Research in the field of church history: a brief how-to

This article is largely in response to a recent query about 14th and 15th century nuns. The resources for this period are somewhat scarcer than for the 13th century; however, there are a number of helpful sources. The strategies outlined in this article can be applied rather effectively to nearly any period of church history, and I hope that my readers find this delve into academia helpful. The more narrow a topic, the easier the research is. At the least, research subjects should be narrowed to either a short period of time, a single region, or a single specific topic

In order to effectively study women religious of the late Middle Ages, we must first realize that patterns of religiosity have differed from region to region. The behaviors and devotions of a German nun were likely different than those of an Italian nun or an English anchoress. Patterns of religiosity can also be identified amongst certain types of convents, i.e. Dominican or Cistercian, and types of devotion changed during the course of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. There are even significant differences from convent to convent in many cases.

The Matrix web site can be particularly helpful in locating information on specific women religious or female communities. http://matrix.bc.edu/MatrixWebData/matri... The Matrix site also includes a comprehensive bibliography. Given the prominence of mysticism among fourteenth and fifteenth century nuns, researchers interested in this period will likely find the Mystics” Internet helpful http://www.umilta.net/mystics.html .

An alternate approach to the study of female religious can take individual women as it’s starting point, for instance, a study of Italian women religious could begin with Catherine of Siena, and a study of English women religious might begin with Margery of Kempe. This is certainly a roundabout way to find sources but an effective one. Many of the writings of women religious can be found online at http://www.ccel.org .

Topical studies such as Caroline Walker Bynum’s Holy Feast, Holy Fast can also provide a starting point for the study of late medieval women religious (and Holy Feast, Holy Fast has, in fact, served as a starting point for much of my own work). Other similar starting points might include general works on the Beguines, the Poor Clares or even medieval mysticism or women mystics.

This article is intended not only to provide a starting point for the study of women religious in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, but also to provide a brief idea of research methodology within the field of church history.

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