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Scribal Profile
Gower Scribe III
Profiles for this Scribe:
1. Scotland, Glasgow, University Library, MS Hunter 7 (S.1.7)
 
Current Manuscript:Scotland, Glasgow, Glasgow University Library MS Hunter 7 (S.1.7)
Folios:1-179
Sampled Folios:10v, 132r, 156v
Example Page:Display a full page showing this scribe's hand
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A
Usage: many
this scribe's lower case 'a's all follow this pattern. As will become apparent, the scribe's hand is very, very similar to the hand of Scribe D. However, there are differences which seem to indicate another scribe, perhaps trained in the same way and in the same place as Scribe D.
Usage: Athlaus
like his very close counterpart, Scribe D, this scribe experiments with upper case 'A'. He has several distinctive versions including this more usual double compartment anglicana-type 'A'.
Usage: And
an example of an upper case 'A' which is also used frequently by Scribe D.
Usage: And
this version is also used by Scribe D for the word 'Amans', but with only a single horizontal bar across the middle of the graph. This scribe uses double parallel lines to bisect the graph horizontally.
 
D
Usage: dreie
it is difficult to find a lower case 'd' which does not have an open centre. Scribe D also uses an open-centred 'd' but he does have a 'd' graph with closed upper loop. On the three folios sampled, I have not been able to distinguish a 'd' with closed loop for this scribe.
Usage: ladde
the lower side of the graph is quite angular.
Usage: adulatores
in the glosses added in the hand of the scribe, he frequently uses this version of 'd' with no loop above and an oval lobe.
Usage: Diogenes
'D' may be decorated with parallel lines, as here, a single bisecting line, a dot or a three-quarter oblique line running from top left towards the bottom right of the graph. These different features of decoration feature in several of the scribe's upper case graphs.
 
G
Usage: grete
a 'g' very similar to that of Scribe D. The lower lobe is angular and may be squashed into a horizontal aspect.
Usage: drough
the scribe always crosses 'h' when it follows 'g' and 's'.
Usage: king
'g' with tag very reminiscent of Scribe D's tagged 'g's.
Usage: Good
upper case 'G' with parallel line decoration.
 
H
Usage: hem
the standard form of 'h' with neatly-contained limb and tail stroke which rests at or just below the line.
Usage: heighte
Usage: draughte
when there is a 'ght' combination, the 'h' is not crossed.
Usage: Halp
upper case 'H' with open hook to the left of the shaft and shadow decoration.
 
R
Usage: rede
modern 'r' is used throughout except after 'o' and round-bodied consonants.
Usage: wonder
'r' in final position with flourish.
Usage: preie
'z'-shaped 'r' almost always sports an otiose stroke from the lower left of the graph which is either straight or gently curved as in this example.
Usage: liber
the single long 'r' in the heading of the folio.
 
S
Usage: sight
long 's' is used in initial and medial positions. The graph is short-stemmed, finishing at or near the line.
Usage: wronges
all the scribe's final 's's are of this type, with or without the otiose curls at head and foot.
Usage: Stondende
the scribe has two forms of upper case 'S' and this is the one most used. It is usually decorated with double parallel lines.
Usage: Serpent
the second form of upper case 'S' with gently curved head-stroke and double parallel line decoration.
 
W
Usage: wynne
this is the form of most of the scribe's 'w's. It is usually possible to see the lead-in stroke to the head-loop of the left limb.
Usage: which
a single alternative 'w' found on one of the three folios analysed.
Usage: world
sometimes the looped head-strokes of the graph are open.
Usage: Wiþ
'W' in upper case position at the beginning of a line.
 
Y
Usage: mys
'y' is almost always dotted. The tail-stroke varies in length and curvature but is mainly kept quite short.
Usage: body
Usage: tydyng
(first 'y') on one of the folios examined, there are several examples of this 'y' with tail turning almost at right angles to the body of the graph. Graphs which are different from the norm do tend to occur in clusters.
Usage: eu(er)y
the single 'y' which is not dotted. It follows the abbreviative mark for 'er' and perhaps the scribe felt it unnecessary to add the dot.
 
Thorn and Yogh
Usage: weþer
thorn is used frequently but not consistently. It is used at times for pronouns, adjectives, articles, present tense verb endings and as replacement for 'th' in some words.
Usage: makþ
Usage: yogh]it
yogh is used occasionally.
Usage: Ȝaf
 
Upper Case 'A'
Usage: ANd
the scribe's 'N' has the curving three-quarter stroke which is used as one form of decoration for the upper case graphs.
Usage: To
the scribe also has another variation in his upper case graphs, using 'T' and 'O' with serrated left sides.
Usage: As
Scribe D has an upper case 'A' which is very similar to this one but without the cross bar through the centre of the graph.
Usage: Alle
another version with double parallel lines for decoration.
 
Upper Case Letters
Usage: I
'I' has a shadow stroke, a banner-like head-stroke and single dot to the left of the stem. It is very similar to Scribe D's 'I'.
Usage: But
dots are often used to decorate upper case graphs. Here, the 2-shaped element which precedes the graph is the same as Scribe D's, but the dots within each lobe of the letter are an unusual feature.
Usage: Unto
dotted 'U'.
Usage: Unto
'U' with parallel line decoration.
 
More Upper Case Letters
Usage: The
three-quarter oblique stroke as decoration. The scribe appears to vary his choice of decorative feature to no apparent plan, although again, groups of different graphs decorated in the same way occur together.
Usage: Of
'O' with similar decoration.
Usage: Lente
upper case 'L' which appears much like a modern 'L'. There is a waving hook to the left of the graph and a shadow line to the stem.
Usage: Philosphres
upper case 'P' with three-quarter oblique line infill.
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