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The  Prose  Brut: 

The  Development 

of  a 

Middle  English  Chronicle 


cneDievAL  &  ReKi2s.issAKice 
xexTS  &  sTuDies 


Volume  180 


The  Prose  Brut: 

The  Development 

of  a 

Middle  English  Chronicle 


by 
Lister  M.  Matheson 


cneOievAL  &  RewAissAMce  texts  &  STuOies 

Tempe,  Arizona 
1998 


©  Copyright  1998 
Arizona  Board  of  Regents  for  Arizona  State  University 

Library  of  Congress  Cataloging-in-PubUcation  Data 

Matheson,  Lister  M.  ^     ,.,,.,/.•.  j  u 

The  prose  Brut  :  the  development  of  a  Middle  Enghsh  chronicle  /  edited  by 

Lister  M.  Matheson. 

p.   cm.  —  (Medieval  6c  Renaissance  texts  8c  studies  ;  v.  1«0) 

Includes  bibliographical  references  (p.   )  and  indexes. 

ISBN  0-86698-222-1  (alk.  paper) 

1   Chronicles  of  England  —  Manuscripts.  2.  Great  Britain  —  History  —  i  o 
1485  —  Sources  —  Manuscripts.  3.  English  language  —  Middle  Enghsh,  1100- 
1500  —  Texts.   4.  Brutus  the  Trojan  (Legendary  character).   5.  Middle  Ages 
Sources  -  Manuscripts.  6.  Manuscripts,  Medieval  -  England.   7.  Manuscripts, 
Enghsh  (Middle).   I.  Tide.   II.  Series. 

DA130.M38  1998  ^^^^^^^ 

942 — dc21  „p 


This  book  is  made  to  last. 

It  is  set  in  Caslon, 

smythe-sewn  and  printed  on  acid-free  paper 

to  library  specifications. 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


Table  of  Contents 


Preface  ix 

Abbreviations  and  Short  Titles  xi 

Location  Lists  of  Manuscripts  and  Early  Printed  Editions  xvii 

Introduction 

L      The  Prose  Brut:  Contents  and  Overview  of  the  Versions  1 

IL     Cultural  and  Historical  Influence  8 

III.  The  Anglo-Norman  ^rw/  30 

IV.  The  Latin  5n//  37 

V.  The  Middle  English  Brut  47 

VI.  Methods  of  Classification  49 
Appendix  1:  The  Text  of  the  Cadwallader  Episode  57 
Appendix  2:  The  Text  of  Queen  Isabella's  Letter  62 
Appendix  3:  The  Text  of  an  Extended  Version 

Exordium  (Group  B)  64 

CLASSinCATION  OF  THE  TEXTS  OF  THE  MIDDLE  ENGLISH  BRUT 

Synoptic  Inventory  of  Versions  67 

I.      The  Common  Version 

The  Common  Version  to  1333  (CV-1333)  79 

The  Common  Version  to  1377  (CV-1377)  87 
The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "and  manfiilly 

countered  with  our  English  men"  (CV-1419[men])  97 


vi TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and 

governance"  (CV-1419[r&g])  106 
The  Common  Version  to  1419,  with  "Leyle"  for 

Lear  (CV-1419  [Leyle])  128 
The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  in  "men"  or 

(?)  "in  rule  and  governance"  (CV-1419[men/?r&g])  131 
Continuation  to  a  CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  3  text  from  a 

Common  Version  text  ending  in  1419(r&g)  132 
The  Common  Version  beyond  1419,  including 

John  Page's  poem  'The  Siege  of  Rouen"  (CV-JP)  133 

The  Common  Version  to  1461  (CV-1461)  157 
Manuscripts  containing  the  Polychronicon  1461 

continuation  and  associated  with  "Warkworth's" 

Chronicle  (Poly.  1461  W.C.)  166 

IL     The  Extended  Version 

The  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions  173 

The  Extended  Version  to  1377  (EV-1377)  174 

The  Extended  Version  to  1419,  Group  A  (EV-1419:A)  177 

The  Extended  Version  to  1419,  Group  B  (EV-1419:B)  188 

The  Extended  Version  to  1419,  Group  C  (EV-1419:C)  197 

in.  The  Abbreviated  Version 

The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  A  (AV-1419:A)  204 

The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  B  (AV-1419:B)  215 

The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  C  (AV-1419:C)  228 

The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  D  (AV-1419:D)  230 

Remarks  on  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions  234 

IV.  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions  256 

Reworked  Texts  and  Versions  257 

Sections  of  Longer  5rM/ Texts  311 

Very  Brief  Works  Based  on  the  Brut  314 

Texts  Containing  Brief  King-Lists  318 

Appendages  to  Other  Works  322 

The  Translation  Attributed  to  John  Mandeville  ( JM-1333)  328 

V.  Unclassified  Texts  335 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS vii 

VI.  The  Early  Printed  Editions  339 

Bibliography  349 

Index  of  Manuscripts  and  Early  Printed  Editions  366 

Index  of  Persons,  Places,  and  Texts  Associated  with 

Manuscripts  and  Early  Printed  Editions  378 


Preface 

The  Middle  English  prose  Brut  survives  in  more  manuscripts  than  any 
other  Middle  English  work  except  the  two  Wycliffite  translations  of  the 
Bible.  The  present  study  classifies  and  groups  the  Middle  English  manu- 
scripts and  early  printed  editions  and  comments  on  the  relationships  that 
developed  among  them  from  the  late  fourteenth  through  the  fifteenth 
centuries  (and,  in  some  cases,  beyond  the  end  of  the  latter  century). 

This  book  is  the  product  of  many  years  of  intermittent  engagement 
with  the  manuscripts  and  texts  of  the  Brut,  in  the  course  of  which  I  have 
incurred  many  pleasurable  debts  to  scholars,  librarians,  and  owners  of 
manuscripts  around  the  world. 

For  information  on  manuscripts,  I  acknowledge  my  gratitude  above  all 
to  Michael  L.  Samuels,  A.  I.  Doyle,  and  A.  S.  G.  Edwards,  as  well  as  to 
Eugene  J.  Crook,  Norman  Davis,  Marcel  Dikstra,  Caroline  D.  Eckhardt, 
Margaret  H.  Engel,  Arthur  Henne,  Edward  Donald  Kennedy,  Erik 
Kooper,  Lan  Lipscomb,  Felicity  Riddy,  Christine  M.  Rose,  Kathleen  L. 
Scott,  Barbara  A.  Shailor,  Linda  Ehrsam  Voigts,  Charlotte  Wulf,  and  the 
librarians,  keepers  of  manuscripts,  and  archivists  of  the  many  far-flung 
institutions,  listed  on  pages  xviii-xxi,  xxiii-xxxi  that  hold  manuscripts  of 
the  Brut.  For  information  on  early  printed  editions,  I  thank  Katharine  F. 
Pantzer. 

For  access  to  and  microfilms  of  manuscripts  in  their  care,  I  again  thank 
those  librarians  and  keepers,  particularly  Jack  Baldwin  (University  of 
Glasgow  Library),  Hans  E.  Braun  (Bibliotheca  Bodmeriana),  C.  R. 
Cheney  (Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge),  William  O'Sullivan  (Tri- 
nity College,  Dublin,  Library),  and  R.  L  Page  (Corpus  Christi  College, 
Cambridge).  I  mention  especially  those  private  owners,  Mrs.  P.  G.  Gor- 
dan,  Mr.  Robert  Heyneman,  and  Professor  Toshiyuki  Takamiya,  who 
generously  accommodated,  in  one  way  or  another,  my  requests  to  inspect 
their  manuscripts.  I  am  grateful  to  the  staff  of  Special  Collections  at 
Edinburgh  University  Library  for  providing  access  to  microfilms  of  Pro- 


X PREFACE 

fessor  Takamiya's  manuscripts  that  were  made  for  the  Middle  English 
Dialect  Project  and  to  Margaret  Laing  for  facilitating  my  examination  of 
these. 

Rachel  Whitaker  and  Michael  Grisinger  were  of  great  help  in  trans- 
ferring information  from  paper  to  computer  disk. 

For  funding  in  support  of  this  study,  I  am  much  indebted  to  the  Na- 
tional Endowment  for  the  Humanities  and  the  Rackham  Foundation  of 
the  University  of  Michigan. 

As  always,  I  owe  my  deepest  personal  gratitude  to  my  parents,  Mar- 
garet A.  and  Charles  Matheson,  who  supported  in  so  many  ways  my  early 
work  at  the  University  of  Glasgow.  I  am  grateful  to  my  partner  and  fel- 
low toiler  in  the  vineyard,  Tess  Tavormina,  who  read  earlier  drafts  of  the 
present  volume  and  who  made  many  invaluable  editorial  suggestions  on 
style  and  details  of  content.  I  also  thank  my  son,  Calum  Matheson,  for 
his  patient  tolerance  of  my  frequent  disappearances  into  manuscript  read- 
ing rooms  or  into  my  study,  where  the  microfilm  reader  resides.  He  (and 
I)  might  well  echo  the  heartfelt  sentiments  expressed  by  the  scribe  of 
New  College,  Oxford,  MS.  121  in  a  colophon  on  fol.  376v: 

If  Explicit... longissima  prolixissima  8c  tediosissima  scribenti.  Deo 
gratias.  Deo  gratias.  6c  iterum  Deo  gratias. 


LMM. 


Abbreviations  and  Short  Titles 


General  Abbreviations 

a 

column  a 

Addit. 

Additional 

App. 

Appendix 

b 

column  b 

Bibl.  Nat. 

Bibliotheque  Nationale  (Paris) 

BL 

British  Library  (London) 

Bodl. 

Bodleian  Library  (Oxford) 

ca. 

circa 

cat. 

catalogue 

CCCC 

Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge 

CoU. 

College 

CUL 

Cambridge  University  Library 

EETS 

Early  English  Text  Society 

e.s. 

Extra  Series 

EUL 

Edinburgh  University  Library 

fol(s). 

folio(s) 

HMSO 

Her  Majesty's  Stationery  Office 

MS(S). 

manuscript(s) 

NLS 

National  Library  of  Scotland  (Edinburgh) 

NLW 

National  Library  of  Wales  (Aberystwyth) 

n.s. 

New  Series 

o.s. 

Original  Series 

PRO 

Public  Record  Office  (London) 

r 

recto 

Soc. 

Society 

TCC 

Trinity  College,  Cambridge 

TCD 

Trinity  College,  Dublin 

V 

verso 

vol(s). 

volume(s) 

ABBREVIATIONS  AND  SHORT  TITLES 


Taxonomic  Abbreviations  Used  in  Classifying  Middle  English  Brut  Texts 

cv 

Common  Version 

EV 

Extended  Version 

AV 

Abbreviated  Version 

PV 

Peculiar  Version 

JM 

the  translation  attributed  to  John  Mandeville,  rector  of 

Burnham  Thorpe,  Norfolk 

f.c. 

full  continuation  from  1333  to  1377 

s.c. 

short  continuation  from  1333  to  1377 

-[year] 

to  [year]  (e.g.,  CV-1333  =  Common  Version  to  1333) 

men,  "men" 

ending  "and  manfully  countered  with  our  English  men" 

(applied  to  texts  to  1419  that  end  with  these  words) 

r&g,  "r&g" 

ending  "in  rule  and  governance"  (applied  to  texts  to  1419 

that  end  with  these  words) 

Leyle 

with  "Leyle"  for  Lear  (applied  to  texts  to  1419  that  refer 

to  King  Lear  as  "Leyle") 

JP 

including  John   Page's   poem   "The   Siege   of  Rouen" 

(found  in  certain  texts  that  extend  beyond  1419) 

Poly.  1461 

containing  the  Polychronicon  continuation  from  1419  to 

1461 

W.C. 

"Warkworth's"  Chronicle 

Cad 

the  Cadwallader  episode 

OIL 

Queen  Isabella's  letter 

"5w"  "fifth  ward"  (an  intrusive  heading  frequently  found  in  the 

account  of  the  batde  of  Halidon  Hill) 

A,  B,  C,  etc.      group  A,  B,  C,  etc. 
(a),  (b),  (c)         subgroup  (a),  (b),  (c) 


Abbreviations  Used  in  Textual  Citations  and  Apparatus 

add.  added  (in) 

corr.  corrected,  corrector 

del.  deleted  (in) 


ABBREVIATIONS  AND  SHORT  TITLES  Xlll 


etc. 

et  cetera 

foil- 

followed 

ins. 

inserted  (in) 

marg. 

(in)  margin 

om. 

omitted  (in) 

orig. 

originally 

poss. 

possibly 

vr(r). 

variant  reading(s) 

Short  Titles 

Frequently  cited  catalogues,  studies,  and  editions  are  referred  to  on  their 
first  occurrence  by  full  name  of  author  and  title  (with  basic  bibliographic- 
al information)  and  thereafter  by  surname  and  abbreviated  title.  The  fol- 
lowing short  tides  should,  however,  be  particularly  noted:  they  refer  to  (a) 
editions,  bibliographical  works,  and  important  studies  and  (b)  works  that 
are  cited  only  by  short  title.  Full  bibliographical  and  publishing  details  are 
found  in  the  Bibliography. 

Brie:         Friedrich  W.  D.  Brie,  ed.,  The  Brut  or  The  Chronicles  of  Eng- 
land, EETS  o.s.  131,  136  (1906,  1908). 

Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen: 

Friedrich  W.  D.  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen  der  mittelenglischen 
Prosachronik  The  Brute  of  England  oder  The  Chronicles  of  England 
(Marburg,  1905). 

"Davies's"  Chronicle: 

John  Silvester  Davies,  ed.,  An  English  Chronicle  of  the  Reigns  of 
Richard  II,  Henry  IV,  Henry  V,  and  Henry  VI  Written  Before  the 
Year  1471,  Camden  Society  o.s.  64  (1856). 

DNB:        The  Dictionary  of  National  Biography. 

Gairdner,  ed.,  Chronicles: 

James  Gairdner,  ed..  Three  Fifteenth-Century  Chronicles ,  Cam- 
den Society  n.s.  28  (1880). 

Gairdner,  ed.,  Hist.  Collections: 

James  Gairdner,  ed..  Historical  Collections  of  a  Citizen  of  London 
in  the  Fifteenth  Century,  Camden  Society  n.s.  17  (1876). 


xiv ABBREVIATIONS  AND  SHORT  TITLES 

Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II: 

Antonia  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  in  England.  II.  c.  1307  to 
the  Early  Sixteenth  Century  (Ithaca,  1982). 

Kennedy,  Manual: 

Edward  Donald  Kennedy,  "Chronicles  and  Other  Historical 
Writing,"  A  Manual  of  the  Writings  in  Middle  English  1050- 
1500,  ed.  Albert  E.  Hartung,  vol.  8  (Hamden,  1989). 

Ker,  MMBL  I: 

N.  R.  Ker,  Medieval  Manuscripts  in  British  Libraries.  I.  London 
(Oxford,  1969). 

Ker,  MMBL  II: 

N.  R.  Ker,  Medieval  Manuscripts  in  British  Libraries.  II.  Abbots- 
ford-Keele  (Oxford,  1977). 

Ker,  MMBL  III: 

N.  R.  Ker,  Medieval  Manuscripts  in  British  Libraries.  III.  Lam- 
peter-Oxford (Oxford,  1983). 

Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons.  London: 

Charles  L.  Kingsford,  ed..  Chronicles  of  London  (Oxford,  1905). 

Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature: 

Charles  L.  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature  in  the  Fif- 
teenth Century  (Oxford,  1913). 

LALME: 

Angus  Mcintosh,  M.  L.  Samuels,  and  Michael  Benskin,  A  Lin- 
guistic Atlas  of  Late  Mediaeval  English,  4  vols.  (Aberdeen, 
1986). 

Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts": 

C.W.  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts  of  the  Brut  in  the 
National  Library  of  Wales,"  The  National  Library  of  Wales  Jour- 
nal 27  {1991-92):  361-82. 

Matheson,  "Historical  Prose": 

Lister  M.  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  in  Middle  English 
Prose:  A  Critical  Guide  to  Major  Authors  and  Genres,  ed.  A.  S.  G. 
Edwards  (New  Brunswick,  1984).  Pp.  209-48. 


ABBREVIATIONS  AND  SHORT  TITLES xv 

Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe": 

Lister  M,  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe:  Caxton,  the  Poly- 
chronicon,  and  the  Brut"  Speculum  60  (1985):  593-614. 

SC:  Falconer  Madan,  H.  E.  Craster,  Noel  Denholm  Young,  et  al., 

A  Summary  Catalogue  of  Western  Manuscripts  in  the  Bodleian  Li- 
brary, 7  vols.  (Oxford,  1895-1953). 

Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle  (see  Zettl). 

Smith,  ed.,  Kalendar. 

Lucy  Toulmin  Smith,  ed..  The  Maire  ofBristowe  Is  Kalendar,  by 
Robert  Ricart,  Town  Clerk  of  Bristol,  18  Edward  B^,  Camden 
Society  n.s.  5  (1872). 

STC:        A.  W.  Pollard  and  G.  R.  Redgrave,  comps.,  A  Short-Title  Cata- 
logue of  Books  Printed  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  and  of 
English  Books  Printed  Abroad,  1475-1640,  2nd  ed.,  rev.  and  en- 
larged by  W.  A.  Jackson,  F.  S.  Ferguson,  and  Katharine  F. 
Pantzer,  2  vols.  (London,  1976,  1986). 

Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature: 

John  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature  in  the  Fourteenth  Cen- 
tury (Oxford,  1987). 

Zettl,  ed.,  Metrical  Chron.: 

Ewald  Zettl,  ed..  An  Anonymous  Short  English  Metrical  Chroni- 
cle, EETS  o.s.  196  (1935). 


Location  Lists  of  Manuscripts 
and  Early  Printed  Editions 

The  Anglo-Norman  Brut 

The  Anglo-Norman  prose  Brut  survives  in  at  least  forty-nine  manuscripts 
(containing  fifty  texts).  The  following  list  includes  those  texts  traditionally 
assigned  to  the  Anglo-Norman  work  that  formed  the  basis  for  the  Mid- 
dle English  translation,  (The  manuscripts  Usted  below  have  been  sub- 
sumed in  a  general  list  of  manuscripts  and  rolls  of  French  historical  texts 
published  by  Diana  B.  Tyson  under  the  tide  of  "the  French  prose  Brut 
chronicle."  Tyson  has,  however,  defined  "^Bruf  as  an  umbrella  term  for  a 
genre  rather  than  as  the  title  of  an  identifiably  separate  work;  accordingly, 
her  hst  includes  without  differentiation  many  texts  and  sections  of  texts 
that  have  been  excluded  here,  although  they  may  well  have  drawn  upon 
or  been  influenced  by  the  Anglo-Norman  prose  Brut}) 


'  See  Diana  B.  Tyson,  "Handlist  of  Manuscripts  Containing  the  French  Prose  Brut 
Chronicle,"  Scriptorium  98  (1994):  333-44.  Tyson's  criteria  are  given  on  p.  333;  it  should 
be  noted  that  she  has  chosen  to  ignore  distinctions  between  the  Short  and  Long  Versions 
and  among  the  continuations,  as  well  as  whether  Des  Grantz  Geanz  is  in  verse  or  prose 
(p.  334).  The  present  list  supersedes  those  given  in  Friedrich  W.  D.  Brie,  Geschichte  und 
Quellen  der  mittelenglischen  Prosachronik  The  Brute  of  England  oder  The  Chronicles  of 
England  (Marburg,  1905),  pp.  1-2,  and  Johan  Vising,  Anglo-Norman  Language  and  Lit- 
erature (London  and  Oxford,  1923),  pp.  74f ,  88fF.  For  partial  hsts,  see  Georgine  E. 
Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz  Geantz.  An  Anglo-Norman  Poem,  Medium  vEvum  Monographs 
2  (Oxford,  1937),  pp.  vi-xi  (manuscripts  containing  the  introductory  f>oem);  Wendy  R. 
Childs  and  John  Taylor,  eds..  The  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  1307  to  1334,  From  Brotherton 
Collection  MS  29,  Yorkshire  Archasological  Society,  Record  Series  147  (Leeds,  1991),  pp. 
74-75  (manuscripts  containing  the  short  continuation).  See  also  M.  Dominica  Legge  and 
Georgine  E.  Brereton,  Three  Hitherto  Unlisted  MSS.  of  the  French  Prose  Brute  Chroni- 
cle," Medium  jEvum  7  (1938):  113-17;  James  P.  Carley  and  Julia  Crick,  "Constructing 
Albion's  Past:  An  Annotated  Edition  of  D^  Origine  Gigantum,"  Arthurian  Literature  XIU, 
ed.  James  P.  Carley  and  Felicity  Riddy  (Cambridge,  1995),  p.  46  n.  18;  Ruth  Dean's 
forthcoming  catalogue  of  Anglo-Norman  literature  (noted  in  Carley  and  Crick).  A  single 
leaf  was  Usted  in  Quaritch  cat.  1147,  BooJkhands  of  the  Middle  Ages:  Part  V,  Medieval 


LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 


England 

Cambridge,  Cambridge  University  Library 

Ee.1.20,  fols.  78V-142 

Gg.1.15,  fols.  l-80v 

Ii.6.8,  fols.  1-183V 

Mm.1.33,  fols.  l-62v 

Cambridge,  Corpus  Christi  College 
98  (roll  on  16  skins) 

Cambridge,  Trinity  College 
R.5.32,  fols.  1-59 
R.7.14,  fols.  l-147v 

Leeds,  University  of  Leeds  Library 

Brotherton  Collection  29,  fols.  23-26,  248v-271  (formerly  Bradfer- 
Lawrence,  Ingilby) 

London,  British  Library 

Additional  18462(a),  fols.  8-lOlv 
Additional  18462(b),  fols.  103-204v 
Additional  35092,  fols.  5-144 
Additional  35113,  fols.  2-92 
Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii,  fols.  74-1 82v 


Manuscript  Leaves  (1991),  item  101;  see  H.  R.  Woudhuysen,  "Manuscripts  at  Auction 
January  1991  to  December  1991,"  in  English  Manuscript  Studies  1100-1700,  ed.  Peter 
Beal  and  Jeremy  Griffiths,  4  (London  and  Toronto,  1993),  p.  297.  The  present  list  does 
not  contain  BL  MS.  Additional  10622,  fols.  l-62v,  which  agrees  with  the  first  part  of 
BL  MS.  Royal  20.A.xviii  (the  text  is  similar  to  that  found  as  the  first  section  of  Leeds 
MS.  Brotherton  29);  there  can  be  no  certainty,  however,  that  the  Additional  manuscript 
ever  included  the  long  continuation  from  the  Brut  that  is  appended  in  a  different  hand 
in  the  Royal  manuscript.  Vising  lists  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  R.4.26,  which 
contains  a  text  of  the  Brut  abrege;  see  Ewald  Zettl,  ed..  An  Anonymous  Short  English 
Metrical  Chronicle,  EETS  o.s.  196  (1935),  pp.  xxxi-xxxiv  (description  of  CUL  Gg.1.1), 
92-107  (text  of  CUL  Gg.1.1).  Other  manuscripts  of  the  Brut  abrege  include  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge,  R.7.23;  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  R.14.9;  Harvard  Law  School 
1;  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  R.4.26;  Public  Record  Office,  Exchequer  164/24;  BL 
Royal  20.C.vi;  Bodleian  Selden  Supra  74;  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  53;  see 
Marcia  L.  Maxwell,  "The  Anglo-Norman  Prose  Brut.  An  Edition  of  British  Library  MS 
Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii,"  Ph.D.  diss.,  Michigan  State  University,  1995,  pp.  7,  12-13,  and, 
for  further  manuscripts,  Tyson,  "Handlist  of  Manuscripts  Containing  the  French  Prose 
Brut  Chronicle,"  pp.  338-44. 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xix 

Cotton  Cleopatra  D.vii,  fols.  76-79v  (hand  2),  80-139v  (hand  1), 

140-182V  (hand  2) 
Cotton  Domitian  x,  fols.  14-87v 
Cotton  Julius  A.i,  fols.  51-53v  (fragment)^ 
Cotton  Tiberius  A.vi,  fols.  121-142 
Hariey  200,  fols.  4-79v 
Harley  6359,  fols.  1-84 
Royal  19.C.ix,  fols.  1-155 
Royal  20.A.iii,  fols.  121-236 
Royal  20.A.xviii,  fols.  311-335v 
Royal  App.  85,  fols.  15-22  (fragment) 

London,  College  of  Arms 
Arundel  31,  fols.  l-186v 

London,  Lambeth  Palace  Library 
504,  fols.  l-77v 

London,  Library  of  the  Honourable  Society  of  the  Inner  Temple 
511,  Vol.  XIX,  fols.  7\^147v 

London,  Lincoln's  Inn 
88,  fols.  9-76v 

London,  Westminster  Abbey  Chapter  Library 
25,  fols.  l-92v 

Oxford,  Bodleian  Library 

Ashmole  1804  (SC  25174),  fols.  49-104v 

Douce  120  (SC  21694),  fols.  l-64v 

Douce  128  (SC  21702),  fols.  60-163v 

e  Musaeo  108  (SC  3697),  fols.  1-119 

Lyell  17,  fols.  58v-121v  (formerly  Wrest  Park  33) 

Rawlinson  D.329  (SC  13117),  fols.  8-122v 

Wood  empt.  8  (SC  8596),  fols.  l-57v 

Oxford,  Corpus  Christi  College 
78,  fols.  3-214 
293,  fols.  21-87v 


^  Misnumbered  as  "A. VI"  in  John  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature  in  the  Four- 
teenth Century  (Oxford,  1987),  p.  121,  and  Childs  and  Taylor,  tds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle, 
p.  74. 


LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 


Scotland 

Edinburgh,  University  of  Edinburgh  Library 
181  (Laing  51),  fols.  47-201v 

Ireland 

Dublin,  Trinity  College 

500,  pp.  13-199 

501,  fols.  51-125 

France 

Paris,  Bibliotheque  de  I'Arsenal 
3346,  fols.  84-156 

Paris,  Bibliotheque  Mazarine 
1860,  fols.  1-108 

Paris,  Bibliotheque  Nationale 

fonds  fran9ais  12155,  fols.  2-233 
fonds  fran9ais  12156,  fols.  3-126 
fonds  fran^ais  14640,  fols.  l-49v 
nouvelles  acquisitions  fran9aises  4267,  fols.  9-14  (fragment) 

Paris,  Bibliotheque  Ste.  Genevieve 
935,  fols.  1-208 

United  States  of  America 

New  Haven,  Beinecke  Library,  Yale  University 

86,  fols.  l-12v  (fragments;  formerly  Fletcher,  Lyell) 

405,  fols.  l-74v  (formerly  Brudenell;  Sotheby  10  July  1967,  no.  48; 

H.  A.  Levinson,  cat.  60  [1969],  no.  765) 
593,  fols.  l-118v  (formerly  Phillipps  3338) 


The  Latin  Brut 
The  Latin  Brut  is  known  to  survive,  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  the  nineteen 
manuscripts  below,  although  this  list  is  almost  certainly  incomplete. 

England 

Cambridge,  Corpus  Christi  College 
311,  fols.  1-101 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xxi 

Cambridge,  Gonville  and  Caius  College 
72,  fols.  1-51 

London,  British  Library 

Cotton  Domitian  iv,  fols.  2-57v 

Cotton  Galba  E.vii,  fols.  119v^l20  (15th-century  interpolation) 

Cotton  Julius  B.iii,  fols.  51v-101v 

Harley  941,  fols.  l-3v 

Harley  3884,  fols.  227-228v  (2  extracts) 

Harley  3906,  fols.  2-108 

Lansdowne  212,  fols.  2-171v 

London,  College  of  Arms 

Arundel  5,  fols.  120-168v 

London,  Lambeth  Palace  Library 
99,  fols.  l-22v 

Oxford,  Bodleian  Library 

RawUnson  B.147,  fols.  l-43v 
RawUnson  B.169,  fols.  1-88 
Rawlinson  B.195,  fols.  1-54  (16th  century) 
Rawhnson  C.234,  fols.  l-72v 
RawUnson  C.398,  fols.  1-51 

Oxford,  Magdalen  College 
200,  fols.  40-56 

Oxford,  St.  John's  College 
78,  fols.  2-55v 

United  States  of  America 
San  Marino,  Henry  E.  Huntington  Library 
HM  19960,  fols.  before  fol.  175  (extract) 


The  Middle  English  Brut 
The  following  list  of  manuscripts  and  early  printed  editions  consolidates 
the  list  published  by  the  present  writer  in  1979  (supplemented  in  1984 
and  1985)  with  those  in  the  Index  of  Printed  Middle  English  Prose  (1985) 
and  the  Manual  of  the  Writings  in  Middle  English  (1989).-^  Some  minor 

^  Lister  M.  Matheson,  "The  Middle  English  Prose  Brut.  A  Lxjcation  List  of  the 


xxii LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

corrections  have  been  made,  and  the  only  completely  new  addition  to  the 
corpus  is  the  Brogyntyn  MS.  (on  deposit  in  the  National  Library  of 
Wales).  Welbeck  Abbey  MS.  29/331,  previously  on  deposit  at  the  British 
Library,  has  now  been  incorporated  into  the  Additional  manuscripts  as 
BL  Additional  70514. 

In  addition  to  English  texts  of  or  directly  descended  from  the  main 
translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut,  the  present  list  also  includes 
manuscripts  of  works  derived  from  or  textually  related  to  the  Brut, 
namely: 

(a)  the  manuscripts  of  John  Mandeville's  English  translation  of  the 
Anglo-Norman  work  (BL  Harley  4690,  Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel  58,  and 
the  seventeenth-century  transcript  of  Arundel  58  in  Magdalene  College, 
Cambridge,  Pepys  2833); 

(b)  Bodl.  Digby  196,  which  includes  a  short  king-list  and  a  brief 
chronicle  derived  from  the  main  Brut,  catalogued  separately  by  Kennedy 
{Manual,  p.  2637); 

(c)  CUL  Ff.1.6  and  Folger  Shakespeare  Library  V.a.l98,  a  brief 
king-list/chronicle,  again  partly  based  on  the  main  Brut,  catalogued 
separately  by  Kennedy  as  The  Cronekelys  ofSeyntys  and  Kyngys  ofYngelond 
{Manual,  p.  2637); 

(d)  Bodl.  Ashmole  791,  Holkham  669,  Columbia  Plimpton  261,  and 
the  brief  seventeenth-century  extracts  in  Bodl.  Ashmole  1139.iv.2,  trans- 
lated from  a  Latin  Brut,  provisionally  classified  separately  by  Kennedy  as 
The  New  Croniclys  Compendyusly  Idrawn  of  the  Gestys  of  the  Kynges  of 
England  {Manual,  pp.  2638-40); 

(e)  Mayor's  Calendar,  City  of  Bristol  Record  Office,  no.  04720  (1) 
(the  Bristowe  Chronicle),  the  first  part  of  which  is  an  abridgement  of  the 
Brut  (unrecognized  as  such  in  Manual,  p.  2655). 

In  the  following  list,  alternate  or  former  shelfmarks  or  catalogue 
numbers  are  given  in  parentheses.  Kennedy's  information  on  former. 


Manuscripts  and  Early  Printed  Editions,"  Analytical  and  Enumerative  Bibliography  3 
(1979):  254-66;  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  in  Middle  English  Prose:  A  Critical  Guide 
to  Major  Authors  and  Genres,  ed.  A.  S.  G.  Edwards  (New  Brunswick,  1984),  pp.  232-33; 
Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe:  Caxton,  the  Polychronicon,  and  the  Brut"  Speculum  60 
(1985):  593  n.  3;  Robert  E.  Lewis,  N.  F.  Blake,  and  A.  S.  G.  Edwards,  Index  of  Printed 
Middle  English  Prose  (New  York  and  London,  1985),  pp.  132-34;  and  Edward  Donald 
Kennedy,  "Chronicles  and  Other  Historical  Writing,"  A  Manual  of  the  Writings  in  Middle 
English  1050-1500,  ed.  Albert  E.  Hartung,  vol.  8  (Hamden,  1989),  pp.  2818-21. 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xxiii 

modem  owners  of  manuscripts  and  his  references  to  sale  catalogues  have 
been  incorporated  and,  where  possible,  expanded.  Texts  and  transcripts 
that  were  undoubtedly  written  after  1500  are  so  indicated;  some  represent 
usefiil  witnesses  to  the  medieval  manuscript  tradition. 

England 

Bristol,  City  of  Bristol  Record  Office 

Mayor's  Calendar,  no.  04720  (1),  fols.  3v-15v 

Cambridge,  Cambridge  University  Library 

Additional   2775,   fols.    10-255    (formerly   Charlemont   [Sotheby 

1865],  Harwood  [Sotheby  1883]) 
Ee.4.31,  fols.  203-276V 
Ee.4.32,  fols.  24-207v 

Ff  1.6,  fols.  110-113  ("Findern  MS.,"  formerly  John  Moore  60) 
Ff  2.26,  fols.  2-104  (formerly  More  611) 
Hh.6.9,  fols.  1-183V 

Kk.1.3,  10  unnumbered  folios  inserted  near  end  of  MS. 
Kk.1.12,  fols.  1-129 
Ll.2.14,  fols.  143-225V 

Cambridge,  Corpus  Christi  College 
174,  fols.  l-198v 
182,  fols.  1-179V 

Cambridge,  Fitzwilliam  Museum 
McClean  186,  fols.  2-198 

Cambridge,  Magdalene  College 

Pepys  2833,  pp.  1-3,  fols.  485-518  (ca.  1685  copy  of  Coll.  of  Arms 
Arundel  58  [Mandeville  translation]) 

Cambridge,  Peterhouse 

190,  fols.  l-214v,  ("Warkworth's"  Chronicle)  214v-225 

Cambridge,  Trinity  College 

0.9.1  (1413),  fols.  49-227  (including  London  chronicle  from  fol. 

198v) 
O.10.34  (1486),  fols.  1-160 
O.ll.ll,  fols.  3v-130v  (formerly  Loscombe,  Ashbumham  Appendix 

CIX,  Leighton,  Dunn,  Murray) 
R.5.43  (731),  Part  II,  fols.  39-199v 


XXIV LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Leicester,  University  of  Leicester  Library 

47,  fols.  1-1 06v  (formerly  Ashburnham;  Sotheby  1  May  1899,  lot 
57) 

Lincoln,  Lincoln  Cathedral  Chapter  Library 
70  (C.5.12),  fols.  l-59v 
98  (A.4.6),  fols.  174-181V 

London,     Bedford    Estates     Office,    29  A    Montague     St.,     London 
WCIB  5BL 
Woburn  Abbey  181,  fols.  [100v-202v] 

London,  British  Library 

Additional  6915,  fols.  1-141  (transcript  of  BL  Harley  63  by  J.  H. 

Hindley,  made  1785-1827) 
Additional  10099,  fols.  1-203 
Additional  12030,  fols.  l-167v 
Additional  24859,  fols.  1-149 
Additional  26746,  fols.  l-371v  (16th  century?) 
Additional  33242,  fols.  1-164 
Additional  70514,  fols.  [l-38v]  (formerly  Welbeck  Abbey  29/331, 

Duke  of  Portland,  BL  Deposit,  MS.  Loan  29) 
Cotton  Claudius  A.viii,  fols.  1-12  (7-18  in  alternative  foliation) 
Cotton  Galba  E.viii,  fols.  29-148 
Egerton  650,  fols.  2-1 14v  (including  London  chronicle  from  fol. 

lllv) 
Harley  24,  fols.  l-220v 
Harley  53,  fols.  14-164v 
Harley  63,  fols.  l-44v 
Harley  266,  fols.  l-151v 
Harley  753,  fols.  l-191v 
Harley  1337,  fols.  1*,  1-105 
Harley  1568,  fols.  1-182,  183v 
Harley  2182,  fols.  1-185 
Harley  2248,  fols.  l-290v 
Harley  2256,  fols.  1-202 
Harley  2279,  fols.  3-146 
Harley  3730,  fols.  2-119v 
Harley  3945,  fols.  l-117v 
Harley  4690,  fols.  4-108  (Mandeville  translation) 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xxv 

Harley  4827,  fols.  1-157 

Harley  4930,  fols.  1-1  llv 

Harley  6251,  fols.  l-105v 

Harley  7333,  fols.  l-24v 

Royal  ll.B.ix,  fols.  133-134v 

Royal  17.D.xxi,  fols.  1-197 

Royal  18.A.ix,  fols.  8-132v 

Royal  18.B.iii,  fols.  l-275v  (misbound;  begins  on  fol.  5;  fols.  1-4 

should  follow  fol.  8,  though  some  leaves  have  been  lost  after 

fol.  4) 
Royal  IS.B.iv,  fols.  1-169 
Sloane  2027,  fols.  96^^97v,  170-188v 
Stowe  68,  fols.  l-189v 

Stowe  69,  fols.  2-195v  (including  London  chronicle  from  fol.  192) 
Stowe  70,  fols.  3-139v 
Stowe  71,  fols.  3-84v 

London,  College  of  Arms 
Arundel  8,  fols.  1-68 

Arundel  58,  fols.  5-6,  76,  302v-334  (Mandeville  translation) 
Vincent  421,  fols.  [l-143v] 

London,  Lambeth  Palace  Library 
6,  fols.  1-257 
84,  fols.  l-202v 
259,  pp.  1-229 
264,  fols.  l-168v 
306,  fols.  l-17v 
331,  fols.  l-117v 
491,  fols.  l-205v 
738,  fols.  1-228V 

London,  Library  of  the  Honourable  Society  of  the  Inner  Temple 
Petyt  511,  Vol.  XI,  fols.  66-169v 

London,  Sion  College 

Arc.  L.40.2/E.42,  fols.  l-186v 

London,  Society  of  Antiquaries 
93,  fols.  l-97v 
223,  fols.  l-45v 


xxvi LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Manchester,  John  Rylands  University  Library 

Eng.  102,  fols.  1-lOlv  (formerly  Wasey,  Leighton) 
Eng.  103,  fols.  l-130v  (formerly  Leighton) 
Eng.  104,  fols.  l-133v  (formerly  Tomlynson,  Leighton) 
Eng.  105,  fols.  3-136v  (formerly  Phillipps  9486) 
Eng.  206,  fols.  3-104v  (formerly  Coke,  Dunn) 
Eng.  207,  fols.   l-103v,  104-124v  (two  MSS.  combined  before 
1749;  formerly  Quentock,  Dunn) 

Norfolk,  Holkham  HaU 

669,  pp.  1-185 

670,  fols.  [l-125v]  (formerly  Coke) 

Northumberland,  Alnwick  Castle 
457A,  fols.  l-47v,  48-69 

Nottingham,  Nottinghamshire  County  Council 
DDES  3/1,  fols.  l-83v  (formerly  Stanhope) 

Oxford,  Bodleian  Library 

Ashmole  791  (SC  7430),  fols.  l-59v 

Ashmole  793  (SC  7433),  fols.  l-148v 

Ashmole  1139.iv.2,  fol.  80r-v  (transcript  of  1672  of  excerpts  from 

Bodl.  Ashmole  791) 
Bodley  231  (SC  2174),  fols.  l-198v 
Bodley  754  (SC  27653),  fols.  2-154 
Bodley  840  (SC  27654),  fols.  l-166v 
Digby  185  (SC  1786),  fols.  l-79v 
Digby  196  (SC  1797),  fols.  26-27,  156v^l58 
Douce  290  (SC  21864),  fols.  157-280v 
Douce  323  (SC  21897),  fols.  1-lOlv 
e  Musaeo  39  (SC  3634),  fols.  l-182v 
Hatton  50  (SC  4112),  fols.  2-130 
Laud  Misc.  550  (SC  1375),  fols.  l-120v 
Laud  Misc.  571  (SC  1493),  fols.  l-142v 
Laud  Misc.  733  (SC  1129),  fols.  18-168v 
LyeU  34,  fols.  l-214v 
Rawlinson  B.166  (SC  11535),  fols.  l-131v 
Rawlinson  B.171  (SC  11539),  fols.  l-201v 
Rawlinson  B.173  (SC  11541),  fols.  l-221v 
Rawlinson  B.187  (SC  11548),  fols.  l-135v 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xxvil 

Rawlinson  B.190  (SC  15500),  fols.  l-163v 

Rawlinson  B.196  (SC  11556),  fols.  1-109 

Rawlinson  B.205  (SC  15506),  fols.  l-68v 

Rawlinson  B.216  (SC  11568),  fols.  1-125 

Rawlinson  C.155  (SC  12019),  fols.  89-94v  (transcript  of  1606  by 

Henry  Spelman) 
Rawlinson  C.901  (SC  12735),  fols.  1-130 
Rawlinson  poet.  32  (SC  14526),  fols.  55\^168 
Tanner  11  (SC  9831),  fols.  1-211 
Tanner  188  (SC  10014),  fols.  1-127 

Oxford,  Jesus  College 
5,  fols.  1-216V 

Oxford,  Lincoln  College 

Lat.  151,  fols.  1-1 77v  (numbered  to  fol.  176  [fol.  26  was  omitted]; 
formerly  Norris,  gift  to  Norwich  Castle  Museum  1830;  Sotheby 
11  Dec.  1961,  lot  159) 

Oxford,  Trinity  College 
5,  fols.  1-216V 

Oxford,  University  College 
154,  fols.  1-121V 

Wiltshire,  Longleat  House 
183A,  fols.  l-137v 

Scotland 

Edinburgh,  National  Library  of  Scotland 
6128,  fols.  l-142v  (formerly  Borthwick) 

Edinburgh,  University  of  Edinburgh  Library 

184  (Laing  217),  fols.  l-25v 

185  (Laing  196),  fols.  1-125 

Glasgow,  University  of  Glasgow  Library 

Hunterian  61  (T.2.19),  fols.  iv-147v  (123  fols.  in  MS.;  several  folios 

missing) 
Hunterian  74  (T.3.12),  fols.  l-114v 
Hunterian  83  (T.3.21),  fols.  15-140v,  ("Warkworth's"  Chronicle) 

141-148V 


xxviii LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Hunterian  228  (U.3.1),  fols.  l-151v 
Hunterian  230  (U.3.3),  fols.  2-246 
Hunterian  443  (V.5.13),  fols.  2-173v 

JVa/es 

Aberystwyth,  National  Library  of  Wales 
442D  (Williams  241),  fols.  l-342v 
21608D,  fols.  l-189v  (formerly  Llannerch-Gwysaney,  acquired  in 

1978) 
Brogyntyn  8,  fols.  l-18v  (Lord  Harlech  MS.,  1934  deposit) 
Peniarth   343A   (Hengwrt  257),   pp.    1-45,   58    (16th/17th 

century) 
Peniarth  396D  (Hengwrt  429  Appendix  and  Hengwrt  429),  pp.  1- 

16,  fols.  3-212v  (two  texts) 
Peniarth  397C  (Hengwrt  115),  pp.  1-538 
Peniarth  398D  (Hengwrt  320),  pp.  3-274 

Ire/and 

Dublin,  Trinity  College 

489,  pp.  35-213 

490,  fols.  3-177v 

505,  pp.  87-285 

506,  fols.  l-93v 

5895,  fols.  3-133V  (formerly  Ware,  Henniker  MS.) 

Belgium 

Brussels,  Bibliotheque  Royale 

IV.461,  fols.  l-75v  (formerly  Baynes,  Sotheby  12  Dec.  1966,  lot 
183) 

France 

Paris,  Bibliotheque  Nationale 

fonds  anglais  30,  fols.  l-42v  (Gough  sale,  1810) 

Germany 

Hamburg,  Staats-  und  Universitatsbibliothek  Hamburg 
Cod.  98  in  serin,  pp.  1-398 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS  xxix 

Switzerland 

Cologny-Geneve,  Bibliotheca  Bodmeriana 

Cod.  Bodmer  43,  fols.  l-2v  (formerly  Aldenham,  Sotheby  22  March 
1937,  lot  107) 

United  States  of  America 

Ann  Arbor,  Hatcher  Library,  University  of  Michigan 
225,  fols.  1-135 

Berkeley,    Bancroft    Library,    University    of   California    at    Berkeley 
152,  fols.  l-138v  (formerly  Bute  47;  Sotheby  13  June  1983,  lot  12, 
H.  P.  Kraus  Cat.  180,  Dec.  1988,  lot  44) 

Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  Lehigh  University  Library 
3  fragments  from  1  MS. 

Cambridge,  Mass.,  Houghton  Library,  Harvard  University 
Eng.  530,  fols.  59-21  Iv 

Eng.  587,  fols.  1-15  Iv  (formerly  Ashburnham  Appendix  CX) 
Eng.  750,  fols.  10-71v,  84-103  (two  texts;  formerly  Wrest  Park  18) 
Eng.  938,  fols.  91-lOlv 
Richardson  35,  fols.  2-94v 

Chapel  Hill,  Robert  G.   Heyneman,   1108  Sourwood  Circle,  Chapel 
Hill,  North  CaroUna  27514 
1  MS.,  fols.  l-167v  (formerly  Earl  of  Inchiquin,  Wangenheim) 

Charlottesville,  University  of  Virginia  Library 

38-173,  fols.  l-229v  (formerly  von  Scherling) 

Chicago,  University  of  Chicago  Library 

253,  fols.  l-132v  (C^aritch  cat.  303  [1911],  no.  882,  Sotheby  20 
Nov.  1912,  lot  127,  Quaritch  cat.  344  [1916],  no.  8) 

254,  fols.  1-149V  (formerly  Phillipps  2706) 

Cleveland,  Cleveland  Public  Library 

W  q091.92-C468,  fols.  13  (2nd  leaf  so  numbered)-75v  (formerly 
Aldenham,  Sotheby  22  Mar.  1937,  lot  108;  E.  P.  Goldschmidt, 
cat.  44  [April  1938],  no.  4,  cat.  50  [Jan.  1939],  no.  59,  cat.  59 
[Sept.  1940],  no.  49;  bought  in  1944) 

New  Haven,  Beinecke  Library,  Yale  University 

323,   fols.   3-157v  (formerly  Lord  Amherst  of  Hackney,  Jones, 


XXX LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Anderson  Galleries,  New  York,  23  January  1923,  cat.  1699,  no. 
125,  Sinderen) 
494,  fols,  3-103  (formerly  Segar,  Frewen,  H.  P.  Kraus) 

New  York,  Columbia  University  Library 

Plimpton  261,  fols.  l-133v  (formerly  Phillipps  191) 
Plimpton  262,  fols.  l-134v  (formerly  Phillipps  2307) 

New  York,  Mrs.  J.  D.  Gordan,  113  East  78th  St.,  New  York,  NY 
10021 
63,  fols.  1-1 75v  (formerly  Duke  of  Newcastle,  probably  Rennie  733 
before  1829;  Clumber  sale,  Sotheby  15  Feb.  1938,  lot  1140; 
obtained  from  Maggs,  1938) 

Philadelphia,  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia 

Lewis  238,  fols.  1-126  (formerly  2nd  ToUemache  copy,  Helming- 
ham  HaU;  Sotheby  14  June  1965,  lot  18) 

Princeton,  Princeton  University  Library 
Garrett  150,  fols.  l-157v 
Taylor  Medieval  3,  fols.  40-13 Iv  (formerly  Wrest  Park  5) 

San  Marino,  Henry  E.  Huntington  Library 

HM  113,  fols.  1-171V  (formerly  Phillipps  8857) 

HM  131,  fols.  l-154v  (formerly  Duke  of  Buccleuch,  White,  Jones, 

Smith) 
HM  133,  fols.  1-1  lOv  (formerly  Hellman,  Smith) 
HM  136,  fols.  l-172v  (formerly  Phillipps  8858) 

University  Park,  Pennsylvania  State  University  Library 

PS.  V-3A,  fols.  1-197  (formerly  Hale,  Sotheby  8  Dec.  1981,  lot  81) 

Urbana,  University  of  Illinois  Library 

82,  fols.  1-2 18v  (formerly  Haslewood) 

116,  fols.  l-206v  (formerly  Duke  of  Buccleuch,  Lord  Amherst  of 

Hackney,  Harmsworth,  Sotheby  15  Oct.  1945,  lot  1951,  Halli- 

day) 

Washington,  D.C,  Folger  Shakespeare  Library 

V.a.l98  (1232.3),  fols.  [l-3v]  (formerly  Phillipps  9613) 
V.b.l06  (725.2),  fols.  l-92v  (formerly  Phillipps  3784) 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xxxi 

Australia 

Corio,  Victoria,  Geelong  Church  of  England  Grammar  School 

1  MS.,  fols.  l-76v  (formerly  Baynes;  gift  to  school  in  1938  by  C.  A. 
S.  Hawker,  now  missing) 

Sydney,  University  of  Sydney  Library 

Nicholson  13,  fols.  1-1 77v  (formerly  Cochrane,  Nicholson) 

Japan 

Tokyo,   collection   of  Toshiyuki  Takamiya,   Dept.    of  English,   Keio 

University,  Mita,  Minatoku,  Tokyo  108 
12,   fols.    l-222v  (formerly  Fairfax  of  Cameron;   Clumber  sale, 

Sotheby  15  Feb.  1938,  lot  1142;  Dawsons  of  Pall  Mall,  1975) 
18,  fols.  l-71v  (formerly  1st  Tollemache  copy,  Helmingham  Hall; 

Sotheby  8  July,  1970,  lot  66) 
29,  fols.  l-150v  (formerly  Hughlock,  Duke  of  Newcastle;  Clumber 

sale,  Sotheby  15  Feb.  1938,  lot  1141;  Sotheby  14  Dec.  1977, 

lot  50) 
67,  fols.  l-203v  (formerly  Bradfer-Lawrence  11,  Ingilby;  formerly 

on  deposit  in  the  Fitzwilliam  Museum,  Cambridge;  sold  to 

Quaritch  ca.  1980) 


Unlocated  Manuscripts 

As  Kennedy  notes,  "All  but  five  of  the  manuscripts  listed  by  Brie  have 
been  located  with  certainty,"  and  of  these  five,  Brie's  Rennie  733  is  prob- 
ably the  present  Gordan  63  {Manual,  p.  2635);  the  manuscripts  listed 
below  may  also  correspond  to  texts  in  the  list  above.  The  erstwhile 
owners  of  other  manuscripts  listed  by  Brie  (but  unseen  by  him)  are^ 

1.  John  Edwards,  Glasgow.  A  manuscript  containing  a  CV  heading  and 
ending,  perhaps  imperfectly,  with  the  death  of  Edward  III.^  Edwards 


*  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  5;  see  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2635-36,  2821.  The 
following  corrections  to  Brie's  list  of  English  manuscripts  should  also  be  noted:  Laud  550 
and  571  are  erroneously  listed  under  the  British  Museum,  as  well  as  under  the  Bodleian 
Library,  Lambeth  751  is  an  error  (possibly  confused  with  Laud  571);  four  manuscripts  are 
hsted  at  Holkham  Hall:  210,  236,  670,  and  672 — the  correct  references  should  be  Holk- 
ham  669  and  670. 

^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  59;  John  Edwards,  "History  in  the  'Chronicle  of 
the  Brute',"  Proceedings  of  the  Royal  Philosophical  Society  of  Glasgow  34  (1903):  272-81. 


xxxii LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

records  the  heading  as  "Here  may  a  man  heren  how  Engeland  was  first 
called  Albion  and  thurgh  whom  it  hadde  the  name."  Edwards's  citations 
from  his  manuscript  show  that  it  was  not  an  Extended  Version,  and  his 
description  suggests  that  it  included  the  Cadwallader  episode.  It  is  very 
possible  that  the  text  actually  ended  in  1377  with  the  death  of  Edward 
III  and  that  Edwards  described  it  as  "imperfect"  because  he  was  primarily 
aware,  from  his  comparisons  with  manuscripts  in  the  Hunterian  collec- 
tion at  the  University  of  Glasgow,  of  texts  ending  in  1419.  If  so,  then 
this  text  was  probably  similar  to  the  important  text  found  as  the  first  part 
of  Princeton  University  Library,  Taylor  Medieval  MS.  3  (item  20). 
Fortunately,  Edwards  included  in  the  printed  form  of  his  paper  a  good 
facsimile  of  a  page,  the  text  of  which  recounts  Merlin's  establishment  of 
Stonehenge;  the  manuscript  (which  probably  still  survives)  may  therefore 
be  easily  identifiable  at  some  future  time. 

2.  Sir  Edward  Lechmere,  Rhydd  Court,  Upton-on-Severn,  Worcester- 
shire. Brie  lists  two  manuscripts,  while  the  Report  of  the  Historical 
Manuscripts  Commission  records  only  one.^ 

3.  Sir  John  Lawson,  Brough  Hall,  Yorkshire.  A  seventeenth-century 
transcript  of  183  pages.'' 

To  these  should  be  added: 

4.  Gurney  MS.  116.13,  Keswick  Hall,  Norfolk,  fols.  139-150.^  Gurney 
manuscripts  were  sold  in  1920  and  at  Sotheby  in  1936. 

5.  Foyle,  Beeleigh  Abbey,  Maldon,  Suffolk,  bought  a  manuscript  with 
Durham  names  at  Sotheby  24  Jan.  1944,  lot  126.^ 

6.  Bradfer-Lawrence  MS.  11,  formerly  deposited  in  the  Fitzwilliam 
Museum,  Cambridge,  is  now  Takamiya  MS.  67;  I  have  used  a  microfilm 
copy  supplied  by  the  Museum  before  the  sale  of  the  manuscript. 


^  Fifth  Report  of  the  Royal  Commission  on  Historical  Manuscripts  (London,  1876), 
Appendix,  p.  299.  Cf.  Guide  to  the  Location  of  Collections  Described  in  the  Reports  and 
Calendars  Series  1870-1980,  Guides  to  Sources  for  British  History  3  (London,  1982),  p. 
36. 

^  Third  Report  of  the  Royal  Commission  on  Historical  Manuscripts  (London,  1872), 
Appendix,  p.  255.  Cf.  Guide  to  the  Location  of  Collections,  p.  36. 

*  Twelfth  Report  of  the  Royal  Commission  on  Historical  Manuscripts  (London,  1891), 
Appendix,  Part  9,  pp.  153-55.  Cf.  Guide  to  the  Location  of  Collections,  p.  28. 

^  I  am  indebted  for  this  information  to  A.  L  Doyle. 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS xxxiil 

Early  Printed  Editions 
The  STC  list  of  locations  has  been  supplemented  from  William  W. 
Bishop,  A  Checklist  of  American  Copies  of  'Short-Title  Catalogue'  Books, 
2nd  ed.  (Ann  Arbor,  1950)  and  David  Ramage,  A  Finding-List  of  English 
Books  to  1640  in  Libraries  in  the  British  Isles  (Durham,  1958);  the  present 
list  is  not,  however,  exhaustive.  I  have  not  indicated  which  copies  are  im- 
perfect, though  where  a  "copy"  consists  of  only  a  few  leaves  this  has  been 
noted. 

1.  William  Caxton,  Westminster,  1480  (STC  9991). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Lambeth  Palace 
Library,  London;  London  University  Library;  Bodleian  Library, 
Oxford;  University  Library,  Cambridge;  John  Rylands  University 
Library,  Manchester;  Liverpool  University  Library;  University  of 
Glasgow  Library;  (b)  United  States:  Folger  Shakespeare  Library, 
Washington,  D.C.;  Huntington  Library,  San  Marino;  Library  of 
Congress,  Washington,  D.C.;  New  York  Public  Library;  Pierpont 
Morgan  Library,  New  York;  Garrett  Collection,  Johns  Hopkins 
University  Library,  Baltimore. 

2.  WiUiam  Caxton,  Westminster,  1482  (STC  9992). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian  Li- 
brary, Oxford;  University  Library,  Cambridge;  Pepysian  Library, 
Magdalene  College,  Cambridge  (5  leaves);  John  Rylands  University 
Library,  Manchester;  (b)  United  States:  Cornell  University  Library, 
Ithaca;  Mellon  Collection,  Yale  Center  for  British  Art,  New  Haven; 
Newberry  Library,  Chicago;  New  York  Public  Library  (1  leaf); 
Pierpont  Morgan  Library,  New  York. 

