Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 3255

DIMEV 3255

Lordings there is in Yorkshire as I guess

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Summoner’s Tale of the Canterbury Tales — 586 lines in rhyming couplets.

Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer

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

Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; devil; friars; Church corruption

Versification: — couplets — aa

Manuscript Witnesses:

1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden. B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 106v-114v

First Lines:

Lordynges there is in yorke shire as I gesse
a merssh contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…and Iankyn hath I wonne a newe gowne
my tale is don we ben almoste at towne

Note: III.1731, 1873-4, 2229 omitted; spurious lines follow 1732, 2230; 2101-2 reversed; 1937, 1938, 1941 partially blank.

Attributed Title: …And / next folwith his tale to angre the ffrere (f. 106v); the sompnour (RT); Here endith the Sompnour is tale… (f. 114v)

2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 126-134

First Lines:

Lordynges þer is in Yorkeshire as I gesse
A merschy Contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne a new gowne
Myn tale is don we ben almost at towne

Note: III.1731, 1750, 1873-4 omitted; 2101-2 reversed; 1768 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: here begynne þe sompnoures tale (f. 126); Sompnour (RT)

3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 83-89v

First Lines:

[L]Ordingis ther is in yorkshire as I gesse
A marshe cuntre callid holdirnesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath wonne a new goun
My tale is done we ben almost at the toun

Attributed Title: The tale of the Sompnour (f. 83)

4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), ff. 91v-98v

First Lines:

Lordings þer is in yorkeshire as y gesse
A mershcontre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankin hath ywonne a new gowne
My tale is don we ben almost at toune

Note: III.1955, 2153 inserted at foot.

Attributed Title: …And begynneþ his tale (f. 91v); Somnour (RT); Here endeth þe Somnours tale… (f. 98v)

5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 129-135v

First Lines:

Lordinges þere is in yorkshire as I gesse
A Merssh contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath wonnen a newe gown
Mi tale is don we be al most atte town

Note: III.1731 omitted; spurious line follows 1732.

Attributed Title: …And next / biginneth the Somnours tale (f. 129); The Somnours tale (RT); Here endeth þe tale of the Somnour… (f. 135v)

6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 102-110v

First Lines:

…In euery hous he gan to poore and prie
And beggeþ mele chese or elles corn…

Last Lines:

…And Ienkyn haþ wone a newe gowne
Mi tale is don we be almost at towne

Note: III.1709-37 lost (resupplied on leaves added in the seventeenth century, ff. 100-1); 1805, 1873-4 2229 omitted; 1805 inserted lated; spurious line follows 2230; 1747-8, 2101-2 reversed.

Attributed Title: þe sompnour (RT)

7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 151v-158v

First Lines:

[L]ordyngs ther is in yorkshire as I gesse
A merssh countre y callid holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And forth he goth with a wele angry chere
He ne had noȝt ellis for his sermone
To parte among his bretherin whan he come home
And thus this tale is I don
ffor we were almost at þe toune

Note: III.1748, 1764, 2144, 2159-2294 omitted; four spurious lines follow 2158.

8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 141 (SC 14635), ff. 148v-153v

First Lines:

LOrdynges ther is in ȝork shyre as I gesse
A merssh contre cleped holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And commandyng hem thei shulde before hym stond
And sodenly he toke his bowe on his hond…

Note: III.2067-294 lost; 1731, 1738, 1873-4, 1928, 2041, 2049 omitted; spurious lines follow 1732, 2048. Catchphrase at the foot of f. 153v: ‘& vp the stryng’.

Attributed Title: Here bigynneth the sompnors tale (f. 148); The sompnor (RT)

9.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), ff. 71-74v

First Lines:

Lordynges ther is in yorkeshire as I gesse
A marsh cuntre called holdernes…

Last Lines:

…And forth he goth with a ful angri chere
He ne had noght elles for his sermon
to departe amonge his brethren when he come home
And thus is this tale y done
For we were almoost atte toune

Note: III.1731, 1748, 1764, 2159-294 omitted; spurious lines follow 1732, 1762.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale of a frere (f. 74v); fab (f. 71, margin); here endith the somonours tale of the frere… (f. 71)

10.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 149-157v

First Lines:

Lordinges ther is in Yorkeshire as I gesse
A merssh contre I callid holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne a newe gowne
My tale is don we ben almost at towne

Note: III.2205-10 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here beginneth his tale folwing (f. 149); Apparitoris De ffratre (RT); Here endith the sompnors tale… (f. 157v)

11.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 93v-102

First Lines:

Lordynges ther is in yorkeshire as I gesse
A Meirsshy countre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne a newe gowne
My tale is doon we ben almost at towne

Note: III.1730, 1748, 1970 omitted (1730 and 1970 inserted subsequently in margin).

