SOMERTON MAN: CROSSING THE Ts'

Not talking about this T, but suggesting that just maybe we should take a look at some other Ts. The Ts that are contained in Verse 70. Have you ever noticed them? Do they strike you as being a little unusual perhaps?

Here are a few notes made recently and I thought I would share them with you:

THE Ts!

Line 1 has two T's, RepenTence and ofT, the T in repentence is not crossed but it is in ofT

Line 2 has one T in buT, not crossed

Line 3. has two Ts, Then and Then, the first T is crossed and the second one is a 'floating' cross well away from the T.

Line 4. has 3 Ts, Thread 'floating' cross, Penitence, not crossed, Tore, a 'floating' and extended cross.

Signature, one T in JesTyn, 'floating' shortened cross.

The inconsistency in the way the T has been written is unusual I think. We have 3 Ts not crossed, we have 2 that are crossed and we have 3 floating crossed Ts , 4 if you count Jestyn

Looking a little further and differently at the Ts:

Repentence oft, but, then (and) then, thread penitence tore.

First letter sequence:ROBTTTPTJ including JESTYN

Last letter sequence: ETTNNDEEN if you count JESTYN

Following words: Oft before, was, and came, bare a tore

Clive had a great thought that maybe the T was used as a message prompt as in the book being exchanged with no crossed Ts and then crossed to be returned and as a way of acknowledging the receipt of the book, perhaps indicating that a message was on its way?

Whilst it's fair to say that people sometimes write and form their words inconsistently, it's a matter of degree. Is it common or less common to show such variations within a relatively short paragraph?

There's something not sitting right here, can't quite put my finger on it but please feel free to share your thoughts...