DIMEV 6414
IMEV 4019
NIMEV 4019
When that April with his showers soot
Geoffrey Chaucer, the Canterbury Tales — ten fragments in various
rhyme schemes; Prologue, frame, and most tales in couplets.
Note: For individual [verse]
Tales and links see: the
General Prologue
(6415),
Knight’s Tale
(6530),
Miller’s Prologue
(6427),
Miller’s Tale
(6537),
Reeve’s Prologue
(6307),
Reeve’s Tale
(724),
Cook’s Prologue
(5238),
Cook’s Tale
(145), Introduction to the
Man of
Law’s Tale
(4315),
Man of Law’s
Prologue
(3929),
Man of Law’s Tale
(2587), ‘Man of Law’s
Endlink’
(4316),
Wife of
Bath’s Prologue
(1242),
Wife of Bath’s Tale
(2618),
Friar’s Prologue
(5802),
Friar’s Tale
(6536),
Summoner’s Prologue
(5756),
Summoner’s Tale
3255,
Clerk’s Prologue
(4860),
Clerk’s Tale
(5573), ‘Clerk’s
Endlink’
(5801),
Merchant’s Prologue
(6185),
Merchant’s Tale
(6535), ‘Merchant’s
Endlink’
(745),
‘Squire’s Headlink’
(5024),
Squire’s Tale
(725), ‘Squire-Franklin link’
(2499),
Franklin’s
Prologue
(5617),
Franklin’s Tale
(2476),
Physician’s Tale
(5599), ‘Physician-Pardoner
link’
(4314),
Pardoner’s
Prologue
(3251),
Pardoner’s Tale
(2502),
Shipman’s Tale
(120), ‘Shipman-Prioress
link’
(6206),
Prioress’s
Prologue
(3970),
Prioress’s Tale
(5601),
Prologue to Sir Thopas
(6401),
Sir Thopas
(3097), ‘Thopas-Melibee
link’
(3700),
Monk’s
Prologue
(6295),
Monk’s Tale
(2316),
Nun’s Priest’s
Prologue
(2033),
Nun’s Priest’s
Tale
(142), ‘Nun’s Priest’s
Epilogue’
(4870),
Prologue
of the
Second Nun’s Tale
(5405),
Second Nun’s Tale
(5729.4),
Canon’s
Yeoman’s Prologue
(6296),
Canon’s Yeoman’s
Tale
(6753),
Manciple’s Prologue
(6711),
Manciple’s Tale
(6390),
Parson’s Prologue
(941); for the
Tale of Gamelyn,
see
3090. For the
Tale of Beryn,
see
6270. For two texts sometimes
referred to as the
Plowman’s Tale, see
5277 and
6603.
For an edition based on San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], but that incorporates numerous readings
from other MSS, see
Benson (1987)
XBenson, Larry Dean.
The Riverside Chaucer.
3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987
, 123-328.
Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer
Title(s): Canterbury Tales
Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage
Versification: —
couplets —
aa
Manuscript Witnesses:
1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 4-309
v
First Lines:Whan that Apprill with his shouris soote
The drought of Marche hath
pershid to the roote…
Last Lines:…beth fructuous & that in litel space
and to do wel god
send yow his grace
Note: Ends X.1086. Verse ends f. 268.
Attributed Title: Here bigynneth the prolog of this book the which is namede the talis of
Caunturbury in the whiche prolog thauthour openly declarith the names of alle
the pilgremes there condiciouns & there array (f. 4)
2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 1-260
First Lines:…That swiche a lewed mannes witte shal pace
The wisdom of an
hepe of lerned men…
Last Lines:…W[her?]so þou come among high or lowe
Ke[pe?] wel þy
tong and þenke vpon þe crowe
Note: I.574-IX.362.
