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Uncial, Semi Uncial & Insular scripts

Uncial script, widely used from the 4th to the 8th centuries, is characterized by its rounder and more open forms compared to other majuscule scripts. It was regarded as the most significant and solemn script, frequently employed for biblical texts. A variant known as 'insular majuscule' originated in Ireland and is prominently featured in the Book of Kells.

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This manuscript page, which is modern lyrics in the style of ‘The Book of Kells’ (790-830), the writing style of which is ‘Insular Majuscule’, born out of Roman half uncial in the 6th Century. I have a great respect for the St Columba monks on the island of Iona, that is a very precise and quite tricky script to write. I’ve followed them in using a goose feather quill and iron gall ink (which is black but turns brown over time).

 

True colours song lyrics by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. First released in 1986

Irish Semi Uncial.jpg
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