DIMEV 6530
Whilom as old stories tellen us
Geoffrey Chaucer, the Knight’s Tale of the Canterbury Tales
— 2249 lines in couplets
Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer
Title(s): Knight’s Tale;
Canterbury Tales
Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; Theseus; Courtly Love; Fortune
Versification: —
couplets —
aa
Manuscript Witnesses:
1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 16-47
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…thus endith Palamon & Emelie
And god saue al this companye
Amen
Note: I.2720 omitted; 2603-4 reversed; 2953-4 inserted in margin.
Attributed Title: …And next / folwith the Knyghtis tale of Arcyte and Palamon (f.
15v); the knyght (RT); Here endith the knyght his tale of Arcite
and / Palamon… (f. 47)
2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 4
v-32
v
First Lines:Whilom was as old stories tellen vs
Ther was a duk þat hight
theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith palamon And Emely
And god saue alle this fair
Cumpanye
Note: I.1254, 2067, 2248, 2358, 2501-2, 2655, 3043 omitted.
Attributed Title: …Here begynnyth þe prolog of þe knyȝtes tale (f.
4v); The knyght (RT); The knyȝt (RT); Here begynnyth the
knyȝtes tale (f. 5, following I.892)
3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 10
v-37
v
First Lines:[W]hilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon and Emely
And god saue alle this feir
cumpany
Note: I.1979-80, 2961-2 omitted; 943-4, 1241-2, 1753-4, 2881-2
reversed.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patria Scithice post aspera / gentis prelia laurigeno
(f. 10)
4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), ff. 11
v-40
First Lines:Whilom was as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duk þat hight
Teseus…
Last Lines:…[smudge]lamon and emelye
And god save al þis feire
companye
Note: I.1291-5, 2655 omitted; 135307 inserted at foot.
Attributed Title: Hic incipit fabula Militis (f. 11v); Knyght
(RT)
5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 10-36
First Lines:Whilom as old stories tellen vs
There was a duke þat hight
Thesius…
Last Lines:…Þus endith Palamoun and Emely
And god saue al þis
company
Note: I.1320, 1893, 2168, 2238, 2320, 2385, 2588-99 omitted; 1985-6 reversed
with 1986 repeated.
Attributed Title: Here beginneth the Knightes tale (f. 10); The knightes tale (RT); here
endeth þe knightez tale… (f. 36, margin)
6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 14
v-48
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was aduk that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeþ Palamon and Emelie
And god saue al this faire
companye
Note: I.1806-938 lost; 1780-1 omitted.
Attributed Title: …HEre begynneth the Knightes tale (f. 14v); the knight
(RT); HEre endeth the Knihtes tale… (f. 48v)
7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 13
v-47
v
First Lines:[W]Hylome was as olde stories tellen vs
There was a Duk
that highte Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon and Emelye
And god save all this faire
companye
Note: I.1083, 1372, 1508, 1514, 1660, 1888, 2436 all omitted and subsequently
insterted in margin; 1602, 3032 omitted.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos partias & cetera Post aspera gentis prelia laurigero
& cetera (f. 13v)
8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 141 (SC 14635), ff. 1-9
First Lines:…Bi ordynaunce thrugh out the cyte large
Honged with cloth of
gold & not with sarge…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon & Emely
And god saue al this feyr
company
Note: I.859-2566 lost; 2655, 2741 omitted; 2682 left blank and subsequently
supplied; 2881-2, 3015-16 reversed.
Attributed Title: The knyght (RT); Here endeth the Knyghtes tale… (f.
9v)
9.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), ff. 5-19
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamoun and Emely
and god saue alle this
Cumpany
Note: I.912-97, 1699-1789, 2138-950 lost; 1423-4 reversed
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the knightes tale of Arcite and palamon (f. 5); the knyght
(RT)
10.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 11-42
v
First Lines:WHilom as olde stories tellen us
Ther was a duc that hiȝt
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamoun and Emelie
And god saue all this faire
company Amen
Note: I.1374-59, 2655 omitted; ‘Hic deficit’ in margin next
1360.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patrias scithice post aspera gentis prelia lauri / gero
& cetera (f. 11); Hic incipit fabula Militis (f. 11) Theseus
Arcyte Palamon (RT)
11.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 13-42
First Lines:Wilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon and Emelye
And god saue all this faire
compaignye
Note: I.1555-1643 lost; 2270 omitted; 1308 inserted interlinearly; 2986
inserted in margin; blank line following 1748 with ‘Vacat’ in
margin.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patria scithice post aspera gentis laurigero &
cetera / Here bigynneth the Knygtis tale (f. 13); Here endith the
Knyghtys tale… (f. 42)
12.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 12
v-44
First Lines:Whilom was as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duk þat highte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue all þis faire
companye
Note: I.2655, 3045 omitted; spurious line follows 2656.
13.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 4
v-35
First Lines:Whilom as olde story telleth vs
Ther was a duke þat hiȝte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamoun & Emelye
And god saue al this
companye
Note: I.1148-61, 1220-4, 1462, 1593-602, 2044, 2367, 2501-2, 2549, 2603-4,
2655, 2741, 2815, 2899-900, 3094, omitted; spurious lines follow 2656, 2741, and
inserted in the margin next 1944; 895-6, 1527-8, 1857-8 reversed.
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the Knyghtis tale (f. 4v); knyȝt (RT); Here
endith the Knyghtis tale… (f. 35)
14.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 12-43
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
ther was a duke that hight
Teseus…
Last Lines:…thus endith Palamon and Emelie
and god saue all this merie
companie amen
Note: I.886, 1172, 1228-331, 1335, 1404, 1512, 1580, 1615-19, 1668, 1866,
1940, 1962, 2138, 2202, 2230, 2720, 2057, 2875-92, 3012 omitted; 4 spurious
lines follow 2874; 2141-2 reversed.
Attributed Title: knyght (RT)
15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 13-39
First Lines:Whilom there was as olde stories tellen vs
A Duke a worthy man that
hight Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this fair
companye
Note: I.920-1170, 1502-931, 2927-3016 lost; 2681-2, 2754-7, 2779-82 omitted.
‘Amen quod Wytton’ in the margin next
to 3108.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patrias scithice post aspera gentis prelia laurigero &
cetera / Here bygynneth the knyghtes tale (f. 13)
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. 145-174
v
First Lines:…And ryȝt anon with oute more abod
Hese baner he
displayeþ & forth rod…
Last Lines:…Thus endyth Palamoun & Emelye
And god saue al this fayre
cumpaynye
Note: I.859-964 lost; 3073-88 lost or partially lost; 2681-2 omitted; 1024,
1917, 2411 inserted at foot. Bottom half of f. 175 torn away.
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. 11-36
v
First Lines:Whilom there was as an olde storye telleth vs
A duke that hight
Thesius…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emely
And god save all this faire
company
Amen
Note: I.1148-61, 1193-200, 1220, 1462, 1843-4, 1943, 2250, 2655, 2958, 3058
omitted; 895-6, 2603-4, 2831+2-2829+30 reversed; spurious lines follow 1218,
1466, 2248, 2656; 1800 left blank and subsequently supplied; blank line follows
2457.
Attributed Title: Knyght (RT); Here Endith the knyghtis tale… (f.
36v)
18.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 10-34
First Lines:Whilom was as olde stories tellen us
Ther was a duke þat
hiȝhte Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palemon and Emelye
And god saue all þis faire
compaignye
Note: I.1126-7, 2655, 2720 omitted; 1452, 2654, 2934 inserted in margin;
spurious line follows 2656. Iam que domos patrias scithice post aspera gentis
/ prelia laurigero precedes the explicit for the Prologue,
written as if lines of text.
Attributed Title: …Here begynneth þe knyghtis taale (f. 10); ffabula
militis (RT); Here endeth þe knyghtes tale… (f. 34)
19.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 15
v-46
First Lines:[W]Hilom as olde storyes telle us
There was a Duke hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamoun & Emelye
And god save all þis
company Amen
Note: I.885-81039-40, 1126-7, 1133-4, 1137-8, 1199-200, 1225-6, 1357-60,
1367-8, 1372-6, 1387-90, 1459-64, 1533-8, 1543-9, 1639-46, 1659-60, 2017-18,
2037-40, 2043-8, 2061-4, 2117-24, 2131-6, 2169-70, 2172-3, 2201-8, 2284-8,
2293-4, 2303-4, 2334, 2283-98, 2411, 2449-50, 2459-60, 2463-8, 2475-6, 2481-2,
2499-500, 2503-8, 2515-22, 2561-2, 2606, 2655, 2813-14, 2821-4, 2831-4, 2843-6,
2959-64, 2983-6, 2999-3040, 3049-50 omitted; spurious lines follow 1542, 2656;
1879-80, 2125-6, 2957-8 reversed.
