Scottish Handwriting 1150-1650: An Introduction to the Reading of Documents

Description

Much modern research has been applied to Scotland's history, but until this volume there has been no comprehensive study of the country's handwriting for nearly 250 years. The main body of this book consists of facsimile texts, each facing a detailed transcript and commentary. The historical background of handwriting usage is surveyed in the introduction, with emphasis on changing fashions. There is also guidance on how to deal with early language and abbreviations. The principal aim is to assist research students, local historians, genealogists and calligraphers in their studies.

Dr Grant Simpson, formerly Senior Lecturer, is now Honorary Reader in Scottish History at the University of Aberdeen, and was for many years an Assistant Keeper on the staff of the Scottish Record Office in Edinburgh, where he gained a wide knowledge of the manuscript sources of Scottish history and their handwritings.