3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 1-185
First Lines:Whan that April with his shouris sote
The drought of March hath
percid to þe Rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litle space
And to do wele god send
you his grace
4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), ff. 1-184
v
First Lines:Whan that april with his showres swote
The drouth of March hath
perced the rote…
Last Lines:…In which into þis day in noble wyse
Men don to Crist and
to his seint seruise
Note: Incomplete; ends with the Second Nun’s Tale.
5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Douce d.4 (SC 21981)
First Lines:…Þ had bot lytell golde in coffre
But all þat he
myght of his frendys hente…
Last Lines:But alle with siluer wrought full clene and well
Theire girdelis and
theire pouchis euerydeell
Note: A single leaf: I.298-368.
6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 1-257
v
First Lines:Whan that Aprill with his showres swote
The drought of Marche hath
perced þe rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuose and that litul space
And to done wele god sende
yow his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 229.
7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 4-304
v
First Lines:That in hir cuppe was no ferthing
seene…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and þat in litil space
And to do wel god
sende you grace
Note: I.134-X.916. Verse ends [269]v.
8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 1-239
v
First Lines:[W]hanne that aueryll wyth hys schoures sote
The droghte of marche
had perced vnto rote…
Last Lines:…ffull strong hit was of plate
And ouer that his cote
armure
Note: Ends VII.866.
9.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 141 (SC 14635), pp. 1-436
First Lines:Bi ordynaunce thrugh out the cyte large
Honged with cloth of gold
& not with sarge…
Last Lines:…Now had this Phebus in his hous a wyf
Wheche that he loued
more than his lyf
Note: Contains I.2567-IX.140. Catchwords on p. 436: ‘And nyght &
day’.
Editions: Furnivall, Frederick James,
ed.
The Clerk’s Tale, a Six-Text Print from 6 MSS not containing the
Pardoner’s Tale.
The Chaucer Society
Series 1, no. 92. London: Trübner, 1899.
10.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), ff. 1-136
v
First Lines:Olde ypocras holy and galyene
Serapion rafi and
auysene…
Last Lines:…Bethe fructuouse and that in litil space
And to do wel god
sende yow his grace
Note: I.431-X.1092. Verse ends on f. 122. On f. 136v is the
colophon: ‘Expliciunt fabula script[us?] per snnevets mlliW’
(mirror writing for William Stevenns.
11.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 1-270
First Lines:There as this lord was keper of the selle
The rule of seint Maure or
of seint Beneit…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do wel god send
you his grace
Note: Begins I.172. Verse ends f. 232.
12.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 2-276
v
First Lines:Whan that Auerell with his shoures soote
The droght of Marche hath
perced to the roote…
Last Lines:…Beeth fructious and that in litel space
And to do wele god
send yow his grace
Note: Missing VIII.627-719; X.887-943; X.1044-1092 due to loss of leaves.
Verse ends on f. 249v.
13.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 2-266
v
First Lines:…ffor to telle ȝow of his array
his hors were goode but
he was not gay…
Last Lines:…That I wol stonde to correccioun
vppon þis word we han
assented sone
Note: Begins I.73; ends X.290.
14.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 2-265
v
First Lines:…fforto be wise in byinge of vitail
ffor wheþir he paide
or took be tail
Algate he waitid so on his acate
That he was ay before
& in good state…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuos and þat in litil space
And to do wel god
sende you his grace
Note: Two leaves missing at beginning, so begins I.569; verse ends
265v; prose ends 311v.
Attributed Author: Explicit tractatus Galfridi Chaucer… (f.
311v)
Attributed Title: Explicit tractatus Galfridi Chaucer de gestis peregrinorum versus
Cantuarium (f. 311v)
15.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 1
v-295
v
First Lines:When that Aperil with his shouris swote
the drought of Marche hath
percid the rote…
Last Lines:…bithe fructuous and that in litil space
and to do well god
sende you his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 262v.
