The "Ordericus Vitalis" Group meet each week to study and translate medieval Latin documents, mainly relating to Shropshire. The group developed from some of the courses in medieval Latin held in the Shropshire Archives, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury. When each group of documents is complete, the transcripts and translations are deposited in Shropshire Archives to make available for use by others studying local history, family history etc. For details of the progress so far please click here

The group takes its name from the historian Ordericus Vitalis (1075-1143), whose father came to England with Roger of Montgomery and settled in Shrewsbury. Ordericus was baptised in Atcham but became a monk at St Evroult in Normandy, where (apart from short visits) he spent the rest of his life and wrote his "Historia Ecclesia". He retained his interest in his native land and so seems a suitable "patron" for our small group. The picture shows one of the group (Di Bryan) by the monument in St Evroult commemorating Ordericus Vitalis.

This Autumn, the group meets at the usual time and place on the following dates:-
24 Sept.2008, 1 Oct.2008, 8 Oct.2008, 22 Oct.2008, 29 Oct.2008, 5 Nov.2008, 12 Nov.2008, 26 Nov.2008, 3 Dec.2008 & 10 Dec.2008.
In the New Year, they meet on 14 Jan.2009, 28 Jan.2009, 4 Feb.2009, 11 Feb.2009, 25 Feb.2009, 4 March 2009, 11 March 2009, 25 March 2009, 1 April 2009 & 8 April 2009 (Easter Sunday is 12th April).

Societas Orderici Vitalis novos discipulos semper salutat.
Si velis plus congnoscere, quaere Dr Sylvia Watts (sylvia@latin-docs.org).

Members of the group regularly attend the Latin and Palaeography Summer School held annually at the University of Keele. Anyone interested in attending this summer school should contact the "Centre for Continuing and Professional Education, Keele University, FREEPOST (ST1666), Newcastle, Staffs ST5 5BR. telephone: 01782 583 436". In 2009, the School will run from Saturday 25th July to Friday 31st July 2009.

Page maintained by Susan Laflin for the Ordericus Vitalis group.