3.  [Schoolmaster-Printer,]  St.  Albans,  [?1483]  (STC  9995). 
Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian 
Library,  Oxford  (3  copies);  University  Library,  Cambridge;  Uni- 
versity of  Glasgow  Library;  John  Rylands  University  Library,  Man- 
chester; (b)  United  States:  Huntington  Library,  San  Marino;  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago  Library;  Newberry  Library,  Chicago;  Pierpont 
Morgan  Library,  New  York;  Beinecke  Library,  Yale  University,  New 
Haven. 

4.  [WiUiam  de  Machlinia,  London,  ?1486]  (STC  9993). 

Copies:    (a)    Great   Britain:    British    Library,    London;    Bodleian 


xxxiv LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Library,  Oxford  (2  copies);  Pepysian  Library,  Magdalene  College, 
Cambridge;  Pembroke  College  Library,  Cambridge;  John  Rylands 
University  Library,  Manchester;  (b)  United  States:  Chapin  Library, 
Williams  College,  Williamstown;  Mrs.  J.  D.  Gordan,  New  York; 
University  of  Illinois  Library,  Champaign-Urbana;  Pierpont  Morgan 
Library,  New  York;  Beinecke  Library,  Yale  University,  New  Haven; 
Eric  H.  L.  Sexton,  Rockport,  Maine. 

5.  Gerard  de  Leew,  Antwerp,  1493  (STC  9994). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian  Li- 
brary, Oxford;  University  Library,  Cambridge;  John  Rylands  Univer- 
sity Library,  Manchester;  Peterborough  Cathedral  (on  deposit  at  the 
University  Library,  Cambridge);  Ripon  Cathedral  Library;  (b)  Ire- 
land: Trinity  College  Library,  Dublin;  (c)  United  States:  Newberry 
Library,  Chicago. 

6.  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  Westminster,  1497  (STC  9996). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian  Li- 
brary, Oxford;  University  Library,  Cambridge;  King's  College  Li- 
brary, Cambridge;  John  Rylands  University  Library,  Manchester  (2 
copies);  (b)  United  States:  Folger  Shakespeare  Library,  Washington, 
D.C.;  Huntington  Library,  San  Marino  (1  leaf);  Mellon  Collection, 
Yale  Center  for  British  Art,  New  Haven;  Newberry  Library,  Chi- 
cago (1  leaf);  Pierpont  Morgan  Library,  New  York;  University  of 
South  Carolina  Library,  Columbia;  (c)  Australia:  State  Library  of 
Victoria,  Melbourne  (1  leaf). 

7.  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  London,  1502  (STC  9997). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian  Li- 
brary, Oxford;  Wadham  College  Library,  Oxford;  Chetham's  Li- 
brary, Manchester;  (b)  Ireland:  Marsh's  Library,  Dublin;  (c)  United 
States:  Boston  Public  Library;  Carl  H.  Pforzheimer  Library,  New 
York;  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia;  Pierpont  Morgan  Library, 
New  York  (25  leaves,  interleaved  with  the  1515  W.  de  Worde  edi- 
tion); Princeton  University  Library. 

8.  Julyan  Notary,  London,  1504  (STC  9998). 

Copies:  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  University  Library, 
Cambridge;  Trinity  College  Library,  Cambridge. 

9.  Richard  Pynson,  London,  1510  (STC  9999). 


AND  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS 


Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian 
Library,  Oxford;  University  Library,  Cambridge;  John  Rylands  Uni- 
versity Library,  Manchester  (2  copies);  Peterborough  Cathedral  (on 
deposit  at  the  University  Library,  Cambridge);  (b)  United  States: 
Folger  Shakespeare  Library,  Washington,  D.C.;  Annmary  Brown 
Library,  Brown  University,  Providence. 

10.  Julyan  Notary,  London,  1515  (STC  10000). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  Bodleian  Li- 
brary, Oxford;  University  Library,  Cambridge;  John  Rylands  Uni- 
versity Library,  Manchester,  Blackburn  Public  Library;  National 
Library  of  Scotland,  Edinburgh;  (b)  United  States:  Folger  Shake- 
speare Library,  Washington,  D.C.;  Huntington  Library,  San  Mari- 
no; Lehigh  University  Library,  Bethlehem;  Pierpont  Morgan  Li- 
brary, New  York;  Beinecke  Library,  Yale  University,  New  Haven;  (c) 
Japan:  Imperial  University  Library,  Tol^^o. 

11.  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  London,  1515  (STC  10000.5,  formerly  9985). 
Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  London  Uni- 
versity Library;  University  of  Liverpool  Library;  John  Rylands 
University  Library,  Manchester;  (b)  United  States:  Folger  Shake- 
speare Library,  Washington,  D.C.;  Huntington  Library,  San  Mari- 
no; Houghton  Library,  Harvard  University,  Cambridge;  Pierpont 

'  Morgan  Library,  New  York;  Annmary  Brown  Library,  Brown  Uni- 
versity, Providence;  St.  Vincent  College  Library,  Latrobe  (1  leaf). 

12.  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  London,  1520  (STC  10001). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  Bodleian  Library,  Oxford  (2  copies);  All 
Souls  College  Library,  Oxford;  Edward  Clark  Library,  Napier  Col- 
lege of  Science  and  Technology,  Edinburgh;  Ely  Cathedral  (on  de- 
posit at  the  University  Library,  Cambridge);  National  Library  of 
Wales,  Aberystwyth;  (b)  United  States:  Chapin  Library,  Williams 
College,  Williamstown;  Mellon  Collection,  Yale  Center  for  British 
Art,  New  Haven;  Newberry  Library,  Chicago;  University  of  Notre 
Dame  Library,  Notre  Dame;  Pierpont  Morgan  Library,  New  York 
(1  leaf);  (c)  Japan:  Toshiyuki  Takamiya,  Keio  University,  Tokyo. 

13.  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  London,  1528  (STC  10002). 

Copies:  (a)  Great  Britain:  British  Library,  London;  King's  College 
Library,  Cambridge;  University  of  Glasgow  Library;  University  of 
Leeds  Library;  John  Rylands  University  Library,  Manchester,  Wor- 


xxxvi LOCATION  LISTS  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

cester  Cathedral  Library;  (b)  Ireland:  Trinity  College  Library, 
Dublin;  (c)  United  States:  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.C.; 
Princeton  University  Library;  Beinecke  Library,  Yale  University, 
New  Haven  (2  copies);  (d)  Japan:  Toshiyuki  Takamiya,  Keio  Uni- 
versity, Tokyo. 


Introduction 

I.  The  Prose  Brut: 
Contents  and  Overview  of  the  Versions 

Contents 

The  chronicle  known  as  the  prose  Brut  is  a  comprehensive  account  of  the 
history  of  England  from  its  first  discovery  and  settlement  to  what  were,  to 
its  writers,  continuators,  and  audience,  modern  times.^  It  occurs  in  over  240 
manuscripts,  written  in  the  three  major  literary  languages  of  medieval  Eng- 
land; it  was  the  first  chronicle  of  England  to  be  printed,  going  through  thir- 
teen early  printed  editions,  and  in  both  the  Middle  Ages  and  the  early  Re- 
naissance it  served  as  the  standard  account  of  English  history. 

The  original  Anglo-Norman  form  of  the  work,  written  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  I,  attributes  the  discovery  of  Britain  to  Brut  (Brutus  in  Latin, 
Latin-based,  or  Latinate  texts,  the  form  of  the  name  henceforward  adopted 
in  this  book),  the  great-grandson  of  the  Trojan  Eneas,  who  is  directed  to 
the  Isle  of  Albion  by  the  goddess  Diana.  Brutus  and  his  Trojan  comrades 


^  Ebrtracts  from  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  are  published  in  Paul  Meyer,  "De  quelques 
chroniques  anglo-normandes  qui  ont  porte  le  nom  de  Brut,"  Bulletin  de  la  society  des 
anciens  textes franfais  (1878):  104-45.  Middle  English  texts  are  printed  in  Friedrich  W.  D. 
Brie,  ed.,  The  Brut  or  The  Chronicles  of  England,  EETS  o.s.  131,  136  (1906,  1908).  For 
comments  on  Brie's  edition  and  details  of  editions  of  variant  texts,  extracts,  and 
unpublished  dissertations,  see  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  pp.  212-14  and  233;  Kenne- 
dy, Manual,  pp.  2631-33,  2824-25. 


INTRODUCTION 


defeat  the  indigenous  giants  and  their  leader  Gogmagog  and  settle  the  entire 
island,  including  Scotland  and  Wales.  To  Brutus's  lieutenant  Coryn,  who 
kills  Gogmagog  in  a  wrestling  match,  is  given  a  land  that  he  calls  Cornwall 
after  himself  In  honor  of  the  Troy  to  which  he  and  his  people  trace  their 
lineage,  Brutus  founds  the  city  of  New  Troy  (London)  on  the  banks  of  the 
Thames.  Forests  are  felled,  agriculture  is  established,  and  the  land  is  appor- 
tioned to  the  settlers.  The  country  itself  is  named  Britain  after  Brutus,  while 
Scotland  is  named  Albanye  after  Brutus's  son  Albanac,  and  Wales  is  called 
Cambre  after  a  second  son,  Cambre.  After  a  reign  of  twenty  years,  Brutus 
dies  and  is  buried  at  New  Troy,  to  be  succeeded  by  his  son  Lotiyn. 

The  majority  of  the  texts  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  are  prefaced  by  a 
second  foundation  story  that  accounts  for  the  presence  of  the  giants  whom 
Brutus  defeats.  The  source  for  this  addition  was  an  Anglo-Norman  poem, 
Des  Grantz  Geanz,  a  version  of  which  was  originally  prefixed  to  the  Anglo- 
Norman  prose  Brut  chronicle.^  This  verse  prologue  was  subsequently  re- 
duced to  prose  (with  some  alterations  in  content),  in  which  form  it  occurred 
in  the  texts  that  formed  the  bases  for  the  two  Middle  English  translations 
of  the  chronicle. 

In  its  prose  version,  this  prologue  recounts  how  King  Dioclician  of  Syria 
weds  his  thirty-three  headstrong,  ungovernable  daughters  to  thirty-three 
kings.  At  the  instigation  of  the  eldest  daughter,  Albine  (Albina  in  Latin, 
Latin-based,  or  Latinate  texts,  the  form  of  the  name  henceforward  adopted 
in  this  book),  the  sisters  murder  their  husbands.  The  sisters  are  banished 
forever,  and  after  a  long  sea  voyage  they  arrive  on  an  isle  that  is  all  wild- 
erness. Albina  names  the  country  Albion  after  herself,  and  the  sisters  take 
the  land.  In  time,  the  women  are  consumed  by  sexual  desire,  which  is  satis- 
fied by  the  devil,  who  appropriates  human  shape  and  semen  to  impregnate 
them.  The  result  is  a  brood  of  giants,  among  whom  Gogmagog  and  Laugh- 
erigan  are  named,  who  inhabit  Albion  until  their  destruction  by  Brutus. 

After  Brutus  and  his  sons,  the  narrative  continues  with  the  history  of  the 
British  kings,  including  such  notables  as  Leir,  Lud  (the  eponym  of  "Lud- 
stan,"  since  "chaungede  |)rou3  variance  of  lettres"  to  "London"  [Brie  31/20, 
21,  22],  and  builder  of  Ludgate),  Kembelyn  (in  whose  time  Christ  was 
born),  Coel  (the  founder  of  Colchester),  Constance  (a  Roman),  Constantine 


^  See  Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz  Geanz;  Lesley  Johnson,  "Return  to  A^'ion"  Arthurian 
Literature  XIII,  ed.  Carley  and  Riddy,  pp.  19-40.  For  a  Latin  version,  see  Carley  and 
Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  pp.  41-114;  Des  Grantz  Geanz  is  discussed  on  pp. 
45-48. 


INTRODUCTION 


(son  of  Constance  and  St.  Helena,  later  emperor  of  Rome),  Vortiger  (in 
whose  time  Engist  and  his  Saxons  arrive  and  establish  a  brief  heptarchy), 
Aurilambros  (the  slayer  of  Vortiger  and  Engist),  Uther  Pendragon,  Arthur 
(conqueror  and  overlord  of  much  of  Europe,  whose  reign  is  recounted  at 
length),  and  Curan  (son  of  Havelok). 

Saxon  supremacy  is  reestablished  through  the  help  of  Gurmond,  the  mer- 
cenary son  of  the  king  of  Africa,  at  which  time  the  names  of  the  country 
and  its  people  are  changed  to  England  and  Englishmen  (after  the  name  of 
Engist),  and  the  heptarchy  is  reintroduced.  A  number  of  the  Middle  English 
texts  (though  not  all)  include  an  account  of  Cadwallader,  the  last  British 
king.  The  histories  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  and  Danish  kings  end  with  the 
death  of  Harold. 

The  chronicle  continues  with  accounts  of  the  reigns  of  the  Norman  and 
Plantagenet  kings,  narrated  at  greater  length  and  with  considerably  more 
historical  detail  than  are  the  reigns  of  the  pre-Conquest  monarchs,  except 
for  Arthur. 

The  original  Anglo-Norman  text  probably  ended  with  the  death  of  Henry 
III  in  1272  but  was  continued  in  later  versions  to  the  death  of  Edward  I  in 
1307  and  then  to  1333.  The  two  Middle  English  translations  ended  origi- 
nally in  1333;  the  first  and  by  far  more  important  of  these  received  continu- 
ations to  the  death  of  Edward  III  in  1377  and  then  to  the  siege  of  Rouen 
in  1419,  in  which  year  many  texts  end.  Subsequent  major  continuations  car- 
ried the  narrative  to  the  death  of  Henry  V  in  1422  (with  a  further  continu- 
ation to  1437)  and  to  1430.  William  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England  ended 
with  the  death  of  Henry  VI  in  1461. 

These  dates,  however,  only  represent  salient  ending  points  for  major  con- 
tinuations. Various  minor  or  individual  continuations  also  exist,  the  latest  of 
which,  in  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  84,  closes  in  1479/82.  Throughout  the  fif- 
teenth century,  continuations  were  frequently  supplied  to  texts  that  originally 
ended  at  an  earlier  point.  Even  after  the  Anglo-Norman  text  was  translated 
into  Middle  English,  copies  in  the  original  language  continued  to  be  made. 
A  version  of  the  Middle  English  text  itself  was  translated  into  Latin  and 
then  translated  back  into  English.  Combinations  of  texts  of  different  types 
were  made  and  extracts  were  used  to  supplement  other  historical  works. 

Overview  of  the  Versions 

As  the  preceding  paragraphs  suggest,  the  development  and  interrelationships 
of  the  texts  of  the  Anglo-Norman,  Latin,  and  English  Brut  are  complicated, 
and  any  description  of  the  many  versions  and  numerous  subgroups  must  in- 


INTRODUCTION 


evitably  be  complex.  The  present  section  provides  a  general  overview,  syn- 
thesized from  the  fuller  descriptions  and  arguments  that  form  the  bulk  of 
this  study — a  simplified  roadmap  that  points  out  the  major  landmarks  and 
most  significant  features  ahead.  Subgroups,  minor  groups,  and  nuances  of 
classification  that  require  extended  discussion  are  not  adduced  at  this  point. 
As  a  fiirther  aid  to  negotiating  the  highways  and  byways  of  the  texts  of  the 
Middle  English  Bruty  a  Synoptic  Inventory  of  all  English  versions  and 
groups,  with  a  complete  listing  of  their  manuscripts,  appears  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  classification  of  those  texts. 

A.  THE  ANGLO-NORMAN  BRUT 

The  Anglo-Norman  Brut  survives  in  forty-nine  known  manuscripts,  one  of 
which  contains  two  texts  of  the  work.  The  major  versions  and  their  primary 
features  can  be  summarized  as  follows: 

Common  Text 

Stage  1:  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  to  1272  (the  original  form  of  the  text). 
Stage  2:  the  common  text,  stage  1,  with  a  continuation  to  1307, 

Revisions  and  continuations  made  ca.  1350  (two  major  recensions): 
Short  Version 

Stage  1:  the  common  text  to  1307  plus  the  "short  continuation"  to 
1333  (ending  with  an  English  raid  on  Haddington  Fair  in  Scot- 
land). 
Stage  2:  the  Short  Version,  stage  1,  plus  the  Albina  verse  prologue. 
Long  Version:  the  common  text  to  1307,  much  revised  (including  the 
addition  of  Merlin's  prophecies  and  many  factual  details),  plus  the 
Albina  prose  prologue  and  the  "long  continuation"  to  1333  (ending 
with  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill). 

The  original  form  of  the  Anglo-Norman  5rtt/ covered  the  history  of  Eng- 
land from  Brutus  to  the  death  of  Henry  III  in  1272.  This  first  stage  received 
a  continuation  to  the  death  of  Edward  I  in  1307;  the  resulting  text  from 
Brutus  to  1307  formed  a  common  text  that  is  at  the  core  of  the  two  subse- 
quent versions,  both  of  which  were  made  around  the  mid-fourteenth  century 
and  which  together  comprise  the  great  majority  of  the  extant  texts. 

The  first  of  these,  the  so-called  Short  Version,  went  through  two  stages. 
The  first  stage  consisted  of  the  common  text  to  1307,  to  which  was  added 
a  continuation  to  1333  that  ends  with  an  account  of  an  English  raid  on  the 


INTRODUCTION 


fair  at  Haddington  in  southern  Scotland.  The  second  stage  of  the  Short 
Version  was  formed  by  the  addition  of  a  verse  prologue  telling  the  story  of 
Albina  and  her  sisters. 

The  core  of  the  Long  Version  was  a  thorough  revision  of  the  common 
text  to  1307,  including  the  interpolation  of  a  set  of  prophecies  by  Merlin 
concerning  the  five  kings  to  follow  King  John.  A  prose  prologue  on  Albina 
and  her  sisters  and  a  continuation  to  1333  that  ends  with  the  English  vic- 
tory over  the  Scots  at  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  were  also  added,  probably 
at  the  same  time  as  the  core  text  was  revised.  The  former  addition  may  not 
have  been  derived  directly  from  the  verse  prologue  found  in  the  Short  Ver- 
sion; rather,  it  may  have  been  based  on  a  common  original.  The  continu- 
ation from  1307  to  1333  is  independent  of  the  continuation  to  the  same 
year  that  occurs  in  the  Short  Version,  though  it  is  possible  that  the  Long 
Version  continuator  was  aware  of  the  other  narrative.  In  the  late  fourteenth 
century,  the  Long  Version  to  1333  was  translated  into  English,  thus  giving 
rise  to  the  entire  family  of  Middle  English  Brut  texts,  except  for  a  second 
translation  made  in  1435  by  the  priest  John  Mandeville,  which  survives  in 
only  two  manuscripts.  The  first  English  translation  and  its  textual  descen- 
dants eventually  superseded  the  popularity  of  the  Anglo-Norman  texts,  for 
although  the  latter  continued  to  be  copied  through  the  fifteenth  century, 
only  two  Anglo-Norman  texts  contain  continuations  beyond  1333. 

B.  THE  LATIN  BRUT 

The  nineteen  known  texts  of  the  Latin  Brut  fall  into  two  major  versions  that 
are  not  immediately  related  except  for  their  use  of  the  same  form  of  the  Al- 
bina prologue.  (A  third,  minor  "version"  consists  solely  of  a  short,  unique 
translation  into  Latin  of  the  prose  prologue  from  the  Long  Version  of  the 
Anglo-Norman  Brut.) 

The  first  version  is  based  on  the  second  stage  of  the  Anglo-Norman 
Short  Version  (with  the  verse  prologue  translated  into  Latin  prose),  which 
is  followed  to  the  year  1066.  Thereafter,  two  of  the  three  manuscripts  of  this 
version  continue  with  a  Latin  chronicle  not  based  on  the  vernacular  Bruts, 
ending  in  1367. 

The  second  version  of  the  Latin  Brut  is  a  sophisticated  historical  compila- 
tion whose  basic  framework  and  some  of  whose  content  (especially  from 
1377)  derives  from  a  version  of  the  Middle  English  Brut  ending  in  1437. 
The  Albina  prologue  has  been  borrowed  from  the  first  version  of  the  Latin 
Brut.  There  are,  however,  significant  additions  and  adaptations  drawn 
from  many  other  sources.  This  second  Latin  version  has  two  subgroups, 


INTRODUCTION 


with  longer  and  shorter  treatments  of  the  reign  of  Henry  V,  of  which  the 
longer  is  probably  the  earlier.  The  subgroup  with  the  longer  treatment  was 
itself  retranslated  into  English,  thereby  creating  a  second,  later  class  of 
Middle  English  Bruts  ending  in  1437. 

C.  THE  ENGLISH  BRUT 

The  English  Brut  has  survived  in  181  medieval  and  post-medieval  manu- 
scripts (three  of  which  contain  two  discrete  texts  of  the  work)  and  in 
thirteen  early  printed  editions.  Many  of  the  manuscripts  contain  recogniz- 
ably composite  texts  cobbled  together  from  texts  of  different  types,  whose 
component  parts  must  be  considered  separately.  Accordingly,  the  total  num- 
ber of  entries  in  the  classification  comes  to  215. 

The  English  texts  can  be  divided  into  four  major  categories,  labeled  the 
Common  Version  (CV),  the  Extended  Version  (EV),  the  Abbreviated  Ver- 
sion (AY),  and  a  looser  grouping  of  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions  (PV). 

The  Common  Version  is  based  on  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version 
ending  in  1333  with  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill;  it  gives  rise  to  all  other 
English  Brut  texts,  aside  from  John  Mandeville's  independent  translation 
from  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version. 

The  texts  of  the  Common  Version  developed  primarily  through  a  process 
of  accretion,  in  which  the  narrative  was  brought  more  up  to  date  through 
the  acquisition  of  continuations.  The  numerous  groups  belonging  to  this 
version  are  classified  in  the  first  instance  by  the  date  at  which  the  texts  end 
(1333, 1377, 1419,  1430, 1461;  abbreviated  CV-1333,  CV-1377,  etc.).  The 
classification  can  be  refined  by  considering  sets  of  textual  variations  within 
the  date-defined  groups.  For  example,  a  narrative  on  the  reign  of  Cadwal- 
lader  (Cad)  and  the  text  of  a  letter  sent  by  Queen  Isabella  (QIL)  to  the  citi- 
zens of  London,  neither  of  which  is  found  in  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Ver- 
sion and  its  original  English  translation  to  1333,  appear  in  successive  groups 
of  the  Common  Version  that  ended  in  1377  (see  Methods  of  Classification 
below).  The  absence  or  presence  of  one  or  both  of  these  narratives  is  a 
powerful  factor  in  (a)  determining  the  provenance  of  the  text  to  1333  in 
texts  that  proceed  past  that  date  and  (b)  assessing  the  relationships  among 
groups. 

Similarly,  Common  Version  texts  ending  in  1419  can  be  divided  into 
those  that  end  in  the  midst  of  the  siege  of  Rouen  with  the  phrase  "and 
manfiilly  countered  with  our  English  men"  and  those  that  end  at  the  suc- 
cessful conclusion  of  the  siege  with  "in  rule  and  governance" — the  CV- 
1419(men)  and  the  CV-1419(r&g)  groups,  respectively.  Some  groups,  such 


INTRODUCTION 


as  the  CV-1419  (Leyle),  are  distinguished  not  only  by  their  formal  contents 
but  also  by  their  verbal  changes.  Other  variations  generate  further  subgroups, 
as  summarized  in  the  Synoptic  Inventory  of  Versions  below.  The  final  group 
of  the  Common  Version  (the  CV-1461)  includes  a  continuation  from  1419 
to  1461  that  was  almost  certainly  written  by  William  Caxton  for  his  1480 
edition  of  the  Brut  as  The  Chronicles  of  England.  When  this  continuation 
occurs  in  manuscripts,  it  was  copied  from  a  printed  edition.  Caxton's  editio 
princeps  served  as  the  base  for  the  twelve  subsequent  early  printed  editions, 
which  fall  into  two  types  according  to  whether  certain  interpolations  have 
been  added. 

The  initial  identification  of  texts  of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Ver- 
sions depends  on  three  primary  features:  (1)  the  presence  of  an  added  exor- 
dium, of  one  or  another  particular  type,  describing  the  historical  origins  of 
the  Brut  itself;  (2)  the  words  "Some  time ..."  at  the  beginning  of  the  Albina 
prologue;  (3)  the  inclusion  in  the  prologue  and  early  parts  of  the  narrative  of 
details  borrowed  from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle.  The  exordium  is 
of  particular  interest  in  that  it  reflects  contemporary  understanding  of  the 
genesis  of  English  chronicle  writing. 

Although  all  surviving  complete  texts  of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated 
Versions  end  in  1419  (though  sometimes  with  subsequent  continuations), 
the  language  of  the  exordium  shows  that  the  original  Extended  Version  was 
based  on  a  text  of  a  Common  Version  group  with  the  full  continuation  to 
1377.  It  is  even  possible  that  the  Cadwallader  episode  was  first  interpolated 
in  this  original  Extended  Version  and  subsequentiy  introduced  into  the 
Common  Version. 

Based  on  three  distinct  forms  of  the  exordium,  the  wording  of  the  addi- 
tions from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle,  and  verbal  differences  else- 
where in  the  general  narrative,  three  groups  within  the  Extended  Version 
(EV-1419:A,  B,  C)  can  be  identified. 

Similarly,  the  Abbreviated  Version  presents  different  recensions  of  the 
exordium,  three  of  which  correspond  to  those  in  the  Extended  Version  and 
one  of  which  presents  a  text  unparalleled  among  extant  Extended  Version 
texts.  Despite  this  correspondence,  however,  there  is  not  a  simple  one-to- 
one  relationship  between  the  groups  of  the  Abbreviated  and  the  Extended 
Versions.  Four  primary  groups  (the  AV-1419:A,  B,  C,  D)  can  be  distin- 
guished in  the  Abbreviated  Version.  The  first  of  these  comprises  three  sub- 
groups, connected  primarily  by  the  presence  of  the  same  exordium  as  is 
found  in  the  EV-1419:A;  otherwise,  however,  these  AV-1419:A  subgroups 
are  not  immediately  related.  Textual  analyses  of  various  Abbreviated  Version 


8 INTRODUCTION 

groups  show  correspondences  and  differences  vis-a-vis  the  Extended  Ver- 
sion that  can  be  best  explained  by  a  complex  development,  the  precise  details 
of  which  may  now  be  irrecoverable,  that  included  the  crossing  of  texts  of  the 
Common  and  Extended  Versions.  Some  features  that  are  particularly  dis- 
tinctive of  individual  Abbreviated  Version  groups  are  the  omission  of  ma- 
terial after  King  Arthur  (who  is  thus  succeeded  by  Conan  rather  than  Con- 
stantine)  in  the  AV-1419:A(a),  the  AV-1419:B,  and  the  AV-1419:C;  the 
sharing  of  a  common  chapter  on  Constantine  in  the  AV-1419:A(c)  and  the 
AV-1419:D;  and  the  omission  of  material  around  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill 
in  the  AV-1419:B. 

Finally,  there  is  an  amorphous,  heterogeneous  category  of  Peculiar  Texts 
and  Versions,  often  of  historical  and  literary  importance,  consisting  of  indivi- 
dual reworkings  of  Brut  texts,  works  based  on  or  adapted  from  the  Brut,  and 
combinations  of  the  Brut  with  adaptations  of  other  works.  Many  such  texts 
are  unique,  but  a  number  fall  into  recognizable  groups.  Of  particular  interest 
are  the  PV-1437:A  (a  sizable  group)  and  the  PV-1437/1461,  which  are 
related  to  the  second  version  of  the  Latin  Brut,  and  the  PV-1437:B,  which 
represents  a  translation  back  into  English  from  that  Latin  version.  Also  in- 
cluded, for  convenience,  under  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions  are  John  Mande- 
ville's  translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  to  1333  (JM-1333)  and  three 
skimpy  king-lists  possibly  drawn,  at  least  in  part,  from  English  Brut  texts. 


