Lettercraft in Early Medieval Europe, 476–751 CE

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NWO VIDI Project Lettercraft and Epistolary Performance in Early Medieval Europe, 476-751 CE


How did medieval societies use the letter and who were among its users? This project approaches the medieval letter as a performative medium that was read out aloud, translated and circulated in public. It explores how the letter was thus able to establish lines of communication between diverse social groups and across political boundaries and language-barriers, making it an essential tool for conflict-resolution and consensus-building in a world with rudimentary infrastructure and limited public order.

 

Contact
Project leader: dr. Robert Flierman

lettercraft@uu.nl