A convention whereby scripts of a higher grade than the main text script of a manuscript were used for major headings, titles, subtitles, and so on, in a predictable descending order of prestige. For example, in Carolingian manuscripts in which the hierarchy was most fully developed, the top-level headings were in square capitals, followed in descending order by rustic capitals and then uncials, with the Caroline minuscule for the main text script.