Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 2476

DIMEV 2476

In Armorica that called is Brittany

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Franklin’s Tale of the Canterbury Tales — 896 lines in couplets.

Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer

Title(s): Franklin’s Tale; Canterbury Tales

Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; marriage; illusion; Breton lays

Versification: — couplets — aa

Manuscript Witnesses:

1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden. B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 249v-262

First Lines:

Ther was a knyght that loued & did his peyne
in Armorike that cleped is Bretaigne…

Last Lines:

…now telleth me er that I ferther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 729-30, 987-8, 1265-6, 1353-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: …And next folwyng bigynneth his tale (f. 249v); the ffrankeleyne (RT); Here endith the ffrankeleyne his tale… (f. 262)

2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 149v-161v

First Lines:

In armoryk þat callid is bretayne
þer was a knyght þat callid is bretayne…

Last Lines:

…No telleþ me er þat I ferþer wende
I con no more my tale is atte an end

Note: V.828, 1422-7, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1525-7 omitted.

Attributed Title: ffrankeleyn (RT); here endith þe frankeleyns tale… (f. 161v)

3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 103-112v

First Lines:

[T]her was a knyght that loued and did his peine
In Armorik that clepid is Briteyne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me ere that I further wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1191-6, 1423-58, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 13-4, 1530.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the ffrankleyns tale (f. 103)

4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), ff. 138-148v

First Lines:

…And forto lede þe more in blisse hir lyves
Of his fre wille he swore hir as a knyght…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er þat ye ferther wende
I kan namore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.709-28 (Prologue), 726-43 lost; 1013, 1455-6. 1493-8, omitted; 1286-9 inserted at foot.

Attributed Title: ffrankeleyn (RT); Here endeth the ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 148v)

5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 99-109v

First Lines:

In Armorik þat called is Bretaine
There was a knight þat loued & did his paine…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er ye ferther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Attributed Title: Narrat (f. 99, margin); The ffrankelens tale (RT); Here endeth þe ffrankeleyns tale of þe Rokkes of Bretaigne… (f. 109v)

6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 172-184v

First Lines:

THer was a knight þat loued and did his peyne
In armorik þat clepud is bretayne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleþ me er þat I ferþer wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1422-7, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: …Here begynneþ þe frankeleyns tale (f. 171v); þe frankeleyn (RT); Here endeþ þe frankeleyns tale… (f. 184v)

7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 177-190

First Lines:

[T]Here was a knyght þat louyd and dyd his peyne
In armorike that clepyd is brytayn…

Last Lines:

…Now tellez me er þat I ferther wende
I can nomore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1422-7, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 1345-6, 1353-4, reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 219-232

First Lines:

In armorik that called was britayne
Ther was a kniȝt that loued and did his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me or that ye further wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: Although referred to as the ‘Merchant’s Tale’ in the incipit and explicit, the text is that of the Franklin’s Tale. V.1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 731-2, 893-4 reversed; 999-1000 follow 1006; 1541-4 follow 1550.

Attributed Title: …And here beginneth his tale folwing (f. 219); Arueragus Dorigen Aurelius (RT); Here endeth the tale of the Marchaunt… (f. 232)

9.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 179-190

First Lines:

In Armoryk that called is Bretayne
Ther was a knyght þat loued & dede his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er that ye ferther wende
I kan no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 1120 blank with caret versus in margin.

Attributed Title: Here bygynnyth the ffrankeleyns tale (f. 179)

10.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 159-170v

First Lines:

Ther was a knight þat loued and did his peyne
In amoryke þat cleped is Briteyne…

Last Lines:

…Tuo ȝere or þre to respiten me
þenne were I wel for elles moste I selle…

Note: V.1584-624 lost; 1147-8, 1191-6, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529, 1556, 1567-8 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 165-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: ffreynkeleyn (RT, rubric)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Corpus Christi, Oxford MS 198 of the Canterbury Tales” .

11.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 149-161v

First Lines:

IN Armoric þat callid is Britayne
Þer was a knyȝt þat lovid & dede his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me er ye furthir wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.764, 828, 975, 982, 1030, 1257-61, 1455-6, 1463-6, 1493-8 omitted; 829-30 reversed; 999-1000 follow 1006.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale (f. 149); ffrankeleyn (f. 149, margin); ffrankeleyn (RT); Here endith þe ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 161v)

12.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 153v-165

First Lines:

ther was a knyght that louyd and did his peine
In Armorike that callid is britaine…

Last Lines:

…nowe tellith me or that I forthir wende
I canne no more my tale is atte an ende

Note: V.1035-8, 1047, 1235-7, 1266, 1335-6, 1365, 1400, 1420, 1425-56, 1493-8, 1524, 1259, 1546, 1568 omitted; 729-30, 987-8, 1195-6, 1353-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: ffrankeleyn (RT); Explicit fabula… (f. 165)

13.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 129-138v

First Lines:

…She seide sire sithe of ȝoure gentillesse
ȝe profre me to haue so large a reyne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me or that ȝe ferthere wende
I can namore my tale is at an ende Amen

Note: V.709-53, 1472-564 lost; 1455-6 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here endeth the ffrenkeleyns tale… (f. 138v)

14.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Gg.4.27 (Part 1a), ff. 287-297v

First Lines:

IN Armoryk that callyd is Britayne
There was a knyȝt that louede & dede his payne…

Last Lines:

…The valew of fyue hunderede pound I gesse
And hym be sechith of hise gentilesse…

Note: V.1575-624 lost; 1132, 1455-6, 1473-4, 1493-8 omitted; spurious line follows 1109.

15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ii.3.26, ff. 98v-109

First Lines:

In Amoryk that called is Bretayn
There was a knyght that loued and did his payn…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telleth me or ye firther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.975, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 817-18, 829-30, reversed; spurious line follows 976; 999-1000 follow 1006; 1517-37 partially lost (illegible).

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale (f. 98v); ffrankleyn (RT); Here Endith the ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 109)

16.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 154-163v

First Lines:

Ther was a knyȝt þat loued and did his peyne
In Armorike that cleped it Britayne…

Last Lines:

…Nowe tellith me er þat I ferþer wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.994, 1004, 1147-8, 1191-6, 1286-9, 1390, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: þe fraunkekleyns tale (RT); þe fraunkeleyn (RT); Here endith þe ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 163v)

17.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 118v-129

First Lines:

IN amoryk that kalled ys Bretayn
Where was a knyght loued and dyd his peyn…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth or þat y further wende
I kan no more my tale ys at an ende

Note: V.857-92, 911-12, 991-2, 1015-18, 1109-10, 113-15, 1209-16, 1243-56, 1297-90, 1387-94, 1409-13, 1493-8, 1549-50, 1553-6, 1581-2, 1593-4 omitted; 809-14 follow 816; spurious lines follow 1116, 1408. About half the recto and all of the verso left blank following the Tale.

Attributed Title: Here endeth þe ffrancleyns tale (f. 129)

18.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 108ra-113rb

First Lines:

In armork that callid is Britaine
There was a kniȝt þat loued and did his peine…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me or that ye forther wende
I can nomore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1063-4. 1455-6, 1462, 1493-8 omitted; spurious lines follow 922.

Attributed Title: Hiere beginneth a tale of the ffrankeleyn (f. 108ra); Hiere is finisshed the tale of the ffrankeleyn… (f. 113rb)

19.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 186-201v

First Lines:

IN Armoryke that called is Britaigne
There was a knyght that loued & did his peyne…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telleth me or ye ferther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.764, 772, 975, 1257-62, 1322, 1424, 1439-42, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 818-19, 994-5 reversed; spurious line follows 976; 999-1000 follow 1006. A blank space of approximately fifteen lines interevenes between the end of Franklin’s Tale and the explicit, which occurs at the foot of f. 201v.

Attributed Title: Here endeth the ffrankeleyns tale of the knyght / Averagus and dame Dorygene his wyff / and the noble Philosophre of Orlyaunce… (f. 201v)

20.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 184v-201

First Lines:

In armoryk that called is brytayne
Ther was a knyht that loved & did his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er ye ferther wende
I can no mor my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1455-6, 1493-8 omitted.

Attributed Title: ffrankelyn (RT); Explicit fabula de le ffrankeleyn… (f. 201)

21.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 132v-144v

First Lines:

In armorik that called is brytayn
Ther was a knyght that loued and did his payn…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er that ye ferther wende
I kan namore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1465-6 reversed.

Attributed Title: the frankeleyn (RT)

Editions:

Horobin, Simon. “A Transcription and Study of British Library MS Additional 35286 of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.” Diss. Univ. of Sheffield, 1997.

22.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], ff. 148-159

First Lines:

In Amoryk þat called is Bretayn
There was a knyght þat loued and did his peyn…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me or þat ye ferther wend
I can no more my tale is at an end

Note: V.1063-4, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; spurious lines follow 922.

Attributed Title: Sic desinit fabula de ffrankelayn… (f. 159)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Cambridge MS. Dd.4.24 of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Completed by the Egerton MS. 2726 (The Haistwell MS). The Chaucer Society 1st Series, no. 95 (Part 1, issue for 1901) and 96 (Part 2, issue for 1902).

23.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 115-123v

First Lines:

…Who couthe telle but he hadde wedded be
The ioye the ese & the prosperite…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er þat I further wende
I can na more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.709-802, 879-954, 1185-1266 lost; 1147-8, 1185-1266, 1423-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 987-8, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: The ffrankeleyn (RT); Here endith þe ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 123v)

24.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 155-167

First Lines:

In Armoryk that called is brytayne
Ther was a knyht that loved and did his payne…

Last Lines:

…Nou telleth me er ye ferthere wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1455-6, 1493-8, 1525-7 omitted; spurious line follows 1617.

Attributed Title: He begynneth þe tale of the Rokkis of Brytayne (f. 155); The ffrankeleyn (RT); Explicit (f. 167)

25.Source: London, British Library Harley 1239, ff. 101-106v

First Lines:

Lystenythe of a knygh of tyme ful olde
Off werrys he was wyse and eke ful bolde
A lady to his wyffe for love he chesse
That evere tyll hys entent wolde hym plesse
He sayd in fayth for no erthly creature
Wolde he ne change wyle lyue may in dure
And she to hym wysely gan swere
þat neuer shuld he deffaute in hyre…

Last Lines:

…Now tel me or þat þe forth wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.870-80, 939-50, 1123-241, 1453-562 lost; 882-4, 951-5 partially lost (tear);709-88, 1284, 1296, 1405 omitted; six spurious lines precede 789 (the first line of text). On 106v is a colophon: ‘Vestre magnifice & generosissime dominacionis humilimus seruiens / & ser Orate heremita de Grenewych mundo quasi totaliter / segregatus ac mentibus suorum fortune amicorum & hominum per / oblitus’.

26.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 127v-137

First Lines:

THere was a knyght that loueyd and did his payne
In armorike that clepid is Britayne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me er that I ferthir wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1147-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious line follows 1530. Large blank space between the explicit for the Franklin’s Tale and the incipit for the Second Nun’s Prologue.

Attributed Title: The ffrankeleyn (RT); Here endith the ffrenkeleyns tale (f. 137)

27.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, ff. 82vb-86va

First Lines:

IN Amoryk þat callid is britayne
þer was a knyȝt and loved and ded his peyn…

Last Lines:

…Now tellithe me er ye furþer wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.764, 814, 828, 975, 978, 982, 1257-62, 1286-9, 1371, 1422-7, 1455-6, 1463-6, 1493-8 omitted; 999-1000 follow 1006; 829-30 reversed.

Attributed Title: And here begynnithe þe ffranklens tale (f. 82vb); Here Endithe the ffrankleyn his tale… (f. 86va)

28.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 157-162

First Lines:

…lasse þan a þousand pound he wolde noght haue
Ne gladly for þat somme he wolde not goon…

Last Lines:

…Now telleþ me or þat I ferþer wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.709-1223 lost; 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted.

Attributed Title: ffrankeleynes Tale (RT); Here endeth þe ffrankeleynes tale… (f. 162)

29.Source: London, British Library Harley 7335, ff. 140v-153v

First Lines:

[I]N Armoryk that called was Breteigne
Ther was a knyght that louede and dede his peyne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me or that ye ferthere wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende
Yee late that passe quod oure host as now
Sire doctour of phisik y pray you
Telle vs a tale at my prayere
Hit shal be doon if that ye wil hit here
Said this doctour and his tale bygan anoon
Now good men quod he herkenyth euerichon

Note: V.1455-6, 1493-8, 1593-4 omitted; 999-1000 follow 1006; six spurious lines follow 1624 (functioning as a ‘Franklin-Physician Link’).

30.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 141v-151v

First Lines:

Ther was a knyt þat loued & did his peyne
InArmorik þat cleped is bretaigne…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telleþ me or þat I forþe wende
I can no more my tale is att an ende

Note: V.774, 1147-8, 1191-6, 1324, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1512, 1529, 1556, 1567-8, 1595-1602 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-88, 1265-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530, 1558.

Attributed Title: …Incipit fabula (f. 141v);þe ffrankeleyne (RT); Explicit Liber… (f. 152)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Lansdowne Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 7, 13, 20, 36, 43, 55, 69. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

31.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 177-190v

First Lines:

Ther was a knyght that loved and dide his peyne
In Amorik that clepid is Bretaigne…

Last Lines:

…No tellith me or that I further wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30. 987-8, 1195-6, 1265-6, 1353-4, 1563-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 922, 1530.

Attributed Title: Explicit / Here endith the tale of the ffranklyn… (f. 190v)

32.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 146-156v

First Lines:

[I]N armoryk þat called is Bretayne
Ther was a knyght þat loued and dede his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleþ me er þat I ferþer wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: 1147-8, 1191-6, 1423-4, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: The ffrankleyn (RT)

33.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, ff. 145v-157v

First Lines:

Here was a knyȝt þat loued and did his peyne
In Armoryke þat clepid ys bretaigne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleþe me or þat I ferthere wende
I can no more my tale ys at an ende

Note: V.800-4, 1147-8, 1191-6, 1223, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1514, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: The ffrenkeleyn (RT); Here endithe þe ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 157v)

34.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 193v-207v

First Lines:

THere was a knight þat lovid & did his peyne
In Armorik that clepid is breteyne…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telle me or than I forthe wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.880, 1118, 1147-8, 1191-6, 1286-9, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436-52, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1524, 1556, 1567-8, 1595-602, 1618 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4, 1603-4 reversed; 1092 inserted at foot; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530, 1558.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale folowyng (f. 193v); [A] Tale of the ffrankelyn (RT); [D]ORigen (RT); Here endith the ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 207v)

35.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 154-165

First Lines:

IN Armorik that called is Britayne
Ther was a knyght þat louede & dide his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er that ye ferther wende
I kan namoore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1455-6, 1493-8 omitted.

Attributed Title: Narrat (f. 154); The ffrankeleyn (RT); Here endeth the ffrankeleyns tale (f. 165, leaving half a blank page)

Facsimiles:

Ruggiers, Paul G., ed. The Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer. A Facsimile of the Hengwrt Manuscript, with Variants from the Ellesmere Manuscript. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma, and Folkestone: Wm. Dawson, 1979.

Stubbs, Estelle, ed. The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM). Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Hengwrt Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 3, 9, 27, 39, 51, 71. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

Blake, Norman F., ed. The Canterbury Tales. Edited from the Hengwrt Manuscript. York Medieval Texts, second series. London: Edward Arnold, 1980.

Stubbs, Estelle, ed. The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM). Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.

36.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, ff. 130v-140

First Lines:

In Amorik that callid is breteyn
Ther was a knyȝt a knyȝt þat lovid & did his peyn…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith or that wee ferther wende
I can no more my tale is att a ende

Note: V.796, 861-92, 911-12, 1015-18, 1024, 1030, 1109-15, 1209-16, 1243-56, 1277-90, 1409-12, 1423-56, 1565-6, 1569-70, 1577-8, 1583-4, 1591-602, 1620, 1622 omitted; 1048-86, 1075-6 partially lost (tear); spurious lines follow 806.

Attributed Title: Here endith the / ffrankelen his tale (f. 140, margin)

37.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 81vs-86ra

First Lines:

In Armorike þat called was bretayne
There was a knyght þat lyved and dide his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er þat ye ferther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.740, 1422-7, 1455-6, 1469-70, 1493-8 omitted; 731-2, 893-4 reversed; 999-1000 follow 1006; 1541-4 follow 1550.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the tale of the fraunkleyn (f. 81rb); the ffrankeleyn (RT)

38.Source: Holkham Hall, Earl of Leicester MS 667, ff. 32ra-37vb

First Lines:

IN armonyk that cleped ys bretayne
There dwelte a knight that loued & did his peine…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telleth me er ye ferther wende
I can nomore my tale ys at an ende

Note: V.1257-62, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 764 blank; 999-1000 follow 1006; 829-30 reversed.

39.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, ff. 153v-165

First Lines:

Ther was a knyght that loued and did his payne
In Armorke that cleped is Britayne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er þat we fertherther wende
I ca no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1191-6, 1204, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8,1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: The ffrenkeleyn (RT); Thus endeth the ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 165)

40.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 138-149v

First Lines:

IN armorik þat callyd is breteyne
þer was a knyȝt þat louede and dede his peyne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellyth me or þat I forth wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1058-61, 1287-8, 1423-4, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 885-6, 987-8, 1195-6, 1341-2, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 921, 922, 1057; 1436 left blank and supplied later.

Attributed Title: ffrankleyn (RT); Here endith the ffrankleyns tale… (f. 149v)

41.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 186v-201

First Lines:

IN Armorik that called is Bretaigne
Ther was a knyght that loved and did his peyne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me er that ye further wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1006, 1009, 1180, 1182, 1278, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1525-7 omitted; 975-6, 1083-4, 1165-6 reversed; spurious line follows 1052.

Attributed Title: Explicit ffabula (f. 201)

42.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 104v-112

First Lines:

In Armorik þat called is Bretaigne
þer was a knyght þat loued & dede his peyne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me or þat ye forther wende
I can no more my tale is atte an ende

Note: V.1286, 1289, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted..

Attributed Title: Here endith þe ffrankleynes tale… (f. 112) ffrankleyn (RT)

43.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 178v-190v

First Lines:

Ther was a knyght þat loued & did his peyne
In armorike þat cleped is breteyne…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telleþ me er þat I forþer wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1191-6, 1423-4, 1433-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: The ffrankleyn Tale (RT); Thus endeþ þe ffrankleyn his tale (f. 190v)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Petworth MS of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 6, 12, 19, 35, 42, 54, 68. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. Autotype Specimens of the Chief Chaucer MSS, Part II. Chaucer Society Series 1, no. 56. London: Trübner, 1876.

44.Source: Austin, University of Texas, Humanities Research Center HRC Pre-1700 MS 143 [olim Deene Park; post Cardigan-Brudenell, sold Sotheby’s, Feb. 1959], ff. 130v-140v

First Lines:

In Armorik that called is Britaigne
There was a knyght that loved and did his peine…

Last Lines:

…Nowe telle me er ye ferther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.836-40, 982, 1283, 1286, 1289, 1353, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1548 omitted.

Attributed Title: ffrankeleyne (RT); here endeth the ffrankeleyns tale (f. 140v, foot)

45.Source: New York, Columbia University Library Plimpton 253 [olim Phillipps 9970], f. 1v-2v

First Lines:

Ther was a knyȝt that loued and dede his peyne
In armorike that called was brytaynne …[f. 1v, 730-29]

…Than sawe he knyȝtes Iosten in aplayn
And after this he dede hym suche plesaunce…[f. 2, 1198-9]

Last Lines:

…Saue that the name of souereygnte
That wolde he haue for shame of his degre…[f. 1v, 751-2]

…To make his iapes and his wrechednes
Of whiche a sibstocems cursidnes…[f. 2v, 1271-2]

Note: Fragments on two leaves. V.729-30 reversed; 753-1197 lost.

Facsimiles:

Digital Scriptorium: Facsimile of Plimpton MS 253. Columbia University, 1996-.

46.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 152v-164

First Lines:

Ther was a knyght that loued and dide his payne
In Armorike that cliped is Britayne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er that we ferther wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.729-30 reversed.

Attributed Title: The ffrankeleyn (RT); Thus endeth the ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 164)

47.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], ff. 176v-184v

First Lines:

In armonyke that called ys breteyne
Ther was a knyȝte þat loued at mannes in mayne…

Last Lines:

…Hath not lucres y sleyn hirself allas
At rome ther sche oppresed was…

Note: V.1407-624; 893-4, 1001-6, 1264, 1276-8, 1283-4, 1289-90 omitted; 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 778, 1161, 1275. Catchphrase ‘Of tarquyne’ at foot of f. 184v.

Attributed Title: The ffrankleynis (RT, rubric; also present in informal scribal direction)

48.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 122v-134v

First Lines:

In Armorik þat called is breteyn
þere was aknyght that lovid & did his peyn…

Last Lines:

…Nowe tellith me or yee ferthere wende
I can no more my tale is atta ende

Note: V.764, 828, 975, 1177-8, 1213-14, 1257-62, 1455-6, 1463-6, 1490, 1493-8 omitted; 829-30 reversed; 999-1000 follow 1006; spurious line follows 1487.

Attributed Title: …Here begynnyth the ffranklen his tale (f. 122v); ffranklen (RT)

49.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 123v-133

First Lines:

IN Armorik that called is Britayne
Ther was a knyght þat loued & dide his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me er that ye ferther wende
I kan namoore my tale is at an ende

Attributed Title: Heere bigynneth the ffrenkeleynis tale (f. 123v); ffrankeleyn (RT); Heere is ended the ffrankeleyns tale… (f. 133)

Facsimiles:

The Ellesmere Chaucer Reproduced in Facsimile. 2 vols. Preface by Alix Egerton. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1911.

Hanna, Ralph, ed. The Ellesmere Chaucer Reproduced in Facsimile. 2 vols. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1911. Preface by Alix Egerton repr. as The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales: A Working Facsimile. Intro. Hanna; Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1989.

Woodward, Daniel, and Martin Stevens, eds. The New Ellesmere Chaucer Facsimile (Huntington MS EL 26 C 9). Tokyo: Yushodo, and San Marino, CA: Huntington Library, 1995: Now available in part online: http://dpg.lib.berkeley.edu/webdb/dsheh/heh_brf?CallNumber=El+26+C+9.

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 2, 8, 16, 26, 32, 38, 50, 70. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

50.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, ff. 57va-62va

First Lines:

In almaryk that callid is bretayn
ther was a knyght þat lyuyd & did his payn…

Last Lines:

…now tellith me or that yee ferther wende
I can nomore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1280, 1405-6, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1525-8 omitted; 999-1000 follow 1006; spurious lines follow 776, 784, 952, 1408.

Attributed Title: Explicit fabula ffrancolani… (f. 62va)

51.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 139v-150

First Lines:

In Amorik that callid is Bretain
There was a kniȝt that loued & did his peine…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me or that ye forther wende
I can nomore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.971, 1063-4, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; spurious lines follow 922.

Attributed Title: ffrankeleins tale (RT); Hic desinit fabula de la ffrankeleyn… (f. 150)

52.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], f. 81vb-86rb

First Lines:

Theere was a knyght that lovede & dede his peyne
In armorke that klepid is Britayne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellyht mee er that I ferther wende
I can no more my tale is atte an Ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1180, 1191-6, 1523-4, 1436, 1455-6, 1493-8, 1529 omitted; 729-30, 917-18, 987-8 reversed; spurious lines follow 1432, 1530.

Attributed Title: Here endhyt thee ffrankeleynis tale (f. 81va); the frankeleynis tale (RT)

53.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 118-129v

First Lines:

Ther was a knight þat loued & did his pein
In Armoric þat clepid is Briteyn…

Last Lines:

…now telliþ me or þat I furþer wend
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Note: V.1147-8, 1191-6, 1399-1456, 1493-8 omitted; 729-30. 917-18, 987-8, 1265-6, 1345-6, 1353-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: The ffrankleyns Tale (f. 118, rubric)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 48” .

Print Witnesses:

1.Source: STC 5082. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] , ff. 191v-206v

First Lines:

[I]N armorik that callid is Britayne
Ther was a knight þat louid & dede his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me er ye furthir wende
I can nomore my tale is at an ende

Note: V.764, 975, 1257-62, 1455-6, 1493-8 omitted; 829-30 reversed; 999-1000 follow 1006; spurious lines follow 762, 976.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale (f. 191v); Here endith the Frankeleyns tale… (f. 206v)

Facsimiles:

Bordalejo, Barbara, ed. Caxton’s Canterbury Tales: The British Library Copies. Leicester: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003.

2.Source: STC 5083. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster], W. Caxton, [1483] , sigs. p.2v-q.6v

First Lines:

[I]N Armoryk that callyd is Brytayne
Ther was a knyght that louyd & dede his payne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellyth me er that ye further wende
I can n more my tale is at an end

Note: Spurious lines follow 1464.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth hys tale (sig. p.2v); The Frakeleyns tale (RT); Here endyth the frankeleyns tale… (sig. q.6v)

Facsimiles:

The Canterbury Tales (a facsimile of the Pepys copy of Caxton’s Second Edition). London: Cornmarket Reprints in association with Magdalene College, Cambridge, 1972.

Bordalejo, Barbara, ed. Caxton’s Canterbury Tales: The British Library Copies. Leicester: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003.

3.Source: STC 5084. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, R. Pynson, [1492] , sigs. n.4-s.1v

First Lines:

[I]N Armoryk that called is Brytayne
Ther was a knyght that loued and dyd his peyne…

Last Lines:

…Now tellith me or that ye further wende
I can no more my tale is at an ende

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale (sig. n.4); The Frankleyns Tale (RT); Here endith the Fraunkleyns tale (sig. s.2)

4.Source: STC 5085. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sigs. m.6vb-n.5vb

First Lines:

[I]N armoryk that callyd is brytayne
Ther was a kniȝt þat loued & dide hys payne…

Last Lines:

…Now telleth me or that ye ferther wende
I can nomore my tale is an an ende

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the frankleyns tale (sig. m.6); The frankeleyns tale (RT); thus endyth the frankeleyns / tale (sig. n.5vb)