Ellesmere manuscript
The Ellesmere manuscript , even Ellesmere Chaucer, is a manuscript of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer . It dates from the beginning of the 15th century and is in the Huntington Library in San Marino (California) (MS EL 26 C 9). It is considered to be one of the most important and beautiful manuscripts in the Canterbury Tales.
history
The manuscript was probably written immediately after 1400. It got its name from one of its later owners, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-1617), Baron Ellesmere and Viscount Brackley. It remained in the family's possession until it was acquired by Henry Huntington in 1917.
description
The Ellesmere manuscript consists of a total of 240 sheets, 232 of which contain the Canterbury Tales. It has numerous illustrations, including one showing Chaucer himself on horseback. It is made of parchment and is approx. 400 mm × 284 mm in size. The manuscript is usually referred to as El . There is a facsimile edition.
literature
- Herbert C. Schulz: The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Huntington Library Press, San Marino CA 1999, ISBN 0-87328-152-7 .