church history will find much of potential relevance in other sections as well.

Online Medieval Sources Bibliography
     http://medievalsourcesbibliography.org
This site provides a searchable bibliographic database of those medieval texts (including both non-literary texts such as letters, wills, etc. and literary texts) now available in printed or online editions and translations. The entries in the bibliography are annotated with information on genre, contents, original language, and information about the published version. Entries also include links to sources that are online.

Online Reference Book for Medieval Studies.
     http://www.the-orb.net/
An effort by medievalists to produce an "online textbook source for medieval studies on the World Wide Web." The site includes an "encyclopedia" of original essays (including several on religion), resources for teaching, bibliographies, and an especially valuable, alphabetized (by author) list of full-text ancient and medieval sources, the ORB Library Connection.

Internet Medieval Sourcebook.
     http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html
Located a Fordham University, this is another good site for access to full-text. There is a section of "Selected Sources" designed to be used as a teaching aid, a section of "Full Text Sources," a listing of sources by type, and a third section on "Saints Lives."

A Guide to Thirteenth Century Theologians.
     http://home.sandiego.edu/~macy/index.html
A bibliography of primary and secondary sources relating to about ninety twelfth and thirteenth century theologicans divided into "Secular Masters," "Dominican Masters," and "Franciscan Masters."

Discussion Lists

A good way of getting started on the Internet is to join an electronic discussion group relevant to a subject in which you are interested. Once you become familiar with the temper and tone (not to mention the daily volume of messages), discussion lists can be good sources of information not just for that particular subject but for the Internet itself.

MEDIEV-L is a very active list devoted to medieval history. To subscribe send the message subscribe MEDIEV-L firstname lastname to listserv@ukanvm.cc.ukans.edu.

MEDIEVAL-RELIGION, as the name implies, is devoted to religious topics in particular. Note the different command for joining this list: join medieval-religion firstname lastname sent to this address:mailbase@mailbase.ac.uk

Information on other discussion lists, many of them very specialized, can be found at either the Byzantine Studies or Labyrinth sites mentioned above.

Searching The Internet For Medieval Sources

In an attempt to cut down on the amount of chaff more specialized searchers have to wade through when searching the popular search engines on the Internet such as Yahoo! or Lycos, University of Evansville Professor Anthony Beavers and an editorial team of academics have created Ecole, a search engine limited to preselected web sites deemed by the editors to be scholarly and relevant to the study of the ancient and medieval worlds. Ecole can be found at http://ecole.evansville.edu/.

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Last modified on September 21, 2007 by Ronald Crown, D.Phil., M.S.L.S., Theological Studies Liaison Librarian


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