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Hand A
 
Current Manuscript:London, British Library MS Harley 3943
Folios:1-1v, 68-70v
Sampled Folios:68r
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A
Usage: as
a similar horned effect to the top of 'a' as with Hand D in this manuscript.
Usage: And
the scribe has several upper case 'A's. Here the lower stroke of the letter 'B' above crosses the looped approach stroke of the 'A'.
Usage: Antenor
Usage: Ay
similar to version 2 but showing clearly the development of the letter.
 
D
Usage: and
the scribe uses a mixture of looped and unlooped 'd'. He seems to alternate them without qualm.
Usage: spedde
Usage: discerne
Usage: Disposid
upper case 'D' at the beginning of a line.
 
G
Usage: eschaunge
tailed 'g' used throughout. The head of the stroke for the right side of the graph stands well above the left stroke.
Usage: nought
'ght' combination.
Usage: leng(er)
'er' abbreviation after 'g' as a continuation of the horizontal cross-bar.
  
 
H
Usage: hir
the 'h' graph usually tilts forward. Where there is a loop at the head it resolves on the stem rather than resting on the shoulder.
Usage: which
crossed 'h' in 'ch' combination.
Usage: thy
a rare form of upright 'h' with no hook or loop at the head of the stem.
  
 
R
Usage: desiren
modern 'r' used throughout in all positions.
Usage: Antenor
'z'-shaped 'r' usually after 'o' and some consonants, mainly with curved otiose stroke from the bottom left side of the letter.
Usage: afftir
'r' in final position with flourish.
Usage: errour
 
S
Usage: is
final 's' is usually kidney-shaped.
Usage: substaunce
long 's' used in all positions except final.
Usage: So
upper case 'S'.
Usage: blis
occasionally final 's' also has the horned feature. This is the only example on this folio.
 
W
Usage: what
Usage: now
the scribe probably uses this 'w' with taller first stroke more frequently than the example in version 1.
Usage: wtseide
Usage: wolde
the lead-in stroke to the left limb is sometimes a circle.
 
Y
Usage: Troy
the tail of 'y' is a fine stroke compared with the body of the graph.
Usage: hastyly
the tail of 'y' sweeps well over to the left beneath preceding letters.
Usage: yerne
  
 
Ampersand
Usage: Ampersand
Usage: Ampersand
    
 
I
Usage: I boundyn
the lead-in stroke to the stem is a loop. The stem is tapered at the top and bottom.
Usage: In
Usage: It
this word is at the beginning of a line.
Usage: It
this word occurs in the middle of a line.
 
Thorn
Usage: þat
the thorn graph is open at the top. Again the stem and added stroke to form the lobe are both tapering strokes.
Usage: þt
Usage: þe
Usage: þat
 
Horned graphs
Usage: bathe
many of the scribe's 'e's have the horn noted in Hand D in this manuscript.
Usage: beraffte
'a' occasionally has a clear horn.
Usage: DEp(ar)tid
upper case 'E' also with horned addition.
Usage: Of
upper case 'O' with spiked effect.
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP