Medieval Studies 240: Scrolls in the Middle Ages

Thomas Forrest Kelly and Beverly M. Kienzle (Divinity School)
Medieval scrolls continued to be made far into the era of the codex. They were used for reasons of format or solemnity, and to serve a variety of purposes (archival, legal, musical, and poetical). This seminar will study the phenomenon of the rotulus (scroll) and will prepare an exhibition at the Houghton Library of the fascinating and important scrolls in the Harvard libraries' collections. The course will meet at Houghton Library, with visits to other sites including the Morgan Library and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Experience with Latin paleography is desirable but not required.

Primarily for Graduates