Early or Proto-Gothic script is a stage between the clear rounded forms of Carolingian Minuscule and the angular fence-like look of the full-scale Gothic Textura.
This is fol 15v from Bodleian Library, Oxford, MS Ashmole 1511, a Bestiary or illustrated encyclopaedia of animals, written in England in the early 13th century.
As usual:
1.....Transcribe it, paying particular
attention to the abbreviations. .......I have transcribed the first two lines for you as a starter. .......Go to the following pages for a close-up version in slices. | |
2.....Copy out a line, using pen and ink. What do you notice about the mechanics of writing? | |
3.....Describe it in terms of | |
.......A..... Individual letter forms. | |
.......B..... Overall aspect; | |
4.....Describe the layout. | |
5.....In what script are the titles? | |
6.....Is there any punctuation? |
© MEG TWYCROSS 1999