Hand: Hand 2 (8v1–2 and 11–24), Copenhagen, RAP 637–659, 661, 669–671, 674–698

Stokes, English Vernacular Script, ca 990–ca 1035, Vol. 2 (PhD Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2006)

This slightly disorderly hand varies somewhat in its angularity and shading, being more angular and heavily shaded on lines 1–2 and more rotund and less shaded on lines 11–24; the aspect of lines 1–2 in particular is much like those of S.1394 and 1399. Ascenders are about equal to minims in length, with thick horizontal strokes in place of wedges. Descenders are of similar length but straight and not tapering at all. Minims have approach-strokes and feet; they are normally fairly straight but vary in their angle. A rounded a was used throughout which can be teardrop-shaped, but the bowl is often laterally extended and the top of the letter can be quite wide, quite flat, and formed by the same stroke as the back. The eye of æ sits on the shoulder at cue-height and then rises further before turning down to meet the straight rising tongue; a tall form was also used, the eye of which is narrow and forward-leaning. Round c was used throughout. The back of d is short, rounded, and angled at about 30–45°. Horned e was used throughout, the eye of which can be low or tall as for æ and the tongue of which was extended in a concave-up stroke when final. The tongue of f is often tapering and vertical-tipped, and the hook branches from the base-line. The top of g is very short and slightly concave up; the tail hangs from slightly left of centre, curves out further to the left in a small mid-section, then swings around in a wide open hook and ends horizontally, projecting slightly under the preceding letter. The shoulders of h, m, n, and r can be quite angular, particularly on lines 1–2, or can be more rounded; the foot of r begins horizontally and curves up. Low and tall s were both used, the latter consistently before t. Tall s has a thick vertical, often slightly forward-leaning, and short thick hook. The conventional distinction between þ and ð was followed to some extent, although the scribe showed a preference for ð (note especially on ðam ðe cristene men, 8v18). The back of ð is long, can be rounded or straight, and angled at about 45°; the cross-stroke barely passes through the back, sitting almost entirely on the right and with a downward hook at the tip. Straight-limbed dotted y was used, with a small leftward hook on the right branch and rightward hook at the tip of the tail. The top of 7 is straight and rising, and the down-stroke is vertical.