(Shown in Brit. Mus., Department of MSS., Case V., No. 3.)
THE WRITING resembles that in [Plate VIII.] [p417] (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 perhaps 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)
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 r 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
in cartula (last line).
The word CNUT and several other names are in ornamental “Rustic” Capitals (see p. [297]).