II.  Cultural  and  Historical  Influence 

Circulation 

The  result  of  this  massive  scribal  activity  is  that  the  Brut  survives,  in  whole 
or  in  part,  in  at  least  forty- nine  Anglo-Norman  manuscripts,  almost  180 
EngUsh  manuscripts  (including  a  few  post-medieval  transcripts),  and  about 
twenty  Latin  manuscripts.  Its  dissemination  spread  even  wider  when,  under 
the  title  T/je  Chronicles  of  England,  the  Brut  became  the  first  chronicle 
printed  in  England,  passing  through  thirteen  editions  between  1480  and 
1528.  As  I  have  remarked  elsewhere,  such  "a  number  of  manuscripts  of  a 
Middle  English  work  [is]  exceeded  only  by  that  of  the  manuscripts  of  the 
two  Wycliffite  translations  of  the  Bible."^  In  comparison,  the  Prick  of  Con- 
science is  found,  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  115  manuscripts,  Chaucer's  Canter- 


^  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  p.  210;  see  Conrad  Lindberg,  "The  Manuscripts  and 
Versions  of  the  Wycliffite  Bible,"  Studia  Neophilologica  42  (1970):  333-47. 


INTRODUCTION 


bury  Tales  in  eighty-three,  Gower's  Confessio  Amantis  in  sixty-four,  and 
Langland's  Piers  Plowman  in  sixty-one.'*  If  the  Prick  of  Conscience  was  "the 
most  popular  English  poem  of  the  Middle  Ages,"  then  the  Middle  English 
prose  Brut  was  "the  most  popular  secular  work  of  the  fifteenth  century  in 
England."^ 

The  amount  of  time  and  labor  that  went  into  the  production  of  such  a 
number  of  manuscripts — let  alone  the  probably  greater  number  that  have 
failed  to  survive — must  have  made  the  Brut  omnipresent  for  those  engaged 
or  interested  in  the  book  trade  in  the  fifteenth  century,  whether  as  scribes, 
illuminators,  binders,  and  booksellers  or  as  librarians,  readers,  hearers,  and 
owners.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  in  the  late  Middle  Ages  in  England 
the  Brut  was  the  standard  historical  account  of  British  and  English  history. 
It  is  clear  that  it  occupied  a  central  position  in  fifteenth-  and  sixteenth-cen- 
tury historical  writing  and  was  a  major  influence  in  shaping  national  con- 
sciousness in  medieval  and  post-medieval  England. 

Ownership  and  Audience 

The  extent  of  the  Brut's  contemporary  influence  is  indicated  by  the  social 
and  geographical  range  of  its  medieval  ownership. 

The  style,  content,  and  chivalric  tone  of  the  Anglo-Norman  work  suggest 
that  it  was  originally  aimed  at  an  upper-class,  lay  audience.^  Among  the 
twenty-seven  books  given  in  1305  by  Guy  Beauchamp,  earl  of  Warwick,  to 
Bordesley  Abbey,  Worcestershire,  occurs  "Un  Volum  del  Romaunce  deu 


*  These  figures  include  fragmentary  and  excerpted  texts.  See  Robert  E.  Lewis  and 

Angus  Mcintosh,  y1  Descriptive  Guide  to  the  Mantiscripts  of  the  Prick  of  Conscience, 
Medium  i^vum  Monographs  n.s.  12  (Oxford,  1982),  p.  1;  Helen  Cooper,  The  Canterbury 
Tales  (Oxford,  1989),  p.  6;  John  H.  Fisher,  R.  Wayne  Hamm,  Peter  G.  Beidler,  and 
Robert  F.  Yeager,  "John  Gower,"  A  Manual  of  the  Writings  in  Middle  English,  ed.  Albert 
E.  Hartung,  vol.  7  (Hamden,  1986),  pp.  2408-2409;  Ralph  Hanna  III,  William  Langland, 
Authors  of  the  Middle  Ages  3  (Aldershot,  Hants.,  1993),  p.  37. 

^  Lewis  and  Mcintosh,  Descriptive  Guide,  p.  1;  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  p.  210. 
Cf  Charles  L.  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature  in  the  Fifteenth  Century  (Oxford, 
1913),  p.  113:  "the  most  popular  and  widely  diffused  history  of  the  time";  Taylor,  English 
Historical  Literature,  p.  110:  "the  most  popular  reteUing  of  the  Arthurian  legend  in  late 
medieval  England . . .  the  most  widely  diffused  history  of  the  day."  See  also  Carol  M. 
Meale,  "Patrons,  Buyers  and  Owners:  Book  Production  and  Sociai  Status,"  in  Book  Pro- 
duction and  Publishing  in  Britain  1375-1475,  ed.  Jeremy  Griffiths  and  Derek  Pearsall 
(Cambridge,  1989),  pp.  215-16. 

*  See  Antonia  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  in  England.  II.  c.  1307  to  the  Early 
Sixteenth  Century  (Ithaca,  1982),  pp.  75-76. 


10 INTRODUCTION 

Brut,  e  del  Roy  Costentine,"  perhaps  an  Anglo-Norman  Brut  to  12727  An 
early,  variant  text  of  the  Brut,  known  as  Le  Petit  Bruit  (BL  MS.  Harley 
902),  was  an  abridgement  made  in  1310  by  Ralph  de  Bohun  for  Henry  de 
Lacy,  earl  of  Lincoln.^  Isabella  of  France  (died  1358)  bequeathed  a  French 
Brut  to  her  son,  Edward  III.^  A  French  Brut  is  listed  in  an  inventory  made 
in  1388  of  the  books  of  Sir  Simon  Burley,  knight  of  the  royal  household 
and  tutor  of  Richard  \\}^  In  1391  John  Percyhay  of  Swynton,  rector  of  St. 
Edward's  in  York,  left  "unum  Brutum  in  gallico,  quod  est  in  manibus 
Thomae  Slegill"  (a  knight  from  Leeds)  to  Master  John  de  Scardeburgh, 
notary  public,  canon  of  York,  and  rector  of  Tickmarsh;  this  book  reappears 
in  an  inventory  of  the  latter's  goods  in  1395  as  "Bruyt  in  Gallico,  pret.  ij 
s.,  non  vend."^^  Sir  Thomas  Ughtred  (died  1401)  of  Yorkshire  left  his  wife 
"unum  Romauns  quod  vocatur  Bruyt"  in  his  will,  dated  1398.^^  John  Man- 


^  See  Madeleine  Blaess,  "L'abbaye  de  Bordesley  et  les  livres  de  Guy  de  Beauchamp," 
Romania  78  (1957):  513;  Blaess  suggests  that  this  was  either  a  prose  Brut  or  a  copy  of 
Wace  (p.  518  n.  2). 

^  Diana  B.  Tyson,  ed.,  Le  Petit  Bruit  ofRaufde  Boun,  Anglo-Norman  Text  Society 
(London,  1987).  See  also  M.  Dominica  Legge,  Anglo-Norman  Literature  and  Its  Back- 
ground (Oxford,  1963),  pp.  280-83;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  74;  Taylor,  Eng- 
lish Historical  Literature,  p.  118. 

^  See  Edith  Rickert,  "King  Richard  II's  Books,"  Tbe  Library  4th.  ser.,  13  (1932): 
144-45;  Richard  F.  Green,  "King  Richard  II's  Books  Revisited,"  The  Library  5th.  ser.,  31 
(1976):  235-39.  The  inventory  of  Isabella's  books  made  on  her  death  lists  "Unus  Uber  qui 
vocatur  Tresor  et  Bruyt  in  fine";  see  Juliet  Vale,  Ed-ward  III  and  Chivalry:  Chivalric  Society 
and  Its  Context  1270-1350  (Woodbridge,  1982),  p.  170.  This  volume  may  be  connected 
with  books  listed  in  a  roll  of  issues  and  receipts  from  the  privy  wardrobe  (1322-1341), 
which  includes  "j  libro  romanc' . . .  vocato  Tresor"  (possibly  the  Tresor  of  Brunetto  Latini) 
and  a  very  ambiguous  work  that  is  called  both  "De  Bricton  in  latino"  and  "De  Brittonibus 
in  latino" — in  other  words,  a  copy  of  either  Britton's  legal  treatise  or,  perhaps,  a  Latin 
Brut — that  was  issued  to  John  de  Bohun,  earl  of  Hereford  (died  1336);  see  Vale,  Edward 
III  and  Chivalry,  pp.  49,  127  n.  101,  169. 

^°  See  John  Scattergood,  "Two  Medieval  Booklists,"  The  Library  5th  ser.,  23  (1968): 
237  (printed  from  PRO  E154/1/19);  for  another  copy  in  Bodleian  MS.  Eng.  hist.  b.  229, 
fol.  3,  see  Vale,  Edward  III  and  Chivalry,  p.  131  n.  155.  See  also  Maude  V.  Clarke, 
Fourteenth-Century  Studies,  ed.  L.  S.  Sutherland  and  M.  McKisack  (Oxford,  1937),  pp. 
120-21. 

^^  James  Raine  Jr.,  ed.,  Testamenta  Eboracensia,  vol.  1,  Surtees  Society  4  (1855),  p. 
164;  vol.  2,  Surtees  Society  45  (1865),  p.  6.  See  also  Jo  Ann  Hoeppner  Moran,  The 
Growth  of  English  Schooling  1340-1548:  Learning,  Literacy,  and  Laicization  in  Pre- 
Reformation  York  Diocese  (Princeton,  1985),  p.  203. 

^^  Raine,  ed.,  Testamenta  Eboracensia,  1:  243;  cf.  M.  G.  A.  Vale,  Piety,  Charity  and 
Literacy  among  the  Yorkshire  Gentry,  1370-1480,  Borthwick  papers  50  (1976),  p.  30.  The 
short  continuation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  makes  honorable  mention  of  an  earlier  Sir 


INTRODUCTION 11 

deville,  rector  of  Burnham  Thorpe,  Norfolk,  must  have  had  access  to  an 
Anglo-Norman  text  to  1333  when  he  made  his  translation  thereof  in  1435. 
Among  other  chronicles  listed  in  a  catalogue  of  1450,  Sir  John  Fastolf 
owned  a  French  Cronicles  (TAngleterre}^  Also  in  the  fifteenth  century.  Tri- 
nity College,  Cambridge,  MS.  R.7.14  belonged  to  Robert  Isham,  the  sene- 
schal of  the  count  of  Weedon  Bec.^'* 

Various  religious  houses  also  possessed  copies  of  the  French  Brut.  BL 
MS.  Cotton  Vitellius  A.x  belonged  to  the  Cistercians  of  Fountains  Abbey, 
Yorkshire;  the  Cistercian  abbey  of  Hailes,  Gloucestershire,  owned  BL  MS. 
Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii;  and  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  500  was  owned 
in  1385  by  the  priory  of  the  Knights  Hospitallers  of  St.  John  in  Clerkenwell, 
London. ^^  In  addition  to  the  Anonimalle  Chronicle  (Leeds,  Brotherton  Col- 
lection MS.  29),  which  incorporates  a  5rz// continuation  from  1307  to  1333, 
St.  Mary's  Abbey,  York,  acquired  Bodleian  MS.  LyeU  17  in  the  fifteenth 
century,  "de  perquisicione"  of  John  Graystock,  the  librarian.  ^^ 

Several  manuscripts  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut^  all  of  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury, are  of  continental  origin:  Bibliotheque  de  I'Arsenal,  Paris,  MS.  3346, 


Thomas  Ughtred,  "noble  chivaler  et  vaillant,"  especially  in  the  defense  of  the  bridge  at 
Roxsburgh  in  late  1332;  see  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  146,  152, 
156.  Cf.  Joel  Rosenthal,  "Down  the  Up  Staircase:  Quondam  Peers  and  Downward  Mobili- 
ty in  Late  Medieval  England,"  Medievalia  15  (1993,  for  1989):  309,  318  n.  43  (I  am  in- 
debted to  Professor  Rosenthal  for  this  reference). 

^^  Noted  in  H.  S.  Bennett,  The  Pastons  and  Their  England:  Studies  in  an  Age  of 
Transition,  2nd  ed.  (1932;  rpt.  Cambridge,  1970),  p.  111. 

^*  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  120.  The  manuscript  also  belonged  in  the 
fifteenth  century  to  John  Gardenere;  see  Montague  Rhodes  James,  The  Western 
Manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge.  A  Descriptive  Catalogue,  3  vols. 
(Cambridge,  1901-1903),  2:  229. 

^^  N.  R.  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries  of  Great  Britain:  A  List  of  Surviving  Books,  2nd  ed. 
(London,  1964),  pp.  88,  94,  xxxii  (addendum  to  p.  126);  Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz 
Geanz,  p.  ix.  It  may  have  been  for  the  loan  of  a  French  Brut  ("pro  uno  hbro  Brute 
vocato")  that  in  the  fourteenth  century  John  Phelippus  of  Mansell  gave  first  as  security 
("caucio")  and  then  as  a  bequest  a  manuscript,  now  Hereford  Cathedral  MS.  O.v.12,  to 
the  Franciscan  convent  at  Hereford;  see  R.  A.  B.  Mynors  and  R.  M.  Thomson,  Catalogue 
of  the  Manuscripts  of  Hereford  Cathedral  Library  (Cambridge,  1993),  p.  37. 

^^  See  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  12-15,  21-22;  Taylor, 
English  Historical  Literature,  p.  121  and  n.  66;  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries,  pp.  217,  321; 
Albinia  de  la  Mare,  Catalogue  of  the  Collection  of  Medieval  Manuscripts  Bequeathed  to  the 
Bodleian  Library,  Oxford,  by  James  P.  R.  Lyell  {Oxford,  1971),  p.  42. 


12      INTRODUCTION 

written  in  Lorraine^^;  Bibiiotheque  Nationale,  Paris,  MS.  fonds  fran9ais 
12156,  written  in  France^^;  Bibiiotheque  Nationale,  Paris,  MS.  fonds  fran- 
9ais  12155,  written  in  Flanders,  perhaps  for  the  seigneur  de  la  Gruthuyse  or 
the  dukes  of  Burgundy^^;  BL  MS.  Royal  19.C.ix,  written  in  northern 
France^^;  Bibiiotheque  Genevieve,  Paris,  MS.  935,  written  in  France.^^ 

The  major  Middle  English  translation  of  the  Brut,  with  its  derivative 
groups  and  versions,  was  even  more  popular  than  its  Anglo-Norman  fore- 
bear. It  retained  the  audience  that  had  already  been  established  and  ex- 
panded it  among  the  merchant  class  in  the  fifteenth  century.  (The  following 
discussion  of  ownership  of  the  Middle  English  manuscripts  is  abstracted 
from  the  full  Classification  of  Texts  that  follows  this  Introduction,  and 
readers  are  referred  to  the  individual  entries  there  for  further  factual  and 
bibliographical  details.) 

Among  the  landowning  gentry,  Glasgow  MS.  Hunterian  74  belonged  to 
the  Wauton  family  of  Great  Staughton,  Huntingdonshire,  and  Basmead, 
Bedfordshire;  Bodleian  MS.  Digby  185  was  owned  and  possibly  commis- 
sioned by  the  Hopton  family  of  Swillington,  near  Leeds,  in  Yorkshire;  BL 
MS.  Harley  53  has  been  ascribed  to  the  Stokes  family;  and  BL  MS.  Royal 
18  B.iii  contains  the  signatures  of  members  of  the  Gaynesford  family  of 
Surrey.  BL  MS.  Additional  70514  probably  belonged  to  the  Hill  family  of 
Nettlecombe,  Somersetshire.  Glasgow  MS.  Hunterian  230  seems  to  have 
belonged  to  the  Willoughby  and  Zouche  families  of  Nottinghamshire  and 
Derbyshire.  Princeton  MS.  Garrett  150  probably  belonged  to  Sir  John  Sul- 
yard  (died  1488),  justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  before  passing  to  Sir  Thomas 
Bourghier  (died  1492;  the  son  of  Henry  Bourghier,  earl  of  Essex),  the 
constable  of  Leeds  Castle,  who  married  Sulyard's  widow,  Anne.  CUL  MS. 
Ff  1.6,  which  contains  a  brief  king-list,  belonged  to  the  Findern  family  in 
Derbyshire  and  is  associated  with  other  local  gentry  families.  Coats  of  arms 
in  Bodleian  MSS.  Rawlinson  B.171  and  Douce  323  suggest  armigerous 
ownership,  as  does,  perhaps,  the  inclusion  of  a  treatise  on  arms  in  Bodleian 


^^  See  Legge  and  Brereton,  "Three  Hitherto  Unlisted  MSS.,"  pp.  114-15.  The  Brut 
forms  a  sequel  to  the  Geste  des  Loheraim,  an  account  of  the  dukes  of  Lorraine. 

^*  See  Legge  and  Brereton,  "Three  Hitherto  Unlisted  MSS.,"  p.  115;  Brie,  Geschichte 
und  Quellen,  p.  21;  Meyer,  "De  quelques  chroniques,"  p.  117. 

^'  See  Meyer,  "De  quelques  chroniques,"  p.  126  n.  1;  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p. 
29. 

^°  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  30. 

^^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  30. 


INTRODUCTION  13^ 

MS.  Laud  733  and  of  a  catalogue  of  shields  in  Harvard  MS.  Richardson  35 
(an  owner  of  which  was  Richard  Thomas  of  Neath,  Glamorganshire).  An 
owner  of  Yale  MS.  Beinecke  323  was  particularly  interested  in  the  fortunes 
of  the  Clare  family.  William  Braundon  of  Knowle,  Warwickshire,  who 
owned  BL  MS.  Sloane  2027,  and  John  Willeys,  probably  of  Berkshire,  who 
owned  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  264,  were  minor  provincial  landowners. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  Anglo-Norman  texts,  several  religious  houses  pos- 
sessed copies.  The  Augustinian  priory  of  St.  Bartholomew  in  Smithfield, 
London,  owned  BL  MS.  Royal  17.D.xxi,  and  the  Dominican  priory  of  the 
Virgin  Mary  and  St.  Margaret  in  Dartford,  Kent,  owned  Trinity  College, 
Dublin,  MS.  490.  Yale  MS.  Beinecke  494  is  associated  with  a  Dominican 
convent  in  Suffolk  or  at  Chelmsford  in  Essex  (see  below).  It  has  been  sug- 
gested that  BL  MS.  Harley  7333  was  compiled  at  the  Augustinian  abbey  of 
St.  Mary  de  Pratis  in  Leicester. 

Ecclesiastics  who  owned  personal  copies  were  John  Neuton,  prior  of 
Battle  Abbey  in  Sussex  (Chicago  MS.  254),  and  John  Warkworth,  master  of 
Peterhouse,  Cambridge  (Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  MS.  190).  William  Trouthe, 
vicar  in  the  close  of  Salisbury,  left  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  571  to  his 
niece,  Isabel  Alen. 

Among  women  owners  and  readers,  Isabel  is  joined  by  "Domina"  Alice 
Brice,  who  owned  Longleat  MS.  183  A.  The  name  of  Elizabeth  Dawbne  ap- 
pears on  the  first  flyleaf  of  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  733.  Huntington  MS. 
HM  136  seems  to  have  belonged  in  the  late  fifteenth  century  or  early  six- 
teenth century  to  John  Leche  of  Nantwich,  Chester,  and  to  Dorothy  Hel- 
bartun,  whose  name,  either  alone  or  in  more  extended  annotations,  appears 
more  than  sixty  times  throughout  the  volume. 

In  the  fifteenth  century  the  Middle  English  Brut  increasingly  appealed  to 
a  mercantile  audience,  in  addition  to  the  gentry  and  the  religious.  The  stan- 
dard continuation  that  carried  the  narrative  from  1377  to  1419  and  succeed- 
ing continuations  to  1430  and  1461  are  heavily  indebted  to  London  civic 
chronicles.  In  the  case  of  these  continuations,  the  material  has  been  adapted 
into  a  narrative  format  that  is  generally  consistent  with  the  preceding  text. 
In  a  number  of  instances,  however,  appended  material  is  left  in  the  typical 
annalistic  civic  chronicle  format,  as  in  MSS.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge, 
0.9.1,  CUL  Hh.6.9,  BL  Egerton  650,  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.173,  and  BL 
Stowe  69.  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  306  contains  both  an  abbreviated  Brut  and 
a  London  chronicle.  Presumably  such  manuscripts  were  usually  produced  or 
augmented  for  London  merchant-owners.  The  appended  civic  chronicle  ma- 
terial in  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  0.9.1,  is  followed  by  a  copy  of  a 


14 INTRODUCTION 

London  mercantile  indenture.  (On  the  other  hand,  RawUnson  B.173  has 
strong  West  Herefordshire  connections  and  omits  some  material  of  local 
London  interest  that  is  found  in  the  related  BL  Egerton  650.)  Various 
manuscripts  can  be  linked  with  mercantile  owners,  such  as  Lambeth  Palace 
MS.  259,  which  contains  shields  with  a  merchant's  mark.  Yale  MS.  Bei- 
necke  494  (also  associated  with  a  Dominican  convent;  see  above)  was  bought 
by  William  Nasby,  skinner  of  London,  in  1464  (another  note  records  its 
earlier  purchase  from  S.  Belamy  in  1455).  Among  other  names,  that  of 
Thomas  Northlond,  grocer,  possibly  the  alderman  and  sheriff  of  London  in 
1483  who  died  in  1484,  appears  in  Woburn  Abbey  MS.  181,  which  includes 
regulations  on  cooks'  fees  in  London.  The  sumptuous  Lambeth  Palace  MS. 
6  may  have  belonged  to  William  Purchas,  mercer,  who  was  mayor  of  Lon- 
don in  1497-98.  Outside  London,  an  abbreviated  Brut  text  forms  the  be- 
ginning of  the  official  Bristowe  Chronicle,  begun  in  the  late  fifteenth  century 
by  Robert  Ricart,  the  town  clerk,  for  the  use  of  the  civic  officers  of  Bristol. 
William  Caxton,  mercer,  probably  possessed  a  copy  ending  in  1419  that 
formed  the  basis  for  his  Chronicles  of  England^  published  in  1480.  This  edi- 
tion (and  the  twelve  subsequent  printed  editions  to  1528)  undoubtedly 
served  to  spread  further  ownership  of  the  work,  especially  in  the  London 
merchant  class.^-^  The  evidence  of  sixteenth-century  names  suggests  that 
mercantile  acquisition  of  existing  manuscripts  also  expanded. 

Irrespective  of  their  dialect  or  place  of  writing,  the  widespread  geogra- 
phical availability  of  Middle  English  Brut  texts  is  suggested  by  the  identified 
owners  noted  above:  in  the  north,  the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire;  in  the 
West  Midlands  and  Wales,  Cheshire,  Derbyshire,  Warwickshire,  Hereford- 
shire, Gloucestershire,  and  Glamorganshire;  in  the  East  Midlands,  Notting- 
hamshire, Leicestershire,  Huntingdonshire  or  Bedfordshire,  Cambridgeshire, 
and  Suffolk  or  Essex;  in  the  south,  Wiltshire,  Berkshire,  Surrey,  Kent,  and 
Sussex;  and,  of  course,  London.  Possibly  English  copies  were  bequeathed  by 
Sir  Thomas  Chaworth  of  Wiverton,  Nottinghamshire  (1459),  John  Ha- 
mundson  of  York  (1472),  and  John  Fell  of  York  (1506).23 


^^  See  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  593-94.  Caxton  indicates  the  popularity 
and  circulation  oi  Brut  manuscripts  in  his  prologue  to  the  Description  of  Britain  (1480): 
"Hit  is  so  that  in  many  and  diuerse  places  the  comyn  cronicles  ben  had  and  also  now  late 
enprinted  at  Westmynstre." 

^^  See  R.  M.  Wilson,  The  Lost  Literature  of  Medieval  England,  2nd  ed.  (London, 
1970),  pp.  150-51;  cf.  Kate  Harris,  "Patrons,  Buyers  and  Owners:  The  Evidence  for 
Ownership  and  the  Role  of  Book  Owners  in  Book  Production  and  the  Book  Trade,"  in 


INTRODUCTION t5 

Given  the  sheer  amount  of  copying,  combining,  and  recopying  of  texts, 
the  lateness  of  the  majority  of  the  manuscripts,  and  the  associations  with 
metropolitan  London,  it  is  not  surprising  that  many  of  the  manuscripts  are 
written  in  language  that  is  dialectally  mixed  or  "colorless."^^  Those  scribes 
whose  dialectal  origins  can  be  determined  parallel  and  supplement  the  geo- 
graphical information  provided  by  owners  of  the  Brut  (though  it  should  be 
recalled  that  scribes  need  not  have  worked  in  or  even  near  the  places  where 
they  had  learned  their  letters).  The  scribes  of  the  following  manuscripts  can 
be  localized:  from  the  north,  Bodleian  Digby  185  (West  Riding  of 
Yorkshire),  Glasgow  Hunterian  83;  from  the  West  Midlands,  CUL  Ff  1.6 
(basically  Derbyshire),  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.166  (Staffordshire),  Bodleian 
Rawlinson  B.171  (South-West  Herefordshire),  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.173 
(West  Herefordshire),  CUL  Kk.1.12  (Central  Herefordshire),  BL  Sloane 
2027  (Warwickshire);  from  the  East  Midlands,  Pennsylvania  State  PS.  V- 
3A  (possibly  Northamptonshire,  with  central  West  Midlands  elements), 
Bodleian  Bodley  840  (Essex,  with  Herefordshire  relicts),  Glasgow  Hunterian 
74  (North- West  Essex;  Central  South  Essex,  with  some  Kentish  or  East 
Sussex  relicts;  South-East  Suffolk,  Ipswich  area);  from  the  south,  Glasgow 
Hunterian  443  (Central  Surrey),  Bodleian  Lyell  34  (Surrey),  BL  Harley 
7333  (Hampshire),  and  College  of  Arms  Arundel  58  (Wiltshire).  CUL  MS. 
Ff.2.26  is  written  in  Central  Midland  Standard. 

As  might  be  expected  in  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  centuries,  the  Latin 
prose  Brut  appealed  to  the  more  educated  segment  of  the  potential  reading 
public,  primarily  to  a  monastic  audience,  though  there  is  some  evidence  of 
lay  interest. 

Among  those  texts  that  have  been  called  Latin  Bruts,  Lambeth  Palace 
MS.  99  (late  fourteenth  century)  belonged  to  St.  George's  Chapel,  Wind- 


Book  Production  and  Publishing  in  Britain  1375-1475,  ed.  GrifiElths  and  Pearsall,  pp.  164 
and  184  n.  S.John  Hamundson  was  an  Oxford  B.A.  in  1455,  headmaster  of  the  Howden 
Schools  in  1456,  and  grammar-master  at  St.  Peter's  School  in  York  from  1465  to  his 
death;  see  Jo  Ann  Hoeppner  Moran,  Education  and  Learning  in  the  City  of  York  1300- 
1560,  Borthwick  Papers  55  (1979),  p.  40. 

^^  On  the  types  of  language  mixtures  in  Middle  English  texts,  see  LALME,  1:  13, 
19-23.  On  the  growth  of  standardization,  see  M.  L.  Samuels,  "Some  Applications  of 
Middle  EngUsh  Dialectology,"  English  Studies  44  (1963):  81-94;  M.  L.  Samuels,  "Spelling 
and  Dialect  in  the  Late  and  Post-Middle  EngHsh  Periods,"  in  So  Meny  People  Longages 
and  Tonges:  Philological  Essays  in  Scots  and  Mediaeval  English  Presented  to  Angus  Mcintosh, 
ed.  Michael  Benskin  and  M.  L.  Samuels  (Edinburgh,  1981),  pp.  43-54. 


