Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0712348840, Hardcover)

Despite a resurgence of interest in the history of the English language there is currently no book available to introduce readers to the scripts used in Old and Middle English writing. The best way to gain a sense of the changes in scripts across time is by visual example, and A Guide to Scripts Used in English Writings up to 1500 seeks to literally show the reader – using visual examples – just why Middle English is different from Old English and at the same time to explain how the change is gradual.

Author Jane Roberts uses the illustrations from important literary texts to demonstrate the chronological progression of the writing, for example: Caedmon’s Hymn (the earliest extant English poem); the opening of an Exeter Book poem; the Lindisfarne Gospels; the opening page of King Alfred’s first translation; an illustrated version of the story of Abraham and Isaac; passages from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; early (Lalamon) and late tellings of the story of Arthur (Malory); contrasting manuscripts of Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde; Langland; York plays. Each plate is reproduced in full size where possible and is accompanied by a full transcript, commentary and notes. Roberts also provides a general introduction as well as introductions to each section. Through constant referrals to the visual examples, this guide gradually introduces the reader to the necessary vocabulary, making it a suitable book for both students and general readers alike.