Attributed Title: …And bigynneth his tale (f. 93v); Here endeth the Sompnours tale… (f. 102)

12.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 121-129v

First Lines:

Lordynges þer is in york schure as I gesse
A mersshy countre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn haþ y wonne a newe goune
My tale is doon we ben almost at towne

Note: III.1731, 1873-4 omitted; 2101-2 reversed; spurious line follows 1732.

Attributed Title: Here begynneþ þe Somnours tale (f. 121); Somnours (RT, rubric); here endeþ þe Somnours tale… (f. 129v)

Facsimiles:

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

13.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 122-130v

First Lines:

LOrdingis quod he þere is in yorkshire as I gesse
A mersh contre þat callid is holdernes…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a new gowne
Mi tale is doon we be almost at Toune

Note: III.2018, 2229 omitted; 1963-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 2230.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth the Somp / nors tale (f. 122); Sompnour (RT)

14.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 98-106v

First Lines:

LOordynges there is in yorkshire I gesse
a mershe contre callied holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…and Iankyn hath wonne a newe goune
My tale is done we be almoste att towne

Note: III.1731, 1748, 1858, 1926, 2024, 2070, 2224 omitted.

Attributed Title: Sompnoure (RT); Explicit… (f. 106v)

15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 86-92

First Lines:

Lordyngges there is in ȝorkshire as I gesse
A mersshy contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne a newe Govne
My Tale is doon we ben almost at Tovn quod Wytton

Note: III.1963-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Et incipit fabula (f. 86); Hic fintur fabula Summonitoris… (f. 92, following a space of approximately eight lines)

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 Gg.4.27 (Part 1a), ff. 235-243v

First Lines:

…A godis kechil or a trip of chese
Or ellis what ȝow lyste we may not chese…

Last Lines:

…That I may vouche saf I sey for me
He hadde þe ferste smel of fartys thre…

Note: III.1709-46, 2285-94 lost; 1907-11 omitted.

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.

17.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ii.3.26, ff. 129-135

First Lines:

LOrdynges quod he there is in yorkeshyre as I gesse
A mercche contre that called is holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Ienkyn hath y wonne a newe gown
My tale is done we be almoste at the town

Note: III.2229 omitted; 1963-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 1745, 2230.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale (f. 129); Sompnour (RT); Here Endeth the Sompnours tale… (f. 135)

18.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 133-139

First Lines:

Lordynges þer is in ȝorkeschire as I gesse
A mersshy countre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…Beforne þis day of suche a questioun
Who schulde make a demonstracon
He ne had not ells for his sermoun
To parte amonge his brethern when he come home
And þus is þis tale ydone
ffor we were almoste at þe toun

Note: III.1726, 1731, 1873-4, 2225-94 omitted; 2101-2 reversed; spurious lines follow 1732, 2224.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth þe somnours tale (f. 133); þe somnere (RT); Here endith þe somnours tale… (f. 139)

19.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 152v-158v

First Lines:

[L]Ordynges þer is in yorke schyre as y gesse
A mersche cuntre called holdenesse…

Last Lines:

…Come lepynge in and chased oute þe ffrere
And forth he goth with a full angry chere
He ne had nouȝte ell for his sermoune
To departe amonge his breddrn when he come home
And þus ys the tale of the frere ydon
ffor we were almost at þe toun

Note: III.1731, 1748, 1887-8, 1991-8, 2005-10, 2051-2, 2079-85, 2101, 2111-12, 2115-20, 2159-2294 omitted; spurious lines follow 1732, 2086, 2158. The rest of the verso and the following recto and verso are left blank following the Tale.

