General Medieval Index Pages
These specialised link pages were once the best way to access information on the web. They are now battling to keep up with the ever-expanding range of material available. However, there is some expectation of quality in sites which are linked from these. It is worth looking at several, as they each have their individualities. The numbers of comprehensive general link sites is apparently decreasing, and more specialised link pages associated with specific projects are increasing.
NetSERF has the best name of any link page on the web and maintains a very respectable set of links under various topic headings. It has a useful hypertext medieval glossary and also maintains an interesting series of links to news items of medieval interest, so well worth an occasional visit to see what's going on the the medieval world. It is certainly worth a cruise around for any medieval topic, but it doesn't cover everything. (Nothing does!)
This page was once devoted specifically to medieval art sites, but it expanded its area of interest, providing links to a range of resources of medieval interest, including Catholic church history, documentary sources and saints. It now includes his own version of a hypertext Book of Hours, a psalter text and a calendar of saints' days, and links to other similar resources. A monument to one teacher's dedication and enthusiasm.
This is a general link page, covering useful research material in all fields. Just use the dropdown menus to locate general subject areas, or the search box to locate more specific material. There is a brief review of each site listed.
This is a general link page for western European studies. There is a Medieval and Renaissance category as well as various national sections. Give it a try. It has been given a recent makeover, and is apparently updated regularly.
This link site from the British Academy has expanded since it was first launched, but ends to provide unsorted lists in very general subject categories. Possibly useful for a serendipitous browse.
This vintage site, in web terms, from Georgetown University, was once the place where you could find most medieval sites of value. The database has not been updated from some years, and now it seems that Georgetown's own medieval resources have been removed. Strangely, it still ranks high on Google searches for medieval topics, but its coverage is now scanty and inaccurate. It is included here only as a bit of medieval web history.
This link site from Manchester University Press is a free site which complements their subscription only full text site. Sites are listed under a range of topic headings. Many are selections from other large collections such as ORB or the Medieval Sourcebook, and there are rather a lot of dud links, but you might find just the thing you are looking for.
This is a series of link pages organised hierarchically by category. It includes links to discussion groups and databases as well as various web pages. It seems to have a lot of scope, for example it has an excellent Medieval Science link page. Unfortunately, it has not been updated since 2001, and in web terms that is ancient history. Very many new sites have appeared since then, and there are masses of 404s among those that are listed.
This German language link site now has an English front end, which gets you into the lists of sites which are listed each in their own language. The main bulk of the descriptive part of the site is German, but perfectly usable by an Anglophone. It has useful lists of sites by topic area in various languages.
If you actually read French, or enough to get you into the right subject headings, this French language general medieval link site contains many refereed links in a range of medieval subject areas. You might get a different cultural perspective. Not all the linked sites are French language. The site is currently undergoing a rebuild so there is a bit of confusion, but that just means somebody still loves and is maintaining it.
Online Medieval Sources Bibliography
From Fordham University, a database of medieval source materials available in print or online, searchable by various criteria including title, author, language, region, record type and subject. Links are provided to online material, otherwise you might just have to go and read a book.
From Leeds University, a general link page to medieval resources organised by subject area.
