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Research Guides

English Literature: The Medieval, Middle Ages, and Renaissance: Primary Sources

This Guide's purpose is to help researchers studying English literature from the Medieval, Middle Ages, and Renaissance time periods.

Finding Primary Sources

Why should I use Primary Sources?

Because Primary Sources (things like original creative work, letters, diaries, newspaper articles from particular times) are key materials to consult in order to establish context in a project or even to make new claims in academic discourse.

Tip:

UW Libraries Special Collections is loaded with fascinating primary sources. Even if you’re not required to use Special Collections for an assignment, you should still make an appointment to visit and investigate its resources.