Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 6530

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. 4v-32v

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. 10v-37v

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. 11v-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. 14v-48v

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. 13v-47v

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. 5-19v

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. 11-42v

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. 12v-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.

Facsimiles:

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

13.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 4v-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. 12-43v

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. 145-174v

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. 11-36v

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. 15v-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. 5rb-18rb

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. 14-45v

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. 1-24v

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. 7v-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. 11v-39v

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:

26.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 1-24v

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. 14-46v

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. 63-80v

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. 41vb-53va

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. 12-41v

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. 1-25v

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. 12-38v

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. 12v-46v

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. 13v-40v

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. 13-49v

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. 12v-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. 3vb-16va

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. 1ra-14rb

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. 12-40v

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. 7-36v

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. 14-34v

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. 12v-43v

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.

47.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. 9v-34v

First Lines:

Whilom as olde stories tellen vs
There was a duke that hight Theseus…

Last Lines:

…Thus endith Palamon and Emelie
And god save all this Companie Amen

Note: I.944-1022, 1101-82, 1510-92 missing; 2961-2 partly missing; 889-92 omitted; 2141-2 reversed; 2461-2 follow 2468; 2694 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: Nowe begynneth the knyght his tale (f. 9v); Knyght (RT); Explicit ffabula Militis (f. 34v)

48.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 15-44v

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)

49.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], ff. 1-4v

First Lines:

…Vn to þe straunge lordes as it was Ryght
Ne ther was holden no discomforture
ffor fallyng is an vn auenture…

Last Lines:

…ffrom whiche it is darreyned sooth to telle
And heere ageyn no creature on lyue…

Note: I.859-2717, 3040-108 lost; 2720 omitted.

Attributed Title: knyght (RT)

50.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 1-16v

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. 10-33v

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.

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. 5vb-17vb

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)

53.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 11v-38

First Lines:

Whilom there was as olde stories tellen vs
A duke a worthi man þat hiȝt Theseus…

Last Lines:

…Thus endeth Palamoun and Emelie
And god saue al this faire company Amen

Note: I.1133-6, 2775-9, 2898 omitted; 2971-2, 2063-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: Hiere beginneth the kniȝtes tale folwing (f. 11); Palamon | Arcite (RT)

54.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], ff. 23ra-36vb

First Lines:

…How wonen was thee Regne of femynie
By Theseus and by his his chevalrie…

Last Lines:

…Thus endyht Palamon and Emelye
And god save all this feyir cvmpanye

Note: I.1540 omitted; 2461-2 follow 2468; 2688 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: The knyghttis tale (RT); Explicit fabula Militis (f. 36vb)

55.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 12-41v

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)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 48” .

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. 16v-54v

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.3v

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.4v-g.6v

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.2ra-d.6va

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)