Peter LUCAS, Dublin
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Scribal imitation of earlier handwriting : Anglo-Saxon in the later medieval
period.
This paper focusses on some manuscripts written in the later medieval period (approx.
1250-1500), where the scribe imitates Anglo-Saxon script. It examines :
- The context of the imitation : knowledge of Old English in the Middle English period ;
- Differences between Latin and Old English in Anglo-Saxon script ;
- Features of the imitation scripts that are authentic or non-authentic ;
- The motivation for such imitation ;
- The impact of this usage on antiquarian scholars in the XVIth century.