Pass the cursor over image to show word breaks,and where a superscript correction has been inserted.
Note that although the words run together within each line, individual words do not run over the ends of thenlines, and the lines are not crowded. The distribution of words is set out as a guide to reading aloud, with pauses at the end of each line for sense, a system referred to as per cola et commata. One superscript correction is visible in this section of text.

more text

Italian gospel, 6th century (British Library, Harley 1775, f.195). All images by permission of the British Library. These images have now been placed in the public domain under Creative Commons licence.

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Medieval Writing
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