Notes on thè be regarded as a link between the Half-Uncial and the
Plates Roman Small-Letter (see p. 274).

THE RULING: single lines (see footnote, p. 269).

THE LETTERS show very strongly the effects of
the “slanted pen” (see pp. 7, 269). Note the heavy
shoulders and feet in n, b, &c., and the thick horizontals
in rC. The curved tops or arches are flattish and strong:
the thick strokes end abruptly in points, in d, (h), i, m,
n, u forming small (and in l,tj large) heavy hooks below.
The thin stroke scarcely appears, except as a finish, e.g. in
a, or an accidental. Note generally the tendency to internal
angles and external roundness (examples f and o).

Note particularly the junctions and accidental crossings
of the strokes (seen best in the enlargement, fig. 172) as
bearing on the mode of construction of the letters (see
p. 50).

Note the fine shape of the ampersand (&: 3rd line).

THE ILLUMINATION (see Characteristics of
Winchester Illumination, or “Opus Anglicum,” pp. 48, 49,
Bradley: “Illuminated Letters and Borders”). All the
CAPITALS beginning the verses are in raised, burnished
gold, in the margin. The titles are in red in fancy “Rustic
Capitals” (p. 261). The Line-Fillings consist of groups
of red dots, in threes (.•..'. .'.).

This extremely legible MS. would form an almost
perfect model for a modern formal hand (s being substi¬
tuted for long f, and the straight t for the curved "C (see
fig. 183): the removal of the e Tongue would also help
readableness). And though it is somewhat large and
heavy for ordinary use, it is good for practising, and
might be developed into a form resembling any of the
more difficult later forms {e.g. Plates IX, X, XX).
PLATE IX.—English Writing, dated 1018. Two
portions of a Charter of CN UT. Brit. Museum. {See
also enlargement, fig. 173.) [PI. reduced scale \fithsl)

(Shown in Brit. Mus., Department of MSS., Case V.,
No. 3.)

THE WRITING resembles that in Plate VIII
3 78

(see above), but is more slender and rounder—the pen
being a little less slanted, and the arches more curved,
and showing more of the thin stroke. The ascenders
and descenders are longer, the heads are more marked,
and there is a general elegance and distinction, due per¬
haps to the MS. being a charter. Charter-hands are
generally more showy and less legible than Book-hands,
but in this hand there is great legibility, and a very few
changes (similar to those suggested above) would make it
quite suitable for modern use. Its relation to the Roman
Small-Letter is obvious.

Notes.—The (black) V and u were probably built-

up with the writing pen.

The forms of a, e, g, (h), r, may be noted as differing
considerably from the tenth-century hand.

The combined ra (in the 4th line) is curious; and the
г in Anglorum—this r (which represents the Bow and
Tail of R) commonly follows the round letters b, O, p,
in “Gothic” writing: there is another curious form in
the linked rt in cartula (last line).

The word CNUT and several other names are in
ornamental “Rustic” Capitals (see p. 261).

The two lines of English from another part of the
charter have very long stems and ornamental serifs, giving
a very decorative effect (see footnote, p. 290).

PLATE X.—Italian {first half of) Twelfth-century
Writing. {Homilies and Lessons.) Brit. Mus.,
Harl. MS. 7183. {See also enlargement,g. 174.)

(Shown in Brit. Mus., Department of MSS., Case С
[lower part], No. 101.)

THE VOLUME.—Homilies and Lessons for Sun¬
days and Festivals from Advent to Easter Eve—contains
317 leaves (approximately 21^ inches by 15 inches);
two columns, each of 50 lines, to the page. The
MARGINS are, approximately, Inner i¿ inch, Head

Notes on
Plates

379