1: The Meaning of History, Sources of

Historical Data and Historical Criticisms

Lesson 1: The Meaning of History
The Limitation of Historical Knowledge
History as the Subjective Process of Re-creation
Historical Method and Historiography

Lesson 2: Sources of Historical Data

Written Sources of History
Non-written Sources of History
Primary versus Secondary Sources

Lesson 3: Historical Criticisms

Test of Authenticity
Historical Criticisms

Historical Criticism – examines the origins of earliest text to appreciate the underlying
circumstances upon which the text came to be (Soulen & Soulen, 2001).

It has two important goals:

1. To discover the original meaning of the text in its primitive or historical context and its
literal sense or literalis sensus historicus.
2. To establish a reconstruction of the historical situation of the author and recipients of the
text.

Historical criticism has its roots in the 17th century during the Protestant Reformation and
gained popular recognition in the 19th and 20th centuries (Ebeling, 1963). The absence of
historical investigation paved the way for historical criticism to rest on philosophical and
theological interpretation.
Historical Criticisms
The passing of time has advanced historical criticism into various methodologies used
today such as:

source criticism – which analyses and studies the sources used by biblical authors
form criticism – which seeks to determine a unit’s original form and historical context of
the literary tradition
redaction criticism – which regards the author of the text as editor of the source materials
tradition criticism – which attempts to trace the developmental stages of the oral tradition
from its historical emergence to its literary presentation
canonical criticism – which focuses its interpretation of the bible on the text of biblical
canon
Historical Criticisms
Historical criticism has two types: external criticism and internal criticism.

1. External Criticism – determines the authenticity of the source. The material must be
investigated based on the time and place it is written. The critic must determine whether the
material under investigation is raw, meaning unaltered, and it exists exactly as the author left
it. The content must be viewed in every possible angle. The authenticity of the material must
be examine from other genuine sources having the same subject or written during the same
period. The similarities or agreements, and differences or disagreements of some common
details, such as the culture and traditions, and events during the period by which the
document was made can be a basis for judging the authenticity of the text.
Historical Criticisms
Historical criticism has two types: external criticism and internal criticism.

2. Internal Criticism – determines the historicity of the facts contained in the document. It is
not necessary to prove the authenticity of the material or document. However, the facts
contained in the document must first be tested before any conclusion pertaining to it can be
admitted. In determining the value of the facts, the character of the sources, the knowledge of
the author, and the influences prevalent at the time of writing must be carefully investigated.
It must be ascertained first that the critic knows exactly what the author said and that he
understands the document from the standpoint or viewpoint of the author. Moreover, the facts
given by the author or writer must be firmly established as having taken place exactly as
reported.
Historical Criticisms
There are two parts to a historical criticism.

1. Determine the authenticity of the material – also called “provenance of a source”. The critic
should determine the origin of the material, its author, and the sources of information used.
The authenticity of the material may be tested in two ways: (1) palaeographical – the
deciphering and dating of historical manuscripts; and (2) diplomatic criticism – critical
analysis of historical document and the relationships between the facts purported in the
document and the reality. External criticism is used in determining these facts.
2. Weigh the testimony to the truth – the critic must examine the trustworthiness of the
testimonies as well as determine the probability of the statements to be true. This process
uses internal criticism of higher criticism since it deals with more important matters than the
external form.
Test of Authenticiy
To distinguish a hoax or a misrepresentation from a genuine document, the historian must
use tests common in police and legal detection.

Making the best guess of the possible author of the document, he sees if he can identify the
handwriting, signature, seal, letterhead, or watermark. Even when the handwriting is unfamiliar,
it can be compared with authenticated specimens.

Isographies – dictionaries of biography giving examples of handwriting

Palaeography and diplomatics – techniques used to know that in certain regions at certain times,
handwriting and the style and form of official documents were conventionalized.

Dom Jean Mabillon – French Benedictine monk and scholar of the Congregation of Saint Maur,
who founded in 17th century palaeography and diplomatics.
Test of Authenticiy
Seals – subject of study by sigillographers, and experts can detect fake ones.

Anachronistic styles - idiom, orthography, or punctuation – can be detected by experts

who are familiar with contemporary writing. Often, spelling, particularly of proper names
and signatures, reveal forgery as would also unhistoric grammar.

Anachronistic references to events – too early or too late or too remote – or the dating
of a document at a time when the alleged writer could not possibly have been at the place
designated (the alibi) uncovers fraud. Sometimes, the skilful forger has all too carefully
followed the best historical sources and his product becomes too obvious a copy in certain
passages; by skilful paraphrase and invention, he is given away by the absence of trivia and
otherwise unknown details from his manufactured account. However, usually if the
document is where it ought to be (e.g. family’s archives or governmental bureau’s record),
its provenance creates a presumption of genuineness.
Thank You.

Karen S. Cruz, LPT

Instructor – GEC 102