Database of Scribes’ Hands in Selected German Monasteries in the 11th Century

• Applicant: Dr. Gaia Clementi
• Subject Area: Medieval History
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 574936705

In the field of medieval paleography, the scriptoria and the related schools from the 9th to the 12th century have been studied in detail with regard to their paleographical features and typical writings, the relationships between the scriptoria themselves and the already known copyists. However, the increasingly widespread practice of manuscript digitization and the priority given to data networking not only highlight the limited usability of such paleographic studies, but also the need to gain quick insights into the writings by linking them to the corresponding digital copy and to be able to retrieve anonymous scribes too. This proposal suggests a database of scribes’ hands in selected German monasteries in the 11th century. The database will be structured as a relational database, provide digital panels and serve as a relevant tool for paleographical and codicological research. A guiding principle of the project will be 'linking instead of duplicating'. This will not only save work within the project itself, but will also increase its utility, namely the possibility of machine analysis, for all linked projects, especially since two databases, both linked to the relational database of scribes’ hands, will then also be indirectly linked to each other.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants