Description
Book SynopsisThe resurgence of interest in the history of the English language has prompted this indispensable introductory guide to the scripts used in Old and Middle English writing. The best way to gain a sense of changes in scripts across time is through visual examples. The reader is introduced gradually to vocabulary suitable for the description of script through a range of plates, for example, Caedmon’s Hymn (the earliest extant English poem); the opening of an Exeter Book poem; the Lindisfarne Gospels; the opening page of King Alfred’s first translation; an illustrated version of the story of Abraham and Isaac; passages from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; early (Laȝamon) and late tellings of the story of Arthur (Malory); contrasting manuscripts of Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde; Langland; York plays. Each plate is reproduced full size where possible, accompanied by a full transcript, commentary and notes.
Table of ContentsSome symbols used and miscellaneous information Acknowledgements I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Intention Overview of the period Preserving the past The naming of scripts Organization A note on the transcriptions A note on the abbreviations COLOURED PLATES SECTION II. INSULAR BACKGROUND III. ANGLO-SAXON MINISCULE IV. ENGLISH CAROLINE MINISCULE V. PROTOGOTHIC VI. THE GOTHIC SYSTEM OF SCRIPTS: GOTHIC TEXTUALIS VII. THE GOTHIC SYSTEM OF SCRIPTS: ANGLICANA VIII. THE GOTHIC SYSTEM OF SCRIPTS: SECRETARY IX. AFTERWORD REFERENCES INDEXES Names of people and places in the plates People named in the commentaries to the plates Index of manuscript pages discussed Index of other manuscript pages reproduced, tables, etc
