> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://medievalbook.gitbook.io/digitizing-medieval-archives/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://medievalbook.gitbook.io/digitizing-medieval-archives/week-6/distinguishing-late-medieval-scripts.md). # Distinguishing Late Medieval Scripts At Carleton we have a number of late medieval folios and manuscripts - all dating from the thirteenth-century to the sixteenth century. You goal is to identify key criteria to discern the characteristics of the script of your folio so that you can begin to understand its time and place of origin. Your starting point should be a blog post by Yvonne Seale (follow her on Twitter) entitled, "[A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Palaeography of Medieval Manuscripts](https://yvonneseale.org/blog/2016/03/26/dh-palaeography/)". It lists loads of good resources, including [Enigma](http://enigma.huma-num.fr/), self-described as intended for "Unpuzzling difficult Latin readings in medieval manuscripts" (i.e. gives you most likely potential readings from the letters you can read). ## Checklist for identifying late medieval scripts Instead of putting together something here, I will point you to the excellent work done elsewhere online: * [Classification of Medieval Handwritings in Latin Script](https://clamm.irht.cnrs.fr/2016/09/28/home/) * [Late Medieval English Scribes](https://www.medievalscribes.com/) * [Digital Pal](http://www.digipal.eu/)(aeography): [Digital Resource and Database of Palaeography, Manuscripts and Diplomatic](http://digipal.eu/). * [Oriflamms](http://oriflamms.teklia.com/) (but haven't figured out what to do with this yet) General tutorials on scripts key characteristics can be accessed at these sites: * revamped virtual palaeography school, the [*vHMML*](https://www.vhmmlschool.org/) which provides an introduction to the Latin, Greek and Arabic traditions * a series of transcription exercises are available on an Interactive Album of Mediaeval Palaeography. This [site](http://paleographie.huma-num.fr/index.php?l=en) allows students to read and examine examples of scripts from the seventh to the seventeenth century. The site was originally developed in French, but now (for the most part) available in English. * And this French language [dossier](http://theleme.enc.sorbonne.fr/dossiers/index.php) (album of palaeographical examples) used for teaching students at the *École des chartes* is very useful in that it provides images, transcriptions, translations and then a palaeographical commentary (albeit all in French). The standard for palaeographical analysis is found in the *Catalogue des manuscrits datée,* an international association for palaeographical analysis based on manuscripts (which can be precisely dated. Hardly interested in the modern world, their 1990s era website offers a [list](http://www.palaeographia.org/cipl/cmd.htm) of current publications that would be useful to consult for various national hands. The linked [Oriflamms](http://oriflamms.teklia.com/) and [Classification of Medieval Handwritings in Latin Script](https://clamm.irht.cnrs.fr/2016/09/28/home/) are attempting to help move the CMD into the 21st century. A [page](http://www.menestrel.fr/?-Paleographie-\&lang=fr) of helpful links compiled by Dominique Stutzman on palaeography (in French) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://medievalbook.gitbook.io/digitizing-medieval-archives/week-6/distinguishing-late-medieval-scripts.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.