IAMPETH 2023 - Carolingian - Bob Hurford

Carolingian - All Skill Levels

From a book commissioned by the King of the Franks and his wife in 781, written by a Frankish scribe, popularized by an English monk in a French monastery, Carolingian, the script of Charlemagne, is the foundation for all of our modern scripts west of the Alps that are not Blackletter. I will take the class through a bit of the history of Carolingian, its 8th century origins, and how it influences writing today. Letters 1200 years old are easily recognizable. We will first work on the minuscules (small letters). Carolingian uses square capitals as majuscules with no flourishing. Square capitals are plain and are useful in other alphabets as well. Square capitals will be approached as word exemplars. Square capitals will be attached to words to give the class experience with minuscules and letterspacing. Time permitting, we will write a quote or two to give the class some practice in forming words and sentences in Carolingian. This is a beautiful book hand, rarely taught, but surprisingly easy to learn. The skill level is for anyone who has tried a broad or edged pen.

Class Supplies

• Guidesheets will be provided for the 3.8mm Parallel Pen and for broad pens equal to the 2mm Brause or #2 Mitchell. A C-3 Speedball will also work. (FP67) (N02) (N04) (N09)
• If you are really adventurous, you may use quills cut two and four millimeters in width. You should bring three identically cut quills for each size. They wear out. (N24)
• Choose an ink with good coverage and makes fine hairlines. Color is up to you. (I70)
• For paper, you will need a sheet through which guidelines may be seen. Canson Marker Layout or Borden & Riley #37 Marker Layout are good choices. They hold ink well with good hairlines. (P32) (P09-50)