Background Sources | Books | Journal Articles | Arthurian Works | Web Resources |
This webpage provides resources to help you find more information on the themes and topics of the course.
Most of the databases on this page are restricted to UW students, staff and faculty. These are marked with a lock
. To connect to these databases from home you will need to first click on the Off-Campus Access link in the upper-right hand corner and login.
Have questions or need research help? Please contact Theresa Mudrock, the history librarian via email at mudrock@u.washington.edu.
Background Sources
Encyclopedias and dictionaries provide background information and can be used to identify key people, events and dates which can then be used as search terms when searching research databases and catalogs. More importantly, because encyclopedias often cover the major issues surrounding the subject, they can help you narrow your research from a broad “who, what, where, when” topic to a “how or why” question. In addition many encyclopedia articles include short bibliographies that will lead you to the major works on the topic.
- The Arthurian encyclopedia
Suzzallo Reference -- DA152.5.A7 A78 1986- The Arthurian handbook
Suzzallo Reference -- PN685 .L3 1997- Dictionary of the Middle Ages
Suzzallo Reference -- D114 .D5 1982
Suzzallo Reference -- CB351 .E53 2000- The Oxford guide to Arthurian literature & legend
Suzzallo/Allen Stacks -- DA152.5.A7 L87 2005Books
Use the following catalogs to locate books in the UW Libraries and in other libraries around the region, nation and world. Books unavailable at the UW can be requested through Summit (if available at one of the member libraries) or through Interlibrary Loan.
Books dealing with the Arthurian legend typically have one of these Library of Congress Subject Headings: arthur king or arthurian romances.
- UW Libraries Catalog
A listing of the books, journal subscriptions and other material available at the University of Washington Libraries.- Summit
Joint catalog of more than 25 academic libraries in Oregon and Washington. Books can be requested and shipped to the UW for pick-up. Especially useful when the book you need is checked-out.
Joint catalog of thousands of major libraries in the U.S. and abroad.Journal Articles
Use research databases to find articles on a topic. Since most databases cover a specific subject area, choose those that best fit your research topic. For a complete list of databases see Research Databases on the UW Libraries Homepage.
To find a copy of the article, use the Check for UW Holdings button available on most databases to locate a copy in the library. If there is no button, search the UW Libraries Catalog for the title of the journal to locate a copy. Be sure to have the complete citation (author, title, journal name, volume, pages and year) of your article.
Articles from journals which the UW does not own can be requested via Interlibrary loan.
- Annual Bibliography of British and Irish History
Good database for finding articles and books on all periods of British & Irish history.
Use this index to find articles and books on art history.
This is a good general beginning database to find articles on all subjects. Includes some fulltext. Also try two similar databases: Research Library and Academic Search Premier.- Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index
Good database for finding articles and book chapters dealing with women, sexuality and gender during the Middle Ages.
This is the best database to find articles dealing with modern world history (1450 onward) excluding American and Canadian history.
Use this database to find articles and book chapters on medieval studies.
Use this database to find articles on medieval and early modern studies.
JSTOR is a collection of more than 40 full-text history-related journals including The English Historical Review, Past and Present and Speculum.
Use this database to find articles and book chapters on literature and folklore-related topics.Arthurian Works
To find other versions of the Arthurian tale you can search the catalog using the two Library of Congress Subject Headings: arthur king or arthurian romances. Browse through the results to find versions though keep in mind that your search results may also include secondary sources dealing with the legend. The following book lists hundreds of different versions in English published from 1250 to 2000 including books, stories, comics and movies.
- The Arthurian annals: the tradition in English from 1250 to 2000
Suzzallo Reference -- DA152.5.A7 N37 2004Earlier versions can also be found in digitized databases of early English books.
EEBO is a full-image database of more than 80,000 works published between 1475 and 1700 in England and its colonies.
EECO is a fullimpage database of more than 200,000 works published in the 18th century.Web Resources
Image: Detail of an illuminated manuscript Courtesy of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek.
History Subject Page | UW Libraries
5 October 2006
Theresa Mudrock
