Information We Receive Automatically
When you visit the Medieval History Archive, our server records routine log data: the date and time of your request, the pages you view, the Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to your device, the type of browser and operating system you use, and the referring website if you followed a link to reach us. This information is used to diagnose technical problems, monitor aggregate traffic patterns, and improve the catalogue’s performance and security.
Information You Provide Voluntarily
If you send a message to the catalogue project using the contact address provided on the site, we receive your email address and any information you choose to include. We use this only to respond to your inquiry and do not add it to any marketing list. You may also set optional site preferences (such as display settings); these are stored locally on your device and are not transmitted to us unless you actively submit them through a form.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Like many websites, the Medieval History Archive uses cookies and similar technologies to support basic site functions and, where you have consented, to analyse usage and display relevant advertising.
Essential Cookies
Some cookies are necessary for the site to work correctly. They enable you to navigate pages and remember your preferences during a session. These do not track you across other websites.
Analytics (Where Enabled)
We may use a third-party analytics service, such as Google Analytics, to collect anonymised information about how visitors use the site—for example, which pages are most popular and how users move between them. This service sets its own cookies and may record your IP address in anonymised form. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the browser add-on provided by Google.
Advertising (Where Displayed)
Some pages may display advertisements served by Google or other third-party ad networks. These advertisers may use cookies and web beacons to measure the effectiveness of their ads and to show you ads based on your visits to this and other websites. This practice is known as interest-based advertising. If Google advertising services are used, Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your browsing activity. You can manage your preferences for Google ads by visiting Google’s Ads Settings page.
Web Beacons
Emails we send (if any) or advertisements served on the site may contain small transparent images called web beacons that help us understand whether a message was opened or an ad was viewed. These do not collect personal information beyond what is already available through cookies.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information described above for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the Medieval History Archive.
- To respond to your inquiries and communicate with you about your request.
- To analyse usage trends and measure the effectiveness of the site.
- To display advertising that is relevant to your interests, where you have consented.
- To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or security threats.
Third-Party Service Providers
We may share your information with limited third-party service providers who help us operate the site, such as hosting providers, analytics services, and ad networks. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only to perform the services we request and to protect it with appropriate security measures. We do not sell your personal information to any third party.
Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect the information we collect from loss, misuse, and unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Server logs are retained for a limited period and then deleted or anonymised. Contact messages are retained only as long as needed to address your inquiry.
Your Choices and Controls
You have several ways to control how your information is collected and used:
- Browser Controls: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Please refer to your browser’s help documentation for instructions. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the site.
- Consent Controls: Where analytics or advertising cookies are used, you may be presented with a consent tool on your first visit. You can change your preferences at any time through the cookie settings link available on the site.
- Opt-Out of Interest-Based Advertising: You can opt out of interest-based advertising from participating advertisers through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s consumer choice page or, for Google specifically, through Google’s Ads Settings.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights under applicable privacy laws, including the right to access, correct, delete, or port your personal information, and the right to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address provided on the site. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.
Children’s Privacy
The Medieval History Archive is a general-interest catalogue and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.
External Links
The site may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
International Access
The Medieval History Archive is hosted in Canada. If you access the site from outside Canada, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Canada where our servers are located. By using the site, you consent to the transfer of your information to Canada, which may have different data protection laws than your country of residence.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the date at the top of the policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any changes. Your continued use of the site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact the catalogue project at the email address provided on the Medieval History Archive website.