Summary of the e pigraphic examinations performed on stone carved inscriptions made in the M edieval Transdanubia

Abstract

The Romanesque inscriptions (with Antiqua letters then more and more Uncials) have appeared at about 1000 A.D. in Hungary. This style has lasted until the middle of the 13 th century. The early Gothic style (with the domination of Uncials) appears just after the mid poin t of the 12 th century and also lasts until the middle of the 13 th century. Gothic maiuscula characters were first found in Transdanubia on stones carved in the first half of the 14 th century, but the oldest such inscription found could be dated 1289 in Hun gary. The end of its use dated about 1400. The first relic proving the apparition of the new style of Gothic minuscule in Hungary is a tombstone fragment found in Buda, traced back to 1366.The period of the carved Gothic minuscule writing ended at the midd le of the 15 th century, although some late provincial versions made in 1524 or later. The first known stone carved inscription done in humanistic capitals dates from 1467. The different versions of this type are also observed and persist until 1539 40 or longer, i.e. to the historical end mark of the area.