Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 2587

DIMEV 2587

In Syria whilom dwelt a company

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Man of Law’s Tale of the Canterbury Tales — 1026 lines in rhyme royal stanzas.

Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer

Title(s): Man of Law’s Tale; Canterbury Tales

Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; secular saints; miracles; tidings

Versification: — rhyme royal, seven-line — ababbcc

Manuscript Witnesses:

1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 143-157

First Lines:

In Surre vmwhile dwelled a companye
of chapmen riche & therto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
and kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Attributed Title: the man of lawe (RT); Here endith the man of lawe his tale… (f. 157)

2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 64v-78v

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom duellid a compaignye
Of Chapmen riche & þerto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle þat ben in þis place

Attributed Title: The Man of law (RT); here endith þe tale of þe man of law… (f. 78v)

3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 52v-64v

First Lines:

[I]N Surry whilom duelt a company
Of chapmen riche and þerto sad & true…

Last Lines:

…Ioyes aftir wo gouerne us in his grace
And saue hem all that ben in this place

Note: II.197 omitted; 767 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the lawyers tale (f. 52v)

4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), ff. 57v-70v

First Lines:

In surrie whilome dwelt a compaigny
Of chapman riche & therto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all þat byn in this place

Attributed Title: Here begynneþ þe tale of þe man of lawe (f. 57v); Man of lawe (RT); Here endeth the tale of Custaunce… (f. 70v)

5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 52-64

First Lines:

IN Surry whilom dwelled a company
Of chapmen riche and þere to sadde and true…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftre wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that arn in þis place Amen

Note: II.697-8, 700, 880, 882 omitted.

Attributed Title: …next / biginneth the man of lawe is tale of Quene Constance (f. 52); The man of lawes tale (RT); Here endeth þe man of lawes tale of Constance… (f. 64)

6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 127v-142v

First Lines:

In Surry whilom duellid a companye
Of chapmen riche and þerto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioie after woo gouerne vs in grace
And kepe vs alle þat ben in þis place

Note: II.967-133 lost.

Attributed Title: þe man of lawe (RT)

7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 84-98v

First Lines:

In surrie whilom dwelte a company
Of chapmen riche & þerto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Note: II.985 omitted.

8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 141 (SC 14635), ff. 31-47

First Lines:

In Surre while dwelled a compenye
Of chapmen ryche & therto sad & tirwe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Note: II.425, 822-3 omitted; spurious lines follow 430, 821, 824.

Attributed Title: The seriaunt (RT)

9.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), ff. 24v-36v

First Lines:

In Surry whilom dwelled a company
Of chapmen riche & thereto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all þat arn in this place

Note: II.1020-97 lost; 1119 omitted; spurious line follows 1121.

Attributed Title: A tale of the Emperouris daughter of Rome (f. 24v, margin, in a later hand); the man of lawe (RT); here endith the man of lawes tale… (f. 36v)

10.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 63v-79

First Lines:

In surrye somwhile dwelt a company
Of chapmen riche and therto sad and true…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe us alle that beth in this place

Attributed Title: The lawier tale (RT); Here endeth the tale of the man of lawe… (f. 79)

11.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 191v-204

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwelte a companyee
Of Chapmen riche & therto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place Amen

Note: II.341, 835 omitted; 341 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: Narrat (f. 191v, margin); the tale of the . man of lawe (f. 191v, margin); Here endeth the tale of the man of lawe… (f. 204)

12.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 75v-90

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwelt a companye
of Chapmen riche and þerto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe all þat be in þis place

Attributed Title: Explicit (f. 90, margin)

Facsimiles:

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

13.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 54v-69

First Lines:

In Surry whilom duellid A company
Of Chapmen riche þerto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioie aftir woo gouerne vs and his grace
And kepe vs alle that been in þis place

Note: II.271, 276, 504, 985 omitted.

Attributed Title: Man of lawe (RT); Here endith the man of lawis tale… (f. 69v)

14.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 184v-198

First Lines:

In suery sum tyme dwelled a compani
of chapmen riche and eke ther to sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioie aftir woo gouerne vs in grace
In kepe vs al that ben in this place amen

Attributed Title: Incipit fabula (f. 184v); Man of lawe (RT); Explicit… (f. 198)

15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 55v-67

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwelled a companye
Of chapmen riche and ther to sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place Amen quod Wytton

Note: II.530-710 lost.

