What makes a font a “gothic” font?

Question

This seems like simple question... but I cannot track down any useful answers.

It's easy to find lots of fonts with "gothic" in their names. But what makes a font a "gothic" font?

Answer 1

They are based off actual scripture from the Gothic period in history. See this wonderful link by Project Gutenberg, Chapter 3 covers Gothic: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20590/20590-h/20590-h.htm

Answer 2

Ryan's suggested article really is excellent: LETTERS & LETTERING: A TREATISE WITH 200 EXAMPLES. Here are a few quotes to summarize the definition of "Gothic" fonts.

The name "Gothic" applies rather to the spirit than to the exact letter forms of the style. The same spirit of freedom and restlessness characterises the architecture of the period wherein this style of letter was developed; and Gothic letters are in many ways akin to the fundamental forms of Gothic architecture.

So... Gothic fonts can be recognized by their free and restless spirit.

medieval scribes used the Round Gothic as an easy and legible handwritten form, and linked many of the letters.

And Gothic fonts should all be legible, containing some interlinking forms.

In lieu of any detailed analysis of these letter shapes, it may perhaps be sufficient to say that they were wholly and exactly determined by the position of the quill, which was held rigidly upright, after the fashion already described in speaking of Roman lettering; and that the letters were always formed with a round swinging motion of hand and arm, as their forms and accented lines clearly evidence

Bracchial gyrations and erect quill posture appear to be critical factors as well.

But the best advice is to just look at the samples.