Carolingian minuscule

Carolingian minuscule (usually uncountable, plural Carolingian minuscules)

1. (calligraphy, historical) A script developed to standardise writing in the Latin alphabet throughout the Holy Roman Empire, used between approximately 800 and 1200 CE.
   • 1912, Edward Maunde Thompson, An Introduction to Greek and Latin Palaeography, published 2013, page 403:

     The Carolingian minuscule, which we have already found brought to perfection at Tours and at other centres of France, was the literary hand of the Frankish Empire, and extended its influence and was gradually adopted in neighbouring countries.

   • 1995, William W. Kibler, editor, Medieval France: An Encyclopedia‎, page 1304:

     The Carolingian empire did not endure past the 9th century; yet Carolingian minuscule survived in France well into the 12th century, as it continued to be the preferred style of writing in monastic book production.

   • 2001, Steven Roger Fischer, History of Writing, published 2003, page 247:

     Later Merovingian hands, however, often from Italy and drawing heavily from half uncials, prefigured the later Carolingian minuscule and achieved a certain graceful legibility.

2. (calligraphy, usually in the plural) A character written in the script.
   • 2000, David Roffe, Domesday: The Inquest and the Book‎, page 85:

     Written in black ink in Carolingian minuscules, holdings are identified by reference to the vill in which they were situated and their assessment is noted, whilst the lord in 1086 is indicated by an interlineation in red in the same hand.

• (Latin script, standard during about 800-1200 CE): Caroline minuscule