In simpler terms, the punctus is a dot which can take on a variety of functions and sit wherever it wants to.” In this case, it is denoting an end to a word or abbreviation. This was a common practice during this time as a way to separate words, functioning “ much like the modern comma, semicolon and period. On the Trajan column, the words (or their abbreviations) are separated by dots or points, called punctus, at the medial point of the line. The third thumbnail includes a quick (albeit incomplete) view sample letters from the major scripts (T. Humanist (from around 1400 onward), which helped develop modern European handwriting.Ĭlick on one of the first two thumbnails below to see a larger view of each researcher’s individual “family tree” of script development.Gothic (12th to 16th centuries), which included different styles that depended on the region or country it was associated with (Textura, Cursive Anglicana, Litera Hybrida, etc.). Protogothic (11th to 12th centuries), which was developed in England and moved into France, incorporating Anglo-Saxon Minuscule into the earlier Caroline script.Martin’s at Tours and was greatly used throughout Europe Caroline (developed around 800), which was developed at the Abbey of St.Pre-Caroline (7th to 8th centuries), which was comprised of “national” scripts, such as Visigothic, Lexeuil, Corbie, and Insular Minuscules.Roman writing systems, which has the following developmental pattern: Square Capital => Rustic Capital => Uncial => Mixed Uncial => Semi-/Half-Uncial.According to Ductus, the six major phases of script development can be (basically) summed up as the following: Ductus also mentions that script evolution would at times become so convoluted that people would attempt to return to a more legible script of the past. Because script was not static, there were consistent developments in handwriting over time, so the phases of script development did not have a clear beginning or ending period. What does it mean if a script is bilinear?Īccording to Ductus, “ix main stages of development of Western handwriting are sometimes distinguished, though this suggests a neat and clear linear evolution which was not the case” ( Ductus, “Preliminaries: Introduction”).How do the terms majuscule and minuscule relate to the Roman Square Capital, the Roman Rustic Capital, the Uncial, and the Semi- or Half-Uncial?.After the end of the 6th century, how were Rustic Capitals and Square Capitals mostly used?.Jerome have about Uncials? Why was Jerome irritated? How did the way that the pen was held affect writing?.Why was space not left between words in this early period of writing?.What kind of writing is on the Trajan column in Rome? Are dots used to separate words on the Trajan column? Was this common practice? Is the script legible? Why?.What were the six major phases of script development?.Click the link on any question you’d like to know more about to go directly to that section. If you’re curious to learn more, check out our article on English manuscript illumination on The Polonsky Foundation England and France Project website.This page attempts to answer some important questions about the development of Roman writing systems. It's clear that decorated initials were much more than decorative page markers. Here the upper bowl of the ‘D’ appears to trace the arc of David’s sword swing, vividly creating a sense of the force that David brings smashing down on Goliath’s neck. But the shape of the letter might also add to the effect of the image. In historiated initials, the letter becomes a frame through which readers can glimpse an insight into the text. The image encourages the reader to connect the opening words of the Psalm, ‘Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee’, to the account of David and Goliath’s combat in 1 Samuel 17, and to consider the ways in which the texts of the Bible interrelate. Here in the Eadui Psalter, the initial ‘D’ contains an image of the young David defeating the giant Goliath, aided by God who is represented by a hand reaching down from the sky in blessing. They first appeared in English manuscripts of the 8th century and became an important feature of illuminated manuscripts throughout the Middle Ages. Historiated initials are letters that contain a picture inside. Psalm 101, the Eadui Psalter, Canterbury, c.
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