description Canterbury Tales Manuscript (Ellesmere) Overview
The Ellesmere Manuscript is an early 15th-century vellum manuscript of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It is highly decorated and features famous illuminated portraits of the pilgrims. Acquired by Henry E. Huntington in 1917, the volume is held at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California.
Scholars consider it one of the earliest and most authoritative textual witnesses of the Tales.
help Canterbury Tales Manuscript (Ellesmere) FAQ
Where is the Ellesmere Manuscript of the Canterbury Tales currently housed?
The manuscript is permanently held at the Huntington Library located in San Marino, California. It was famously acquired by the library's founder, Henry E. Huntington, in 1917.
What makes the Ellesmere Manuscript visually distinct from other Canterbury Tales texts?
This early 15th-century vellum manuscript is highly decorated and features famous illuminated portraits of the pilgrims. It contains beautifully rendered illustrations of characters like the Knight and the Wife of Bath accompanying their respective tales.
Who wrote the Canterbury Tales that the Ellesmere Manuscript preserves?
The manuscript preserves the text of Geoffrey Chaucer's famous collection of stories written in Middle English. The Ellesmere version is considered one of the most authoritative and beautifully executed copies of Chaucer's work in existence.
How does the Ellesmere Manuscript order the Canterbury Tales?
The Ellesmere Manuscript groups the tales in a specific sequence that has heavily influenced modern published versions of the text. It divides the stories into distinct fragments, providing a structural framework for the famous storytelling contest.
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