My goal in creating this assignment is complex. I’ve become convinced that one of the best ways to capture the imagination of students interested in history is to present them with historical, i.e. old things. Because I’m especially keen on their learning that history is a finding-out discipline, I want to turn that approach to old things into research. Although archaic materials such as Special Collections presents to the students are difficult and potentially repellent, the Textual Report allows them to break down the barrier to reading and coping with the text and clears the ground for more effective intellectual engagements.
-Gary Shaw, Associate Professor of History
View the full text of the assignment as a Word 97 file
Charles Dickens. A child’s history of England. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1852-54. Vol. 1.
Thomas Fuller. The history of the worthies of England. 1st ed. London: Printed by J. G. W. L. and W. G., 1662.
William Winstanley. England’s worthies: Select lives of the most eminent persons … London: Printed for Nath. Brooke, 1660. Nathan Comfort Starr Collection of Arthuriana.
Geoffrey of Monmouth. Britanni[ae] utriusq[ue] Regu[m] … Paris: Badius, 1517. Nathan Comfort Starr Collection of Arthuriana.
Paul Rapin de Thoyras. Acta regis, or, An account of the treaties, letters and instruments between the monarchs of England and foreign powers, publish’d in Mr. Rymer’s Foedera, which are the basis of the English history, and contain those authorities which rectify the mistakes that most of our writers have committed for want of such a collection of records. Tr. from the French of M. Rapin, as publish’d by M. Le Clerc. With the heads of kings and queens, curiously engrav’d by Mr. Vandergucht. London: Printed for J. Darby …, 1726-27. Vol. 1.