16.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 6-205
v
First Lines:…though a wydewe had nouȝt a shoo
So plesant was his In
Principio
Ȝet wold he haue a ferthyng or he went
His purchas was
wel betir than his rent…
Last Lines:…Of watres corosif and of lymail
And of bodies
mollificacion
And also of here induracion…
Note: I.253-VIII.855. The scribe writes ‘Quod Wytton’ and ‘Amen quod Wytton’ at the ends of the
Knight’s Tale, Miller’s Tale, Man of
Law’s Tale, and Summoner’s Tale (ff. 39, fol. 47, 67,
and 92).
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).
17.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Gg.4.27 (Part 1a), ff. 132-443
v
First Lines:…Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun
To telle ȝow al the
conchusyoun
condition…
Last Lines:…Or art a Persoun sey soth by thyn fey
Be what thow be ne breke
thow nat oure pley…
Note: Folios 127-131 missing so begins imperfectly; these supplied by two
17th-century hands copying from Speght’s 1598 edition onto
folios 10-28v; verse ends 398v but prose ends
443v with ‘here takyt the makere of this bok his
leue.’ Begins I.37.
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. 2-237
First Lines:…And euermore he hadde the souereyn pris
And though that he
was war he was wise…
Last Lines:…Bethe fructuouse and that in litle space
And forto do wele god
sende vs grace
Note: Begins I.67, and missing text supplied by a later hand in top nad right
margin of f. 2; verse ends f. 224, prose ends f. 237.
Attributed Author: Explicit Liber Galfridi Chawcer de gestis Peregrinorum versus
Cantuarium (f. 237)
Attributed Title: Explicit Liber Galfridi Chawcer de gestis Peregrinorum versus
Cantuarium (f. 237)
19.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 1-252
v
First Lines:…Syngynge he was or floytynge alle þe daye
He was as
fresshe as is þe moneth of Maye…
Last Lines:…Beeth fructuous and þat in litell space
And to do wele
god sende us his grace
Note: Begins I.91.
20.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 2-304
First Lines:[W]Han that Aprile with his schoures soote
The drouthe of marche
hathe persed þe rote…
Last Lines:…Telle quod he your meditacoun
And hasteth you þe sonne
goth a doun
Note: Verse ends on f. 267v at X.70, with a catchphrase for the
first line of the Parson’s Tale.
Attributed Author: Here bigynneth the Talys of Caunterbiry / Compiled by Geffrei Chaucers (f.
1)
Attributed Title: Here bigynneth the Talys of Caunterbiry / Compiled by Geffrei Chaucers (f.
1)
21.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 1-130
v
First Lines:Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote
The drouȝt of Marche
hath perced to the roote
And bathed eueri veyne in such licoure
Of wich
vertu engendred is the floure…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do well god
sende you his grace
Note: Ends X.880. Verse ends. on f. 118.
22.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 5-315
v
First Lines:…In granade at the siege eke had he be
In algreth had he ryden
and in belmarye…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do wel god sende
you his grace
Note: Begins I.56; lines 1-55 supplied by a later (sixteenth-century) hand on
ff. 3v-4v. Verse ends on f. 277v.
23.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 2-359
v
First Lines:Whan that Aprylle wyth hys showres soote
The drowhte of Marche hath
percede to the rote…
Last Lines:…Beeth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do wel god send
you his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 314.
Attributed Author: Explicit prohemium Rectoris Incipit narracio eiusdem et est ultima de
hijs quas Chauncer composuit (f. 314)
24.Source: London, British Library Addit. 10340, f. 41
rb
First Lines:Þere was a pore person of a toune
And was a goode man of
religioune…
Last Lines:…But cristes lore & hys apostles twelue
he tauȝt but
first he folwed it hym selue
Note: Lines I.478-528.
25.Source: London, British Library Addit. 25718, ff. 1-88
v
First Lines:…Now trewly how sore that me smerte…
Last Lines:…Helpe me to telle hit in thin reuerence…
Note: Contains lines I.1394-1524, 1584-1706, 1829-1950, 2011-3108; 3109-3486;
II.31-517, 702-822; III.1891-2294; Fragment VI; IV.1-1013; VII.303-452,
VII.453-473 (474-523 are partially present on a very damaged folio), 1256-1564
(with missing leaves taking 1311-1316; 1371-1538).
