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Scribal Profile
Delta
Profiles for this Scribe:
3. London, British Library MS Additional 24194
 
Current Manuscript:London, British Library MS Additional 24194
Folios:1-263
Sampled Folios:28v, 36r, 148r, 154v, 214v, 250r
Example Page:Display a full page showing this scribe's hand
Image Rights:Reproduced with permission of The British Library. All images on this website are reproduced with permission of the Libraries, Archives, and Owners of the manuscripts. Manuscript images that appear on this website remain in the copyright of the libraries where the manuscripts are held. Use of these images for any purpose other than private study without written permission of those libraries is prohibited by law.
 
A
Usage: apostles
Delta's lower case 'a' is a double compartment graph.
Usage: Anatobius
the scribe has several upper case 'A's. This version is the one used almost all the time within the text.
Usage: Alsaundre
for a selection of different upper case 'A's see the Index in this manuscript. This version is very similar to an upper case 'A' used frequently by Scribe D, although Delta's version has a more squared-off lobe.
Usage: Auter
another very similar graph to one used by Scribe D but Delta's version is once again more angular.
 
D
Usage: wedded
the distance above the ruled line is clear in this example. However, Delta's copying is not as even as the aspect of Scribe D. In this image we see that the second of the two 'd's has drifted closer to the line. It is this aspect of Delta's hand which gives an overall impression of less control and a more uneven result.
Usage: derknes
'd' with a squarish lower lobe, more similar to that of Scribe D. Delta's 'd's are on the whole rounder than Scribe D's, the loop above is less pronounced and they appear more squat on the folio.
Usage: Destrueþ
upper case 'D' with double parallel lines as also used by Scribe D. The formation of upper case 'D' is slightly different from the 'D' of Scribe D.
Usage: enderditynge
the second 'd' in the word. An errant 'd' found only a couple of times on the several folios examined.
 
G
Usage: feng greet
'g' is a double compartment graph. Generally 'g' sits on the line. It may sit straight as in version 2 or it may be tilted slightly forward or backward. The extension from the head of the graph generally originates at the top of the lobe. In Scribe D's hand, the horizontal extends from the centre of the upper compartment.
Usage: kyng
this 'g' looks rather like a pilgrim with a staff! The lower lobe is squashed onto the line and slightly smaller than the upper lobe.
Usage: kyngdom
an example which shows that Delta's copying can produce a rather higgledy-piggledy effect. He does not seem to show the extreme competence of Scribe D. Is Delta a pupil of D?
Usage: God
upper case letter with characteristic parallel line decoration also used by Scribe D.
 
H
Usage: here
an 'h' very similar to the 'h' of Scribe D. The tail of the letter is neatly tucked under the body of the graph and rests on the line.
Usage: his
occasionally the tail-stroke loops round and joins to the next graph.
Usage: ihu
'h' is crossed in 'ihu' and 'Iohn'.
Usage: Iohn
an unusual reverse flick for the tail-stroke.
 
R
Usage: remedie
the first three versions of 'r' are all taken from f36r, the beginning of the text. The scribe's letter formation is much sharper than on later folios. Long 'r' is used throughout as the favoured graph and is used in all positions.
Usage: vnderstondynge
modern 'r' is also used from time to time. Here the word is split over two lines, hence the space after 'r'. Delta frequently uses a hairline otiose stroke flicked up to finish modern 'r', not quite the flamboyant flourishes on 'r' or tags on 't' so characteristic of Scribe D.
Usage: more
a graph which is very similar in formation to the 'z'-shaped 'r' used by Scribe D. Used mainly after 'o'.
Usage: Romayns
 
S
Usage: solempne
sigma 's' is used in initial position as well as long 's'.
Usage: writers
kidney 's' used in final position.
Usage: schort
long 's' in initial position.
Usage: So
upper case 'S' tipped with yellow paint. Many of Scribe D's manuscripts also have yellow as the infill for initial letters.
 
W
Usage: weies
Delta's 'w' is almost invariable in this form. This graph shows the most distinctive difference between Scribe Delta and Scribe D. Scribe D rarely uses this form.
Usage: þowsend
Usage: how
image to show the relative size of the 'w' graph.
Usage: We
upper case letter tipped with yellow. It varies little from the lower case graph.
 
Y
Usage: kyndeliche
the tail of 'y' varies in length from almost nothing to a sweep up to the next graph.
Usage: tyme
Usage: quyteþ
very occasionally 'y' is dotted.
  
 
Thorn and Yogh
Usage: treteþ
thorn is used constantly on all occasions.
Usage: boþe
Usage: forȝeue
yogh is also used frequently.
Usage: mydnyȝt
 
Upper Case Letters
Usage: Iulianus
a typical Delta upper case 'I'. It resembles the 'I' of Scribe D because it has a protuberance on the left of the stem. However, the stem of Delta's 'I' nearly always loops round to the left at the bottom and there is nearly always a shadowing stroke running the length of the vertical.
Usage: Iohn
Delta has another 'I' which is a much simpler form. With its shortened shaft it resembles Scribe D's 'I' but does not sport the bump on the shaft.
Usage: Bryddes
this is the form of upper case 'B' used most frequently by Delta. It differs from the 'B' of Scribe D because the looped approach stroke on the left is part of the body of the graph not separate from it.
Usage: Somtyme
 
Illumination Details
Usage: Boss with erased arms within which is in the top left corner of the illuminated border on f36r.
Usage: Boss at bottom left corner.
Usage: Boss at bottom right corner.
Usage: Boss at top right corner.
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP