Where to find medieval sources online
Finding historical sources for the medieval period of history can often be challenging because many documents survive only in scattered archives, or are written in difficult languages, or exist in fragile manuscripts that are not easy to access.
As a result, students and researchers can struggle to locate reliable material without knowing where exactly to look.
However, online tools have made this task far easier by bringing together things like translated texts, academic articles, and curated databases into digital collections hosted by universities and historical organisations.
Thankfully, this means that they now provide convenient access to sources that were once available only to specialists.
Below are some general resources for finding sources for Medieval History. However, there are also dedicated sections for:
Primary Sources
Fordham University provides a list of links to online primary sources from the medieval era.
The Labyrinth provides free, organized access to resources in medieval studies. The Labyrinth’s easy-to-use links provide connections to databases, services, texts, and images around the world.
The sources on this page draw from the sacred texts of all three traditions, covering the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Qurʼan.
Medieval Catholic Church Sources
These sources cover the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire to the growth of monasteries, bishops, councils, and Church wealth during the Middle Ages.
This collection of sources presents different views on early Islam and the society in which it began.
The sources examine the religious disagreements, political rivalries, and differences that contributed to the break between Rome and Constantinople.
This has a range of historical sources on the Normans, from their Scandinavian settlement in northern France to their conquest of England and expansion into Sicily.
The sources below provide a valuable insight into the life and travels of Marco Polo, one of the most famous European travellers of the medieval period.
Secondary Sources
A website offering a range of academic and popular articles regarding the Middle Ages.
An online academic database used by universities worldwide that is a superb resource for History students. To view full articles, you will require membership.
Medieval History Flipboard Magazine
A collection of online articles and news reports about the Middle Ages.
Please Note: Some internet browsers do not handle the Flipboard website very well, and it is sometimes better to have the Flipboard App on your device to view the magazine.
This searches internet sites for academic articles and books. It often only provides one or two pages, but it is often enough to find quotes and bibliographical details.
Search millions of free academic articles, chapters, and theses.