Attributed Title: …Here bigynneth the knyghtes Tale (f. 15v); The
kn[trimmed] (RT); Here endeth þe knyghtes Tale (f. 46)
20.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 5
rb-18
rb
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories telle vs
Ther was a Duc that
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And saue all this faire
companie
Note: I.1126-7, 1431-4. 2655, 2741-2, 2775-8 omitted; spurious line follows
2656; blank line follows 2729; 1495-6, 1753-4, 3041-2 reversed.
Attributed Title: Hire beginneth the kniȝt his tale (f. 5vb)
21.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 18-53
First Lines:Whilom as olde story telleth vs
There was a duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Here endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue alle this
compenye
Note: I.978-1081 lost; 1148-61, 1193-200, 1593-602, 1049-50, 1943, 2012-17,
2501-2, 2549, 2603-4, 2642, 2655, 2741, 2787-92, 2815, 2899-900 omitted;
spurious lines follow 1218, 2550, 2656, 2742, 2816; 895-6, 1527-8, 1857-8
reversed; 3052 inserted in margin.
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the knyghtes tale folowyge (f. 5); Here endeth the knyghtes
tale… (f. 53)
22.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 14-45
v
First Lines:SOm tyme as olde storyes tellyn vs
Ther was a duk that hyht
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endyth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue all this faire
companye
Note: I.969-1099 lost; 1433-4, 2549, 2655, 2681-2, 2899-900 omitted; spurious
lines follow 1614, 2550; 1765-6 reversed and follow 1762.
Attributed Title: Here begennyth the knyhtes tale (f. 14); knyght (f. 14, margin); Knyht
(RT); Explicit fabula Militis… (f. 45v)
23.Source: London, British Library Addit. 25718, ff. 1-24
v
First Lines:…Now trewly how sore that me smerte
Quod he to Athenes woll I
fare…
Last Lines:Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this faire
companye
Note: I.859-1393, 1525-1583, 1707-1838, 1953-2010 lost; 1421-2, 2501-3, 2655,
2741, 3043 omitted; 1423-4 reversed; 1459, 1524, 1890 inserted in margin; blank
line follows 3044.
Attributed Title: Militis (RT); Explicit fabula militis… (f.
24v)
24.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 7
v-28
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this faire
compaignye
Note: I.1269-1898 lost; 2681-2, 2934 omitted.
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the prologe of the knyghtes tale (f. 7v); Here
begynneth the knyghtes tale (f. 8, at I.892); The Knyght (RT); Here endyth the
knyghtes tale… (f. 28)
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. 11
v-39
v
First Lines:Whilom þere was as old stories tellen vs
A duke a worthy man
þat hight Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon and Emelye
And god saue all this feire
cumpany
Note: I.1772, 1838, 2063 inserted in margin; 2971-2 reversed.
Attributed Title: …Here begynneth the knightes tale (f. 11v)
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).
26.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 1-24
v
First Lines:…Or who haþ ȝow mysboden or offendid
And telleth me
ȝif it may be amended…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon & Emelie
And god saue all þis
faire companie…
Note: I. 859-908, 1365-1668, 2351-2426 lost; 2643-8, 2720 omitted; spurious
lines follow 1983, 1986, 2656, 2880, 2882.
Attributed Title: The knyght (RT); Here endith the Knightes tale… (f.
24v)
27.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 14-46
v
First Lines:[S]Om tyme as olde storiyes tellen vs
Ther was a Duk that hihte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith palamon and Emelye
And god saue all this fayr
companye
Note: 1433-4, 1821-2, 2549, 2655, 2681-2, 2899-900 omitted; spurious lines
follow 1614, 2550, 2656; 2146 inserted in margin.
Attributed Title: Heer bigynneth the Knyhtes tale (f. 14); The knyhtes tale (RT);
Explicit (f. 46v)
28.Source: London, British Library Harley 1239, ff. 63-80
v
First Lines:…Thys duke of qwhom I make mencyoun
Whan he was all most comyn
to the towne…
Last Lines:…Thus endyth palamon & Emyle
And god saue al þis
company
Note: Begins I.893; 983, 1102, 1108, 1222, 1474, 1793, 1827, 2318, 2603,
2681-2 omitted.
Attributed Title: Explicit fabula militis (f. 80v)
29.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 10-33
First Lines:…Vyctorie & as a conquerour to lyuen
Not greueth vs youre
glorie & youre honour…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon & Emelye
And god saue all this faire
companye
Note: I.891-915 lost; 2655, 2720 omitted; spurious line follows
2656.