16 INTRODUCTION 

sor.^^  BL  MS.  Cotton  Julius  B.iii  may  be  associated  with  William  Rede, 
Oxford  scholar  and  bishop  of  Chichester.^^  BL  MS.  Lansdowne  212  (fif- 
teenth century),  a  text  of  the  Noua  Cronica,  was  at  Glastonbury  Abbey  in 
Somerset.^^  St.  John's  College,  Oxford,  MS.  78  (mid-fifteenth  century) 
was  either  owned  or  written  by  the  monk  John  Shyrburne.^^  BL  MS. 
Harley  3906  was  almost  certainly  written  soon  after  1456  at  the  Benedictine 
abbey  of  Sherborne  in  Dorset.^^  In  several  instances,  the  Brut  is  followed 
by  monastic  annals  of  more  local  interest  to  the  religious  house.''^ 

Kingsford  suggests  that  a  continuation  in  BL  MS.  Harley  3884  was  writ- 
ten before  1460  by  an  Oxford  scholar.^^  College  of  Arms  MS.  Arundel  5 
ends  with  a  continuation  written  between  1471  and  1480  by  someone  fa- 
miliar with  London  civic  chronicles.-'^  Sir  John  Fortescue  (died  1476), 
chief  justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  owned  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.398 
(mid-fifteenth  century),  which  attributes  the  work  to  Richard  Rede,  who 
may  have  been,  however,  an  earlier  owner  or  the  scribe.''-' 

Use  and  Influence 

Further  indications  of  the  popularity,  authority,  and  textual  availability  of  the 
prose  Brut  are  found  in  its  widespread  use  as  a  source  (or  possible  source  or 
influence)  first  by  medieval  historical  writers  of  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth 
centuries  and  then  by  sixteenth-century  historians.  As  with  owners  of  Brut 
manuscripts,  a  range  of  social  backgrounds  is  found  among  writers  who  used 
them  as  sources — noble,  gentry,  ecclesiastical  (especially  monastic),  and  mer- 
chant. The  houses  of  monastic  chroniclers  who  used  the  Brut  presumably 
owned  or  were  able  to  borrow  copies  of  the  work.  Until  near  the  end  of  the 
fourteenth  century,  the  only  text  available  was  the  Anglo-Norman;  after 
that  time,  it  is  often  uncertain  whether  the  text  being  used  was  in  Anglo- 


^^  See  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries,  p.  203;  the  time  of  ownership  may,  however,  be  late. 

26  See  p.  42. 

2^  See  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries,  p.  91. 

2^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  311:  "Frater  Johannes  Shyrburne  me 
fecit  fieri"  (fol.  156). 

2'  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  158,  346-47. 

■'^  See  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  412-13. 

^^  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  158,  310,  342-43. 

■'^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  159;  James  Gairdner,  ed.,  Three 
Fifteenth-Century  Chronicles,  Camden  Society  n.s.  28  (1880),  pp.  xx-xxvi. 

^^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  311. 


INTRODUCTION 1_7 

Norman,  English,  or  Latin,  unless  the  material  occurs  in  texts  found  in  only 
one  of  these  languages.  The  following  is  a  representative  listing  of  such 
works  that  either  used  or  may  have  used  the  Brut  as  a  source,  arranged  by 
approximately  chronological  date  of  composition,  or,  in  the  case  of  works 
that  underwent  revision,  the  date  of  the  final  revision. 

A.  FOURTEENTH-CENTURY  USE  AND  INFLUENCE 

In  the  mid-fourteenth  century  the  Chronicon  (covering  the  period  1303  to 
1356)  of  Geoffrey  le  Baker,  a  secular  clerk  from  Swinbrook,  Oxfordshire, 
has  points  of  similarity  to  details  in  the  Brut.  It  is  perhaps  significant  that 
Baker  was  connected  with  the  Bohun  family,  since  the  preparer  of  an  earlier 
abridgment  of  the  Brut  was  a  Master  Ralph  de  Bohun  (see  above)."'* 

The  close  connection  between  the  civic  chronicles  of  London  and  the 
Brut  began  early:  an  Anglo-Norman  Brut  with  the  short  continuation  to 
1333  (see  below)  was  a  major  source  for  the  anonymous  French  Croniques  de 
London  (1259  [probably  originally  1189]  to  1343),  written  around  the  mid- 
dle of  the  fourteenth  century  in  London.^^ 

John,  vicar  of  Tynemouth  in  Northumberland,  seems  to  have  used  the 
short  continuation  to  1333  (see  below)  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  for  the 
text  of  Queen  Isabella's  letter  to  the  citizens  of  London  (1326),  translated 
into  Latin  in  his  massive  Historia  Aurea  (origins  to  1347).''^ 

Sir  Thomas  Gray  of  Heaton  in  Northumberland  began  his  Anglo-Nor- 
man prose  Scalacronica  (Creation  to  1363)  during  his  captivity  in  Edinburgh 


•''*  Edward  Maunde  Thompson,  ed.,  Chronicon  Galfridi  le  Baker  de  Swynebroke 
(Oxford,  1889).  See  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  37-39,  74;  ht^c,  Anglo-Norman 
Literature,  pp.  280-83.  Baker  was  also  connected  with  the  Augustinian  abbey  of  Osney 
in  Oxfordshire. 

^^  George  J.  Aungier,  ed.,  Croniques  de  London  depuis  Fan  44  Hen.  Hljusqua  Pan  17 
Edw.  Ill,  Camden  Society  o.s.  28  (1844);  Edmund  Goldsmid,  trans.,  The  Chronicles  of 
London  from  44  Hen.  UI  to  17  Edw.  UI,  3  vols.  (Edinburgh,  1885-1886).  See  Childs  and 
Taylor,  cds. ,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  62-63;  D.  C.  Cox,  "The  French  Chronicle  of  Lon- 
don," Medium  y£vum  45  (1976):  201-208;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  U,  p.  71;  Taylor, 
English  Historical  Literature,  p.  123. 

^  See  V.  H.  Galbraith,  The  Historia  Aurea  of  John,  Vicar  of  Tynemouth,  and  the 
Sources  of  the  St.  Albans  Chronicle,"  in  Essays  in  History  Presented  to  Reginald  Lane 
Poole,  ed.  H.  W.  C.  Davis  (Oxford,  1927),  pp.  379-93;  V.  H.  Galbraith,  "Extracts  from 
the  Historia  Aurea  and  a  French  'Brut'  (1317-47),"  English  Historical  Review  63  (1928): 
203-206,  208-15  (text  of  Queen  Isabella's  letter  on  pp.  211-12).  On  the  Brut  source,  see 
Childs  and  Ta)dor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  62,  124  and  126  (text  of  the  letter); 
Cox,  "French  Chronicle  of  London,"  p.  207  n.  12. 


18 INTRODUCTION 

Castle  from  1355  to  1359,  utilizing  a  large  number  of  Latin,  French,  and 
English  chronicles  that  he  found  there,  possibly  including  the  prose  Brut?^ 

The  fifth  book  of  the  Eulogium  Historiarum,  written  at  the  Benedictine 
abbey  of  Malmesbury  in  Wiltshire,  treats  the  history  of  England  from  Bru- 
tus to  1366.  To  1333  its  narrative  uses  the  Brut  as  a  major  source.^^^ 

For  a  brief  continuation  (1348  to  1360)  to  his  English  translation  of  Ra- 
nulph  Higden's  Polychronicon,  completed  in  1387,  John  Trevisa,  vicar  of 
Berkeley  in  Cornwall,  may  have  drawn  upon  the  London  chronicles  and  the 
Brut?^ 

There  are  some  similarities  between  Ralph  de  Bohun's  Le  Petit  Bruit  and 
the  Chronicon  (tenth  century  to  1395)  of  Henry  Knighton  (died  ca.  1396), 
canon  of  the  Augustinian  abbey  of  St.  Mary's  in  Leicester.  Wendy  Childs 
and  John  Taylor  suggest  that  he  may  have  found  the  short  continuation  to 
the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  incorporated  in  a  text  of  Walter  de  Guisborough's 
Chronicle.^ 


^^  Found  in  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  133.  The  later  part  (1066  to 
1362)  is  published  in  Joseph  Stevenson,  ed.,  Scalacronica:  By  Sir  Thomas  Gray  of  Heton, 
Knight,  Maitland  Club  (Edinburgh,  1836);  translated  in  Herbert  Maxwell,  trans.,  Scala- 
cronica. The  Reigns  of  Edward  I,  Edward  II,  and  Edward  III  As  Recorded  by  Sir  Thomas 
Gray  (Glasgow,  1907).  See  Legge,  Anglo-Norman  Literature,  pp.  283-87;  Gransden,  His- 
torical Writing  II,  p.  93;  Lister  M.  Matheson,  "King  Arthur  and  the  Medieval  English 
Chronicles,"  in  King  Arthur  through  the  Ages,  ed.  Valerie  M.  Lagorio  and  Mildred  Leake 
Day,  2  vols.  (New  York  and  London,  1990),  1:  257-58.  Gray's  inspiring  Sibyl  instructs 
him  to  consult  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  ("le  Brut"),  the  Historia  Aurea,  and  a  number  of 
standard  sources,  including  "Bruyt  en  Engles, — '^at  Cadwaladre  sal  on  Conan  cal,'  etc. — 
per  ditz  de  Merlyn";  it  seems  likely  that  Gray  used  some  form  of  the  prose  Brut,  either 
directly  or  through  his  sources  (Stevenson,  ed.,  Scalacronica,  pp.  2-4). 

■'^  Frank  S.  Haydon,  ed.,  Eulogium  Historiarum  sive  Temporis:  Chronicon  ab  Orbe 
condito  usque  ad  Annum  Domini  M.CCC.LXVI,  a  Monacho  quodam  Malmesburiensi 
exaratum,  3  vols.,  Rolls  Series  9  (London,  1858-1863),  2:  205-385,  3:  1-201;  see  also 
Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  103-104.  Among  the  compiler's  major  sources  is 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  from  whom  the  Cadwallader  episode  is  taken  (1:  379—85),  as 
well  as  a  version  of  the  Latin  tag  appended  to  the  name  of  Blegabred  in  certain  groups 
of  the  Extended  Version  of  the  English  Brut  (1:  248). 

^^  Joseph  R.  Lumby,  ed.,  Polychronicon  Ranulphi  Higden  Monachi  Cestrensis,  vol.  8, 
Rolls  Series  41  (London,  1882),  pp.  339-52.  Lumby  suggests  (p.  xxviii)  that  Trevisa 
translated  his  continuation  from  the  manuscript  of  Higden  that  he  used,  but  see 
Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  221. 

''°  Joseph  R.  Lumby,  ed.,  Chronicon  Henrici  Knighton  vel  Cnitthon  Monachi 
Leycestrensis,  2  vols..  Rolls  Series  92  (London,  1889,  1895).  See  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds., 
Anonimalle  Chronicle,  p.  65;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  179  and  n.  125;  Taylor, 
English  Historical  Literature,  p.  119;  Legge,  Anglo-Norman  Literature,  p.  282. 


INTRODUCTION 19 

Among  many  other  sources,  Thomas  Burton  of  the  Cistercian  abbey  of 
Meaux  in  Yorkshire  (abbot  from  1396  to  1399,  died  1437),  used  the  Anglo- 
Norman  Brut^  with  the  short  continuation  to  1333  (see  below),  as  a  subsidi- 
ary source  for  the  general  history  subsections  in  his  chronicle  of  the  abbey 
(1150  to  1396),  written  and  revised  between  1388  and  1402/^ 

B.  nFTEENTH-CENTURY  USE  AND  INFLUENCE 

Compiled  in  the  early  fifteenth  century,  the  early  part  of  the  Latin  chronicle 
(Creation  to  1413)  of  the  Cistercian  abbey  of  Louth  Park  in  Lincolnshire 
may  be  based,  at  least  in  part,  on  the  Brut,  some  material  in  the  later  part  of 
the  chronicle  is  reminiscent  of  the  English  Brut.'^^ 

The  chronicle  (Brutus  to  1420)  ascribed  to  Thomas  of  Otterbourne,  prob- 
ably a  northerner  and  perhaps  rector  of  Chingford  in  Essex  in  1393,  was 
written  after  1423  and  has  some  similarities  to  the  Brut^^ 

John  Strecche,  a  canon  of  the  Augustinian  priory  of  St.  Mary's  at  Kenil- 
worth,  Warwickshire,  compiled  a  collection  of  romances  and  histories  in  the 
first  quarter  of  the  fifteenth  century.  It  includes  a  Historia  Regum  Anglie 
from  Anglo-Saxon  times  to  1422,  to  which  is  prefixed  a  brief  history  from 
Brutus  to  A.D.  827.  Gransden  notes  that  the  early  part  is  derived  from  the 


^^  Edward  A.  Bond,  ed.,  Chronica  Monasterii  de  Melsa,  a  Fundatione  usque  ad  Annum 
1396,  Auctore  Thoma  de  Burton,  Abbate,  3  vols.,  Rolls  Series  43  (London,  1866-1868). 
The  catalogue  of  the  abbey's  Ubrary  (BL  MS.  Cotton  Vitellius  V.vi,  fols.  241v^245), 
printed  by  Bond  (3:  Ixxxiii-c)  includes  "Brutus,  et  alia:  multas  chronicas  Anghas"  (p.  xcvii); 
Bond  suggests  that  either  this  work  included  the  Brut  or  that  Burton  kept  his  own  (or 
the  monastery's)  copy  in  his  chamber  (1:  booc).  See  also  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anoni- 
malle  Chronicle,  pp.  64-65;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  358-59. 

"^  The  text  from  1066  is  printed  in  Edmund  Venables,  ed.,  with  a  trans,  by  A.  R. 
Maddison,  Chronicon  Abbatie  de  Parco  Lude:  The  Chronicle  of  Louth  Park  Abbey, 
Lincolnshire  Record  Society  (Horncastle,  1891).  The  manuscript  still  belongs  to  the 
Allison  family,  now  of  Flackwell  Heath,  Buckinghamshire.  The  text  begins  imperfectly 
during  an  account  of  the  ages  of  the  world,  before  proceeding  to  the  history  of  England, 
which  begins  with  Brutus;  Venables  notes  that  "[t]he  earlier  portion  appears  to  be  derived 
from  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  Henry  of  Huntingdon,  and  Florence  of  Worcester,  and 
possibly  Simeon  of  Durham"  (xi).  See  also  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  412. 

^^  Printed  in  volume  1  of  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.,  Duo  Rerum  Anglicarum  Scriptores 
Veteres  viz.  Thomas  Otterbourne  et  Johannes  Whethamstede,  2  vols.  (Cbcford,  1732).  See 
Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  21-22,  116;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II, 
p.  196  n.  18. 

"^  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  405.  See  also  Kingsford,  English  Historical 
Literature,  pp.  39-40  and  n.  2.  Strecche's  collection  is  found  in  BL  Additional  MS. 


20 INTRODUCTION 

Two  related  mid-fifteenth-century  lives  of  Henry  V  use  the  Brut  to  diffe- 
rent degrees.  Titus  Livius's  Vita  Henrici  Quinti  was  written  before  1438  or 
1439  at  the  behest  of  Humphrey,  duke  of  Gloucester.  The  Latin  Brut  end- 
ing in  1437  formed  an  important  source  and  is  frequently  quoted  almost 
verbatim.  Kingsford  suggests  that  the  Italian  humanist  might  also  have  been 
acquainted  with  the  English  Brut.'*^  The  Vita  et  Gesta  Henrici  Quinti  by 
pseudo-Elmham  survives  in  two  recensions,  the  first  of  which  was  dedicated 
to  Walter  Lord  Hungerford  (died  1449)  and  the  second  of  which,  written 
between  1445  and  1446,  was  dedicated  to  John  Somerset  (died  1455),  who 
had  been  physician  to  Henry  VI  from  1428  to  about  1432  and  who  re- 
mained in  royal  employ  until  1450.  The  earlier  part  of  the  work  is  based 
closely  on  Titus  Livius  and  thus  echoes  Livius's  use  of  the  Latin  Brut.'^ 

The  Latin  annals  (1066  to  1447)  of  the  Augustinian  abbey  of  Waltham, 
Essex,  are  a  compilation  from  several  sources,  including  the  EngUsh  Brut, 
from  which  the  narrative  for  the  reigns  of  Henry  IV  and  Henry  V  is  chiefly 
derived.'*'' 

The  work  known  as  Giles's  Chronicle  is  a  compilation  of  individual  Latin 
narratives  on  the  reigns  of  Richard  II  through  Henry  VI.  The  first  part  of 
the  narrative  of  Henry  VI's  reign  (1422  to  1438),  composed  about  1460,  is 
based  mainly  on  the  Brut  or  on  a  London  chronicle.'*^ 

John  Hardyng's  English  verse  Chronicle  survives  in  two  versions.  The  first 
(Brutus  to  1437)  was  completed  by  1457  and  intended  for  presentation  to 
Henry  VI;  the  second  (Brutus  to  1464)  was  revised  first  for  Edward,  duke 
of  York,  and  then  twice  re-revised  for  final  presentation  to  Edward  IV  in 


35295;  a  large  section  of  the  fifth  book  is  printed  in  Frank  Taylor,  "The  Chronicle  of 
John  Strecche  for  the  Reign  of  Henry  V  (1414-1422),"  Bulletin  of  the  John  Rylands  Li- 
brary 16  (1932):  137-87. 

^^  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.,  Titi  Livii  Foro-Juliensis  Vita  Henrici  Quinti  (Oxford,  1716). 
See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  53-54;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II, 
p.  212.  Livius  also  uses  John  Page's  poem  on  the  siege  of  Rouen,  which  was  itself  used 
by  compilers  of  the  English  Brut. 

^^  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.,  Thomae  de  Elmham  Vita  et  Gesta  Henrici  Quinti  (Oxford, 
1727).  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  56,  59-61;  Gransden,  Historical 
Writing  II,  p.  215. 

"^  Found  in  BL  MS.  Cotton  Titus  D.xv,  fols.  7-57.  Selections  from  1403  to  1447  are 
printed  in  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  350-54;  see  also  pp.  160-61; 
Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  412-13. 

^*  John  A.  Giles,  ed.,  Incerti  Scriptoris  Chronicon  Angliae  de  Regnis  Trium  Regum 
Lancastrensium  Henrici  IV,  Henrici  V,  et  Henrici  VI  (London,  1848);  the  narrative  on 
Richard  II  is  omitted.  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  156-57,  338; 
Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  160  n.  17. 


INTRODUCTION 21^ 

1464.  Hardyng  probably  used  a  Peculiar  Version  of  the  Brut  ending  in  1437, 
in  either  Latin  or  English,  as  a  source  for  the  story  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea's 
settling  in  Britain  and  for  his  general  scheme  of  history  from  1399  to  1437 
(in  which  year  Hardyng's  first  version  ends).  Kingsford  suggests  that  Har- 
dyng's  marginal  references  to  the  chronicle  of  Master  Norham,  doctor  of 
theology,  which  occur  in  BL  MS.  Lansdowne  204,  a  copy  of  the  first  ver- 
sion, refer  to  a  copy  of  the  Latin  Brut  owned  by  Norham.  It  is  possible  that 
in  the  second  version  of  his  Chronicle  Hardyng  made  additional  use  of  an- 
other copy  of  the  Brut^^ 

The  first  continuation  (1149  to  1470)  to  the  chronicle  of  the  Benedictine 
abbey  of  Crowland,  Lincolnshire,  was  written  in  Latin  by  the  prior.  Its  pri- 
mary focus  up  to  1460  is  local,  and  some  of  its  general  information,  such  as 
the  story  of  Henry  V  and  the  tennis-balls,  may  have  been  derived  from  the 
Brut}"^ 

The  first  part  of  the  Chronicle  (creation  to  1462)  attributed  to  John  Benet 
and  perhaps  written  between  1462  and  1468,  is  based  on  the  Polychronicon, 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  and  Florence  of  Worcester,  though  the  compiler 
may  have  used  the  Brut  for  the  period  1333  to  1377.  A  version  of  the  Brut 
similar  to  that  in  "Davies's"  Chronicle  (see  items  168  and  169)  underlies  the 
narrative  for  1422  to  1440.  Benet  was  vicar  of  Harlington  in  Bedfordshire 
(1443-1471)  at  the  time  of  writing  his  chronicle  and  subsequently  rector  of 
Broughton  in  Bedfordshire  (1471  to  his  death  in  1474);  it  is  possible  that  he 
was  able  to  borrow  books  from  the  Augustinian  priory  in  Dunstable  or  from 
the  chapel  and  hospital  at  nearby  Toddington  in  Bedfordshire.^^ 

The  Latin  compilation  attributed  in  a  fifteenth-century  note  to  John  Tip- 
toft,  earl  of  Worcester  (ca.  1427-1470),  contains  a  section  drawn  from  the 
version  of  the  Latin  Brut  that  ends  in  1437.^^ 


""  Henry  Ellis,  ed.,  TAe  Chronicle  oflohn  Hardyng  (London,  1812).  See  Charles  L. 
Kingsford,  "The  First  Version  of  Hardyng's  Chronicle^  English  Historical  Review  27 
(1912):  476-78;  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  147-48;  Gransden,  Historical 
Writing  U,  p.  283  and  n.  267;  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2645,  2647. 

^°  The  first  continuation  is  printed  in  William  Fulman,  ed.,  Rerum  Anglicarum 
Scriptorum  Veterum  Tom.  /(Oxford,  1684),  pp.  451-546.  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical 
Literature,  p.  179;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  265  n.  110,  411. 

^^  The  later  part  of  the  chronicle  is  published,  with  introduction,  in  G.  L.  Harriss 
and  M.  A.  Harriss,  eds.,  John  Benet's  Chronicle  for  the  Years  1400  to  1462,  Camden 
Miscellany  24  (1972),  pp.  151-252;  see  pp.  157-58  for  biographical  details  and  pp.  161- 
63  for  the  Brut  sources.  See  also  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  255. 

^^  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  253;  Gransden  examined  the  manuscript  when 
it  was  in  the  hands  of  Maggs  Bros.  (Cat.  no.  838,  item  44,  1956)  and  reproduces  her 


22 INTRODUCTION 

In  the  second  half  of  the  fifteenth  century  the  version  of  British  and  Eng- 
lish history  presented  in  the  Brut  was  made  available  to  the  nobility  of  Bur- 
gundy through  the  Recueil  des  Croniques  et  Anchiennes  Istories  de  la  Grant 
Bretaigne  by  Jean  de  Waurin,  lord  of  Forestal,  which  was  begun  at  the  re- 
quest of  Waurin's  nephew  Waleran,  lord  of  Waurin.  He  completed  the  first 
four  volumes  in  1455,  from  Albina  to  the  death  of  Henry  V  in  1422,  but 
subsequently  added  two  volumes  that  brought  the  narrative  down  to  1443 
(written  after  1461)  and  to  Edward  IVs  restoration  to  the  throne  in  1471. 
For  the  earlier  part  and  the  history  of  England  to  the  beginning  of  the  four- 
teenth century  Waurin  relied  very  heavily  on  the  Brut.  For  the  fourteenth 
century  he  turned  primarily  to  Jean  Froissart's  Chroniques  (1327  to  1400) 
and  for  1400  to  1443  he  drew  either  on  Enguerran  de  Monstrelet's  Chro- 
nique  (1400  to  1444)  or  on  a  common  source.  For  his  last  volume,  in  addi- 
tion to  personal  observation  and  oral  information,  Waurin  used  such  official 
English  narratives  as  the  Arrival  of  Edward  IV  2ind  the  Chronicle  of  the  Re- 
bellion in  Lincolnshire,  probably  consulted  in  the  ducal  library  of  Burgundy. 
Waurin  may  well  have  been  able  to  use  a  copy  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut 
in  the  same  library  (see  the  manuscripts  written  in  France  noted  above,  es- 
pecially Bibliotheque  Nationale,  Paris,  MS.  fonds  fran9ais  12155).  The  in- 
clusion of  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  material  in  his  fifteenth-century  his- 
tory, however,  suggests  strongly  that  he  also  had  knowledge  of  an  English 
text  of  the  type  of  BL  MS.  Harley  53  and  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  6  (the  latter 
of  which  was  illuminated  by  a  Flemish  artist).  Waurin's  work  was  directed 
at  the  highest  of  noble  audiences:  the  surviving  manuscripts  are  all  sumptu- 
ous de  luxe  productions  with  fine  illustrations.  A  presentation  copy  was  pos- 
sibly made  for  Philip  the  Good,  duke  of  Burgundy  from  1419  to  1467;  an- 
other was  probably  made  for  Philip's  successor  to  1477,  Charles  the  Bold, 
who  had  aided  Waurin's  work  and  married  Margaret  of  York.  Other  copies 
were  owned  by  Edward  IV  of  England,  Louis  de  Bruges,  seigneur  de  Gru- 
thuyse  (and  earl  of  Winchester),  the  counts  of  Marche,  and  a  marquis  whose 


report  on  p.  480.  The  manuscript,  formerly  Phillipps  MS.  11301,  is  now  Huntington 
Library  MS.  HM  19960;  see  C.  W.  Dutschke,  Guide  to  Medieval  and  Renaissance  Manu- 
scripts in  the  Huntington  Library,  2  vols.  (San  Marino,  1989),  2:  618-20.  The  fifteenth- 
century  attribution  to  Tiptoft  (fol.  iiii),  signed  by  "Sheldwych,"  is  accepted  in  Rosamond 
J.  Mitchell, /o/&;z  Tiptoft,  1427-1470  (London,  1938),  pp.  9-10,  195-96  (cf  also  pp.  242, 
243),  but  is  rejected  in  R.  Weiss,  Humanism  in  England  during  the  Fifteenth  Century,  3rd 
ed..  Medium  .^vum  Monographs  n.s.  4  (Oxford,  1967),  pp.  118-19  and  n.  11. 


INTRODUCTION 23^ 

coronet  and  arms  appear  in  Bibliotheque  Nationale  MS.  fonds  fran9ais  6761.^^ 
When  William  Caxton  undertook  the  preparation  of  a  Liber  ultimus 
(1358  to  1461)  for  his  edition  of  John  Trevisa's  translation  of  Higden's  Poly- 
chronicon  (1482),  bringing  the  narrative  more  up  to  date,  he  turned  to  his 
1480  edition  of  the  Chronicles  of  England  as  a  major  source  for  his 
material.^'* 

The  Historia  RegumAnglie  (creation  to  1485)  of  the  bibliophile  and  anti- 
quary John  Rous  (died  1491),  a  chantry  priest  at  Guy's  Cliff  in  Warwick- 
shire, was  written  between  1480  and  1486.  Rous  used  numerous  sources, 
including  the  Bruty  to  which  he  may  refer  when  he  cites  Geoffrey  of  Mon- 
mouth.^^ 

C.  SIXTEENTH-CENTURY  USE  AND  INFLUENCE 

In  the  sixteenth  century  the  Brut  continued  to  be  used,  in  both  its  manu- 
script and  printed  forms,  as  a  principal  source  for  historical  works.^^  It 
should  also  be  noted  that  the  Brut  text  itself,  under  its  printed  title  as  the 
Chronicles  of  England,  remained  salable  in  the  early  sixteenth  century:  there 
were  seven  reprinted  editions  by  various  publishers  between  1502  and  1528. 
Sixteenth-century  names  and  annotations  in  the  medieval  manuscripts  attest 
that  these  were  read,  but  such  texts  were  increasingly  the  province  of  the 
antiquary  or  the  casual  owner. 


"  The  text  from  Albina  to  688  and  from  1399  to  1471  is  printed  in  William  Hardy 
and  E.  L.  C.  P.  Hardy,  eds.,  Recueil  des  Croniques  et  Anchiennes  Istories  de  la  Grant 
Bretaigne,  5  vols.,  with  an  English  translation  in  3  vols.,  Rolls  Series  39  (London,  1864- 
1891);  the  text  from  1325  to  1471  is  printed  in  L.  M.  E.  Dupont,  ed.,  Anchiennes 
Cronicques  d'Engleterre par  Jehan  de  Wavrin,  3  vols.,  Societe  de  I'Histoire  de  France  (Paris, 
1858-1863).  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  136-37;  Gransden,  Historical 
Writing  II,  pp.  288-92. 

'''  See  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  601-607. 

