Recommended Primary Sources on the web
Below is a list of reputable web sites that contain primary sources from Middle Ages. These websites can be difficult to search, but with patience and the use of good keywords you may find something useful. If you need help, use our AskUs reference services, or contact the subject specialist.
- EuroDocs : Online Sources for European History This link opens in a new windowA search in the box on the left for your keywords will give a list of pages where that term appears. Click on one of the links, and then do a ctrl-F and enter your keyword again to get to the right entry on the page.
- Avalon Project - Primary documents in law, history and diplomacyEnter keywords in the search box at the top right. Documents are arranged by time period.
- Epistolæ: Medieval Women's LettersEpistolæ is a collection of letters to and from women in the Middle Ages, from the 4th to the 13th century. The letters, written in Latin, are linked to the names of the women involved, with English translations and, where available, biographical sketches of the women and some description of the subject matter or the historic context of the letter.
- European History Primary SourcesIndex of scholarly websites that offer online access to digitized primary sources on the history of Europe. Read the brief guide to searching the portal first.
- EyeWitness To The Middle Ages and RenaissanceThis website has primary sources along with some explanatory notes. Primary sources appear in RED. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to look at the citation for the primary source. There is a search box at the top right where you can search keywords for your topic.
- Home - Icelandic Saga DatabaseThe Icelandic sagas are prose histories describing events that took place amongst the Norse and Celtic inhabitants of Iceland during the period of the Icelandic Commonwealth in the 10th and 11th centuries AD.
- Internet Medieval SourceBookSources are arranged according to region or theme, eg. Rome, France, or Renaissance, Reformation. Scroll down the column on the left to see if your topic is covered. Try a Ctrl-F and enter a key term to see if it is mentioned on the site.
- Sources > Primary sources | British History OnlineBritish History Online is the digital library containing some of the core printed primary and secondary sources for the medieval and modern history of the British Isles. Try searching in the top right search box.