The Carolingian minuscule (8th to 12th century) is considered to be the first fully developed minuscule (lower case) alphabet with legible, uniform, round, bouncy, branching shapes accompanied by capitals, word spacing, and punctuation. The minuscule was the precursor to other cursive alphabets: Italic, Foundational, Roman book hands, Blackletter, and modern typefaces which evolved in later centuries.

Emperor Charlemagne, although not completely literate, realized the need for literacy through a better form of handwriting to unify the ecclesiastical books for a cleaner means of communication in order to spread Christianity throughout his empire. Under the tutelage of Alcuin of York, an advisor to Charlemagne, this objective was achieved through the standardization of existing scripts. Simple Roman Capitals, Uncials, and Half Uncials work well with this script.

The alphabet to be taught is the Carolingian minuscule adapted by Sheila Waters for her manuscript Under Milk Wood, commissioned by Edward Hornby and completed in 1978. For further historical study of this beautiful script, please read Foundations of Calligraphy by Sheila Waters and Historical Scripts by Stan Knight.

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Time: 10:00 am—4:00 pm
Price: $80 members/$100 non-members
Level: Beginner and all levels
Location: SVA Annex, 214 E. 21st Street (between 2nd/3rd Ave), Room 703A