26.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 1-238
v
First Lines:…But sykerly she hadde a fair forheed
It was almost a spanne
brood y trowe…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litel space
And to do wel god sende
yow his grace
Note: Contains lines I.154-X.472. Verse ends on f. 229.
Editions: Horobin, Simon.
“A Transcription and Study of British Library MS Additional 35286 of
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.”
Diss. Univ. of Sheffield, 1997.
27.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], ff. 1-270
v
First Lines:Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The drought of Marche hath
pershed þe roote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and þat in litle space
And to do wele god
send yow his grace
Note: Ends at X.1084, with the missing text supplied on an eighteenth-century
leaf. Verse ends. f. 261v.
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).
28.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 1-214
v
First Lines:…Or who haþ ȝow mysboden or offendid
And telleth me
ȝif it may be amended…
Last Lines:…I take but the sentence trusteth well
Therefore I make
protestacioun…
Note: Begins at I.909 and ends X.937, with losses elsewhere. Verse ends on f.
186v with X.59.
29.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 1-292
First Lines:[W]han that Aprille with his showres soote
The drowhte of marche
hath perced to the roote…
Last Lines:…Beeth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do weel god
send you his grace Amen
Note: Verse ends on f. 259.
Attributed Author: Incipit liber Galstid Chaucer de gestis peregrinorum versus
Cantuariam (f. 1)
Attributed Title: Incipit liber Galstid Chaucer de gestis peregrinorum versus
Cantuariam (f. 1)
30.Source: London, British Library Harley 1239, ff. 63-106
v
First Lines:…Thys duke of qwhom I make mencyoun
Whan he was all most comyn
to the towne…
Last Lines:…Wych was þe most gentyl thynkys ȝow
Now tel me or
þat þe forthere ride
I can no more my tale is at
Anende
Note: Begins I.893; ends V.1624, followed by 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’.
31.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 1-231
First Lines:Whan that Aprill with his schoures swote
The drought of Marche hath
perced to þe rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous & that in litell space
And to do well god
sende you his grace
Note: The Parson’s Prologue ends on f. 205.
Attributed Author: [H]Ere begynneth the book of tales of Caunterburye compiled by Gef / fraie
Chaucers of Brytayne chef poete (f. 1)
Attributed Title: [H]Ere begynneth the book of tales of Caunterburye compiled by Gef / fraie
Chaucers of Brytayne chef poete (f. 1); Prologus libri (RT)
32.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, ff. 37-118
First Lines:Whanne þat Aperyll with his shoures swoote
Þe Drowght of
marche hathe perced to þe rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuos and that in litle space
And to do wel god sende
you his grace
Note: The Parson’s Prologue ends on f. 116.
Attributed Title: On f. 37, the poem is introduced as ‘The Prologue of the Knyghtes
Tale’, followed by the heading: ‘O yee so noble and worthi pryncis
and princesse oþer estatis or degrees. what euer yee beo þat haue
disposicione or plesaunce. to rede or here þe stories of olde tymis passed
to kepe yow frome ydelnesse and slowþe. in escheuing oþer folies
þat might be cause of more harome filowyng vowcheth sauf I be seche yowe.
to fynde yowe occupacioun in þe Reding here of þe tales of
Caunterburye wiche beon compilid in þis boke filowyng ffirst foundid
ymagenid and made boþe for disporte and leornyng of all þoo that beon
gentile of birthe or of condiciouns by þe laureal and moste famous poete
þat euer was to fore him as in þemvelisshing of oure rude moders
englisshe tonge. clepid Chaucyer a Gavfrede of whos soule god for his mercy have
pitee of his grace Amen’.
33.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 1-285
v
First Lines:WHan that aprille with his schowres swoote
The drought of Marche
haþ perced to þe roote…
Last Lines:…Beþ fructuous and þat in litil space
And to do wel
God sende ȝow grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 252.
