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There are a couple of special abbreviations in this text. As is usual in this script, the Tironian et is used; that is, the form derived from Tironian notes. The rather mathematical looking sign for the word est also seems to be a bit of a speciality of insular minuscule. Abbreviation marks mostly consist of simple slashes, superscript or through the descender of p. There is also a subscript mark on a final e to indicate that it represents ae. |
The Gospels of Maelbrigte, 12th century, Irish (British Library, Harley 1803, f.128) All images by permission of the British Library. |
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