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Scribal Profile
Hand 1
 
Current Manuscript:Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Bodley 686
Sampled Folios:98v
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A
Usage: manere
straight sided single compartment 'a' used throughout.
Usage: hardyly
the two sides are joined by hairline strokes.
Usage: And
the basic shape of upper case 'A' is of two triangles one on top of the other. It varies only in the size of the upper compartment.
Usage: And
letter 'A' from the rubric.
 
D
Usage: sadly
looped 'd' varies little.
Usage: de(ser)ued
'd' with flourish for the final letter of this word which comes at the end of a line.
Usage: hedde
Usage: Oxenforddes
unlooped 'dd' from the rubric introducing the Clerk's Tale.
 
G
Usage: grete
the scribe uses various different tails for his tailed 'g's. Here the tail turns to the right.
Usage: vsage
the tail of 'g' in this example is neatly tucked away clockwise.
Usage: þing
the word is on the bottom line allowing the scribe more space to extend the tail.
Usage: tought
'ght' combination.
 
H
Usage: his
as with 'g', sometimes the tail of 'h' is neatly contained beneath the graph. The head is usually open.
Usage: vouchesafe
sometimes the tail-stroke ends with a small flick to the right.
Usage: vpright
Usage: He
little visible difference in formation between upper and lower case 'h'.
 
R
Usage: confessour
modern 'r' used in every position.
Usage: vpright
'z'-shaped 'r' used in every position except as initial letter on this folio. Note the slight horn on the top stroke which is not always present but may be an identifying feature.
Usage: frere
both 'r's used in this word. The slight upturn on 'z'-shaped 'r' is still present.
  
 
S
Usage: his
kidney-shaped 's' used in final position.
Usage: Save
upper case 'S' at the beginning of a line.
Usage: spake
the scribe has a more conventional long 's' as in this example. However, the top is sometimes more sharply angled and the stem may be split as in version 4.
Usage: demonstratyfe
this particular long 's' sometimes with split stem, and sometimes more sharply angled at the top is often used in the 'st' combination.
 
W
Usage: with
the scribe has a number of variations mainly of the left limb. Here the head-stroke forms a closed loop.
Usage: whele
here the head-loop is left open. The middle limb and single lobe to the right are the same.
Usage: worthi
both limbs have angled feet in this example.
Usage: worthi
 
Y
Usage: perylle
as with 'g' and 'h', the tail of 'y' varies from short to longer, seemingly at random.
Usage: lyfe
here the tail of 'y' connects with the next letter.
Usage: Youre
'Y' in upper case position at the beginning of a line and tipped with yellow paint.
Usage: y sey
'y' used for first person singular pronoun.
 
Long s
Usage: first
a further example of the 'st' combination.
Usage: speke
another example of the split stem of 's'.
Usage: host
Usage: sophyme
 
Upper Case Letters
Usage: Cart
Usage: But
at least twice on this folio, upper case 'B' has a small loop at the head of the letter.
Usage: Iankyn
  
 
Thorn
Usage: þer
Usage: þen
thorn used as the first letter of the line and filled with yellow paint.
Usage: þe
again thorn is used as initial letter of the line.
Usage: þei
the stem of thorn is usually tapered.
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP