LFU:online

Acquisition of skills for dealing with historic sources and studies critically, as well as the competence to present the newly-gained knowledge verbally and/or in writing; Acquisition of the competence to apply methods of auxiliary sciences.

Coats of arms and signs were part of the medieval world. However, compared to written sources, their significance is often neglected, even though they have an important informative value in numerous contexts (group affiliation, self-image of the bearer of the coat of arms, etc.).

The exercise offers an introduction to working with these medieval (pictorial) sources. In the course, the topics of heraldry (academic discipline), heraldic art and heraldic law are dealt with using illustrative primary sources. In addition, an introduction to the basics and methods of heraldry is given as well as an overview of other auxiliary sciences.

Exercises, case studies, discussion, and lecture. Part of the work assignments will be elaborated in small groups.

Regular participation, contribution in class (discussion, presentation, and written course work), short written exam.

von Brandt, Ahasver, Werkzeug des Historikers. Eine Einführung in die historischen Hilfswissenschaften, Berlin/Köln ¹⁵1998.

Scheibelreiter, Gerorg, Heraldik (Oldenbourg Historische Hilfswissenschaften, 2. Auflage, Wien 2015.

Michel Pastoureau, Traité d'Heraldique, 5. Auflage, Paris 2008.

Before attending this course it is recommended to complete the VO Basic Knowledge from the Middle Ages