^^  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.,  Joannis  Rossi  Antiquarii  Warwicensis  Historia  Regum  Angliae 
(Oxford,  1716).  See  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  321-22  and  n.  86.  Rous  cites 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  as  his  source  for  the  story  of  Brutus  (pp.  18,  26);  however,  as 
noted  by  Charles  Ross,  a  comment  in  Rous's  roll  history  of  the  earls  of  Warwick  suggests 
that  he  knew  Geoffrey  through  the  medium  of  the  "comen  Brute":  see  John  Rous,  The 
Rous  Roll  introd.  Charles  Ross  (Gloucester,  1980),  p.  viii  n.  10  and  cap.  7.  The  Historia 
includes  the  Albina  and  her  sisters  narrative  (pp.  10-14);  on  Rous's  treatment,  see  T.  D. 
Kendrick,  British  Antiquity  (London,  1950),  pp.  24-25. 

^  For  an  account  of  the  activities  of  sixteenth-century  antiquaries,  manuscript 
collectors,  and  historians,  see  May  McKisack,  Medieval  History  in  the  Tudor  Age  (Oxford, 
1971);  see  also  WiUiam  R.  Trimble,  "Early  Tudor  Historiography  \A%S-\SA%,"  Journal  of 
the  History  of  Ideas  11  (1950):  30-41. 


24 INTRODUCTION 

The  New  Chronicles  of  England  and  France  (creation  to  1485)  by  Robert 
Fabyan,  draper,  alderman,  and  sheriff  of  London  in  1493-94  (died  1513), 
were  completed  in  1504  and  published  posthumously  and  anonymously  in 
1516.  For  much  of  the  later  part  of  his  work  Fabyan  alternates  chapters  on 
French  and  English  history.  The  earlier  history  of  Britain  and  England  is 
modeled  on  the  Brut,  from  which  Fabyan  borrows  extensively,  the  French 
material  is  mainly  based  on  Robert  Gaguin's  Compendium  super  Francorum 
Gestis,  printed  in  1497  at  Paris.  From  1189  the  English  material  constitutes 
a  London  chronicle  (Fabyan  was  almost  certainly  the  author  of  the  later  sec- 
tion of  Guildhall  Library,  London,  MS.  3313,  The  Great  Chronicle  of  Lon- 
don)?' 

The  so-called  Translator  of  Livius  compiled  his  English  life  of  Henry  V 
in  1513-1514.  His  principal  source  was,  of  course,  Titus  Livius's  Vita  Hen- 
rici  Quinti,  which  had  itself  used  the  Brut  (see  above),  supplemented  by  En- 
guerran  de  Monstrelet  and  by  reminiscences  ultimately  derived  from  the  earl 
of  Ormonde.  However,  the  Translator  also  used  the  version  of  the  Brut  pre- 
pared by  Caxton  for  his  Liher  ultimus  to  the  Polychronicon  edition.^^ 

The  Italian  humanist  Polydore  Vergil  offered  a  new  response  to  the  ver- 
sion of  history  presented  in  the  Brut.  He  began  his  Anglica  Historia  (Roman 
times  to,  originally,  1509)  at  the  command  of  Heniy  VII;  the  first  printed 
edition,  dedicated  to  Henry  VIII,  appeared  in  Basle  in  1534.  Vergil  is  highly 
skeptical  about  the  historicity  of  Brutus  and  Arthur  as  presented  by  Geoffrey 
of  Monmouth  (and  thus  in  the  Brut).  For  the  fifteenth  century,  Vergil  relied 
on  some  version  of  the  London  chronicle,  perhaps  supplemented  by  the 
printed  editions  of  Fabyan  and  the  Chronicles  of  England}'^  Vergil  was  not 


^^  Henry  Ellis,  ed.,  The  New  Chronicles  of  England  and  France,  by  Robert  Fabyan, 
Named  by  Himself  the  Concordance  of  Histories  (London,  1811).  See  Kingsford,  English 
Historical  Literature,  p.  105;  McKisack,  Medieval  History  in  the  Tudor  Age,  pp.  95-97; 
Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  p.  246;  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  p.  221;  Kennedy, 
Manual,  p.  2654;  Lister  M.  Matheson,  "English  Chronicle  Contexts  for  Shakespeare's 
Death  of  Richard  II,"  in  From  Page  to  Performance:  Essays  in  Early  English  Drama,  ed. 
John  A.  Alford  (East  Lansing,  1995),  p.  230. 

^*  Charles  L.  Kingsford,  ed.,  The  First  English  Life  of  King  Henry  the  Fifth  (Oxford, 
1911).  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  64;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II, 
p.  217. 

^'  Sections  from  an  Enghsh  translation  of  Henry  VIII's  time  are  printed  in  Henry 
Ellis,  ed..  Three  Books  of  Polydore  Vergil's  English  History,  Comprising  the  Reigns  of  Henry 
VI,  Edward  IV,  and  Richard  III,  Camden  Society  o.s.  29  (1844);  Henry  EUis,  ed.,  Polydore 
Vergil's  English  History,  From  an  Early  Translation.  Vol  1,  Containing  the  First  Eight 
Books,  Comprising  the  Period  Prior  to  the  Norman  Conquest,  Camden  Society  o.s.  36 
(1846).  The  later,  original  narrative  is  printed  in  Denys  Hay,  ed.  and  trans.,  The  Anglica 


INTRODUCTION 25^ 

entirely  alone  in  doubting  the  veracity  of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth;  his  na- 
tionality and  suspect  religion  did,  however,  single  him  out  for  vehement 
attack,  and  although  a  sign  of  things  to  come,  his  skepticism  about  evidence 
did  not  affect  other  popular  English  histories  of  the  sixteenth  century.^^ 

The  scope  of  Edward  Hall's  Union  of  the  Two  Noble  Families  of  Lancaster 
and  York  (first  edition  published  posthumously  in  1548),  recounting  the 
reigns  of  Henry  IV  to  Henry  VIII,  circumvented  the  problems  of  the  histo- 
rical assessment  of  early  British  history  that  attended  Vergil's  Anglica  His- 
toria.  Hall  borrowed  from  Vergil  and  was  influenced  by  his  style,  but  he  also 
turned  to  a  wide  range  of  medieval  chronicles  for  his  material.  Among  his 
English  sources  Hall  notes  Trevisa,  Fabyan,  and  Caxton,  whose  Liber  ulti- 
mus  is  much  used;  in  his  preface.  Hall  acknowledges  "one  with  out  name, 
whiche  wrote  the  common  English  Chronicle,"  that  is,  the  Brut.^^ 

Hall's  Union  was  a  major  source  for  fifteenth-century  English  history  in 
the  collaborative  work  known  as  Holinshed's  Chronicles  of  England,  Scotland, 
and  Ireland,  first  published  in  1577.  Raphael  Holinshed  (died  ca.  1580)  was 
the  principal  compiler  of  the  first  edition;  the  lengthy  "Names  of  the  Auth- 
ors" used  as  sources  for  the  history  of  England  (creation  to  1577),  compiled 
as  two  books  of  the  whole  work,  includes  "Caxtons  Chronicles,"  Hardyng, 
Fabyan,  and  Hall,  as  well  as  "diuers  other  bookes  and  treatises  of  historicall 
matter"  by  anonymous  authors.  The  revised  and  expanded  edition  of  1587 
contains  supplementary  material  contributed  by  John  Hooker,  Francis 
Thynne,  Abraham  Fleming,  and  John  Stow,  whose  "diligent  collected  sum- 
marie"  is  acknowledged  in  the  first  edition  and  whose  Chronicles  are  used  in 
the  second.^^ 


Historia  ofPolydore  Vergil A.D.  1485-1537,  Camden  Society,  3rd  ser.,  74  (1950).  See  also 
Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  254-55;  McKjsack,  Medieval  History  in  the 
Tudor  Age,  pp.  99-103;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  436-37,  442. 

^  See  Hugh  A.  MacDougall,  Racial  Myth  in  English  History:  Trojans,  Teutons,  and 
Anglo-Saxons  (Montreal  and  Hanover,  1982),  pp.  19-20;  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II, 
pp.  442-43. 

"  Henrjr  Ellis,  ed.,  Hall's  Chronicle  (London,  1809);  The  Union  of  the  Two  Noble 
Families  of  Lancaster  and  York,  1550  (Menston,  Yorkshire,  1970)  (a  facsimile  of  Richard 
Grafton's  second  edition  of  1550).  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  262, 
265;  McKisack,  Medieval  History  in  the  Tudor  Age,  pp.  105-11;  Gransden,  Historical 
Writing  II,  p.  223.  Hall  also  seems  to  have  known  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  84  directly;  see 
Matheson,  "English  Chronicle  Contexts  for  Shakespeare's  Death  of  Richard  11,"  pp.  226, 
232. 

^^  The  edition  of  1587  is  the  basis  of  Henry  EUis,  ed.,  Holinshed's  Chronicles,  6  vols. 
(London,  1807-1808;  rpt.,  with  an  introduction  by  Vernon  Snow,  New  York,  1965);  for 


26 INTRODUCTION 

John  Stow  (?1525-1605),  originally  a  London  tailor  by  trade  and  a  free- 
man of  the  Merchant  Taylors'  Company,  owned  manuscripts  of  the  Brut 
and  also  used  Brut  material  in  his  historical  works,  all  of  which  went 
through  numerous  editions.  The  earliest  of  these  works,  A  Summarie  ofEng- 
lyshe  Chronicles  (1565),  contains  a  section  listing  the  names  of  all  the  kings 
of  England  since  Brutus.  Stow's  major  sources  for  the  Summarie  were  Har- 
dyng,  Fabyan,  and  Hall;  in  subsequent,  much  enlarged  editions  he  added  the 
Translator  of  Livius.  His  Chronicles  of  England  (1580)  covered  the  period 
from  Brutus  to  the  year  of  publication;  this  work  reappeared  in  1592  in  an 
enlarged  and  restructured  form  under  the  new  title  Annales  of  England.  Stow 
utilized  Thomas  Walsingham's  chronicles,  Fabyan,  Hall,  the  Translator  of 
Livius,  and  many  other  chronicle,  record,  and  literary  sources.  He  incorpor- 
ated material  from  the  Peculiar  Version  of  the  Brut  known  as  "Davies's" 
Chronicle  from  the  manuscript  that  is  now  Bodleian  MS.  Lyell  34,  which  he 
owned  (it  was  later  in  the  possession  of  John  Speed,  who  used  it  in  his  His- 
torie  of  Great  Britaine  [1611];  see  item  168  below).  Stow  also  owned  Lam- 
beth Palace  MS.  306,  which  contains  a  much  abbreviated  Peculiar  Version 
of  the  Brut,  a  London  chronicle,  and  other  works,  including  a  number  of 
memoranda  and  transcriptions  by  Stow  himself  (some  of  which  were  inser- 
ted by  Abraham  Fleming  in  the  1587  edition  of  Holinshed's  Chronicles). ^^ 


an  overview,  see  McKisack,  Medieval  History  in  the  Tudor  Age,  pp.  116—20.  On  the 
influence  of  the  Brut,  cf.  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  113,  118;  on  the 
revised  edition,  see  Annabel  Patterson,  Reading  Holinshed's  Chronicles  (Chicago  and 
London,  1994),  pp.  9-10,  56.  Although  he  also  recounts  the  Albina  story,  Holinshed 
adopts  as  his  primary  account  of  the  first  inhabiting  of  Britain  the  version  devised  by 
John  Bale  in  which  Samothes,  son  of  Japhet,  son  of  Noah,  is  the  first  king  of  Britannia 
and  Gaul.  The  giant  Albion  is  later  given  Britain  (which  he  renames  after  himself)  by  his 
father  Neptunus,  who  is  descended  from  Noah's  wicked  son  Ham,  thus  accounting  for 
the  giants  whom  Brutus  and  his  men  defeat  upon  their  arrival;  see  Kendrick,  British 
Antiquity,  pp.  69-73. 

^^  Stow's  Chronicles  (or  Annales)  have  not  been  reprinted  in  modern  times;  on  the 
Summarie,  the  Chronicles,  and  the  Annales,  see  McKisack,  Medieval  History  in  the  Tudor 
Age,  pp.  112-14.  On  Stow's  indefatigable  collecting  of  manuscripts,  one  may  note  that  a 
search  of  Stow's  house  in  1569  revealed,  among  other  books,  "a  great  Parcell  of  old  M.S. 
Chronicles,  both  in  Parchment  and  Paper":  see  A.  H.  Thomas  and  I.  D.  Thornley,  eds.. 
The  Great  Chronicle  of  London  (London  and  Aylesbury,  1938;  microprint  rpt.  Gloucester, 
1983),  p.  xvi.  On  Fleming's  additions  from  Stow's  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  306,  see  Patter- 
son, Reading  Holinshed's  'Chronicles',  p.  283  n.  6. 


INTRODUCTION 27 

D.  SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY  USE  AND  INFLUENCE 

Manuscripts  of  the  Brut  continued  to  be  used  by  late  sixteenth-  and  seven- 
teenth-century antiquaries:  the  name  of  Sampson  Erdeswicke  (died  1603) 
appears  in  Glasgow  MS.  Hunterian  83;  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.155 
contains  extracts  made  by  Sir  Henry  Spelman  in  1606  from  an  EngUsh  text 
ending  in  1333;  Bodleian  MS.  Ashmole  1139.iv.2  contains  passages  tran- 
scribed in  1672  from  Bodleian  MS.  Ashmole  791;  Magdalene  College, 
Cambridge,  MS.  Pepys  2833  contains  a  copy  from  College  of  Arms  MS. 
Arundel  58  of  John  Mandeville's  English  translation  of  the  Bruty  made  ca. 
1685  for  Sir  William  Hayward;  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  343A  contains  a  much 
abbreviated  Peculiar  Version  of  the  English  Brut  written  by  William  White 
in  the  seventeenth  century. 

However,  the  last  printed  edition  of  the  Chronicles  of  England  2i^^t2iTtd  in 
1528,  suggesting  that  as  the  standard  popular  narrative  of  the  history  of 
England  the  Brut  had  been  replaced  by  the  works  of  the  sixteenth-century 
historians  such  as  Stow  and  Holinshed,  which  were  regularly  reprinted  into 
the  seventeenth  century.  Since  these  had  in  fact  utilized  the  Brut  as  a  source, 
its  indirect  influence  on  conceptions  of  the  past  survived.  Increasingly, 
though,  the  version  of  early  British  history  presented  in  the  Brut  (and  in  its 
ultimate  source,  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britannie)  was 
challenged  and  ridiculed.^ 

Declared  skeptics  of  Geoffirey's  Historia,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  had 
existed  from  its  first  appearance  but  were  in  a  small  minority  until  the  six- 
teenth and  seventeenth  centuries.^^  The  major  points  of  attack  on  the  His- 


^  A  full  account  of  the  debate  is  found  in  Kendrick,  British  Antiquity,  see  also 
MacDougall,  Racial  Myth,  pp.  17-27,  and  Stuart  Piggott,  Ancient  Britons  and  the 
Antiquarian  Imagination:  Ideas  from  the  Renaissance  to  the  Regency  (New  York,  1989),  pp. 
59-60. 

*^  For  active  skeptics  of  all  or  part  of  the  British  History,  see  Kendrick,  British 
Antiquity,  pp.  11-14  (Alfred  of  Beverley,  Giraldus  Cambrensis,  William  of  Newburgh, 
Ranulph  Higden),  34-35  Qohn  Whethamstede,  Thomas  Rudborne),  41-44  (Robert  Fa- 
byan,  John  Rastell,  John  Twyne,  George  Lily,  Thomas  Lanquet,  Thomas  Elyot,  John 
Harington,  PhUip  Sidney),  78-85  (John  of  Fordun,  John  Major,  Polydore  Vergil,  George 
Buchanan),  105-11  Qohn  Twyne,  Wilham  Camden,  John  Clapham,  John  Selden,  Walter 
Raleigh,  John  More,  Samuel  Daniel,  Digory  Whear,  Matthias  Prideaux,  WiUiam  Temple, 
James  Tyrrell);  MacDougall,  Racial  Myth,  p.  22  (Edward  Ayscu,  John  Speed).  See  also 
Laura  Keeler,  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  and  the  Late  Latin  Chroniclers,  1300-1500,  University 
of  California  Publications  in  English  17.1  (Berkeley  and  Los  Angeles,  1946),  pp.  29-46, 
76-85;  Matheson,  "King  Arthur  and  the  Medieval  English  Chronicles,"  pp.  263-65. 


28      INTRODUCTION 

toria  and  its  chronicle  descendants  were  the  accounts  of  Brutus  and  of  Arth- 
ur, though  the  non-Galfridian  stories  of  Albina  and  of  St.  Joseph  of  Arima- 
thea  were  also  doubted.  Counter-attacks  in  defense  of  the  "British  History" 
were  vigorous,  especially  those  directed  against  Polydore  Vergil's  discounting 
of  King  Arthur.^^  Full-scale  scholarly  support,  however,  grew  ever  feebler 
in  the  face  of  developments  in  Renaissance  historiographical  methodology, 
embryonic  anthropological  studies  resulting  from  the  discovery  of  the 
Americas,  and  the  rise  of  Anglo-Saxon  studies.^^  Kendrick  also  distin- 
guishes a  middle  party  "that  did  not  countenance  total  belief  or  total  dis- 
belief in  the  British  History,  but  preferred  a  position  that  may  be  described 
as  that  of  the  institutionalist."^^  While  pointing  out  the  historical  inconsis- 
tencies and  illogicalities  in  the  foundation  and  other  stories,  including  that 
of  King  Arthur,  the  institutionalists  suggested  that  there  might  be  grains  of 
truth  contained  therein  that  had  been  overlaid  by  the  fabulous.  Thus  Milton 
in  his  History  of  Britain . . .  From  the  first  Traditional  Beginning,  Continu'd  to 
the  Norman  Conquest  (1670;  2nd  ed.,  1677)  summarily  dismisses  Samothes 
but  is  less  skeptical  about  Albion,  son  of  Neptune.  The  Albina  story  is  dis- 
missed out  of  hand — "too  absurd,  and  too  unconscionably  gross  is  that  fond 
invention  that  wafted  hither  the  fifty  Daughters  of  a  strange  Dioclesian 
King  of  Syria."  Brutus  and  his  line  cannot,  however,  "so  easily  be  dis- 
charg'd" — -faute  de  mieux,  Milton's  first  book  records  Geoffrey's  British  kings 
up  to  Cassibelan,  at  which  point  the  much  relieved  author  is  able  to  switch 


^*  For  active  defenders  of  all  or  part  of  the  British  History,  see  Kendrick,  British 
Antiquity,  pp.  14  (John  Trevisa's  rebuttal  of  Higden),  85-98  (attacks  on  Polydore  Vergil 
by  John  Leland,  Arthur  Kelton,  David  Powel,  Humphrey  Lluyd,  John  Price),  99  (attack 
on  George  Buchanan  by  Richard  Harvey),  100  (attack  on  Camden  by  Henry  Lyte;  gener- 
al defenses  by  John  Ross  and  John  Lewis;  attack  on  Polydore  Vergil  by  Edmund  Howes), 
101-102  (defense  on  linguistic  grounds  by  Robert  Sheringham;  uncritical  use  by  Bul- 
strode  Whitelock  and  Winston  Churchill);  MacDougall,  Racial  Myth,  pp.  23-25  (general 
defense  by  Edmund  Bolton;  attack  on  Polydore  Vergil  by  Silas  Taylor;  general  defense  by 
Nathaniel  Crouch).  For  Caxton's  defense  of  Arthur's  historicity,  see  Eugene  Vinaver,  ed., 
The  Works  of  Sir  Thomas  Malory,  3  vols.  (Oxford,  1947),  1:  cxii-cxiii.  See  also  James  P. 
Carley,  "Polydore  Vergil  and  John  Leland  on  King  Arthur:  The  Battle  of  the  Books,"  In- 
terpretations 15  (1984):  86-100. 

^^  See  Kendrick,  British  Antiquity,  pp.  114-15,  120-25;  George  P.  Gooch,  A  History 
of  Historical  Writing,  2nd  rev.  ed.  (New  York,  1962),  pp.  114-17;  Ernst  Breisach, 
Historiography:  Ancient,  Medieval,  and  Modern  (Chicago  and  London,  1983),  pp.  165-66, 
173-77;  MacDougall,  Racial  Myth,  pp.  31-50. 

^*  Kendrick,  British  Antiquity,  p.  125;  for  members,  see  pp.  126-32  (Edmund 
Spenser),  126  (John  Milton),  101  and  125  (Daniel  Langhorne),  102  and  125  (William 
Wynne). 


INTRODUCTION 29 

to  Roman  sources,  though  his  "disease"  over  verifiable  historicity  returns 
during  the  Arthurian  period.^^ 

Modem  Value 

By  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century  only  a  few  diehards  continued  to  sup- 
port the  veracity  of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth.  However,  despite  the  general 
exploding  of  the  British  history  related  in  the  Brut,  its  later  sections,  especi- 
ally from  1307  on,  and  the  individual  late  medieval  continuations  have  re- 
mained valuable  for  political  and  social  historians/^ 

As  a  cultural  artifact  the  Brut  is  of  the  first  importance.  Its  popularity  and 
circulation  in  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  centuries  and  its  influence  in  the 
sixteenth  century  gave  it  the  status  of  a  standard  history  that  defined  and 
created  a  sense  of  England's  past,  its  national  identity,  and  its  destiny. 
Besides  providing  continuity  with  an  ancient  Trojan  past,  the  Brutus  story 
(and  the  Albina  story)  served  a  usefijl  political  and  legal  purpose  in  English 
claims  to  the  overlordship  of  Scotiand.^^  The  central  figure  of  King  Arth- 
ur, conqueror  of  much  of  Europe,  was  a  potent  political  icon  used  by  and  on 
behalf  of  monarchs  from  Henry  II  to  the  Tudors  to  the  Stuarts.^^  Both  in 
its  own  right  and  as  a  source  for  later  writers,  the  account  of  Henry  V  in  the 
English  Brut  was  central  in  creating  the  cult  surrounding  that  king  and  his 
exemplary  victories  in  France.^'' 


^'  See  the  facsimile  of  the  second  edition  (1677)  in  John  Milton,  The  History  of 
Britain,  introd.  Graham  Parry  (Stamford,  1991),  pp.  8-38,  143-49. 

''°  See,  for  example,  the  assessments  in  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp. 
113-35;  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  35-61;  Edgar  B.  Graves,  ed., 
A  Bibliography  of  English  History  to  1485  (Oxford,  1975),  pp.  409  (item  2811),  413  (item 
2829). 

^^  See  Susan  Reynolds,  "Medieval  Origines  Gentium  and  the  Community  of  the 
Realm,"  History  68  (1983):  375-90;  Carley  and  Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  pp. 
42-43,  54-67.  For  a  detailed  examination  of  earher  (pre-Brut)  stages  in  the  development 
of  English  national  consciousness,  see  Thorlac  Turville-Petre,  England  the  Nation:  Langu- 
age, Literature,  and  National  Identity,  1290-1340  (Oxford,  1996). 

^^  See  Gordon  H.  Gerould,  "King  Arthur  and  Politics,"  Speculum  2  (1927):  33-51; 
Kendrick,  British  Antiquity,  pp.  35-39,  42;  R.  S.  Loomis,  "Edward  I,  Arthurian  Enthu- 
siast," Speculum  28  (1953):  114-27;  Sydney  Anglo,  "The  British  History  in  Early  Tudor 
Propaganda,"  Bulletin  of  the  John  Rylands  Library  44  (1961-62):  21-44;  MacDougall, 
Racial  Myth,  pp.  13-19,  21-26;  Vale,  Edward  III  and  Chivalry,  pp.  67-69,  93-94;  Sharon 
L.  Jansen,  "Prophecy,  Propaganda,  and  Henry  VIII,"  in  King  Arthur  through  the  Ages,  ed. 
Lagorio  and  Day,  1:  275-91;  Carley  and  Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  p.  68. 

^^  See  Christopher  Allmand,  Henry  F  (Berkeley  and  Los  Angeles,  1992),  pp.  426-35. 


30 INTRODUCTION 

III.  The  Anglo-Norman  Brut 

Development  and  Sources 

For  present  purposes,  the  main  outlines  of  textual  development  and  the 
sources  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  seem  reasonably  clear/"*  However,  a 
comprehensive  and  detailed  catalogue,  description,  and  textual  classification 
of  the  Anglo-Norman  and  continental  French  manuscripts  remain  a  matter 
for  future  study,  and  the  following  discussion  makes  no  attempt  to  classify 
or  account  for  every  text. 

In  its  earliest  form,  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  related  the  history  of  Eng- 
land from  Brutus  to  the  death  of  Henry  III  in  1272,  at  which  point  end 
MSS.  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  fonds  fran^ais  14640;  Bibliotheque  Nationale, 
nouveUes  acquisitions  fran9aises  4267;  BL  Additional  35092;  and  BL  Cotton 
Tiberius  A.vi/^  The  work  must  have  been  composed  between  1272  and  ca, 
1300  (the  date  of  the  earliest  manuscript,  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  fonds 
fran9ais  14640);  the  author  of  this  first  stage  is  anonymous. 

For  his  narrative  from  Brutus  to  what  corresponds  to  the  beginning  of 
Cadwallader's  reign,  the  writer  used  primarily  Wace's  Roman  de  Brut,  appar- 
ently in  a  form  closer  to  its  source  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia  than 
is  found  in  the  surviving  manuscripts.^^  The  Cadwallader  episode,  the  end- 
ing point  of  both  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  and  Wace,  is  omitted.  This  omis- 
sion is  either  a  deliberate,  politically  motivated  decision,  as  C.  W.  Marx  has 


Cf.  also  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2633-34.  "The  cronycle  of  l^ng  Henry  the  v"  in  BL  MS. 
Cotton  Claudius  A.viii  is  an  extract  from  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England. 

"^^  See  Meyer,  "De  quelques  chroniques  anglo-normandes,"  pp.  113-44;  Brie,  Ge- 
schichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  13-51;  Vising,  Anglo-Norman  Language  and  Literature,  nos. 
378(a)-(i);  Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz.  Geanz,  pp.  xiv^xviii;  Taylor,  English  Historical 
Literature,  pp.  117-18,  120-27,  274-84;  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle, 
pp.  15-17. 

^^  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  13-15.  Vising,  Anglo-Norman  Language  and  Li- 
terature, no.  378a,  lists  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  R.4.26,  but  this  is  a  text  of  the 
Brut  ahrege.  See  also  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  117;  ambiguous  phrasing  in 
Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  p.  15,  seems  to  suggest  that  the  original 
ended  in  1307.  Brie  argues  that  the  original  text  ended  in  1066  {Geschichte  und  Quellen, 
pp.  13-14,  37,  42),  partly  since  the  pre-  and  post-1066  sources  seem  of  very  different 
sorts  and  partly  from  the  evidence  of  some  of  the  Latin  Brut  texts,  but  these  arguments 
are  far  from  convincing. 

^^  Ivor  Arnold,  ed.,  Le  Roman  de  Brut  de  Wace,  2  vols.  (Paris,  1938,  1940);  see  Brie, 
Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  38-40,  who  adduces  convincing  parallel  passages  to  support 
this  view. 


INTRODUCTION 31 

speculated/^  or  it  reflects  some  loss  of  text  or  dislocation  of  narrative  at 
this  point  in  the  source  text  or  in  the  writer's  transition  from  one  source  to 
another.  The  material  from  what  should  have  been  the  death  of  Cadwallader 
to  Harold's  death  in  1066  seems  to  be  derived  from  Geffrei  Gaimar's  Estoire 
des  Engkis,  though  more  loosely  than  from  the  previous  source  in  Wace/^ 
A  version  of  the  Havelok  story,  which  occurs  near  the  beginning  of  Gaimar, 
is  inserted  in  the  Brut  soon  after  Arthur  (though  it  is  not  simply  derived 
from  Gaimar)/^  The  direct  source  for  the  narrative  from  1066  to  1100, 
covering  the  reigns  of  William  the  Conqueror  and  William  Ruftis,  is  not 
known;  for  the  remainder  of  the  text  to  1272,  the  writer  used  the  annals 
(A.D.  1  to  1291)  written  at  the  Cistercian  abbey  of  Waverley  in  Surrey  (or 
perhaps,  as  Brie  suggests,  an  intermediary  Anglo-Norman  work  based  on 
them).«« 

There  are  some  indications  that  in  the  early  fourteenth  century  the  basic 
text  to  1272  received  a  continuation  covering  the  reign  of  Edward  I  and 
ending  with  his  death  in  1307,  though  this  stage  must  have  been  quickly 
subsumed  into  later  recensions.  Among  complete  manuscripts,  only  CUL 
MS.  Ee.1.20,  a  text  of  the  later  Long  Version  (see  below),  ends  in  1307.^^ 
The  first  part  of  Corpus  Christi  College,  Oxford,  MS.  78  is  a  text  of  the 
basic  version  to  1307,  with  an  Anglo-Norman  prose  translation  from  a  Latin 
version  of  the  Albina  prologue  and  some  additions,  to  which  a  second  scribe 


^  See  C.  W.  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts  of  the  Brut  in  the  National  Library 
of  Wales,"  The  National  Lih-ary  of  Wa/es  Journal  27  (1991-92):  377-80. 