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. 1-163
v
First Lines:…Duk Perotheus loued wel Arcite
And had him knowe at thebes
yeer by yere…
Last Lines:…Ther cam a priue theef men clepen deth
That in this contre al
the peple sleth
Note: Contains I.1202-VI.676.
35.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 2-255
First Lines:Whan þat Aprill wyþe his schoures soote
þe drought of
Marche haþe perced to þe roote…
Last Lines:…Beþ fructuous & þat in litel space
And to do
wele god send ȝowe his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 230v.
Attributed Title: Incipit prologus fabularum Cantuarensis (f. 3)
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. 1-301
First Lines:And of his porte As Meke as is a Mayde
He neuer yett no villanye ne
sayde…
Last Lines:…litel space
…grace
Note: Contains I.69-X.449, with the last folios being badly damaged. Verse
ends on f. 290v.
37.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 3-271
First Lines:WHan that Aprill wit his shoures soote
The drought of
marche hath perced to þe roote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and þat in litel space
And to do wel god
send ȝow his grace
Note: Verse ends f. 238.
Attributed Title: Here endeth the book of the tales of Caunterburye compiled by Geffrey
Chaucer of whos soule Ihesu Crist haue mercy Amen (f. 271)
38.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, ff. 1-222
v
First Lines:He wolde suffre for a quart of wyne
A good felowe to haue his
concubyne…
Last Lines:…But sir I dyd it nouȝt in no wicked entente
Cometh doune
& I shalle telle you what I ment
Note: Contains I.649-VII.3424. Catchwords on f. 222v: ‘I
shalle’.
39.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 1-295
v
First Lines:In lystes thries and aye slayne his foo
This ilke worthy knyght had
be also…
Last Lines:…Where so thou come amonges high or lowe
Kepe wele thy tunge
and thinke on the crowe
Note: Contains I.63-IX.362.
40.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales MS 21972D [Merthyr fragment], ff. 1-3
v
First Lines:[ ]no[ ]
[ ]ne compleyne
[ ]als it is[ ]
[ ]here of
heuynesse…
Last Lines:Yis Sire quod [ ] þis hoost s[ ] mote I go
But I be mery ywis I
wil be blamed
And right anoon his tale he hath attamed
And thus he said
vnto vs euerychon
This swete preest this goodly man Sire Iohn
Note: Three damaged leaves containing: VII.2784-2820; VII.2822-2860;
VII.3021-3058; VII.3060-3098; VII 3184-3222; VII.3223-3262.
Facsimiles: Stubbs, Estelle,
ed.
The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM).
Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.
Editions: Stubbs, Estelle,
ed.
The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM).
Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000: Contains a digital facsimile and transcription of the
Merthyr Fragments.
41.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 2-235
v
First Lines:Whan that Aueryll with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath
perced to the roote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litel space
And to do wel god sende
yow his grace
Note: Ends incomplete in Parson’s Tale, f. 250v.
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.
42.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, ff. 1-181
v; 237
v-291
v
First Lines:fful fetouse was hir cloke as I was ware
Of smale corall a
bouȝt hir arme she bare…
Last Lines:…Be fructuouse and þat in litill spase
And to do wele God
send ȝew his grase
Note: Contains I.157-X.989 plus the
Tale of Beryn (
6270). Verse ends on f.
286
v.
43.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.
44.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 1
ra-115
First Lines:…His table dormaunt in his halle alweye
Stode redy couered all
the long daye…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and þat in litel space
And to do weel god
sende you his grace
Note: Begins I.353. On f. 102v is a scribal colophon:
‘Orate pro salute animarum Galfridi Spirleng Ciuis Norwici Courtholder Clerici Maioratus & comitatus dicte
Ciuitatis ac Thome Spirleng filij sui qui scribendo hunc librum compleuerunt mense Ianuariij
anno domine Millesimo CCCCmolxxvjto quo tempore dictus
Galfridus quasi quinquaginta et dictus Thomas quasi sexdecim etatis
extiterunt annorum’. The Parson’s Prologue ends on f.
