What was the historical representation of the letter "W" used by medieval scribes?

The historical representation of the letter "W" by medieval scribes is best understood as a double "U." This is because the letter "W" did not exist in the Latin alphabet during much of the medieval period. Instead, scribes would write "W" using two "U" characters placed side by side, reflecting its phonetic value. This pairing visually represents the sound that "W" makes and illustrates the evolution of letter forms in connection with language development. The use of "UU" is important to note because it links to the etymological background of the letter's usage in various languages, particularly in Germanic languages, where "W" plays a significant role.

The other options do not accurately represent the historical use of "W." A single "W" overlooks the fact that the letter did not stand alone during that time. Highlighting a letter would have implied an emphasis or distinct visual treatment rather than the literal formation of the letter itself. Similarly, while decorative letters were a common feature in medieval manuscripts, they pertain to aesthetic embellishment rather than the fundamental structure and representation of the letter "W." Thus, the designation of "W" as a double "U" captures the essence of its usage in historical manuscripts most