Using Scalable Vector Graphics in Medieval Latin Palaeography: New Approaches, New Conversations

The use of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) in the study of pre-modern handwriting 12 (palaeography) to date has been extremely limited, especially amongst scholars of the 13 medieval Latin West and its manuscript culture(s). Informed by the author’s 14 experience of using vector graphics for over a decade in researching and teaching 15 medieval Latin palaeography in UK and EU Higher Education, this short article 16 offers a starting point for further conversation. Following a general introduction and 17 a concise survey of current practice, it discusses some basic SVG editing tools and 18 exemplifies the utility of their application in three key areas of palaeographic study 19 (tracing, analysis, and visualisation) before highlighting, by way of conclusion, 20 potential avenues of future development with the aim of enabling and encouraging 21 colleagues to make greater use of SVG in their research and teaching.