89v; the Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale ends on f. 115
with: And þere a poynte for ended is my tale
God sende euery true
man bote of hise bale.
45.Source: Holkham Hall, Earl of Leicester MS 667, ff. 1
ra-86
rb
First Lines:Was risen and romed in a chambre in high
In which he alle the noble
citee sigh…
Last Lines:…That of his mercy god soo merciable
On vs his grete mercy
multeply
Note: Contains I.1065-VII.1479. Verse ends on f. 81vb.
Editions: Furnivall, Frederick James,
ed.
The Clerk’s Tale, a Six-Text Print from 6 MSS not containing the
Pardoner’s Tale.
The Chaucer Society
Series 1, no. 92. London: Trübner, 1899.
46.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, ff. 2-293
v
First Lines:…With hym ther was his sone a ȝong squier
A louier a
lusty bacheler…
Last Lines:…Beþ fructuous and þat in litel space
And to do wel
god sende ȝou his grace
Note: Begins I.79; verse ends f. 255; prose ends f.
292v.
Attributed Author: …compiled by Geffray Chaucers of whoos soule Ihesu crist haue mercy
Amen (f. 292v)
Attributed Title: Here endeth the boke of the tales of Canterbery compiled by Geffray
Chaucers of whoos soule Ihesu crist haue mercy Amen (f.
293v)
47.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 1-266
v
First Lines:…And pouder marchaunt tart and gallyngale
Wel coude he knowe a
drauȝt of londoun ale
He coude roste and sethe & boyle &
friȝe
Make mortrews and well bake a pie…
Last Lines:…Beþ fructuous & þat in litil space
And to do wel
god sende ȝow his grace
Note: I.381-X.639; original scribe ends f. 258v mid-way through
Parson’s Tale and remaining text (ff. 259-266v)
supplied by a hand of sixteenth century.
48.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 1-320
v
First Lines:Whanne that Aprill with his showris soote
The drought of marche hath
perced the Roote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do wele god
sende yow his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 320v. Parson’s Tale ends X.1062 on f.
358v.
49.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 63 (‘Oxford Fragments’), ff. 1-2
v
First Lines:I have a wyfe parde as wel as thow
yit nold I nat for the Oxen in my
plowe…
Last Lines:…Ne clepe ne cry but be in his preyer
ffor it is Goddis hest
leve and dere
Note: An 11-folio fragment: this leaf containing VIII.1091-167 of the
Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale. Part of the same MS as Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 63 (‘Oxford Fragments’).
50.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 6-194
First Lines:Whan þat Aprill with his shoures swote
Þe drowth of Marche
hath perced to þe rote
And bathed euery vayne with soche
vertu licour
Of which vertue engendred is þe
flour…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and þat in litle space
And to do wel god
send you his grace
Note: Verse ends 171v. On f. 194 is the scribal colophon
‘Iste liber Constat Johanni Brode Juniori’.
Attributed Title: Expliciunt fabule Cant. (f. 194)
51.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 1-307
First Lines:Whan that aprille with his shoures soote
The drouht of marche hath
perced to þe roote…
Last Lines:…Beeþ fructuous and þat in litel space
And to do wel
god sende ȝow his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 272v.
Attributed Title: Here endeþ þe boke of þe talys of Caunterbury compiled / by
Geffray Chawcer on whoos soule Ihesu crist haue mercy / Amen (f.
307v)
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.
54.Source: Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Library 564 [olim Ashburnham 126, post McCormick], ff. 1-192
v
First Lines:…Ne at his tale sawe I no man hym greue
But hit were only
oswalt þe Reue…
Last Lines:…I wylt ȝow shewe & ȝif ȝow luste to leer
I
wyl ȝow teche pleynly þe mateer
Note: I.859-VIII.1057. Catchwords: ‘how I can
wyrchen’.