Attributed Title: The tale of þe Sompnoure (f. 152v, rubric); Sompnoure (RT); Her endeth the Sompnours Tale (f. 158v, rubric)

20.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 63ra-66rb

First Lines:

…Had prechid at a chirche in his manere
And specialli abouen eueri thing…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne a newe goune
My tale is don we ben almost at towne

Note: III.1709-13 lost; 1907-12, 2205-10 omitted; 1967-8, 2199-2200 reversed.

Attributed Title: Hiere endith the tale of the Sompnour… (f. 66rb)

21.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 148-156v

First Lines:

LOrdynge quod he in Yorke shire as I gesse
Is a mersh[?] contre that callid is holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath Iwonne anewe gone
My tale is done we be almost at toune

Note: III.2229, omitted; spurious line follows 2230; 1963-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the sompnours tale (f. 147v); Here endith the sompnours tale… (f. 156v)

22.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 118-128

First Lines:

LOrdynges ther is in yorkshire as y gesse
A merissh contre y called holdirnesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iaynkyn hath wonne a new gowne
My tale is don we be almost at towne

Note: III.2114, 229 omitted; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: …& Incipit fabula eiusdem (f. 118); Sompnour (RT); Explicit fabula Apparitoris… (f. 128)

23.Source: London, British Library Addit. 25718, ff. 41-47v

First Lines:

…In the mounte Orebl or he had any spech
With heygh god þat is our lifes leche…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne anewe gowne
Myn tale is don we ben al moste at toune

Note: III.1709-1890 lost; 1964, 2136, 2188, 2220 omitted; 1924-5, 1926-7, 2030-1 reversed.

Attributed Title: Here endeth the sompnours tale (f. 47v)

24.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 74-81v

First Lines:

Lordynges ther is in yorkeshire as I gesse
A Mersshi Contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath wonne a new goun
My tale is doun we ben almost at toun

Note: III.1914 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Here bygynneth the Sompnours tale (f. 74); The Sompnour (RT)

Editions:

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

25.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], ff. 100v-108

First Lines:

Lordynges there is in the north cuntre as I gesse
A merssh cuntre called Holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iannkyn hath y won a newe goun
My tale is done we ben allmost at toun

Note: III.1953-4, 2229 omitted; 1963-4, 1969-70, 2277-8 reversed; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: …Et incipit fabula eiusdem (f. 100v); Hic desinit fabula Summonitoris… (f. 108)

Editions:

26.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 96-103v

First Lines:

…And specially abouen euery thing
Excited he þe peple in his prechyng…

Last Lines:

And Ianken haþ I wonnen a newe gowne
Myn tale is done we ben almost at towne…

Note: III.1709-14 lost; 1731 omitted; spurious line follows 1732.

Attributed Title: The Sompnour (RT)

27.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 103v-111

First Lines:

[L]Ordynges ther is in york shor shire as I gesse
A merissh contre I called holdirnesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iaynkyn hath wonne a newe gowne
Mi tale is don we be almost at towne

Note: III.2229, 2286 omitted; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: …Incipit Narracio eiusdem (f. 103v); The Sompnour (Rt); Explicit fabula apparitoris (f. 111)

28.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 107-113v

First Lines:

LOrdyngis ther is in yorkschire as I gesse
A merschy contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath wonne a newe gowne
Mi tale is done we ben almost at towne

Note: III.1731 omitted; 1748 inserted in margin; spurious line follows 1732; a tipped-in leaf (f. 113) contains 2159-2294, lines missing in related MSS. After the concluding fourteen lines on f. 113v, the rest of the page is left blank.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth the Tale (f. 107); The Somnour (RT); Here endith the Sompnours tale (f. 113v)

29.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, f. 75va-77ra

First Lines:

LOrdinges [erasure] is in yorkshire as I ges
A merssh Cuntre that Callid is holdernes…

Last Lines:

…And Ienkyn hathe I wonne a new goune
My tale is don we be almoste at towne

Note: III.2018, 2229 omitted; spurious lines follow 1873, 2230; 1963-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: Here Endithe þe Sompnour his tale… (f. 77ra)

30.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 108v-116v

First Lines:

LOrdyngs þer is in Engelond I gesse
A mersschly lond called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn haþ I wonne a newe goune
My tale is don we ben almost at toune

Note: III.Spurious lines follow 2004, 2012, 2037, 2048;1865-6, 2091-2, 2101-2 reversed.

