As early as the eleventh century , different forms of Carolingian were already being used , and by the mid-twelfth century , a clearly distinguishable form , able to be written more quickly to meet the demand for new books , was being used in north-eastern France and the Low Countries . As early as the 11th century , different forms of Carolingian were already being used , and by the mid-12th century , a clearly distinguishable form , able to be written more quickly to meet the demand for new books , was being used in northeastern France and the Low Countries .