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| The first section shows the majuscule scripts used in the script hierarchy. The first two lines, as well as the large decorated M, use square capitals, or capitalis quadrata, a script derived from carved inscriptions which looks as if it would be much happier there rather than being painstakingly produced by the rounded motions of the hand and arm when using the pen. The next four lines are in an elegant uncial. At one time significant works such as the Bible would have been produced entirely in uncial script, but it tended to make for very hefty works compared to the much more compact Caroline minuscule. No doubt its inclusion as part of the script hierarchy is a homage to its part in the tradition of important manuscripts. The rest of the exercise will be devoted to the Caroline minuscule script of the second part of the sample. |
| Latin Vulgate Bible, 9th century. British Library add. ms. 10546. (From Fairbank 1952, Pl.7) |
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| overview | text | alphabet | abbreviations | exercises | transcript | translation | |
| Click on each of the above to walk your way through the text. The transcript will appear in a separate window so that you can use it for reference at any time. These exercises are designed to guide you through the text, not test you, so you can cheat as much as you like. |
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 Script sample for this example |
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Index
of Exercises |
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Index
of Scripts |
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