Editions: Furnivall, Frederick James,
ed.
The Clerk’s Tale, a Six-Text Print from 6 MSS not containing the
Pardoner’s Tale.
The Chaucer Society
Series 1, no. 92. London: Trübner, 1899.
55.Source: New York, Columbia University Library Plimpton 253 [olim Phillipps 9970], ff. 1-2
v
First Lines:…Ey god mercy sayde our oste tho
Now suche awyff y pray god
kepe me fro…
Last Lines:…To make his iapes and his wrechednes
Of whiche a substiciens
cursidnes…
Note: f. 1: Epilogue to the Merchant’s Tale (IV.2419-2440),
followed by V.1-8 (adapted for the Franklin rather than the Squire); V.709-752
of Franklin’s Tale; fol. 2: V.1198-1272.
58.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/2 [olim Rosenbach 158; prior W. A. White]
First Lines:Wich that I help my fadir for to stele
And good lemman God the save
and keep…
Last Lines:…Was nat made there but it was made to fore
And othir thingis
wich I shall tell more
Note: An 11-folio fragment: I.4246-4372 of the Reeve’s Tale,
Cook’s Prologue, and Cook’s Tale; II.95-140,
211-350, 1051-1120 of the Man of Law’s Tale; V.57-132 of the
Squire’s Tale; VIII.1091-1167 of the Canon’s
Yeoman’s Tale; VII.836-922 of the Tale of Thopas and the
Thopas-Melibee Link; X.256-297, 1043-1073 of the Parson’s Tale.
Part of the same MS as Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 63 (‘Oxford Fragments’).
60.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 1-232
v
First Lines:Whan that Aprill with hise shoures soote
The droghte of March hath
perced to the roote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litel space
And to do wel god sende
yow his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 206v.
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.
61.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, ff. 1-83
v
First Lines:Whan that april with his shoureȝ swote
þe drought of March
haþ percyd to þe rote…
Last Lines:…Where so thou come amongis hy or lowe
kepe wel thi tung and
thenk vppon þe crowe
Explicit fabula mancipij et
cetera
Note: A ‘U’ lombard initial precedes the first word of the text,
‘Whan’. On fol. 83v is a scribal colophon: ‘a
elle magre xij xij quod Duxworth scriptor xij’.
62.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 22 [olim Sion College, Arc. L 40 2/E 23], ff. 1-77
v
First Lines:SIr Clerk of Oxinford owre Oste sayde
ȝe ryden as style and coy
as doth a mayde
Were newe spowsyd syttyng at a borde
This day ne herde I
of your mouth a worde…
Last Lines:…And Johnkyn hath I wonne a newe gowne
my tale is done and we
be nygh at towne
Syr clerk of Oxynford oure ost seyde
Note: Extracts from the Canterbury Tales: Clerk’s Prologue
(ff. 1-2); Clerk’s Tale (ff. 2v-29); ‘Lenvoye de
Chau[n]cer’ (ff. 29-30); Wife of Bath’s Prologue (ff.
30-47v); Wife of Bath’s Tale (ff. 48-56);
Friar’s Prologue (ff. 56v-57); Friar’s
Tale (ff. 57r-64v); Summoner’s Prologue (ff.
64v-65v); Summoner’s Tale (ff.
65v-77v).
Editions: Furnivall, Frederick James,
ed.
The Clerk’s Tale, a Six-Text Print from 6 MSS not containing the
Pardoner’s Tale.
The Chaucer Society
Series 1, no. 92. London: Trübner, 1899.
64.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], ff. 20-157
v
First Lines:…He yaf nowt of the text a pulled hen
That seyht that hvnteris
be noun holy men…
Last Lines:…Beht fructuous and that in lytell space
And to doon weell god
sende yow of his grace
Note: Begins I.177. Verse ends f. 132v.
Attributed Author: Here endyht thee boke of the talis of Caunterbery compiled by giffrey
Chauceris of whoos so / wle Ihu Crist haue Mercy Amen (f.
