Hand: Main Hand, Copenhagen, KB N.K.S.167b (4º)

Stokes, English Vernacular Script, ca 990–ca 1035, Vol. 2 (PhD Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2006)

The script is very angular, with square proportions, short ascenders, and great contrast between thick and thin strokes. Letters are poorly formed, with inconsistent strokes which often fail to connect to each other. Ascenders and the tops of minims have short, thin approach-strokes, descenders are straight, and minims have small or no feet. The letter-forms themselves are clearly influenced by Caroline minuscule, and are consistent with other examples from this transitional period. The back of a tends to be very straight and upright, although the form can be square, teardrop-shaped, or semi-Caroline. A similar structure is employed for the a-component of æ, although the back can be more angled, and the hook can meet slightly below the top of the a-component. Only round c and short thick-backed d occur, while e has a vertical back and is usually horned with a long, thin, straight tongue. Caroline forms of f and s are used throughout, inasmuch as the letters sit on the base-line and extend above cue-height. The form of g is usually a long, quite thin, 3-shape, with a rounded tail extending to left of the central axis; it occasionally seems to be written with much thinner pen. The shoulders of h, n, m, r, and the hooks on s, f, and e, are all very angular, and were formed with a thin, straight stroke which is angled upwards and turns sharply downward. The construction of ð is like d but with a thick vertical tip and short cross-stroke; this cross-stroke is usually hooked down at right end, and can be hooked up at left. Straight-limbed, undotted y occurs throughout. The top of 7 is turned up, the letter sits slightly above cue-height, and the vertical stroke is wavy and looks ill-formed.