Blackletter, also known as Gothic script or Old English, is a form of script developed in medieval Europe that remained in use in some countries as late as the early 20th century. Blackletter typefaces are characterized by elaborate serifs and dramatic variations in line width. Well-known families of blackletter typefaces include the ornate Textura and the popular Fraktur.
Blackletter is rarely used in body text today due to its poor readability, but it still lends a dignified appearance to diplomas, certificates, and newspaper mastheads. In recent years it has become associated with heavy metal (post #3345234), gangsta rap (post #3520324), and even beer labels (post #3011557).