Attributed Title: The Knyghtis Tale (RT); [H]Ere endeth the Knyghtis tale (f. 33)
30.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, ff. 41
vb-53
va
First Lines:Wylom was as olde storyes tellyn vs
þer was a duke þat
heyght theseus…
Last Lines:…þus Eondithe Palamoun & Emelye
And god save nowe al
this companye
Note: I.1842, 1995, 2642-7, 2655, 2720, 2843-4 omitted; 1198 follows 2000;
1844 deleted; spurious lines follow 1900, 1996 (inserted in margin), 2656;
2955-6 reversed.
Attributed Title: Nowe here firste begynnyþe þe prologe of þe / kneytis tale
(f. 33va; introduces the General Prologue); Loo here
eondiþe þe prologe of þe Knightes / tale and ffolowyng þe
knyght be gynnithe to telle his tale (f. 41vb); Þe Knightes Tale
(RT); Loo þus here eondiþe the kyntes tale… (f.
53va)
31.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 12-41
v
First Lines:WHilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duk þat highte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeþ Palomon and Emelye
And god saue al þis
fayre companye Amen
Note: I.2012-17, 2250, 2655, 2958 omitted; blank line left for 2040; 2603-4,
2830+31-2829+30 reversed; spurious lines after 2248, 2656.
Attributed Title: knyghtes tale (f. 12, margin); The knightes Tale (RT); HEre endeþ
þe knightes tale… (f. 41v)
Editions: Furnivall, Frederick James,
ed.
The Harleian MS 7334 of Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury
Tales’.
Chaucer Society
73. London: Trübner, 1885.
32.Source: London, British Library Harley 7335, ff. 1-25
v
First Lines:…Duk Perotheus loued wel Arcite
And had him knowe at thebes
yeer by yere…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this faire
compaignye
Note: I.859-1201, 1475-542; 2563-630; 2701-71 lost; 2257-90 partially lost
(torn leaf).
33.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 12-38
v
First Lines:Whilome was as holde stories tellen vs
There was a Duke þat
hight Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus Endeþ Palamon & Emelye
And god saue al þis
faire compaignye
Note: I.1250, 2655 omitted; 906, 1552, 2591 inserted in margin; 2207-8
reversed; spurious line follows 2656.
Attributed Title: Iam que domos patrias scitice post aspera gentis / Prelia
laurigero & cetera Incipit fabula Militis (f. 12); Þe Knyht
(RT); Explicit fabula mylitis (f. 38v)
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.
34.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 12
v-46
v
First Lines:Whyleom was As olde stories telle vs
There was A duke þat
highte Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeþe palamon And Emellye
And god saue all this
fayer companye
Note: I.1138, 1722, 1970, 2166, 2603-4, 2655 omitted; spurious line following
2656.
Attributed Title: Here begynnyth the prolog of the knyghtes tale (f. 12v; Here
endith the prologe And begynnyth / the knyghtis tale (f. 13, at I.892); Here
endithe the tale of the knyght… (f. 46v)
35.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 13
v-40
v
First Lines:WHilom was as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duk þat highte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…thus endeth palamon and Emelie
And god saue al þis faire
companye
Note: I.944, 1083, 1660, 2436, 2655, 2720 omitted; spurious line follows
2656.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patrias post aspera gentis Prelia laurigero / Here
begyn the prolog of the knyght is tale (f. 13v); The knyght (RT);
Here endyth the prolog and begynnyth the tale (f. 13v at I.892); Here
endith the knyght… (f. 40v)
36.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, ff. 4-33
First Lines:Whylom was as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duk that
hight Thesius…
Last Lines:…Thus eendith Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this faire
companye
Note: I.1579-650, 1723-94 lost; 2436, 2655, 2720 omitted; spurious line
follows 2434.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patrias scithie post prelia gentis / Prelia laurigero &
ce[tera] (f. 3v, preceding explicit for the General
Prologue); …and heere bigynneth the first tale which is the Knygh
/ te tale (f. 3v); ffabula militis
Capmim (f. 4, margin); ffabula militis
(RT); The knyght (RT); Incipit narracio (f. 4, margin, at I.892); Heere
eendith the knyght… (f. 33)
37.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 13-49
v
First Lines:Whilom was as olde stories tellen us
There was a duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endyth Palamon & Emelie
And god save all this fayre
companye Amen
Note: I.1979, 2127, 2307-8, 2655, 2775-6 omitted; 865-6 reversed; 1488
inserted at foot; spurious line follows 2656.