Attributed Title: Narrat (f. 108v); The Sompnours Tale (RT); here endith the sompnours tale… (f. 116v)

Editions:

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

31.Source: London, British Library Harley 7335, ff. 81v-90

First Lines:

[L]Ordynges ther is in york shire as y gesse
A mersshe contree called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe goune
Mi tale is doon we ben almost at toune

Attributed Title: ffabula sumonitoris (f. 81v, margin); Explicit ffabula somonitoris… (f. 90, margin)

32.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 107-114

First Lines:

LOrdeynges þere is in ȝorkeschire as I gesse
Amerschy contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn haþ wonne a newe gowne
My tale is done we buen almost att towne

Note: III.1731, 1873-4 omitted; spurious line follows 1732; 2101-2 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Incipit fabula aparitoris (f. 107); þe Somnour (RT); Explicit fabula Aparitoris… (f. 114)

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.

33.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 149-157v

First Lines:

LOrdenges þere is in yorkeschyre as I gesse
A Mersche contre callede holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Ianken haþe ywonne A newe Gowne
My tale is doone we bene Almoste atte Towne

Note: III.1731, 2086, 2131, 2185 omitted; spurious line follows 1732.

Attributed Title: …And begynnyth the tale of the Sompnore (f. 149); Here endith the tale of the sompner… (f. 157v)

34.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 125v-131

First Lines:

LOrdingis þer is in ȝork schire as I gesse
A mersh contre I callid hodirnesse…

Last Lines:

…And forþ he goþ wiþ a wel angry chere
He ne had noȝt ellis for his sermon
To part among his breþryn whan he com hom
And þus is þis tale I don
ffor we were almost at þe ton

Note: III.1748, 1764, 2159-2294 omitted; spurious lines follow 2158.

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the tale (f. 125v); The Sompnoure (RT)

35.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, f. 125-129v

First Lines:

…Or yif vs of youre bran yf ȝe haue eny
A dagon of youre blanket leue dame…

Last Lines:

…Kome kepynge In and chased oute þe frere
And forthe he goth with a fulle angry chere
Ne ne hade nouȝt elles for hys sermon
To part a monge his bretheren whan he come home
And þus is þis tal ydon
ffor we were almoste at þe town

Note: III.1709-49. 1967-2038 lost; 1910, 2159-294 omitted; 1855-6 reversed; spurious lines follow 2158.

Attributed Title: The Somnour (RT); Here endeth þe Sompnours tale… (f. 129v)

36.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 146-155v

First Lines:

LOrdinges there is in Yorkeshire as I gesse
A mersshy contre callid holdernenesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne a newe gown
My tale is don we ben almost at town

Note: III.1731, 1873-4, 1906-11 omitted; 2101-2, 2289-90 reversed; spurious line follows 1732.

Attributed Title: …And here gebynneth [sic] his tale (f. 146); a Tale of the Sompnour (RT); Here endeth the sompnours tale… (f. 155v)

37.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 79v-86v

First Lines:

LOrdynges ther is in Yorkshire as I gesse
A Merssh contree called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gowne
My tale is doon we been slmoost at towne

Note: Last five words of III.2048 inserted by a different hand (Hoccleve?); blank leaf follows f. 86v.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the Somnours tale (f. 79v); The Somnour (RT); Here endeth the Somnours tale… (f. 79)

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.

38.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, f. 110v-116

First Lines:

Lordingis ther is in Yorkshire as I ges
A mery contre callie holdirnes…

Last Lines:

…Com lepeing in and chasid out the ffrere
And forth he goith with a ful angry chere

Note: III.1731, 1894, 1963-4, 1987-8, 1991-8, 2005-10, 2051-2, 2079-85, 2111-12, 2119-20, 2159-294 omitted; for 2159-294 in this MS see 510; spurious lines follow 1732, 2086.

Attributed Title: …And here he begynnyth his tale (f. 110v)

39.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 54rb-57ra

First Lines:

LOrdyngges þere is in yorkshire as I guesse
A mersh contre y called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe goune
My tale is done we be almost at Towne

Note: III.2205-10 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth þe tale of þe Somynour (f. 54rb); The Sompnour (RT); fferthermor in the Somynours Tale (f. 55vb, at III.2016); Here endeth the tale of the Somonour… (f. 57rb)

40.Source: Holkham Hall, Earl of Leicester MS 667, ff. 76rb-79ra

First Lines:

Lordinges þer is in york shire as I gesse
A merssh cuntre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And forth he goth with a full angre chere
He had nat elles for his longe sermoune
To parte amonge his brethern when he com home
And thus is this tale y done
ffor were allmoste at the toun

Note: III.2159-294 omitted; 2123-4 reversed; spurious lines follow 2158.

