Archives and History

The aim of this pamphlet is to encourage those interested in English history, especially university and school teachers, trainee teachers, and tutors of English and local history courses and classes, to teach themselves and their students how to read the last of the pre-italic handwritings, if they are not familiar with it. It was called the 'Secretary hand', and was used between about 1550 and 1700. Ability to read it thus opens up immense sources of original material. A few hours' concerntrated study of the illustrations and transcripts will amply repay the effort...