^^  Alexander  Bell,  ed.,  L'Estoire  des  Eng/eis:  By  Geffrei  Gaimar,  Anglo-Norman  Text 
Society  14-16  (Oxford,  1960);  see  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  40-42.  The  parallel 
passages  from  the  Brut  and  Gaimar  cited  by  Brie  on  p.  41  are  very  close,  but  much  of 
Gaimar's  text,  at  least  as  it  now  survives,  is  omitted  or  altered.  Thus  the  tedious  series  of 
minor  wars  among  the  heptarchy  kingdoms  (that  occur  in  Gaimar  up  to  the  parallel  pass- 
ages quoted  by  Brie)  are  reduced  to  a  short,  general  statement  (cf.  the  English  version  in 
Brie  102/24-28).  Gaimar's  occasional  confusions  of  persons  with  the  same  or  similar 
names  could  not  have  helped  the  composer  of  the  Brut.  Brie  suggests  that  the  Brut  writer 
might  have  used  an  earlier,  simpler  version  of  Gaimar  (p.  42). 

"  See  Friedrich  W.  D.  Brie,  "Zum  Fortleben  der  Havelok- Sage,"  Englische  Studien  35 
(1905):  360-64.  The  heroine  is  called  "Goldeburgh"  in  BL  Cotton  Domitian  x  (fol.  45), 
a  Short  Version  text;  "Argentil"  in  BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii  (fol.  108),  a  Long  Version 
text. 

^  Printed  in  Henry  R.  Luard,  ed..  Annates  Monastici,  vol.  2,  Rolls  Series  36  (London, 
1865),  pp.  127-211. 

*'  Bodl.  Wood  empt.  8,  a  text  of  the  Short  Version,  breaks  off  just  after  the 
beginning  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I. 


32 INTRODUCTION 

has  added  a  unique  continuation  to  1398.^-^  College  of  Arms  MS.  31,  a 
text  of  the  Short  Version  with  the  metrical  prologue  (see  below)  that  ends 
incompletely  in  1329,  leaves  half  a  page  blank  after  the  death  of  Edward 
I.^^  Bodleian  MS.  Wood  empt.  8,  which  does  not  contain  the  metrical 
prologue,  breaks  off  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  It 
could,  therefore,  represent  a  text  that  originally  ended  in  1307,  though  it 
could  belong  to  the  Short  Version  with  a  continuation  to  1333  (see  below), 
depending  on  how  much  text  has  been  lost.  Most  convincingly,  however, 
Brie  notes  that  the  majority  of  texts  extending  beyond  1307  fall  into  three 
groups  that  essentially  agree  up  to  that  point  and  then  diverge  independently 
thereafter.^'* 

The  source  of  the  material  from  1272  to  1307  is  an  unedited  version  of 
Langtoft's  verse  Chronicle  that  is  exemplified  in  MSS.  College  of  Arms 
Arundel  14,  CUL  Gg.1.1,  and  Bodleian  Fairfax  24.^^ 

Major  additions  and  revisions  to  the  basic  text  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut 
occurred  between  1333  and  the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century,  resulting 
in  the  two  major  recensions  known  as  the  Short  and  Long  Versions. 

The  first  stage  of  the  Short  Version  was  formed  by  the  addition  of  a  con- 
tinuation from  the  accession  of  Edward  II  in  1307,  known  as  the  short  con- 
tinuation, which  survives  in  various  states  of  fullness  or  abbreviation.  The 
precise  conclusion  of  this  first  stage  is  somewhat  unclear  since  none  of  the 
manuscripts  is  unambiguously  complete.  Yale  MS.  Beinecke  405  apparently 
ends  at  some  point  in  the  year  1333,  but  the  "final  foHo  [is]  only  partially 
legible,  with  end  of  text  totally  obscured."^^  Other  manuscripts  of  the 
group  end  incompletely:  BL  Additional  35113  breaks  off  in  1324;  CUL 


*^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  16,  25.  Brie  mistakenly  believed  the  prose 
prologue  to  have  been  based  on  the  Anglo-Norman  Des  Grantz  Geanz;  see  Brereton,  ed., 
Des  Grantz  Geanz,  p.  xxxvi,  and  Carley  and  Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  pp.  45, 
86-87. 

^^  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  16. 

^^  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  16;  cf.  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  117. 
Brie  includes  among  these  three  groups  Corpus  Christi  College,  Oxford,  78,  whose 
evidence  I  have  mentioned  above;  the  remaining  texts  really  fall  into  two  major  groups, 
with  subgroups. 

*^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  AA-A6,  for  a  comparison  of  readings.  The  Brut 
continuation  presents  some  omissions  and  alterations  and  a  number  of  misunderstandings. 

*^  Barbara  A.  Shailor,  Catalogue  of  Medieval  and  Renaissance  Manuscripts  in  the 
Beinecke  Rare  Book  and  Manuscript  Library,  Yale  University,  3  vols.,  Medieval  &  Renais- 
sance Texts  &  Studies  34,  48,  100  (Binghamton,  1984-1992),  2:  293. 


INTRODUCTION 33 

Mm.  1.33  in  1326;  Corpus  Christi  College,  Oxford,  293  in  1329;  while  BL 
Cotton  Julius  A.i  contains  only  a  fragment  from  the  reign  of  Edward  11. 
Nevertheless,  the  evidence  of  the  next  stage  in  the  development  of  the  Short 
Version  suggests  strongly  that  the  end  point  was  the  English  raid  on  Had- 
dington fair  in  Scotland  that  occurred  in  1333,  shortly  before  the  battle  of 
Halidon  Hill. 

In  view  of  the  London  interest  of  the  earlier  part  of  the  continuation, 
coupled  with  the  amount  and  the  detail  of  the  material  on  Edward  Ill's 
Scottish  campaigns,  Taylor  suggests  that  the  writer  may  have  been  a  clerk  of 
the  Exchequer  who  accompanied  the  administration  to  York  in  the  1330s 
and  that  the  continuation  may  have  been  an  originally  independent  work 
that  became  attached  to  the  Brut?^ 

The  next  stage  in  the  development  of  the  Short  Version  was  the  addition 
of  a  metrical  prologue  that  recounts  the  story  of  Albina  and  her  sisters,  the 
thirty  daughters  of  an  unnamed  king  of  Greece  who,  exiled  after  plotting 
unsuccessfully  to  murder  their  husbands,  are  the  first  settlers  of  Albion  and 
the  mothers  of  giants,  whose  descendants  Brutus  and  his  men  were  to 
slay.^^  This  prologue  is  an  abbreviated  redaction  of  an  Anglo-Norman 
poem,  Des  Grantz  Geanz,  that  is  found  in  full  in  BL  MS.  Cotton  Cleopatra 
D.ix,  a  manuscript  that  has  been  dated  by  Carley  and  Crick  between  1332 
and  1334.^^  All  but  two  of  the  Brut  manuscripts  that  contain  Des  Grantz 
Geanz  also  include  a  short  linking  passage  in  Latin  or  French  between  the 
prologue  and  the  main  text  that  summarizes  the  Albina  story  and  the  future 
contents  up  to  the  arrival  of  the  Saxons.  College  of  Arms,  MS.  Arundel  31 
(breaks  off  in  1329)  and  Bodleian  MS.  e  Musaeo  108  (breaks  off  in  1327) 
contain  no  linking  passage. 

The  following  manuscripts  contain  the  linking  summary  in  Latin:  BL 


*^  See  John  Taylor,  The  French  Prose  Brut.  Popular  History  in  Fourteenth-Century 
England,"  in  England  in  the  Fourteenth  Century:  Proceedings  of  the  1985  Harlaxton  Sympo- 
sium, ed.  W.  M.  Ormrod  (Woodbridge,  1986),  pp.  253-54  and  n.  30;  Taylor,  English 
Historical  Literature,  pp.  122-24,  146;  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp. 
19-20. 

^^  See  Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz  Geanz,  p.  v. 

^  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  p.  45  and  n.  17.  For  the  following  account  of  the 
manuscripts  of  the  Short  Version,  see  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  17-24;  Brereton, 
ed.,  Des  Grantz  Geanz,  pp.  vi^,  xii-xviii  (classification  of  the  manuscripts),  and  xxxvi; 
Legge  and  Brereton,  Three  Hitherto  Unlisted  MSS.,"  pp.  113-17;  Taylor,  English  Histo- 
rical Literature,  pp.  120-24;  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  20-22; 
Carley  and  Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  pp.  45-47. 


34 INTRODUCTION 

Harley  6359  (breaks  off  in  1330);  BL  Additional  18462(b)  (breaks  off  in  the 
first  chapter  of  Edward  I's  reign);  Lambeth  Palace  504  (ends  in  1333  with 
Haddington  raid);  Inner  Temple  Library,  London,  511,  Vol.  XIX  (to  1333, 
Haddington);  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  500  (to  1333,  Haddington);  Bodleian 
Rawlinson  D.329  (to  1333,  Haddington);  Bodleian  Lyell  17  (to  1333,  Had- 
dington); CUL  Gg.1.15  (breaks  off  in  1326);  Trinity  College,  Cambridge, 
R.7.14  (breaks  off  in  1333  with  Archibald  Douglas's  raid  into  England); 
EUL  181  (to  1333,  Haddington);  Yale  Beinecke  593  (to  1333,  Hadding- 
ton); Westminster  Abbey  25  (ends  in  1330);  Bibliotheque  de  I'Arsenal, 
Paris,  3346  (ends  in  1330  at  the  same  point  as  the  preceding,  related  text). 
BL  Cotton  Domitian  x  (to  1333,  Haddington)  contains  the  Latin  summary 
but  not  the  prologue,  which  has  either  been  lost  or  was  deliberately  omitted 
despite  its  presence  in  the  exemplar.  The  Latin  summary  follows  Des  Grantz 
Geanz  in  Leeds  Brotherton  29  {The  Anonimalle  Chronicle).  It  occurs  also  in 
BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.vii  as  part  of  the  fifteenth-century  augmentation  of 
the  original  fourteenth-century  text.  In  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  fonds  fran- 
9ais  12156,  a  fifteenth-century  continental  French  manuscript  (possibly  from 
Picardy),  the  prologue  is  completely  recast  into  laisses  of  monorhyme  alexan- 
drines and  precedes  a  Short  Version  text  (to  1333,  Haddington).  Three  fif- 
teenth-century manuscripts  form  a  distinct  group  in  which  the  linking  pass- 
age is  in  Anglo-Norman:  BL  Harley  200,  Bodleian  Douce  128,  and  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge,  R.5.32  contain  the  metrical  prologue,  the  Short  Ver- 
sion of  the  Brut  to  1332,  followed  by  the  Latin  chronicle  of  Robert  of  Aves- 
bury  (died  1359).^° 

The  Long  Version  was  also  generated  between  1333  and  1350,  though  its 
less  circumspect  account  of  Edward  II's  murder  suggests  that  it  may  have 
been  compiled  slightly  later  than  the  Short  Version.^^ 

All  but  two  of  those  manuscripts  of  the  Long  Version  that  are  complete 
at  the  beginning  contain  a  prose  prologue  that  recounts  a  version  of  the  Al- 
bina  story.  The  two  exceptions  are  CUL  Ee.1.20  and  Lincoln's  Inn  88,  each 
of  which  possesses  individual  textual  peculiarities;  their  texts  cannot,  there- 
fore, represent  the  initial  stage  of  the  Long  Version,  though  it  is  just  possi- 


'°  Avesbur/s  work  survives  in  these  three  manuscripts  only.  It  is  printed  in  Edward 
Maunde  Thompson,  ed.,  Adae  Murimuth  Continuatio  Chronicorum.  Robertus  de  Avesbury 
de  Gestis  Mirabilibus  Regis  Edwardi  Tertii,  Rolls  Series  93  (London,  1889),  pp.  279-471. 
See  also  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  11,  pp.  67-71;  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature^ 
p.  127. 

'^  See  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  p.  22. 


INTRODUCTION 35^ 

ble  that  they  are  descended  from  an  original  Long  Version  that  did  not  in- 
clude the  prologue.^^ 

The  prose  prologue  that  is  generally  found  in  the  Long  Version  represents 
a  different  version  of  the  Albina  story  from  that  found  in  the  metrical  pro- 
logue to  the  Short  Version;  for  example,  Albina  is  now  one  of  thirty-three 
daughters  of  King  Dioclisian  of  Syria  who  succeed  in  murdering  their  hus- 
bands, rather  than  one  of  thirty  daughters  of  an  unnamed  king  of  Greece 
who  fail  in  their  homicidal  plot.  It  is  uncertain  whether  the  prose  version  is 
derived  directly  from  the  metrical  version  or  whether  both  versions  had  a 
common  source,  possibly  in  Latin.'-' 

The  text  to  the  death  of  Edward  I  in  1307  is  a  much  revised  version  of 
the  basic,  standard  text  described  above.'"*  There  are  many  changes  in  the 
names  of  the  towns  in  which  the  British  kings  are  buried  and  in  the  lengths 
of  their  reigns.  Some  factual  details  are  changed:  for  example,  Gorbodian's 
four  brothers  become  his  sons,  in  the  Havelok  story  Goldeburgh  becomes 
Argentille,  and  a  long  story  recounts  the  poisoning  of  King  John  by  a  monk 
in  Swineshead  rather  than  the  short  report  of  the  king's  death  from  illness. 
Some  small  omissions  are  found,  such  as  the  notice  of  Malgo,  the  successor 
to  Conan  Meriadoc,  and  the  names  of  the  bishops  present  at  Henry  Ill's 
coronation.  A  number  of  minor  additions  also  are  made,  and  an  important 
new  section  of  narrative,  the  lengthy  set  of  Merlin's  prophecies  concerning 
the  five  kings  to  follow  King  John  (cf  Brie  72-76),  appears.  Many  addi- 
tional historical  details  appear  in  the  account  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I. 

This  revised  text  proceeds  with  a  continuation  from  1307  to  the  battle  of 
Halidon  Hill  in  1333,  ending  with  the  words  "saunz  chalenge  de  ascuny. 
Amen.  Deo  gracias."  (BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii).  The  narrative  is  indepen- 
dent of  the  short  continuation  and  is  known  as  the  long  continuation.  It 
covers  the  reign  of  Edward  II  and  the  early  years  of  Edward  III  in  much 
fuller  detail  and  at  greater  length  than  any  preceding  reign.  The  notion  that 
it  was  written  by  William  Pakington,  who  served  as  a  clerk  in  the  house- 
holds of  the  Black  Prince  and  Richard  II  and  whose  career  is  recorded  from 


'^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  28  and  30-31,  for  a  description  of  these 
manuscripts.  Despite  its  verbal  peculiarities,  Lincoln's  Inn  88  can  be  associated  with  a 
subgroup  of  Long  Version  texts  that  do  include  the  prologue  (see  below). 
See  Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz.  Geanz,  pp.  xxxv-xxxvii. 

'"  For  a  fuller  and  more  detailed  account  of  the  differences  up  to  1307  between  the 
Short  and  the  Long  Versions,  see  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  26-27. 


36 INTRODUCTION 

1364  to  1390,  has  been  successfully  refuted  by  John  Taylor.'^  Instead, 
Childs  and  Taylor  suggest  that,  like  the  short  continuation,  the  long  con- 
tinuation, which  shows  marked  knowledge  of  northern  events,  may  have 
been  written  by  a  clerk  attached  to  the  central  administration  and  stationed 
at  York  during  the  1330s  who  was  aware  of  the  short  continuation.^^ 
Indeed,  it  is  possible  that  the  continuator  was  also  responsible  for  the  entire 
compilation  and  revision  of  the  Long  Version. 

Thirteen  of  the  fourteen  manuscripts  of  the  Long  Version  (BL  Royal 
App.  85  is  a  fragment)  can  be  divided  into  three  primary  subgroups:  (a) 
CUL  Ee.1.20  (breaks  off  in  1307  during  the  interpretation  of  Merlin's  pro- 
phecy on  Edward  I)  lacks  the  prologue  and  abbreviates  heavily,  (b)  BL 
Royal  20.A.iii;  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  501;  CUL  Ii.6.8;  BL  Additional 
18462a;  (c)  BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii;  Bibliotheque  Mazarine  1860;  Bib- 
liotheque  Nationale,  fonds  franfais  12155;  BL  Royal  19.C.ix;  Bibliotheque 
Ste.  Genevieve  935;  Bodleian  Ashmole  1804;  Lincoln's  Inn  88;  BL  Royal 
20.A.xviii.^^ 

Brie  reports  that  his  comparisons  of  readings  in  Long  Version  manu- 


'^  See  Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  277-83  (originally  printed  as  part  of 
"The  French  Brut  and  the  Reign  of  Edward  II,"  English  Historical  Review  76  [1957]: 
423-37).  The  attribution  to  Pakington  began  with  John  Leland  and  was  accepted  by  Brie, 
who  thought  he  had  discovered  Pakington's  original  chronicle  in  BL  MS.  Cotton  Tibe- 
rius A.vi:  see  Friedrich  W.  D.  Brie,  "Recovery  of  an  Anglo-Norman  Chronicle,"  Notes 
and  Queries  10th  ser.,  2  (1904):  41;  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  47-51.  Taylor  shows  that 
this  text  is,  in  fact,  a  composite  chronicle  derived  from  various  sources,  including  the 
Anglo-Norman  Brut  (pp.  278-81). 

^*  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  pp.  22-23. 

'■^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  32.  I  paraphrase  Brie's  further  distinctions 
among  the  texts:  in  group  (b),  BL  Royal  20.A.iii  and  Trinity  College,  Dubhn  501  agree 
almost  word  for  word,  while  CUL  Ii.6.8  and  BL  Additional  18462a  have  deviations  in 
common;  in  group  (c),  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  fonds  fran9ais  12155,  BL  Royal  19.C.ix, 
and  Bibliotheque  Ste.  Genevieve  935  stand  against  BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii, 
Bibliotheque  Mazarine  1860,  Bodleian  Ashmole  1804,  Lincoln's  Inn  88,  and  BL  Royal 
20.A.xviii;  furthermore,  BL  Royal  19.C.ix  and  BibHotheque  Ste.  Genevieve  935  stand 
against  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  fonds  frangais  12155,  while  BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii 
and  Bodleian  Ashmole  1804  agree  almost  word  for  word  against  Bibliotheque  Mazarine 
1860,  Lincoln's  Inn  88,  and  BL  Royal  20.Ajcviii.  Also  within  group  (c),  BL  Royal 
20.A.xviii  contains  variations  from  the  normal  continuation  to  1333,  such  as  a  concluding 
section  that  recounts  rumors  that  Edward  II  was  still  alive,  followed  by  the  prophecies  of 
Merlin,  which  have  been  accorded  chapter  numbers  to  fit  in  at  the  end  of  the  appropriate 
reign;  see  Taylor,  "The  French  Prose  Brut.  Popular  History  in  Fourteenth-Century 
England,"  in  England  in  the  Fourteenth  Century,  ed.  Ormrod,  p.  250,  and  Childs  and 
Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  p.  18. 


INTRODUCTION 37 

scripts  show  that  a  text  of  the  type  of  MSS.  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  fonds 
fran9ais  12155,  BL  Royal  19.C.ix,  and  Bibliotheque  Ste.  Genevieve  935 
formed  the  basis  for  the  Middle  English  translation  that  was  made  in  the 
second  half  of  the  fourteenth  century.'^  The  work  of  supplying  continu- 
ations to  the  Anglo-Norman  text  essentially  ceased,  though  it  continued  to 
be  copied  and  read  in  the  fifteenth  century.  But,  apart  from  the  three  manu- 
scripts that  append  Robert  of  Avesbury's  Latin  chronicle,  only  two  surviving 
manuscripts  contain  continuations  beyond  1333.  Leeds  MS.  Brotherton  29 
adds  two  French  continuations  that  bring  the  narrative  to  1381.^  Corpus 
Christi  College,  Oxford,  MS.  78  originally  ended  in  1307  but  subsequently 
received  two  continuations.  The  first,  in  a  fourteenth-century  hand,  recounts 
the  reigns  of  Edward  II  and  Edward  III;  the  second,  in  a  fifteenth-century 
hand,  covers  the  period  from  1377  to  1397.^^ 


IV.  The  Latin  Brut 

The  definition — let  alone  the  affiliations — of  the  so-called  Latin  Brut  texts 
has  been  subject  to  debate  by  those  few  scholars  who  have  considered  them. 
Brie  identified  three  manuscripts — Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  200;  Lam- 
beth Palace  99;  and  BL  Cotton  Julius  B.iii — as  constituting  a  close  and 
accurate  translation  from  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut,  though  the  last  of  these 
contained  abbreviations  and  additions  from  other  Latin  sources  that  were 
not  found  in  the  other  two  texts. ^°^  However,  to  account  for  instances 
where  he  considered  that  the  Latin  text  agreed  better  with  Geoffrey  of 
Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britannie,  Brie  posited  that  the  translation  had 
been  made  from  an  earlier  form  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  than  now  sur- 
vives, one  that  corresponded  more  closely  to  Geoffrey  and  that  ended  in 
1066,  the  date  of  the  conclusion  of  the  Brut  texts  in  the  three  Latin  manu- 
scripts (two  of  which  then  append  continuations).  To  account  for  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Albina  prologue,  not  found  in  the  earliest  extant  Anglo-Norman 


**  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  54-55. 

^  See  V.  H.  Galbraith,  ed.,  The  Anonimalle  Chronicle  1333-1381  (Manchester,  1927); 
Taylor,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  133-53. 

^°°  See  Galbraith,  "Extracts  from  the  Historia  Aurea  and  a  French  'Brut'  (1317-47)," 
pp.  206-207  (description),  215-17  (extract  from  the  first  continuation). 

'°'  For  these,  and  Brie's  other  comments  that  are  summarized  below,  see  his 
Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  127—30. 


38 INTRODUCTION 

texts  ending  in  1272,  Brie  suggested  that  either  there  had  once  existed 
Anglo-Norman  texts  to  1272  that  included  the  prologue  or  the  prologue  was 
an  individual  addition  to  a  text  ending  in  1066. 

Brie  remarked  further  the  presence  of  the  same  prologue  in  an  anonymous 
Latin  chronicle  in  Bodleian  MSS.  Rawlinson  B.169,  B.195,  C.398,  "u.  a.  m." 
(that  is,  "and  many  others"),  but  felt  that  this  work  had  nothing  otherwise 
to  do  with  the  Brut.  He  also  noted  the  interpolated  presence  of  the  prologue 
in  BL  MS.  Cotton  Galba  E.vii  of  the  Eulogium  Historiarum  and  a  second 
translation  of  the  prologue  (from  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version),  with 
an  original  preface,  in  BL  MS.  Harley  941. 

Kingsford,  however,  regarded  the  anonymous  Latin  chronicle  rejected  by 
Brie  as  the  fully  developed  form  of  the  Latin  Brut,  ending  with  the  murder 
of  James  I  of  Scotland  in  1437,  and  added  a  further  eight  texts  to  the  three 
specifically  mentioned  by  Brie.  He  noted  frequent  textual  variations,  perhaps 
"due  in  part  to  independent  translations  from  the  English  original,"  but  con- 
cluded from  his  comparison  of  three  texts  for  the  reign  of  Richard  that  "all 
three  are  obviously  translated  (though  with  much  abbreviation)  from  the 
common  English  text."^^^  Kingsford  accepted  the  three  manuscripts  de- 
scribed by  Brie  as  the  Latin  Brut  as  representatives  of  the  original  work,  to 
which,  presumably,  the  material  translated  from  the  English  Brut  had  subse- 
quently been  appended. 

Kingsford  assigned  nine  of  his  eleven  texts  to  two  main  classes,  according 
to  whether  they  contain  brief  or  full  accounts  of  the  reign  of  Henry  V,  and 
commented  on  the  contents  of  the  remaining  two  texts.^^'' 

Most  recently,  Kennedy  has  raised  the  possibility,  at  least  for  the  texts 
discussed  by  Kingsford,  that  "they  are  not  translations  but  original  com- 
positions in  Latin  that  drew  upon  the  English  Bruts  and  other  works  as 
sources,"  since  there  is  material  in  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.398  that 


^°^  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  310,  311. 

^*^^  The  text  from  1399  to  1437,  designated  "The  Common  Version,"  is  printed  from 
manuscripts  containing  the  brief  account  in  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp. 
312-23;  the  text  of  "The  Longer  Version  for  the  Reign  of  Henry  V"  is  printed  on  pp. 
323-37.  Despite  textual  variations,  Kingsford  considered  (presumably  on  account  of 
content)  that  all  the  texts  were  very  similar  for  the  reigns  of  Henry  IV  and  Henry  VI  (p. 
310).  The  narrative  from  1422  to  1437  (and  a  continuation  to  1471)  in  College  of  Arms 
Arundel  5  is  printed  in  Gairdner,  ed..  Chronicles,  pp.  164-66  {Brut),  166-85  (continu- 
ation). The  imperfect  text  of  Bodleian  Rawlinson  C.234  is  printed  under  the  title 
"Chronicon  (Anonymi)  Godstovianum"  as  an  appendix  in  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.,  William 
Roper's  Vita  Thomae  More  (Oxford,  1716),  pp.  180-246. 


INTRODUCTION 39^ 

Kennedy  did  not  find  in  the  English  texts  ending  in  1437.^^ 

It  is  almost  certain  that  a  number  of  texts  remain  unidentified  in  sketchily 
catalogued  manuscripts. ^°^  It  would,  therefore,  be  premature  to  try  to  re- 
solve all  outstanding  problems  connected  with  the  Latin  Bruts,  the  texts  of 
which  require  a  more  detailed  and  extensive  treatment  than  is  either  neces- 
sary or  possible  in  the  present  context.  The  following  comments  attempt  to 
address  the  opinions  and  concerns  of  the  scholars  noted  above,  especially 
insofar  as  they  relate  to  the  relationship  between  the  Latin  texts  and  the 
English  Brut. 

As  noted  earlier,  those  texts  that  have  been  called  Latin  Bru^  fall  into 
two  major  versions  and  a  minor  "version"  represented  by  a  single  text.  The 
two  major  versions  are  connected  only  by  their  use  of  a  common  form  (with 
variations)  of  the  Albina  prologue. 

Tbe  First  Version  of  the  Latin  Brut 

The  first  version  consists  of  the  texts  found  in  MSS.  Magdalen  College, 
Oxford,  200  and  Lambeth  Palace  99,  with  which  can  be  associated  the  text 
of  BL  MS.  Cotton  Julius  B.iii. 

Both  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  200  (fols.  40-56)  and  Lambeth  Palace 
99  (fols.  l-22v)  contain  a  short  prefatory  passage,  beginning  "Adam  &  Eua 
in  agro  Damasceno  formati  virgines  exierunt  de  paradiso"  and  ending  "Com- 
putantur  igitur  ab  Adam  usque  ad  passionem  anni  quinque  milia  ducente- 
simo  8c  viginti  octo"  (Lambeth  Palace  99). 