41.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, f. 130-137v

First Lines:

Lordinges ther is in ȝorkshire as I gesse
A mersshy cuntre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gowne
My tale is done we ben almost at towne

Note: III.1731, 1873 omitted; spurious line follows 1732.

Attributed Title: …and bigynneth the tale of the / Somenour (f. 130, rubric); The Somenour (RT, rubric); Thus ende the Somenour… (f. 137v, rubric)

42.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 114-121v

First Lines:

LOrdinges þer is in ȝorkshire as I gesse
A mersh contre Callid holdirnes…

Last Lines:

…And iaynkyn haþ wonne anew gowne
My tale is don we ben almost at towne

Note: III.2229, omitted; 1963-4 reversed; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: Sompnour (RT); Here endiþ þe tale of þe Sompnour talkinge of þe ffrere… (f. 121v, heavily stained)

43.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 157v-167

First Lines:

LOrdynges ther is in yorkshire as I gesse
A mersh contry callid holdirnesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath I wonne anewe gowne
My tale is don we bien almost at towne

Note: III.1906, 1911, 2135-6 omitted; 1912-14 follow 1905 producing the following line order: 1905, 1912-14, 1907-10, 1915.

Attributed Title: …Incipit fabula (f. 157v); Explicit fabula Aperitoris… (f. 167)

44.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 71-76

First Lines:

Lordingis þer is in york schire as I gesse
A Merssh Countre called holdyrnesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath won a newe gowne
My tale is don we be almost at Towne

Note: III.2229 omitted; 1963-4 reversed; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: …Incipit fabula Sumpmonitoris (f. 71); ffabula Sumpmonitoris (f. 71, margin); Sompnour (RT); Explicit fabula Sumpmonitoris… (f. 76)

45.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 153-159

First Lines:

LOrdyngges þer is in yorkshire as I gesse
A mershy country called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And forþe he goþ with a ful angry chere
He ne had nat ellis for his sermon
To parten amonge his breþeren whan he come home
And þus is þis tale ydon
ffor we were almost at þe ton

Note: III.1731, 2159-294 omitted; spurious lines follow 1732, 2158.

Attributed Title: …And here bygynneþ þe somnour tale (f. 152v); The Somnour Tale (Rt); Thus endeþe þe Somnours tale… (f. 159)

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.

46.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. 85v-92

First Lines:

Lordynges there is in yorke Shire as y gesse
A Mershe Contre Callid holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath wonne a newe gowne
My tale is done we be all moste at Towne

Note: III.1966, 2229 omitted; spurious line follows 2230; 1963-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Et incipit fabula eiusdem (f. 85v); Sompnoure (RT); Hic finitur fabula Sompnitoris… (f.92)

47.Source: Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Library 564 [olim Ashburnham 126, post McCormick], ff. 148v-158

First Lines:

Lordynges þere is in ȝork shyre as y gesse
A mersh contre cleped holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath wonne a newe goune
My tale is don we ben almost at toune

Note: III.1731, 1873-4, 2047, 2049 omitted; 2119-20 reversed; spurious lines follow 1732, 2048.

48.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 128v-136

First Lines:

Lordynges ther is yorkshire as I gesse
A mersshy cuntre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gowne
My tale is done we ben almost at towne

Attributed Title: …And here bigynneth his tale & cetera (f. 128v); The Sompnour (RT); This ende the Somnour… (f. 136)

49.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], ff. 100-106

First Lines:

Lordynges ther ys in ȝork schyre as y gesse
A mershy contre called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And forth he gooth with a full angry chere
He ne had not elles for hys sermon
To parte amonge hys bretheren when he come hom
And this ys the tale ydon
ffor we were almoste at þe town

Note: III.1731, 1748, 1763-4, 1894, 1946, 2159-294 omitted; spurious lines follow 1732, 2158.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth þe tale (f. 100); The Tale (RT); The somnor (Rt); Here endeth þe sompnours tale… (f. 106)

50.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 98v-105

First Lines:

