The script is large and clear, if somewhat compressed. The old paleographers would have called it "a fine liturgical hand". There are no conjoined letters, and letters formed from rows of minims are carefully separated. The bases of letters are finished neat and flat, with no feet, which is the origin of the more elaborate name for this script, textura prescissa sine pedibus. Certain letters, notably h, s and y, are adorned with intricate spirals, as are the punctuation marks. It is a highly formal and painstaking example of the scribe's art, perhaps more laborious than beautiful. |
Luttrell Psalter (British Library, add. ms. 42130, f.149r), c.1340. By permission of the British Library. Images are made available by the British Library under a Creative Commons licence. |
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