Palaeography scripts

characteristic insular letter forms

• ‘oc’ shaped a

• flat-topped g

• long descending stem on the r

• f with an elongated arm along the base line

  • clawed m (often with wedges)

characteristic English Uncial letter forms

• flat-topped rounded d

• rounded m

• rounded E with finials

• capital A with a sloping ascender, and a curly loop instead of an angular shape with a crossbar

• majuscule letter forms

• h appears as a lowercase (often only letter to appear as such)

• angular N

• mixture of rounded and angular forms

• square aspect

Image: 8th century, Vespasian Psalter

Date of English Uncial use

late Roman uncial developed by 4th century, in use until 8th century but continued later for display headings only

what script type if English Uncial

majuscule

characteristic insular half-uncial letter forms

• two different letter forms for r - majuscule R shown in image, minuscule r similar to the half-uncial n

• majuscule N has a crossbar at the bottom of the two vertical ascenders

• S is very similar to its modern letter form, and the long s appears

• flat-topped t

• d has two forms: one with a an upright and the other with a back-sloping ascender

• strong wedging at the top of ascenders

characteristic rustic capitals letter forms

• majuscule, thin square aspect

• L M N have a slight curve to their straight lines

• M N U have a descender curving towards the letter below the baseline

Characteristic English Square Minuscule letter forms

• square A with a top stroke slanting slightly upwards

• Upper bow of e may project above the baseline

• b, h and l were topped with serifs

• M and n had a final stroke turning slightly outwards

• Bow of the p slightly open at the base

• Curl at the end of the crossbar of the t

date of use for English Square Minuscule letter

10th century - early examples at the end of 9th century, and latest examples at the start of 11th century

Characteristic English Caroline minuscule letter forms

• a with a curved top part over the body of the letter

• Round top g

• Tall s with a small hook/shoulder on the left of the letter

Image: 10th century example, Ramsey psalter