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Medieval Studies: A Resource Guide

The medieval era roughly corresponds to the 1,000 years between 500 and 1500. This research guide provides an overview of materials held by the Library of Congress as well as databases and external resources on the subject.

Introduction

Medieval studies is an interdisciplinary field which refers to the history of Europe from fall of the Western Roman Empire until the emergence of the Renaissance in northern Europe in the early sixteenth century. It is multifaceted by nature and touches on a wide array of subjects. These include art, architecture, philosophy, history, medicine, science, philology, cartography, demography, religion, and many others. This guide seeks to connect researchers with materials in the Library of Congress which relate to all topics of the middle ages. It also highlights the vast collection of incunabula (the largest collection in the western hemisphere) in the custody of the Library's Rare Books and Special Collections Division.

Selections of late medieval manuscripts and incunabula