Script Type : minuscule
Alternative Name : sometimes called a variant of Lombardic minuscule
Date : Late 8th to 13th centuries. This is a later example of the fully developed type.
Location : southern Italy and Dalmatia
Function : Book hand, in this case used on a ceremonial roll.
Distinctive letters : The first impression on looking at this script is that it is not made of letters but cross stitching. While it is too formal to be called cursive, letters tend to touch one another and there are some ligatures. There are a number of unfamilar letter forms. It is a difficult one to read until you get your eye in.
The trick letter is t, which has a loop on its back, making it look rather like an a. However, a has the sideways figure of eight form. e extends above the tops of the other small letters while r stretches down below them. The letter s also has a tall form. The letter g has the closed form.
There are no examples of j, v, k, y or z in this sample.
There are several abbreviations.
The roundel at the beginning of the line is a decorative O.
Pass the cursor along the lines of text to unscramble them. To look at a segment of the roll in more detail, proceed to the paleography exercises.
Script
Index Paleography
exercises using Flash
Requires at least the Flash 5 plugin
If you are looking at this page without frames, there is more information about medieval writing to be found by going to the home page (framed) or the site map (no frames).