157v)
Attributed Title: Here endyht thee boke of the talis of Caunterbery compiled by giffrey
Chauceris of whoos so / wle Ihu Crist haue Mercy Amen (f.
157v)
Print Witnesses:
1.Source: STC 5082.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] , ff. 2-373
First Lines:[W]han that Apprill with his shouris sote
And the droughte of marche
hath percid þe rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do wel god send
you his grace
Note: Verse ends on f. 327.
Attributed Author: Explicit Tractatus Galfrydi Chaucer de Penitencia vt dicitur pro fabula
Rectoris (f. 373)
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. a.3-L.4
First Lines:[W]han that Apryll wyth hys shouris sote
The droughte of marche hath
percyd the rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in litil space
And to do wel god sende
you his grace
Note: Verse ends on sig. G2.
Attributed Author: Explicit Tractatus Galfridi Chaucer de Penitencia vt dicitur pro fabula
Rectoris (sig. L3v)
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. a.2-K.6
First Lines:[W]han that Aprille with his showres sote
The droughte of marche
hath persed the rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in lytel space
And to do wel god sende
you his grace
Note: Verse ends on sig. F.8.
4.Source: STC 5085.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sigs. a.3-⁂.3
First Lines:[W]han þat Apryll wyth his shoures sote
þe drouȝt of
Marche had percid þe rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in lytyll space
And to do wel god
sende you his grace
Note: Verse ends on sig. x.8.
Attributed Title: The Boke of Chaucer named Canterbury tales (sig. [a.1])
5.Source: STC 5085.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Here begynneth the boke of C[a]nterbury tales dilygently [and]
truely corrected, an[d] newly printed, [Imprinted at London: In fletestrete, by me Rycharde
Pynson, printed vnto the kynges noble grace: and fyuished [sic], the yere of our lorde god. a. M.CCCCC.
and xxvi. the fourth day of Iune. [1526]] , sigs. a.2-Y.3
v
First Lines:[W]han that Aprill wyth his shoures sote
The drought of march hath
perced þe rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in lytell space
And to do well god
sende you the grace
Note: Verse ends on sig. T,1v.
Attributed Author: Explicit tractatus Galfridi Chaucer de Penitencia vt dicitur pro fabula
rectoris (sig. Y,3v)
Attributed Title: Thus endeth the boke of Caunterbury tales (sig. Y,3v)
6.Source: Geoffrey Chaucer,
Workes, Thynne, 1532 , sigs. b.ii
ra-v.v
vb
First Lines:Whanna that Apryll with his shoures sote
The drought of Marche had
perced the rote…
Last Lines:…Beth fructuous and that in lytel space
And to do wel god sende
you his grace
Note: Folio numbering begins at folio 14 at beginning of The Miller’s
Tale, by which count foliation would begin at beginning of
Knight’s Tale; verse (Parson’s Prologue) ends
folio 107rb, or sig. v.vrb; prose (Parson’s
Tale) ends f. 126vb or sig. z.vivb.
Attributed Title: The Caunterbury tales (sig. b.i); Thus endeth the boke of Caunterbury Tales
(f. 126vb, or sig. z.vivb).
7.Source: STC 5069.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Workes, [R. Grafton f.], W. Bonham 1542
Editions:
Stowe, John,
ed.
The Workes of Geffrey Chaucer…with diuers addicions, with the
Siege of Thebes, compiled by J. Lidgate.
London, J. Kyngston for J. Wight, 1561 (STC 5075).
Speght, Thomas,
ed.
The Workes of…Geffrey Chaucer.
London, [A. Islip,] imp. G. Bishop, 1598; rev. ed. A. Islip, 1602 (STC
5077, 5080).
Speght, Thomas,
ed.
The Workes of…Geffrey Chaucer.
London, [A. Islip,] imp. G. Bishop, 1598; rev. ed. A. Islip, 1602 (STC
5077, 5080).