IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY 17 



(b) Diplomatic ( Elementary) . — The instruction given 

 in this subject is necessarily elementary, as its chief 

 object is to assist students in acquiring a sound and 

 intelligent knowledge of mediaeval Palaeography. For 

 the same reason, the scope of the instruction is not 

 confined to purely Diplomatic documents, but includes 

 a study of the formulas of Records. 



The following headings will show the character of 

 the instruction : — 



(i) History of the study of Diplomatic. 



(2) The Evolution of the Charter (Charters, 

 Writs, under the Great and Small Seals, Sign 

 Manual Warrants, Letters, etc., formulas and 

 classification of). 



(3) Inquisitions, Accounts, Pleadings and other 

 Records, formulas and classification of. 



(4) The Chancery. 



(5) Diplomatic Criticism. 



(6) Technical Chronology. 



(7) Auxiliary Studies (Seals, etc.). 



(8) Bibliography of Diplomatic. 



{c) Historical Sources, including both MSS. and 

 printed books, form the subject matter of other 

 courses of lectures. These courses* have dealt with 

 such subjects as the History of MSS. Collections, the 

 principles of Heuristic, Classification of MSS. and 

 Historical Composition. Particulars of the several 

 courses given in recent years have been published in 

 the Calendar of the School, and detailed syllabuses 

 have been circulated. 



Each of these courses has been illustrated by the 

 exhibition or inspection of MSS. and books, by visits 

 to Public Archives and Libraries, and by the pro- 

 gressive compilation of hand-lists of MSS., and of 

 select bibliographies. 



[d) An Advanced Seminar has also been held almost 

 continuously for practical work, in connection with 



* See above, (<:), 



