Hand: Main Hand 1 (94r–175v3), BL Cotton Vitellius A.xv, fols. 94–209

Name: Main Hand 1 (94r–175v3)
Manuscript: BL Cotton Vitellius A.xv, fols. 94–209
Script: English Vernacular minuscule
Scribe: Unspecified
Date: Saec. x/xi
Place: Unknown (London??)

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

This hand was written with a thin pen and clearly shows the tall and narrow proportions. The ascenders can be two or more times minim-length, are very thin and slightly curved, and show prominent triangular wedges which look much like pennants on flag-poles. Descenders are typically shorter, about the length of minims, and are straight. Letters include a mixture of late Square and Caroline-influenced forms. Teardrop-shaped a occurs throughout and can be quite triangular. A more flat-topped form was sometimes used in ligature with a preceding low e, in which case the tongue of the e can form either the top or the left side of the a (þearf, 133v19, and compare secean, 133v18). The teardrop-shaped form was also used in æ, the tongue of which is rising and the hook low and rounded. Round c occurs throughout, although low e+c ligatures are common. The backs of d and ð are straight and angled at approximately 50–60°, and e is round and has a long, thin, horizontal tongue. The tongue of f is also very long and tends to curve upwards. The mid-section of g is sharply angled and hangs from the centre of the top-stroke, and the tail is closed in a very small loop which sits left of centre. The shoulders of m, n, and r are quite angular. Round and tall s are found. Tall s shows a wedge at the top of the vertical, and the hook is thin and somewhat angular. The conventional distinction between þ and ð was observed. The through-stroke of ð curves down on the right. The upper branches of x curve down at the tips, the south-east branch curves up, and the south-west branch is long and hooked down. Straight and round y are both found and are both dotted. The top of 7 is flat but relatively short, and the down-stroke is vertical. The scribe used a good deal of spacing between words, including after prepositions.