On September 5 and 6, 2024, researchers convened in Bern for the workshop “Archival Secrecy in Early Modern Monarchies and Republics”. The workshop examined the dynamics of secrecy and access in early modern archives, exploring how these practices shaped political power and public memory.

Discussions addressed topics such as the influence of archival secrecy on historiography, the cognitive aspects of accessing past records, and the role of ecclesiastical and state archives in controlling information. The event concluded with a comparative reflection on the organization of archival secrecy across different political systems.

We thank all participants for their valuable contributions and engaging discussions.

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