Recognizing Southern Textualis (Rotunda)

Southern Textualis or Rotunda is a script common in the Mediterranean region of Europe. It is characterized mainly by its broad, round bows (letters with curves such as b and o). Sometimes for this reason it is called Rotunda.

Not only is Southern Textualis wide but it is also short. Its ascenders seldom go far above the headline at the top of the minims.  Notice, too, at how solidly planted many of its graphs are.  The shaft of its f and straight s, the stem of its h, and the first minim of its m and n are all cut off flat at the base line (praecisa).

Take a look at the bows in these two examples. This one is Southern Textualis:

This one is Northern Textualis:

You can see the difference in the rounded Southern bows versus the more angular Northern bows clearly.

Want to remember the identifying characteristics of Southern Textualis? Think FSF: fat, short, and flat-footed. Of course, this is slander, since the script is graceful and beautiful. Still the thought might help you to recognize it when you see it.

The examples of Southern Textualis used in this lesson are images from a private collection, for which we are very grateful.