English Caroline minuscule
Jane Roberts
Between the period of decline Roman book trade, which continued possibly as late death Pope Gregory Great (A.D. 604), and Carolingian renewal ( renovatio ) learning at end eighth century, important movements in evolution national scripts occurred generally across western Europe. Two minuscule France are to be noted especially, Merovingian cursive, a tall, narrow, angular script, crabbed clotted, heavily decorated with clubs wedges, together its more formalized version, associated Luxeuil (like St Gallen, house subject Irish influences) found first lectionary from seventh century. A satisfactory script emerged towards century Tours Corbie, where tendency simplify can seen. Crucial emergence was scripts, dated years 780-850 educational ambitions Charlemagne. The scribes were very familiar especially Half-uncial. At Corbie north-east Half-uncial even seems have redeveloped this too comes example Caroline minuscule, revival antique is therefore seen by some focal for development minuscule. appearing hand succeeding several different cursive used throughout Francia, new not itself documents until ninth It clear few variant letter-forms, easily read. Most vertical strokes plain, ending on or just below line (the descenders p q , g looped). overall dates c . 800 - 1200. Once adopted England, plain minims soon acquired feet under influence Insular feature that spread into Normandy eleventh accepted use English 950 1100. appeared England reformed Benedictine monasteries writing Latin, it alongside Anglo-Saxon both square round phases. main styles recognized.