Bréfaskriftir

Bréfaskriftir is a term used in Icelandic palaeography to refer to the handwriting styles traditionally employed in the composition of personal letters and other epistolary documents. The word is formed from bréf (letter) and skrift (script), with the plural suffix -ir. In scholarly usage, bréfaskriftir describe a family of script forms rather than a single standardized hand; they vary by region, school, and historical period. Common features include legible, often moderately cursive letterforms designed for routine correspondence, with clear ascenders and descenders and careful finishing strokes to denote punctuation. The practice of bréfaskriftir developed alongside the broader Icelandic manuscript tradition, drawing on clerical book hands but adapting for informal, personal writing.

Historically, these scripts circulated among educated communities in Iceland and other Nordic areas, and were transmitted through teachers and scribal mentors. In modern times, bréfaskriftir are mainly of interest to palaeographers, historians, and calligraphy enthusiasts. They are studied for dating and localizing manuscripts, understanding epistolary conventions, and reconstructing the appearance of historical letters. Some contemporary calligraphers and educators advocate revival or emulation of bréfaskriftir as part of cultural heritage promotion. The concept overlaps with topics such as epistolary literature, palaeography, and Icelandic handwriting traditions. For further reading, scholars reference Icelandic manuscript collections and studies of Scandinavian handwriting.