Medieval Genesis of an Administrative Method. Forms and Experiences of Accountancy in the Principalities of South-East France (Dauphiné, Provence, Savoie, Venaissin - XIIIth - XVth cent.) – GEMMA

The project is organised around four additional tasks realized by the partners according to particular schedules: the digitalization of the accounts, their transcription, the insertion of these two elements on a web site - which calls a reflection on the methods of interrogation - and finally the scientific valuation of these experiences through a cycle of meetings allowing to deepen the knowledge on accountancy. With approximately 30 000 digitized images, associated for some with their transcription, we’ll have a huge documentary set requiring not only the implementation of a solid infrastructure, but also a necessary reflection on the methods of presentation of the documents and of publication of the texts, which implies both to multiply the contacts with existing bases. The priviledged technologies are based on encoding processes of text in XML according to a plan TEI linked to a native database XML which multiplies the possibilities of requests on the structure and on the contents of documents. In brief, every transcribed account is encoded on a series of terms (officers, name of châtellenies, dates, sections of the accounts) allowing then an automatic interrogation on the whole textual corpus.

The program bases on the construction of a set of texts and studies on the accounting systems developed between the XIIIth and the XVIth century in a considerable interest space, at the heart of the limits between Empire and kingdom of France. The volume of documents delivered in open access, approximately 30 000 images digitized, associated for some with their transcription, will offer new perspectives for researches at the confluence between history, archeology, management of medieval constructions and written cultures. The acts of the colloquiums, once published, will supply elements of explicitation in a global evolution of the accounting practices, from a State to another, i.e. from Savoy to Provence, simultaneously placed in syntonie with those of other spaces and European powers, so as to seize better the specificity of choices inserted into an European destiny.

Based on a strong geographical insertion which limits its process of development, the program concerns nonetheless a very important volume of sources, having to perform after its completion a fundamental role for researchers, but also on a didactic point of vue. Educational tool, it will indeed be used for student’s training in paleography, electronic publishing of the medieval texts and of course for researches on accountancy. Instrument of search, he will accelerate the consultation of documentary sometimes scattered series by making very simple the quering, the check and the crossing of the informations for « conservateurs du patrimoine », archaeologists, lexicologists, specialist of paleography, as for historians of politics and economy.

25 000 sights for now, the access of which is only for the moment for members of the team. Acts of the colloquiums in course of publication.

Résumé (non confidentiel) du projet en anglais
(Max caractères: 4000)