Lordingis quod he in ȝorkshere is as I ges
A merssh contre that callid is holdirnes…

Last Lines:

…And Ienkyn hath I won anewe gown
My tale is done wee be almost at town

Note: III.1718-1963 lost; 2229 omitted; 1963-4 reversed; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: …And here begyynyth he his tale (f. 98v); Sompnoure (RT); Here endith the Sompnoure his tale… (f. 105)

51.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 81-81

First Lines:

Lordynges ther is in yorkshire as I gesse
A Merssh contree called holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath ywonne a newe gowne
My tale is doon we been almoost at towne

Attributed Title: Heere bigynneth the Somonours tale (f. 81); Somonour (RT); The Wordes of the lordes Squier and his keruere for departynge / of the fart on twelue (f. 86v);Heere endeth the Somonours tale (f. 87, foot)

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.

52.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, ff. 47ra-50rb

First Lines:

Lordyngis ther is in yorkshire as I gesse
a mery cuntre callid holdirnesse…

Last Lines:

…he nys no foole ne no domyak
and Iankyn hath I wonne a newe goun
my tale is doon and wee be almost at toun

Note: III.1712-12, 1731, 1769, 1831, 1875-6, 2090 omitted; spurious lines follow 1730, 1732, 1770, 1832, 1928, 2092; 2101-2 reversed.

Attributed Title: …& subsequenter incipit fa / bule eiusdem hoc modo sequente (f. 47ra); Explicit fabula apparitoris… (f. 50rb)

53.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 22 [olim Sion College, Arc. L 40 2/E 23], ff. 65v-77v

First Lines:

Lordyngis þer is in ȝorkschire as I gesse
a merssh contre callyd holdernsse…

Last Lines:

…and Iohnkyn hath I wonne a newe gowne
my tale is done and we be nygh at towne

Note: III.1907-11, 2229 omitted; spurious lines follow 2230, 2232. Following Summoner’s Tale, at the foot of f. 77v, the scribe copies the opening line of Clerk’s Prologue—‘Syr clerk of Oxinford oure ost seyde’—before realizing he has already copied that text (4860). He then adds ‘vt supra’, and below that ‘Vtile con cilium dominus ne despice serui’.

54.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 91v-98v

First Lines:

Lordinges there is in the North contre as I gesse
A merssh contre callid holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankin hath I wonne a newe goune
My tale is don we ben almost at toune

Note: III.1953-4, 2229 omitted; 1963-4, 1969-70, 2277-8 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Et incipit ffabula eiusdem (f. 91); ffabula Apperitoris (RT); Hic desinit fabula Apparitoris… (f. 98v)

55.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 93-101

First Lines:

Lordinges þer is in york shire as I gesse
A merssh cuntre clepid holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…& Iankin hath won a new goun
my tale is done we be almost at toun

Attributed Title: The somonours Tale (f. 93, 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. 159v-169v

First Lines:

[L]Ordingis quod he in yorkshire as I gesse
Is a mersh contre that callid is holdernes…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gowne
My tale is doon we been almost at Toune

Note: III.2229 omitted; 1963-4 reversed; spurious line follows 2230.

Attributed Title: …And / begynneth the Sompnours tale (f. 159v)

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. t.6v-v.6v

First Lines:

[L]Ordyngis ther is in york shire as I gesse
A mersh contre that callyd is holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gowne
My tale is doon we be almost at toune

Note: III.1963-4, 2049+2050-2051+2052 reversed.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the Sompnours tale (sig. t.6v); The Sompnours tale (RT); Here endeth the Sompnours tal (sig. v.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. aa.5-bb.5v

First Lines:

[L]Ordynges ther is in yorke shyre as I gesse
A mersshe countre that called is holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gown
My tale is doon we be al most at the toun

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the Sompnours tale (sig. aa.5); The Sompnoures tale (RT); Here endith the Sompnoures tale (sig. bb.5v)

4.Source: STC 5085. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sig. i.1ra-i.5va

First Lines:

[L]Ordynges ther is in york shyre as I gesse
A mersh contre that callyd is holdernesse…

Last Lines:

…And Iankyn hath y wonne a newe gowne
My tale is done we be almost at towne

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the sompnours tale (sig. i.1); The Sompnours tale (RT); Here endyth the sompnours tale (sig. i.5va)