Attributed Title: Hic finitur fabula legis periti… (f. 67)

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).

16.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ee.2.15, ff. 18-23v; 28-28v; 30-35v

First Lines:

In surrey wylom dvelled a company
Of chapmen ryche & ther to sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye of thys worlde for tyme wolle nat a byde
ffro day to nyght hit chavngethe as the tyde

Note: II.155-61, 368-78, 396-406, 463-686, 743-98, 821-6, 850-4, 1045-50, 1074-8 lost; 366-7, 394-5, 427-34, 450-62, 820, 848-9, 1044, 1072-3 partially lost.

17.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Gg.4.27 (Part 1a), ff. 196-210v

First Lines:

In Surry whilom dwellede a cumpaignye
Of chapmen riche & þerto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftyr wo gouerne vs in hise grace
And kepe vs alle þat ben in þis place Amen

Attributed Title: Here endyth the man of lawe hise tale… (f. 210v)

Facsimiles:

Parkes, Malcolm B., and Richard Beadle. “Introduction.” Poetical Works. Geoffrey Chaucer. A Facsimile of Cambridge University Library MS Gg.4.27. 3 vols Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1979 (vol. 1); 1980 (vols. 2-3).

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James. The Cambridge MS (University Library, Gg.4.27) of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 4, 10, 17, 28, 33, 40, 52, 66. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

18.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ii.3.26, ff. 64-76

First Lines:

In Surrey whilome dwelled a company
Of chapmen true and riche and therto true…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that ben in this place Amen

Note: II.626, 678, 773, 850 omitted; 137-8 reversed.

Attributed Title: The man of lawe

19.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 78v-91

First Lines:

In surrye whilom dwelled a companye
Off chapmen riche and þerto sadde and tewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne us in his grace
And kepe all þat bene in þis place

Note: II.520 omitted; 109, 1004-6 inserted in margin; 153-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: The man of lawe (RT); Explicit… (f. 91)

20.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 79-93

First Lines:

IN surry whilom dwellid a company
Of merchaundes riche and þerto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne us in his grace
And kepe us all that are in this plase

Note: II.197-203, 302-8, 407-13, 421-7, 456-62, 645-51, 1086-92, 1135-41 omitted; 154-5, 963-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: The man o[trimmed] (RT)

21.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 26vb-33vb

First Lines:

In Surrye somtyme duelt a companie
Of chapmen rich and therto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that beth in this place

Note: II.800-6, 1073 omitted. A space of twenty blank lines follows.

22.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 76-91v

First Lines:

In Surry whilom dwholled a compeny
Of Chapmen riche therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that bene in this place

Attributed Title: Here endeth the man of lawes tale… (f. 91v)

23.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 69v-87v

First Lines:

In Surrey whilom dwelt a companye
Of chapmen ryche and therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woo governe vs in this grace
And kepe vs all that ben in this place

Note: No break between the Prologue (3929) and Tale.

Attributed Title: Sergeaunt (RT); Explicit ffabula Iurisperiti… (f. 87v)

24.Source: London, British Library Addit. 25718, ff. 32v-40v

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwelled acompAnye
Of Chapmen riche and therto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…When þat þe kyng þis cursed letre sent
And Custance with a dedly and pale face…

Note: II.517-701, 823-1162 lost; 411, 454 omitted.

Attributed Title: legisperiti (RT)

25.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 44-51v

First Lines:

…For thei han seyn hir euer so vertuous
And louyng hermengold ryght as hir lyf…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftyr wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs al that ben in this place

Note: II.134-623 lost.

Attributed Title: The Sergeaunt (RT); Here endeth the Sergeauntes tale of noble Custance the Emperours / doghter of Rome… (f. 51v)

Editions:

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

26.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], ff. 66-78v

First Lines:

IN Surry whilom dwelt a company
Of Chapmen riche an þer to sad and true…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo govern vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that ben in this place

Note: II.328-9 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the Man of Lawe his tale (f. 66); Hic finitur Legisperiti… (f. 78v)

Editions:

27.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 50-61v

First Lines:

…For here entent þei take here herbergage
Soiorned han þese marchauntez in þat town…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo governe vs his grace
And kepe vs all þat ben in this place

Note: II.134-146, 586-737 lost; four blank lines follow 420.

Attributed Title: The Man of lawe (RT); Here endith þe tale of þe Man of Lawe… (f. 61v)

28.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 66v-81

First Lines:

[I]n Surrey whilom dwelte a companye
Of chapmen riche and therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woo governe vs in his grace
And kepe us alle that ben in this place

Attributed Title: Heer bigynnyth the substaunce of the tale (f. 66v); The sergeaunt of lawe (RT); Explicit (f. 81)

29.Source: London, British Library Harley 1239, ff. 80v-88

First Lines:

In surrey sum whyle dwelte a companye
Of chapmen rich & þer to sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftyr wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs al þat ben in þis place

Note: II.775-898 lost; 176-82, 1023, 1042 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here endyth the tale of Custace (f. 88)

30.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 56v-67v

First Lines:

In Surry whilom dwellid a companye
Of chapmen riche & therto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Note: II.213, 215, 357, 436 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: The Man Of lawe (RT); Here endith the Man of Lawe (f. 67v)

31.Source: London, British Library Harley 5908, single leaf, f. 61

First Lines:

…Takeþ it aȝen I ȝeue ȝew leue of my grace
Returneþ to ȝoure faderes house quod he…

Last Lines:

…The smok quod he þat þou haste oppon þi bak
Let it be stil and bere it forþe wiþ þe…

Note: Chaucer’s Clerk’s Tale, lines IV.808-91 of The Canterbury Tales.

32.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, ff. 60vb-65va

First Lines:

In surry whilom þer dwellid a Companye
Of merchaundes wyse þe wiche were sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir woo gouerne vus in his grace
And kepe vus al þat ben in this place Amen

Note: II.671 omitted; 324, 485, 796 inserted in margin; 377-8 reversed.

Attributed Title: …the begynnyng / of the tale (f. 60); Here endithe the Man of Lawes tale (f. 65).

33.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 72v-86

First Lines:

In Surrie dwelled whilom a companye
Of Chapmen riche and þerto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after woe gouerne vs in his grace
And keep ous alle þat ben in þis place

Note: II.417 omitted.

Attributed Title: The man of Lawes tale (RT)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Harleian MS 7334 of Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’. Chaucer Society 73. London: Trübner, 1885.

34.Source: London, British Library Harley 7335, ff. 45-61v

First Lines:

IN Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignie
Of chapmen riche and therto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Or Ire or talent or some kynnes affray
Enuye or pryde or pascion or offence…

Note: II.1139-62 lost.

35.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 66v-79

First Lines:

In Surre some while dweled a company
Of chap men riche & þerto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs al þat bene in þis place

Note: II.122, 579, 873 omitted.

Attributed Title: þe man of lawe (RT); Explicit fabula legis periti… (f. 79)

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.

36.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 81v-95v

First Lines:

In Surrye whylome dwellede A Companye
Of chapmen ryche And þerto sadde & true…

Last Lines:

…Ioye affter woo governe vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that bene in this place

Attributed Title: Here endith the tale of the mane of Lawe… (f. 95v)

37.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 70v-82

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwelt a companye
Of chapmen riche & þerto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Attributed Title: The man of lawe (RT); Explicit legisperiti fabula (f. 82, margin)

38.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, ff. 63v-78

First Lines:

In surrie whilome dwellith a companye
Of Chapmen ryche & þerto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle þat bene in þis place

Note: II.1122-35 partially lost due to tear; 213, 215, 290, 357, 479-80, 947, 1067 omitted.

Attributed Title: The Man of lawe (RT)

39.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 89-106v

First Lines:

IN sorrye whilom dwellyd a company
Of chapmen riche and therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place Amen

Note: II.461, 1055 omitted; 790-1 reversed.

Attributed Title: [A] Tale of the man of lawe (RT); Here endith the mannys tale of lawe… (f. 106v)

40.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 113v-128

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye
Of chapmen riche and ther to sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that been in thie place Amen

Note: Ends incomplete in Parson’s Tale, f. 250v.

Attributed Title: Here is ended the tale of the man of lawe (f. 128, below written space, following verso blank)

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.

41.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, ff. 55-66v

First Lines:

…Solempnly with al circumstaunce
And ferth lete her seyll in this manere…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir woo govern vs and grace
And kepe hem all that been in this place

Note: I.134-316 lost; 318-20, 362, 391, 464-5, 471, 490, 523, 530, 866, 949, 955-7, 1096, 1119 omitted; 325-7 repeated.

Attributed Title: Here endith the man of law his tale… (f. 66v)

42.Source: Derbyshire, Chatsworth House ‘Devonshire Fragment’, ff. [1]-[2]v

First Lines:

…Now ladie bright to whom all wofull crien
Þou glorie of womanhed þu faire may…

Last Lines:

…Send me no more vn to non hethenes
Bot þank my lord here of hys kyndnes…

Note: Two fragments of the Man of Law’s Tale: II.850-924; 1076-1144.

Attributed Title: The man of law (RT, rubric)

43.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 34vb-37vb

First Lines:

On Surrey whilom duelled a companye
Of Chapmen riche and þerto sadde and true…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe all þat ben in this place

Note: II.946-52, 1031 omitted; 153-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: The Man of lawe (RT); Here endeth the tale of the man of lawe… (f. 37vb)

44.Source: Holkham Hall, Earl of Leicester MS 667, ff. 43ra-49vb

First Lines:

In Surry sometyme dwelte a companye
Of chapmen ryche & thertoo sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that ben in this place

Note: II.165, 306 omitted; blank line follows 166 with spurious line added later; 641-2 reversed.

45.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, ff. 71-84

First Lines:

In Surrie whilom dwelled a companye
Of chapmen riche and þerto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle þat ben in þis place

Attributed Title: The man Of lawe (RT); Here endeth þe tale of þe Man of Lawe… (f. 84)

46.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 54v-67

First Lines:

In surrie somwhile dwelled a companye
Of chappemen riche & therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftur woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Note: II.672-748 lost; 486 omitted.

Attributed Title: The Man of lawe (RT)

47.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 80v-97v

First Lines:

IN Surrye whilom dwellid a compaignie
Of chapmen Riche and therto sadde and triewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that bien in this place

Note: II.492 follows 484; 485 follows 491; 906-7 reversed.

Attributed Title: Explicit fabula legisperiti… (f. 97v)

48.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 47v-56v

First Lines:

[I]N Surrye whilom dwelled a compaignie
Of Chapmen riche & þerto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle þat been in this place

Attributed Title: Incipit fabula legisperiti (f. 47v); ffabula legisperiti (f. 47v, margin); Explicit fabula legisperiti… (f. 56v)

49.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 86v-103

First Lines:

In Surry whilom dwelt a companye
Of Chapmen riche & þerto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all þat ben in þis place

Attributed Title: The Man of lawes Tale (RT); Here endeþ þe tale of þe man of lawe… (f. 103)

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.

50.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. 52v-64v

First Lines:

In Surrye whilom dwellede a Compaignye
Of Chapmen Riche and therto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…To com to dyner as he hym besought
And well rede y he loked besily…

Note: II.1096-162 lost.

Attributed Title: Incipit fabula legisperiti (f. 52v)

51.Source: Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Library 564 [olim Ashburnham 126, post McCormick], ff. 12v-29v

First Lines:

In Surre whilom dwelled a companye
Of chapmen Riche & þerto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle þat ben in þis place

Note: II.425, 595, 822-3, 876, 949 omitted.

52.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 75v-83v

First Lines:

In Surrie whilom dwelled a companye
Of chapmen riche and therto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…To morwe wol I say what me lest
This messagere drank sadly ale and wyn…

Note: II.744-1162 lost.

Attributed Title: The man Of lawe (RT)

53.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], ff. 52v-57v; 43-50v

First Lines:

In surrye whylom dwelled a companye
Of chapmen ryche and therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy after woo gouerne vs in hys grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in thys place

Note: II.381-2 omitted. The MS is misbound, with [13].8 following [12].7 (becoming f. 43) and Q [14] misbound to follow Q [12] (with [14] foliated 44-51, and [13] foliated 52-57). Quires [1-4] and [6-7] are inferred to be lost, with the foliation not taking account of them. Thus V.9-91 follow II.558-1190 and are in turn followed by II.79-557; a blank leaf follows, and then V.92, etc. V.656-72 lost; 134-40 omitted.

Attributed Title: The Man of lawe (RT); Here endeth the tale of the man of lawe (f. 50v, rubric)

54.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/2 [olim Rosenbach 158; prior W. A. White]

First Lines:

In Surry whylom dwelled a company…

Last Lines:

…A thowsand fold more þan I can tel…

Note: Contains fragments of the Man of Law’s Tale on three folios: II.95-140, 211-350, 1051-1120.

55.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 36-51

First Lines:

In Surry whylom dwellid a company
Of Chapmen rich and there to sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir woo govern vs in his grace
And kepe vs al that ben in this plase Amen

Note: II.985 omitted; 297-8 follow 301.

Attributed Title: Man of lawe (RT); Her endeth the tale of the man of lawe… (f. 51)

56.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 50v-63

First Lines:

IN Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye
Of chapmen riche and therto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
and kepe vs alle that been in this place Amen

Attributed Title: Heere bigynneth the man of lawe his tale (f. 50v); Man of lawe (RT); Heere endeth the tale of the man of lawe… (f. 63)

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.

57.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, ff. 25rb-31rb

First Lines:

In surrey som tyme ther dwellid a company
of chapman riche and þerto sadde & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioy aftir wo gouerne vs in his grace
and kepe vs alle þat been in this place

Note: II.176-82, 528-9 omitted; 678-9 reversed; spurious lines follow 521, 522, 527, 531.

Attributed Title: …& incipit fabula (f. 25rb); Explicit fabula seruientis ad / legem sine iurisperiti… (f. 31rb)

58.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 56-69

First Lines:

[I]N Surry whilom duelt a company
Of chapmen riche and therto sad and true…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woe gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that ben in this place

Note: II.328-9 left blank.

Attributed Title: Lawyers tale (RT); Hic finitur fabula legis Pariti… (f. 69)

59.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], ff. 64ra-70rb

First Lines:

In surrie whilim dwellede a cvmpanye
Of chapmen Riche and therto sad and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo governe vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that been in this place

Attributed Title: The Man of lawe (RT); Explicit Custaunce (f. 70rb)

60.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 57-71

First Lines:

In Surry whilom duelt a company
Of Chapmen riche & þerto sad & true…

Last Lines:

…Ioyes aftir woo gouerne us in his grace
And saue hem alle that ben in þis place

Note: II.288-315, 771-84, 932-45, 1086-92 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here beynneþ the lawyers tale (f. 57, 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. 79v-97

First Lines:

[I]N Surry whylom duellyd a companye
Of Chapmen riche therto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftir woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle that been in this place

Attributed Title: Here endith the man of lawis tale… (f. 97)

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. i.8-l.7v

First Lines:

[I]N Surry whylom duellyd a companye
Of Chapmen riche & therto sad & trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye aftyr woo gouerne vs in hys grace
And kepe vs alle that been in thys place

Attributed Title: The man of Lawys tale (RT); Here endyth the man of lawes tale… (sig. l.7v)

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. k.6-m.5v

First Lines:

[I]N surry whilom duelt a company
Of chapmen riche and therto sadde and trewe…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
and kepe vs alle that been in this place

Attributed Title: The Man of lawes Tale (RT); Here endith the man of lawes tale (sig. m.5v)

4.Source: STC 5085. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sigs. f.2ra-g.3vb

First Lines:

[I]N surry whylom dwellyd a companye
Of chapmen riche and therto sad & treue…

Last Lines:

…Ioye after woo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs all that ben in this place

Attributed Title: The man of lawes tale (RT); Here endith the man of lawes tale (sig. g.3v)