12th-13th - Gothic Scripts (oct 14, 1100 – mar 7, 1200)

Description:

- Gothic script evolves out of need to write faster
- Origin: Paris
- Develops out of a geometric increase in book production with educational revival and formation of universities in 12th c.
- 80 universities in Europe by 1500
- More efficient book production -> pecia (piece system -> accuracy and speed)
o Students can trade around parts of the book
Gothic script: Characteristics
- More angles than curves
- More shading
- Thickest strokes vertical
- More abbreviations (esp. in less formal varieties)
- Finials of letters on base-lines all get same pen strokes
Varieties of Gothic script
- Formal gothic textual
- Parisian gothic textual
o There are more silent characters
- Formal gothic cursive (late)
o Less angular and more flowy
- Gothic cursive
- Gothic cursive currens (running)
o Write notes on animal skin