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Scribal Profile
John Carpenter
Profiles for this Scribe:
 
Current Manuscript:Cambridge, Cambridge University Library MS Dd.8.19
Folios:1-130
Sampled Folios:7v, 127r
Example Page:Display a full page showing this scribe's hand
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A
Usage: and
lower case single compartment 'a' varies between the straight-sided graph seen here or the slightly different one in version 2.
Usage: that
still with the same flat head stroke but an angled thicker stroke sits at the head of the second down-stroke.
Usage: And
fancy upper case 'A' with otiose decorative curls out in the margin to the left of the graph.
Usage: And
a second form of upper case 'A' with long, thick curling stroke out into the left margin. The two square compartments attached to the sweeping main stroke are staggered, the one above slightly smaller and the curved stroke gives a horned appearance.
 
D
Usage: drede
(first 'd') the scribe's 'd' is consistently formed with a squarish lower compartment and neat upper loop.
Usage: qd
tagged 'd' for this contraction.
Usage: lord
'd' in final position which is also tagged. The scribe does not add the tags to all final 'd's although he frequently adds otiose strokes to many letters.
Usage: Do
upper case 'D' showing the vertical and horizontal lines with which the scribe decorates many of his upper case graphs.
 
G
Usage: general
the scribe is very consistent in the formation of all his graphs. 'g' has a single compartment with rounded aspect. The head stroke is horizontal and joins the two sides of the letter leaving small horns above curving slightly to the right.
Usage: liege
in this example, the horns are more pronounced. The formation of the tail stroke is clear with thick down-stroke, finer angled line to continue the curve in a clockwise direction and finished with a gentle curving stroke.
Usage: thyng
final 'g's are all tagged, as here. There are many fine otiose strokes attached to different letters which may be more or less elaborate than the one seen here.
Usage: right
'ght' combination.
 
H
Usage: hym
the scribe's form of 'h' is very interesting. When 'h' is used in initial position, or within a word (except where the previous letter is a 'c', 't' or 'g'), then it almost always appears with two small spikes to the left of the stem. The fine 'tail' always turns counter-clockwise in a neat curve.
Usage: secheth
where 'h' is preceded by 'c', 't' or 'g' there are no spikes on the left of the shaft. This applies almost all of the time and may be because the scribe forms a ligature with those graphs. It is not the case, for example when 'h' is preceded by 'w', a graph which stands alone.
Usage: oughte
the horizontal stroke from 'g' joins 'h'. 'h' is almost always crossed in these combinations.
Usage: He
upper case graph at the beginning of a line. Note the oval-shaped otiose attachment to the left of the stem and the double parallel lines as decoration.
 
R
Usage: ferthe
the scribe's neatly formed 'r' graph. Apart from 'z'-shaped 'r', all the scribe's 'r's are like this.
Usage: after
'r' in final position has upturn on the shoulder which continues into the long looping otiose stroke attached to many final letters by this scribe.
Usage: worldes
'z'-shaped 'r' with curled cedilla extending from the left side of the lower stroke.
Usage: emp(er)our
(final r) sometimes the lower end of the stem is continued upwards to form a sort of cup shape at the bottom of the graph.
 
S
Usage: schal
long 's' used in initial and medial positions. It is usually possible to see the point on the left of the stem towards the top where the scribe begins his stroke.
Usage: curteys
kidney-shaped 's' is always used in final position.
Usage: peis
sometimes the final 's' attracts the ubiquitous tag.
Usage: So
several of the scribe's upper case 'S's are presented like this with double parallel lines bisecting the graph vertically.
 
W
Usage: worche
the scribe's 'w's are essentially all very much the same with two parallel arms of more or less the same length usually with slight turn at the lower end, a single lobe at the right which is left open and loops at the head which are usually closed.
Usage: with
an example with more pronounced angles at the lower part of the arms.
Usage: worlde
a more rounded version of the graph.
Usage: Wel
'W' as an upper case graph. The form is essentially the same but with extra fine loop attached to the left arm to distinguish it as an upper case letter. Other examples of 'W' in this position also have the fine attached loop.
 
Y
Usage: kyng
all 'y's are formed with the fork perched on the line with a fine tail extending and looping in an anti-clockwise direction. It is difficult to see whether the loop and dot above the fork are an extension of the tail-stroke or whether they are added after. Probably both methods apply.
Usage: erthly
Usage: wys
Usage: yit
a 'y' on the bottom line with greatly extended tail which loops round within itself to form a whorl.
 
Upper Case Letters T and N
Usage: That
there are two versions of upper case 'T' one below the other.
Usage: To
both 'T's share the double vertival parallel lines bisecting the graph.
Usage: Non
there are two versions of upper case 'N' on this single folio. This round-topped example may be found in the gloss in the scribe's hand.
Usage: Ne
the first letter of a line. The graph is angled with wide looped approach stroke.
 
More Upper Case Letters
Usage: Of
in some letters, and 'O' and 'p' are two, there are also horizontal parallel lines which link from the vertical lines to the right side of the graph.
Usage: In
'I' has hooked head, bulge to the left of the stem near the top and a shadow stroke which runs down the side of the graph.
Usage: Pite
Usage: And
another 'A' variant this time with long looped approach stroke.
 
decorative Features
Usage: Pite
the added fine drawing is probably by the scribe. He incorporates faces into the upper case graphs at the beginning of each column.
Usage: What
Usage: Incipit liber primus
attractive red penwork for incipits and explicits probably in the hand of the scribe.
Usage: Explicit prologus
 
Thorn and Yogh
Usage: haþ
thorn is used occasionally to replace 'th' on some folios.
Usage: þinges
Usage: noȝt
yogh is used occasionally as equivalent of 'gh' on some folios.
Usage: riȝt
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP