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. 249
v-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. 149
v-161
v
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. 103-112
v
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. 138-148
v
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. 99-109
v
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. 172-184
v
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. 159-170
v
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)
11.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 149-161
v
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. 153
v-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. 129-138
v
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. 287-297
v
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. 98
v-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. 154-163
v
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. 118
v-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. 108
ra-113
rb
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. 186-201
v
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. 184
v-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. 132
v-144
v
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. 115-123
v
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. 101-106
v
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. 127
v-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. 82
vb-86
va
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. 140
v-153
v
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. 141
v-151
v
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. 177-190
v
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. 146-156
v
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. 145
v-157
v
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. 193
v-207
v
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. 130
v-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. 81
vs-86
ra
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. 32
ra-37
vb
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. 153
v-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. 138-149
v
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. 186
v-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. 104
v-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. 178
v-190
v
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. 130
v-140
v
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. 1
v-2
v
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.
46.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 152
v-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. 176
v-184
v
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. 122
v-134
v
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. 123
v-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.
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. 57
va-62
va
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)
52.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], f. 81
vb-86
rb
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. 118-129
v
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)
Print Witnesses:
1.Source: STC 5082.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] , ff. 191
v-206
v
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.2
v-q.6
v
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.1
v
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.6
vb-n.5
vb
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)