Attributed Title: Theseus (f. 13); [A]Rcyte (RT); [P]Alamon (RT); Here endith the knightis
tale… (f. 49v)
38.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 12
v-41
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duc þat highte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this faire
compaignye Amen
Note: I.2681-2, 2779-82 omitted; 3027-8 inserted in margin.
Attributed Title: Here bigynneth the knyghtes tale (f. 12v); Incipit
narracio (f. 13, at I.892); Here is ended the knyghtes tale (f.
41)
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.
39.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, ff. 10-40
First Lines:Whilom there was as old story tellith vs
A duke somtyme callid
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith the tale of Palamon & Emely
And god save al
this company Amen
Note: I.959, 1045-6, 1148-61, 1193-200, 1220-4, 1320, 1346, 1462, 1485-6,
1593-602, 1747, 1943, 2000, 2012-17, 2044, 2212, 2497-8, 2501-2, 2549, 2741,
2749-51, 2775, 2787-92, 2815 omitted; 895-6, 1047-8, 1527-8, 1697-8, 2499-2500,
2603-4, 2881-2 reversed; spurious lines follow 1218, 2550, 2656,
2742.
Attributed Title: Here begynnyth the knyȝt his tale (f. 10); Here endith the knyȝt
his tale… (f. 40)
40.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 3
vb-16
va
First Lines:Whilom was as olde storyes tellen vs
There was a Duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palaman and Emelye
And god saue all this faire
companye
Note: I.1053-230 lost; 2556, 2655, 2720, 2830-1 omitted; spurious line follows
2656.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patrias scithice post aspera gentis / Prelia laurigero
/ Here endith the prolog of this boke / Here beginneth the knyghtis taile (f.
3vb); The knyght (RT); Here endeth the knyghtis tale… (f.
16va)
41.Source: Holkham Hall, Earl of Leicester MS 667, ff. 1
ra-14
rb
First Lines:Was risen and romed in a chambre in high
In which he alle the noble
citee sigh…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon and emelye
And god saue all this feire
companye
Note: I.859-1064 lost; 2549, 2127-8, 2655, 2681-2, 2899-900 omitted; 1364
inserted at foot; 1711-12 reversed.
42.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, ff. 12-40
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duk þat highte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth palamon and Emelie
And god saue al this faire
companye
Note: I.2655, 2720 omitted; spurious line follows 2656.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patrias Scithice post aspera gentis / Prelia laurigero In
Stacio thebados (f. 12); ffabula Militis (RT); The knyght (RT);
Explicit fabula Militis… (f. 40v)
43.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 7-36
v
First Lines:Whilome as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duc þat hight
theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamoun and Emelye
And god saue alle this
compaignye
Note: I.1126-7, 1332, 1354, 1503-4, 1985, 2044, 2655 omitted; 1595-6, 2575-6
reversed; spurious line follows 2656.
Attributed Title: …And begynneth the Knyghtes tale (f. 7); the knyghtestale (RT);
knyght (RT)
44.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 16-55
First Lines:Whilom as old stories tellen vs
Ther was a duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon and Emelie
And god save al this faire
compaigne Amen
Note: I.2428, 2681-2, 2720, 2751, 2779-82 omitted; 943-4, 1241-2, 2609-10
reversed.
Attributed Title: Iamque domos patria scithice post aspera gentis prelia laurigero (f.
16); Incipit narracio (f. 16v, at. I.892); Here endith the
knyghtis tale… (f. 55)
45.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 14-34
v
First Lines:[W]Hilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duke þat hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon and Emelie
And god saue all þis
compaignie AMEN
Note: I.889-92 omitted; 2141-2 reversed; 2461-2 follow 2468.
Attributed Title: Explicit ffabula Militis (f. 34v)
46.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 12
v-43
v
First Lines:Whilom was as olde stories tellen vs
A worþi duk hight
theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeþ þe tale of Palamon and Emelye
And god
saue al þis faire companye
Attributed Title: ffabula militis (f. 12v, margin); Here bygynneþ the
knyghtes tale (f. 12v); Incipit narracio plena Militis (f.
12v, at I.892); Here endeþ þe knyghtes tale…
(rubric, f. 43v); The knyghtes tale (rubric, RT)
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.
