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Hand 1
 
Current Manuscript:Cambridge, Cambridge University Library MS Hh.4.12
Identification:At present, the wrong images have been attached to this hand. We apologise for this error and are attempting to rectify the situation.
Folios:1-27r, 37-44v, 49-102v (end)
Sampled Folios:13r
Example Page:Display a full page showing this scribe's hand
Image Rights:Reproduced by kind permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University 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: and
all lower case 'a's are double compartment. All are formed in the same way with little variation.
Usage: And
the scribe has a number of upper case 'A's. Here the upper loop is closed and the lower compartment is squarish.
Usage: And
an open head in this example and the lower compartment is rectangular,
Usage: And
a waving line, almost horizontal, at the head of this graph. The fine line connecting the left side of the lower compartment with the body of the graph extends beyond the head of the graph.
 
D
Usage: defende
(first 'd') 'd' has an upper loop which is usually neatly contained and a pointed lower compartment.
Usage: saddely
Usage: groundyd
even more angular lobes in these examples.
Usage: Defaute
upper case 'D' tipped with red.
 
G
Usage: grounde
rectangular upper compartment with fine flat stroke joining the two sides at the head. The tail may descend initially with a slight angle to the right before resolving itself beneath the body of the graph with a thicker wave-like stroke.
Usage: stronge
it is possible that the scribe hesitated here before adding the final 'e' to this word. The tag attached to the horizontal extension is usually found only on some final 'g's.
Usage: lyggynge
Usage: Right
this example demonstrates the relationship with the line for the descenders of both 'g' and 'h'. They usually rest on, or just wave below the line.
 
H
Usage: moche
a typically formed 'h' graph with tail-stroke resting on the line and an angled foot at the lower end of the stem.
Usage: hym
'h' with two protuberances on the left of the stem.
Usage: punyssh
crossed 'h' after 's'.
Usage: þurȝhe
another crossed 'h', this time after yogh as equivalent of 'gh'.
 
R
Usage: sterre
most of the scribe's 'r' graphs are formed as here. Modern 'r' is used in all positions.
Usage: þurȝhe
occasionally 'r' is more angular with three diamond-shaped elements to form the graph.
Usage: worsship
'z'-shaped 'r' is only used after 'o' on the folio examined. The otiose stroke extending from the bottom left side of the graph may be straight or curved as here.
Usage: Right
upper case 'R' at the beginning of a sentence.
 
S
Usage: sterre
long 's' is always used in initial and medial positions. The approach-stroke is often visible at the top of the stem.
Usage: as
8-shaped 's' is always used in final positions.
Usage: mekenesse
the angled head-stroke is clearly visible on the second 's' in this example.
Usage: Seyntis
upper case 'S' with red decoration.
 
W
Usage: worsship
'w' is consistently formed. When in initial position there is a curving approach stroke which usually begins beneath the graph and arcs up to begin the left arm of the letter. The left branch has a foot and the 'B'-shaped element to the right of the graph has small horns in this example.
Usage: Rewme
'w' in the middle of a word. All the scribe's 'w's have an angular appearance.
Usage: wtstondyng
there are a couple of examples of the use of this word on this folio and in each one, 'with' contracts using the superscript 't'.
Usage: was
a slightly less angular representation of 'w'.
 
Y
Usage: hym
the scribe constructs his 'y' so that the fork rests on the line. The tail is more like a fine otiose stroke.
Usage: kyngdomes
again. the scribe manipulates the right arm so that the fork rests on the line.
Usage: yen
sometimes the left arm of the graph is vertical.
Usage: dyed
 
Thorn and Yogh
Usage: þre
thorn is used regularly to replace 'th' in words such as 'this', for third person present tense verb endings and for all the other usual pronouns and adjectives. Once more the scribe positions the lobe so that the bottom of the lobe is level with the line.
Usage: þt
as with the contraction for 'with' the scribe uses superscript 't', neatly placed above the middle of the graph.
Usage: þurȝe
yogh is used for the 'gh' sound.
Usage: syȝte
the top of the upper stroke may be horned.
 
Upper Case I and F
Usage: Ihu
'I' with hooked head-stroke, two 'wings' on the stem, a shadow stroke alongside the stem and a curving foot sitting on the line.
Usage: If
a different form of head-stroke and more pronounced 'wings' on the left side.
Usage: ffeyþe
upper case 'F' with angled head-stroke as in 's'.
Usage: ffor
the approach-stroke may be seen here as with 's'.
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP