We encounter handwritten texts less and less in everyday life. Even the notorious prescriptions from the family doctor are hardly ever handwritten anymore. Public administrations are also increasingly moving into the digital age. And yet: almost all historical sources from before 1800 are handwritten. And even after that, handwriting retains an important place. This is all the more true the more personal the writing becomes. No doubt you too are familiar with old field post letters and greeting cards from your ancestors. History cannot be written without knowledge of old manuscripts. Being able to read them is one of the most basic skills for historians. But all beginnings are difficult. Learning old manuscripts requires one thing above all: practice and perseverance.
We would like to invite you to immerse yourself in the world of historical writing. Try your hand at deciphering medieval imperial documents, modern letters or invoices from the time of the Thirty Years' War.
