This great skill at one time painstakingly done and devoted hours to from the clergy in cloistered places...
On the other hand, it could be said that there is a certain loss now that it can be performed with such ease. That a novice who chooses a more mechanized way of production cannot grasp the beauty of the art done by hand.
Calligraphy is a love cross medium - wherein the use of words and language is prominent as well as the formation of the words. Also to be noted, many great calligraphic words involve drawings as well.
The most common use of calligraphy we see today is centered around wedding invitation and other events of that nature. Although there are many handmade artists returning to the art to write more everyday things like correspondence.
As with many arts, there are differing styles that tend towards certain areas. Each style has particularities to the way it is performed and certain common shapes used. These calligraphy styles often have set rules, such as the stroke amount and particular angles at which lettering would be formed. Western which many would be familiar with as being associated with the middles ages usually began with a large elaborate first letter. Other styles include Chinese or Arabic.
Truly, in its beginnings calligraphy finds it home in the Roman Empire, which it survived and then developed further as it spread into different specific styles of lettering.
Tools:

One of the traditional tools of calligraphy. It may vary in its particular style, resulting in several options: flat-balled or round-nibbed.

Also used in calligraphy to form letters. This is often seen used in Chinese calligraphy.

Ink is usually water-based. This differs from printing inks that are often oil-based and more viscous.

You want to use high quality paper that will allow for good lines and no bleeding. Parchment paper is often used, and in general the paper may be lined or unlined.
In the comments below share with me: Have you ever tried calligraphy? Do you use it? Is it something you'd like to learn?
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