Medieval MSS

• Is there any difference between medieval and modern in respect to msDesc?

• Can use MsDesc for modern manuscripts and non-manuscript materials, but it is often difficult.

Suggestion of text-bearing object instead of manuscript, or taking the msDesc elements up a level. Or grouping them with elements introduced to cope with other subsets of text-bearing objects.

• Incunabula suggested as an area where non-ms materials have very similar concerns to manuscripts.

Yet people are sometimes unwilling to use msDesc for this. Theguidelines should be stronger in saying what msDesc can and shouldn't be used for.

• examples should be added of other non-ms uses (?) (epigraphical and other TBOs? such as gravestones)

• 'author' not allowed inside 'p' or 'head', msItem to be used instead.

Not to be used in the way used in MASTER. Stops reduplication of information.

• When describing a manuscript it should be recommended practice to supply the units (currently optional) But don't use nautical miles.

• 'support' could possibly be a phrase-level element instead *of 'watermark', and 'watermark' only allowed as a child of it.

• example of encoding of 'stamp' inside 'rubric' is silly, not really a phrase-level thing. Maybe better to be in 'provenance' or 'bindingDesc' somewhere. 'stamp' should not appear where text is being transcribed but the guidelines claim just this.

• @scheme attribute on 'locus' pointing 'foliation' is a jolly good idea.

• 'respStmt' should be allowed inside other places like 'decoDesc'. currently only allowed in msItemStruct Imagine wanting to indicate responsibility for the miniatures being painted, or the woodcuts in an incunabula. 'decoNote' should allow 'respStmt' maybe? ... currently make an msItem with a decoNote and respStmt, but might be better to also be able to put in 'decoNote'

• Critical apparatus needs some revision.

• MD feels 'choice' should be more widely available.

• Need for a mechanism to specify the level/scale of text span which you are applying things like app and choice.

• Facsimile stuff is neat. We should try it out.

• 'am' and 'ex' are a good step forward. Sometimes lots of different between 'am' and corresponding expanded text. Nasal abbreviations etc. Difference of opinions on whether 'am' is just the mark, or includes the letters to which it necessarily relates to.