Dialect & Handwriting

 

Dr. Philip Shaw (Source: University of Leicester)

Dr. Philip Shaw (Source: University of Leicester)


The handwriting can reveal a lot about a person.
 
That we can learn about King Richard III through his handwriting, proved Dr. Philip Shaw from the University of Leicester with the impressive results of his research.

  • He was able to reconstruct the dialect
  • compare it with current dialects
  • and locate it to late Medieval regions.

 
And that all through analysing how King Richard wrote, how he wrote certain words in comparison with his scribes and compared to other documents of the time.
 
Furthermore, Dr. Philip Shaw could revive the dialect in the following interview. Listen in how King Richard III might have sounded:
 

 
 
But that is not all.
See for yourself how King Richard III wrote in the following document, where he asked for help after the betrayal by the Duke of Buckingham.
King Richard III’s handwriting is distinctly different from the meticulous writing style of his scribe at the beginning of the letter, though it shows a well versed and well trained writer:
 

Richard III's request for the Great Seal with postscript on treachery of Duke of Buckingham 12 Oct 1483 (Source: National Archives)

Richard III’s request for the Great Seal with postscript on treachery of Duke of Buckingham 12 Oct 1483 (Source: National Archives)


 
 
Dr. Shaw about his analysis:

I found that Richard III’s spellings are relatively consistent, and in many ways reflect the same educated spelling practices employed by his secretaries. However, he also differs from the practice of his secretaries occasionally, and such quirks may provide clues to how he spoke.
 
“Like today, there were various dialects (with different features of accent and grammar) around the country. Unlike today, individuals were more likely to spell words in ways that reflected their local dialect. Therefore, by looking at Richard’s writing, I was able to pinpoint spellings that may provide some clues to his accent.
 
“The language used within the two postscripts shows no evidence of northern English dialect features, largely reflecting the relatively standard, London-derived spelling system also used by Richard’s secretaries. However, there is also at least one spelling he employs that may suggest a West Midlands accent.

 
 

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March 12, 2014

Richard III Burial Battle Begins (by Tom Sykes, The Daily Beast (Blog))


March 12, 2014

Richard III: Does it matter where he is buried? (by Ben Truslove, BBC News)


March 11, 2014

‘Keep Richard III in Leicester supporters link arms in show of solidarity (Leicester Mercury)


March 11, 2014

First Person: The legal facts behind the tug-of-love for Richard III’s bones (by Neil Parpworth, Principal Lecturer in Law, Leicester De Montfort Law School, Leicester Mercury)


March 11, 2014

Village should be jumping on King Richard III’s bandwagon (by Karen Hambridge, Hinckley Times)


March 11, 2014

University will retain rights on reinterment (by Neil Parpworth, Principal Lecturer in Law, Leicester De Montfort Law School, Leicester Mercury)


March 11, 2014

Lifting the lid on the science and collaborations behind Richard III discovery (by ap507, University of Leicester)


March 11, 2014

Richard III: judicial review over reburial of remains to start this week (by Emma McFarnon, BBC History Extra)


March 10, 2014

Richard III campaigners hold rally ahead of judicial review (BBC News)


March 10, 2014

Richard III: Pro-Leicester supporters to link arms round king’s statue (Leicester Mercury)


 

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