48.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 15-44
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duk that highte
Theseus
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon and Emelie
And god save al this faire
companye
Note: I.2655, 2655, 2720 omitted; 1577 inserted in margin; spurious line after
2656.
Attributed Title: ffabula Militis (RT); The knyghtes Tale (RT); Thus endeth the
knyghtes tale… (f. 44v)
50.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 1-16
v
First Lines:…ffirst on þe wal was peyntid a forest
In wich there
dwellith nethir man ne best…
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamoun and Emely
And god save al this
company
Note: I.859-1974 lost; 2012-17, 2044, 2135-6, 2501-2, 2549, 2655, 2787-92,
2815, 2899-900, 2920 omitted; 2603-4, 2993-4 reversed; spurious lines follow
2550, 2656.
Attributed Title: knyght (RT); Here endith the knyght his tale… (f.
16v)
51.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 10-33
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a duc þat highte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this faire
compaignye Amen
Note: I.2681-2 omitted.
Attributed Title: Heere bigynneth the knyghtes tale (f. 10); Narrat (f. 10, at I.892,
in margin); Heere is ende the knyghtes tale (f. 33v)
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.
52.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, ff. 5
vb-17
vb
First Lines:Uhilom as old storyes tellyn vs
ther was a duke that hight
theseus…
Last Lines:…thus enduryth palamon and Emelye
and god saue al this fayre
companye Amen
Note: I.2553-4. 2603, 2681-2, 2898-9, 2944 omitted; spurious lines follow
2604, 2738.
Attributed Title: Incipit fabula Militis Primo sic (f. 5va); Explicit
fabula militis valde bone… (f. 17vb)
55.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 12-41
v
First Lines:Whilom as olde Stories tellen vs
ther was a Duke þat hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…þus endeth Palamon and Emeli
and god saue alle this feir
cumpany
Note: I.2007-8, 2013-14, 2711-14, 2831-4 omitted; 943-4, 1241-2, 1753-4,
2881-2 reversed.
Attributed Title: The prolog of the knightes tale (rubric, f. 12); The knyghtis tale (f.
12v, rubric, preceding I.893)
56.Source: Longleat, Marquess of Bath MS 257, ff. 53-77
First Lines:Whilome as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duke that hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endeth Palomon and Emelie
And god save all this faire
companye
Note: I.2241-332 lost; 1535-6, 2463-8 omitted; 870 inserted in margin; 1619-20
reversed; spurious lines follow 1983, 1986, 2880, 2882.
Attributed Title: Arcite & Palomon (rubric in margin, f. 53); Palomon Arcite (RT);
Explicit Arcite & Palomon (f. 77)
Print Witnesses:
1.Source: STC 5082.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] , ff. 16
v-54
v
First Lines:[W]Hilom as olde story telleth vs
Ther was a duke that highte
Theseus …
Last Lines:…Thus endith Palamon and Emelye
And god saue al this
companye
Note: I.1148-61, 1193-1200, 1220-4, 1593-602, 2012-17, 2501-2, 2603-4, 2741,
2787-92, 2899-900 omitted; 895-6, 1527-8, 1857-8 reversed; spurious lines follow
1218, 1944, 2550, 2742, 2816.
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the knyghtis tale (f. 16v; Here endith the
knyghtis tale (f. 54v)
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. c.6-g.3
v
First Lines:[W]hylom as olde story telleth vs
Ther was a duke that hyghte
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endyth Palamon and Emelye
And god saue alle thys
companye
Note: I.2681-2 omitted; 1527-8 reversed; spurious lines follow
1942.
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the knyghtis tale (sig. c.5v); The knyghtis tale
(RT); Here endyth the knyghtys tale… (sig. g.3v)
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. c.4
v-g.6
v
First Lines:[W]whilom as olde storyes tellith vs
Ther was a duke hight
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endith palamon and Emily
And god saue alle this
company
Attributed Title: Here begynneth the knightes tale (sig. c.4v); The knyght (as
part of the woodcut, sig. c.4v); The knyghtes tale (RT); Here endith
the knyghtes tale… (sig. g.6v)
4.Source: STC 5085.
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sigs. c.2
ra-d.6
va
First Lines:[W]hylom as olde storyes telleth vs
There was a duke that hyght
Theseus…
Last Lines:…Thus endyth palamon and emelye
And god saue alle this
companye
Attributed Title: Here begynnyth the knyghtes tale (sig. c.1vb); Here endyth the
knyghtes tale (sig. d.6vb)