The  work  that  follows  immediately  is  based  on  the  Short  Version  of  the 
Anglo-Norman  Brut  and  is  headed  "Incipit  Brute  de  gestis  Anglorum" 
(Magdalen  Coll.  200),  "Incipit  Bruto  de  gentes  Anglorum  8c  de  omnibus 
regibus  AngUe"  (Lambeth  Palace  99).  The  Albina  prologue  begins  "Anno 
[a]  creacione  mundi  M'M'M'  DCCCC  erat  in  Grecia  quidem  rex  potentissi- 
mus  super  ceteros  reges  optinens  principatum"  and  ends  "8c  sic  gigantes  ex- 
pulsi  C  X  annis  terram  Anglie  tenuere  in  pace"  (Lambeth  Palace  99);  as  Brie 


^°^  Manual,  pp.  2638-39. 

*°^  The  present  discussion  includes  those  manuscripts  noted  in  Brie,  Geschichte  und 
Quellen,  p.  5;  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  310-12;  Carley  and  Crick, 
"Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  pp.  48-49  and  n.  32  (CCCC  311  and  Gonville  and  Caius 
Coll.,  Cambridge,  72);  and  Dutschke,  Guide,  2:  618-19  (Huntington  HM  19960).  Brut- 
Uke  texts  such  as  those  found  in  Lambeth  Palace  386,  BL  Egerton  672,  and  Chicago 
224,  fols.  7-24v  (see  Mary  E.  GifFm,  "A  Wigmore  Manuscript  at  the  University  of 
Chicago,"  Tie  National  Library  of  Wales  Journal  7  [1951-52]:  316-25)  have  not  been 
included. 


40 INTRODUCTION 

noted,  this  text  is  a  slightly  shortened  translation  into  Latin  prose  of  the 
introductory  poem  found  in  many  Anglo-Norman  Short  Version  texts. 

The  first  chapter  of  the  narrative  proper  is  entitled  "De  ciuitate  magne 
[noue  Lambeth]  Troie  que  est  ciuitate  London"  and  begins  "In  ciuitate  magne 
[noue  Lambeth]  Troie  erat  quidam  miles  fortissimus  nomine  Eneas"  (Mag- 
dalen Coll.  200).  The  succeeding  text  is  a  close  translation  of  the  Anglo- 
Norman  Short  Version  and  shares  the  features  thereof,  such  as  the  omission 
of  Merlin's  prophecies  and  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  the  inclusion  of  King 
Malgo  (see  pp.  32-35  above).  The  Brut  text  ends  in  1066  with  the  death  of 
Harold:  "Et  isto  modo  rex  Haroldus  perdidit  regnum  Anglie  cum  regnasset  ab 
Epiphania  dum  vsque  ad  festum  sancti  Kalixti  xl  septimanas  &  mortuus  est  in 
bello  vt  predicatur  8c  iacet  humatus  aput  Waltham.  Explicit  Bruto  [Brute 
Magdalen  Coll.]  de  gestis  Anglorum"  (Lambeth  Palace  99). 

Magdalen  College  200  ends  at  this  point,  but  Lambeth  Palace  99  conti- 
nues with  a  chronicle  entitled  "Conquestus  regni  AngHe  per  WiUelmum 
ducem  Normannorum"  (fol.  22v),  which  begins  by  recounting  William's  rea- 
sons for  the  Conquest.  This  work  ends  in  1367  with  a  full  list  of  those  cap- 
tured at  the  battle  of  Najera:  "&  alij  multi  vsque  ad  numerum  quinque  M^ 
vel  yj  Mill,  bonarum  gencium  armatarum  exceptis  lenetorijs  Panisorijs  8c  se- 
ruentibus  sine  numero"  (fol.  56v). 

Besides  the  Brut  text  and  its  continuation,  Lambeth  Palace  99  contains  a 
number  of  other  works,  all  written  by  the  same  scribe,  that  bear  on  the  de- 
velopment of  this  first  version  of  the  Latin  Brut.  The  manuscript  includes  a 
chronicle  of  popes  to  Gregory  XI  (mistakenly  called  "Vrbanus"),  elected  in 
1370  and  died  1378  (fols.  60-1 12v);  a  chronicle  of  Roman  and  Holy  Roman 
emperors  from  JuUus  Caesar  to  Charles  IV,  elected  in  1355  and  died  1378 
(fols.  113-127v);  a  chronicle  of  archbishops  of  Canterbury  from  Augustine 
to  WilHam  Whittesley,  archbishop  from  1368  to  1374  (fols.  129-150);  a  list 
of  bishoprics  (fols.  153-155v);  a  Cosmographia  attributed  to  "Rogerum  mo- 
nachum  Cestrensis,"  extracted  from  Ranulph  Higden's  Polychronicon  (fols. 
158-186);  a  catalogue  of  saints  in  England  (fols.  187-196);  a  text  on  Scot- 
tish history  from  the  time  of  IGng  Westmer  to  1368  (fols.  203-206);  the 
Ymago  mundi  of  Honorius  of  Autun  (fols.  207-218,  ending  imperfectly);  and 
a  tractate  and  three  epitaphs  on  William  the  Conqueror  (fols.  219-224v). 
The  dates  associated  with  the  various  works  suggest  that  the  manuscript  was 
compiled  soon  after  1377.^°^ 


^°*  At  some  point  the  manuscript  belonged  to  St.  George's  Chapel  at  Windsor;  see 
Ker,  Medieval  Libraries,  p.  203. 


INTRODUCTION 41 

Versions  of  several  of  the  works  found  in  Lambeth  Palace  99  also  occur 
in  BL  MS.  Cotton  Julius  B.iii:  the  chronicles  of  the  popes  (fols.  3-25v), 
emperors  (fols.  26-31),  and  archbishops  of  Canterbury  (fols.  31v-42)  and 
the  list  of  bishoprics  (fols.  42v^50v).  Clearly,  the  two  manuscripts  are  closely 
related. 

Nevertheless,  the  version  of  the  Brut  is  not  identical  to  that  found  in 
Lambeth  Palace  99.  The  short  preface  from  Adam  is  omitted,  but  the  text 
of  the  Albina  story  is  similar  to  that  in  Lambeth  Palace  99;  it  begins  "A 
principio  mundi  iij'^  ix^  erat  in  Grecia  quidam  rex  potentissimus  super  [re- 
peated] ceteros  reges  optinens  principatum"  and  ends  "et  sic  gigantes  sunt 
expulsi."  The  following  narrative,  however,  is  largely  a  selective  adaptation 
of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britannie,  the  language  of 
which  is  sometimes  paraphrased,  sometimes  followed  verbatim.  Thus,  Bru- 
tus's  questions  and  Diana's  reply  are  given  in  Geoffrey's  verse  form,  and 
Merlin's  prophecies  are  included,  with  the  kings  being  identified  in  the  mar- 
gins. Additions  are  also  made,  as,  for  example,  in  the  inclusion  of  an  ex- 
tended account  of  Sts.  Alban  and  Amphiball.  Considerable  omissions  fi"om 
Geoffrey  are  also  made,  and  one  principle  of  omission  may  have  been  the 
absence  of  corresponding  material  in  the  Brut  so  as  to  follow  generally  the 
narrative  structure  of  that  work.  After  Cadwallader  occurs  an  extended  ac- 
count of  the  kings  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  heptarchy.  Thereafter,  the  text  turns 
to  the  Brut  for  the  remainder  of  the  narrative  to  1066;  it  then  proceeds  with 
the  third  chapter  of  the  chronicle  to  1367  found  in  Lambeth  Palace  99,  thus 
avoiding  a  overlap  between  the  two  works.  The  changeover  (fol.  lOlv)  is  as 
follows: 

Et  isto  modo  rex  Haroldus  perdidit  regnum  Anglie  cum  regnasset  ab 
Epiphania  dum  vsque  ad  festum  sancti  Kalixti  per  xl  septimanas  &c 
mortuus  est  in  bello  vt  predicatur  6c  iacet  humatus  apud  Waltham. 

Explicit  Bruto  de  gestis  Anglorum.  Conquestus  regni  AngUe  per 
Willelmum  ducem  Normannie  et  de  coronacione  dicti  Willelmi  regis 
Anglie. 

Anno  domini  M  bcyj  dux  Normannorum  Willelmus  vrbem  London 
adiens  in  multo  exultacione  a  clero  &  populo  susceptus 

The  succeeding  text  is  abbreviated,  especially  in  lists  of  names,  and  ends 
after  a  much  truncated  account  of  the  captured  at  Najera:  "&  alij  multi 
vsque  ad  numerum  v  Mill,  bonarum  gencium  armatorum  exceptis  lenetorijs 
Panisorijs  &,  seruentibus  sine  numero"  (fol.  115v). 


42 INTRODUCTION 

BL  MS.  Cotton  Julius  B.iii  appears  to  have  been  directly  based  on  Lam- 
beth Palace  MS.  99  and  contains  a  contemporary  note  in  the  lower  margin 
of  fol.  3  that  reads:  "Istum  librum  compilauit  magister  Willelmus  Rede  iij"* 
episcopus  Cirestrensis."  William  Rede  was  indeed  bishop  of  Chichester  from 
1368  to  his  death  in  1385;  why  the  annotator  designates  him  as  "third"  is 
mysterious  (the  see  was  first  established  in  1075  and  only  one  of  Rede's  pre- 
decessors was  named  William).  Emden  accepts  his  authorship  of  the  chroni- 
cle of  the  popes  and  emperors,  the  chronicle  of  the  archbishops  of  Canter- 
bury, and  the  Brut  and  its  continuation  to  1367  in  BL  Cotton  Julius 
B.iii. ^°^  Rede's  dates  fit,  and  he  was  certainly  qualified  to  have  compiled 
such  a  manuscript.  He  was  a  noted  scholar  of  Merton  College  and  the  auth- 
or of  several  astronomical  tables  and  works.  He  was  also  a  collector  who 
made  major  donations  of  books  to  Merton  College  and  New  College  and 
lesser  gifts  to  several  other  Oxford  colleges  and  religious  institutions  outside 
Oxford.  Numbered  among  his  books  were  historical  works,  including  Bede's 
De  Gestis  Anglorum,  Henry  of  Huntingdon's  De  Historia  Anglorum,  and  Ail- 
red  of  Rievaulx's  Liber  de  Genealogia  regum  Anglorum,  and  several  saints' 
lives,  including  two  lives  of  Thomas  Becket.  But  questions  remain.  Does  the 
annotator  refer  to  all  or  part  of  the  particular  compilation  of  works  in  BL 
Cotton  Julius  B.iii?  Does  he  refer  to  authorship  and  revision  as  well  as  com- 
pilation? Does  he  include  the  much  altered  Brut  text  and  its  continuation? 
How  should  one  account  for  Lambeth  Palace  99,  which  was  the  source  for 
BL  Cotton  Julius  B.iii?  Without  corroborating  evidence,  the  attribution  to 
Bishop  Rede  must  remain  possible  but  not  proven. 

The  Second  Version  of  the  Latin  Brut 

The  second  version  includes  the  eleven  texts  listed  by  Kingsford  but  rejected 
by  Brie  and  questioned  by  Kennedy,  with  the  addition  of  two  subsequently 
identified  texts.  Both  Kennedy  and  Kingsford  are  partially  correct:  as  the 
former  suspected,  this  is  not  a  simple  translation  from  an  English  Brut  but 
is  a  compilation;  Kingsford,  though,  whose  primary  interest  was  in  the  later 
section  of  the  text,  is  also  correct  in  saying  that  that  part  is  derived  from  an 
English  Brut.  Kingsford  also  noted  that  there  was  much  textual  variation  in 


^°^  For  Rede's  career  and  books,  see  A.  B.  Emden,  A  Biographical  Register  of  the 
University  of  Oxford  to  AD.  1500,  3  vols.  (Oxford,  1957-1959),  3:  1556-60.  Emden 
accepts  the  evidence  of  the  note  on  pp.  1556  and  1560. 


INTRODUCTION 43 

the  manuscripts  and  suggested  that  this  might  be  due  in  part  to  independent 
translation  from  the  English  texts. 

In  its  complete  form,  the  second  version  covers  the  period  from  Albina  to 
the  murder  of  James  I  of  Scotland  in  1437.  As  we  have  seen,  Kingsford  di- 
vides the  texts  of  the  second  version  into  two  main  classes,  depending  on 
whether  they  contain  a  brief  or  a  fiill  account  of  the  reign  of  Henry  V. 
Manuscripts  containing  the  brief  account  are  Bodleian  Rawlinson  C.398  (ex- 
cept for  the  batde  of  Agincourt,  which  is  of  the  full  account  type),  BL 
Cotton  Domitian  iv,  BL  Harley  3906  (with  a  continuation  to  1456),  Col- 
lege of  Arms  Arundel  5  (with  a  continuation  to  1471),  and  Bodleian  Rawl- 
inson B.195  (sixteenth  century).  The  full  account  is  found  in  MSS.  BL 
Lansdowne  212,  St.  John's  College,  Oxford,  78,  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.169, 
and  BL  Harley  3884  (the  Brut  narrative  from  1415  to  1437,  with  a  continu- 
ation from  1445  to  1455).^''^  The  text  found  in  Bodleian  Rawlinson 
C.234  (the  so-called  Godstow  Chronicle,  imperfect  at  both  beginning  and 
end)  is  similar  to  that  in  BL  Cotton  Domitian  iv  but  contains  the  full  ac- 
count for  1415  to  1421.  Kingsford  notes  distinctive  peculiarities  in  the  final 
part  of  the  text  of  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.147,  but  it  appears  to  be  a  variant 
of  the  second  version  rather  than  a  separate  version.  The  text  of  Corpus 
Christi  CoUege,  Cambridge,  311  can  be  assigned  to  the  longer  class,  while 
that  of  Gonville  and  Caius  College,  Cambridge,  72  remains  to  be  assigned 
to  one  or  the  other  class.  ^^ 

As  mentioned  above,  the  Albina  prologue  is  interpolated  from  this  version 
in  BL  MS.  Cotton  Galba  E.vii,  a  text  of  the  Eulogium  Histortarum}^^ 
The  historical  compilation  in  Huntington  MS.  HM  19960  completes  its 
narrative  with  material  from  the  second  version,  ending  in  1437  with  the 
murder  of  James  I.^^^ 

The  second  version  of  the  Latin  Brut  appears  to  be  a  deliberate  and  so- 
phisticated compilation  whose  purpose  was  to  improve  upon  the  historical 
narrative  presented  in  the  English  Brut  to  1437  (the  PV-1437:A  and  the 
corresponding  part  of  the  PV-1437/1461).  The  Latin  text  replaces,  adopts. 


^°*  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  310-11. 

^^  See  Montague  Rhodes  James,  A  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts  in  the 
Library  of  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  2  vols.  (Cambridge,  1912),  2:  111-12,  and 
yf  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  Gonville  and  Caius  College,  2 
vols.  (Cambridge,  1907,  1908),  1:  65-66. 

^^°  Printed  in  Haydon,  ed.  Eulogium  Historiarum,  2:  216-18. 

"^  See  Dutschke,  Guide,  2:  618-20. 


44 INTRODUCTION 

or  supplements  at  will  the  material  found  in  the  English  text,  using  a  variety 
of  sources  while  generally  following  the  outline  of  the  English  Brut.  A  fuller 
and  more  detailed  analysis  than  is  possible  here  is  required  to  establish  the 
identities  and  range  of  the  sources;  what  follows  should  be  regarded  as  a 
preliminary  and  provisional  account  of  the  text. 

Some  of  the  Latin  texts  have  a  heading  similar  to  that  found  in  the  Eng- 
lish PV-1437:B,  for  example: 

Nova  cronica  de  gestis  regum  Anglorum  cum  aliis  incedenciis  rerum 
notabilium  et  mirabilium  eorum  temporibus  contingencium  a  primo 
rege  Bruto  usque  ad  annum  XIIII  regis  Henrici  sexti  sub  compendio 
congesta.  [CCCC  311:  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue. . .  Corpus  Christi 
College,  2:  111] 

Noua  Cronica  de  gestis  regum  Anglorum  a  primo  rege  Bruto  usque 
ad  annum  xiiij  regis  Henrici  sexti  sub  quodam  compendio  compilata. 
[Bodl.  Rawlinson  C.398] 

Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  311  and  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlin- 
son B.169  continue  with  a  short  introduction,  beginning  "Britannia  que 
nunc  AngUa  dicitur,"  again  corresponding  to  the  English  PV-1437:B. 

The  first  section  of  the  text  proper  is  the  Albina  prologue,  apparently 
taken  from  the  corresponding  text  in  the  first  version  of  the  Latin  Brut  (or 
perhaps  from  a  text  of  the  Eulogium  Historiarum  in  which  it  occurred  as  an 
interpolation),  beginning  "Anno  a  creacione  Mundi  III""  nongentesimo  erat 
in  grecia  Rex  potentissimus  super  ceteros  Reges"  (Gonville  and  Caius  Coll. 
72:  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue. . .  Gonville  and  Caius  College,  1:  65). 

The  succeeding  narrative  opens  with  a  short  genealogy  from  Jupiter  and 
Juno  to  Brutus  (descended  from  the  union  of  Jupiter  and  Electra);  this  cor- 
responds to  part  of  the  genealogy  from  Noah  to  Brutus  represented  in  the 
EngHsh  text  of  Bodleian  MS.  Lyell  34  {"Davies's"  Chronicle)  and  National 
Library  of  Wales  MS.  21608D  but  has  been  improved  by  comparison  with 
some  other  text,  possibly  the  Eulogium  Historiarum}^^ 

The  immediately  following  narrative,  from  Brutus  to  Cadwallader,  is 
mainly  based  on  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britannie,  with 
which  there  are  frequent  verbal  correspondences.  However,  additional  ma- 
terial shows  that  the  compiler  either  supplemented  Geoffrey  from  other 


See  Haydon,  ed.  Eulogium  Historiarum,  2:  203-205. 


INTRODUCTION 45 

sources  (such  as  Higden's  Polychronicon,  itself  indebted  to  Geoffrey  for  early 
British  history),  or  used  an  intermediate  chronicle  that  had  already  done  so. 
Gildas  and  William  of  Malmesbury  are  cited  by  name.  There  are  also  cor- 
respondences with  the  English  PV-1 437/61,  such  as  the  arrival  in  England 
of  Joseph  of  Arimathea  with  two  vials  of  Christ's  blood  and  his  estabhsh- 
ment  of  a  church  at  Glastonbury,  where  he  is  buried.  Considerable  abbrevi- 
ation also  occurs:  for  example,  Merlin's  prophecies  are  omitted  and  the  reign 
of  Arthur  is  recounted  in  one  short  chapter. 

As  in  the  EngHsh  PV-1422:A,  the  PV-1437:A,  and  the  PV-1437/61  (as 
represented  by  Bodleian  MS.  Lyell  34),  the  Cadwallader  episode  is  followed 
by  a  lengthy  account  of  the  kingdoms  of  the  heptarchy. 

The  following  narrative,  from  Alfred  to  a  point  near  the  end  of  the  reign 
of  Edward  III,  is  largely  extracted  from  the  corresponding  narrative  found 
in  those  texts  of  the  AB  version  of  the  Polychronicon  that  append  to  Hig- 
den's work  a  continuation  to  1377,  combined  with  material  from  the  Eng- 
lish PV-1437:A.^^-'  The  compiler  appears  to  have  also  used  other  sources, 
including  the  Eulogium  Hisforiarum,  from  which  he  probably  took,  for  ex- 
ample, William  the  Conqueror's  dream  concerning  the  foundation  of  Battle 
Abbey,  Becket's  vision  of  the  ampulla  containing  the  consecration  oil  (re- 
lated under  the  reign  of  Henry  II),  and  the  poisoning  of  King  John  by  a 
monk  of  Swineshead.  The  reigns  of  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  and  Edward  II 
are  relatively  brief,  as  they  are  in  the  English  PV-1422:A  and  some  texts  of 
the  PV-1437:A.  The  last  recorded  event  taken  from  the  Polychronicon  con- 
tinuation is  the  creation  of  Richard  of  Bordeaux  as  prince  of  Wales,  duke  of 
Cornwall,  and  earl  of  Chester;  unfortunately,  the  compiler  has  moved  this 
notice  forward  to  a  point  before  the  record  of  the  death  of  Edward,  prince 
of  Wales.  The  reign  of  Edward  III  closes  with  a  notice  of  Wyclif  and  his 
followers,  taken  from  the  continuation,  an  account  of  Edward's  wife  Phi- 
lippa  and  their  children,  and  a  note  of  the  king's  death. 


^^^  See  John  Taylor,  The  'Universal  Chronicle'  of  Ranulf  Higden  (Oxford,  1966),  pp. 
98-100  (on  the  almost  seventy  copies  of  the  AB  version),  118-19  and  178-81  (on  the 
compilation  of  the  continuation).  Two  forms  of  the  continuation  are  printed  in  Lumby, 
ed.,  Polychronicon,  8:  407-28  (from  Gonville  and  Caius  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  82), 
and  Thomas  Hog,  ed.,  Adam  Murimuthensis  Chronica  Sui  Temporis .  .  .  cum  eorundem 
Continuatione  (ad M.CCC.LXXX)  a  Quodam  Anonymo  (1846;  rpt.  Vaduz,  1964),  pp.  174- 
227  (pp.  171-73  represent  Higden's  text).  For  an  example  of  the  combination  of  texts, 
see  the  passage  quoted  from  the  Enghsh  translation  of  the  Latin  text  on  p.  306  below, 
where  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  is  based  on  the  Brut  while  the  following 
notice  of  the  Holy  Roman  Emperor  comes  from  the  Polychronicon. 


46 INTRODUCTION 

The  final  section  of  narrative,  fi-om  the  accession  of  Richard  II  to  the 
death  of  James  I  in  1437,  is  closely  associated  with  the  English  PV-1437:A, 
probably  in  some  form  that  underlies  the  PV-1437/61  as  exemplified  by 
"Davies's"  Chronicle}^^  The  Latin  text  with  the  fiiller  account  of  the  reign 
of  Henry  V  (the  briefer  account  is  seemingly  a  secondary  development)  is 
based  on  the  English  text  but  abbreviates  it  considerably  to  the  year  1416, 
after  which  abbreviation  decreases  though  it  does  not  cease.  In  the  reign  of 
Richard  II  the  abdication  speeches  and  references  to  the  coronation  ampulla 
do  not  appear.  Some  minor  additions  are  also  made  that  are  not  always 
accurate;  for  example,  the  conclusion  of  the  text  names  the  murderer  of 
James  I  as  William  (rather  than  the  correct  Robert)  Graham. 

In  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.398,  a  Latin  text,  and  Columbia  MS. 
Plimpton  261,  an  English  PV-1437:B  text  translated  from  the  Latin  (see 
below  and  item  174),  the  chronicle  is  attributed  to  a  Richard  Rede.  Rede 
may  have  been  either  the  compiler  or  just  the  scribe  of  the  former  manu- 
script, whose  name  was  then  taken  to  be  that  of  the  compiler  by  the  English 
translator  and  thus  introduced  into  the  latter  manuscript.  The  identity  of  the 
surname  with  that  of  William  Rede,  who  is  associated  with  the  unrelated 
first  version  of  the  Latin  Brut,  is  probably  coincidental. 

The  precise  relationship  of  the  second  version  of  the  Latin  Brut  to  the 
English  PV-1422:A,  PV-1437:A,  and  PV-1437/61  remains  problematical. 
The  final  portion  of  the  Latin  text  seems  to  be  clearly  based  on  the  English 
text  to  1437.  But  the  opening  words  of  the  Albina  prologue  and  the  pres- 
ence in  the  section  abstracted  from  the  Polychronicon  of  all  the  additional 
material  from  that  work  found  in  the  English  texts,  together  with  the  ex- 
tended account  of  the  heptarchy,  might  suggest  that  the  Latin  text  formed 
the  source  for  those  additions.  It  is  more  likely,  however,  that  the  compiler 
of  the  Latin  text  used  an  English  text  as  a  template  to  guide  his  selection  of 
material  from  the  Polychronicon  and,  when  he  came  across  passages  borrowed 
from  that  source  in  the  English  text,  he  included  them  as  a  matter  of  course, 
as  well  as  the  account  of  the  heptarchy. 

The  English  PV-1437:B  is  a  translation  of  a  text  from  the  second  class  of 

the  Latin  Brut  and  thus  includes  the  longer  account  of  the  reign  of  Henry 
y  115 


^*''  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  127-28. 

^^^  For  further  comments  on  the  source  of  the  English  translation,  see  pp.  305-306. 
Kennedy  slips  in  saying  that  the  translation  is  from  the  shorter  type  {Manual,  p.  2639). 


INTRODUCTION 47 

The  Third  Version  of  the  Latin  Brut 

The  final  "version"  consists  of  a  short  narrative  in  BL  MS.  Harley  941, 
which  contains  on  fols.  l-3v  a  unique  translation  into  Latin  of  the  prose 
adaptation  of  the  Albina  prologue  from  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version 
of  the  Brut}^^  It  seems  quite  likely  that  this  was  a  one-time  exercise, 
rather  than  an  extract  from  some  longer  translation  of  the  Brut  into  Latin. 


V.  The  Middle  EngUsh  Brut 

The  preeminent  translation  into  EngHsh  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Ver- 
sion with  the  long  continuation  was  made  at  some  point  between  1333,  the 
ending  point  of  the  basic  text,  and  ca.  1400,  the  probable  date  of  the  earliest 
English  manuscripts.  Brie  chose  the  middle  years  of  1350  to  1380  as  the 
most  likely  period  of  translation,  while  Kingsford  dated  it  "[tjowards  the  end 
of  the  fourteenth  century,"  and  the  present  writer  has  used  the  date  "about 
1400.""^  A  date  late  in  the  fourteenth  century  seems  preferable  for  several 
reasons:  (1)  a  number  of  the  Anglo-Norman  manuscripts  of  the  Long  Ver- 
sion belong  to  the  late  fourteenth  and  early  fifteenth  centuries,  suggesting 
that  the  French  text  remained  popular  at  that  time;  (2)  the  earliest  extant 
manuscripts  in  English  were  written  ca.  1400  and  are  still  very  close  to  their 
French  original  (though  it  is  clear  that  there  were  texts  antedating  those  that 
survive);  (3)  the  dialect  of  the  earliest  surviving  texts  is  still  relatively  pure; 
(4)  the  work  may  be  seen  as  analogous  to  what  Ralph  Hanna  has  character- 
ized as  "the  Ricardian  translation  project.""*  Accordingly,  some  point  be- 


"*  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  130;  Carley  and  Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's 
Past,"  pp.  48,  49-50. 

"^  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  54;  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  114;  and  "Historical 
Prose,"  p.  210,  respectively.  A  recent,  general  account  of  the  English  Brut  and  of  selected 
episodes  therein  is  found  in  Robert  A.  Albano,  Middle  English  Historiography  (New  York, 
1993),  pp.  37-89.  Extracts  of  historical  and  social  interest,  often  with  commentary,  are 
given  passim  in  Basil  Cottle,  The  Triumph  of  English  1350-1400  (London,  1969). 

See  Ralph  Hanna  III,  "Henry  Daniel's  Liber  Uricrisiarum  (Excerpt),"  in  Popular 
and  Practical  Science  of  Medieval  England,  ed.  Lister  M.  Matheson  (East  Lansing,  1994), 
pp.  185-86.  Beside  the  Liber  Uricrisiarum,  translated  by  Henry  Daniel  between  1376  and 
1379,  Hanna  notes  the  translation  of  Macer's  De  virtutibus  herbarum  by  John  Lelamour, 
a  Hereford  schoolmaster,  in  1373  and  also  adduces  Trevisa,  Chaucer,  and  the  Wydiflfite 
translators,  all  from  the  1380s  and  1390s. 


48 INTRODUCTION 

tween  1380  and  1400  would,  perhaps,  be  a  safe  date  for  the  original  English 
translation  of  the  Brut. 

The  translator  is  anonymous,  but  the  dialects  of  the  earliest  manuscripts 
and  relict  forms  in  later  ones  suggest  that  he  came  from  Herefordshire.^^^ 
The  ensuing  fifteenth-century  textual  development  of  the  work  and  the 
standardized  language  of  many  texts  show  increasing  ties  with  London  and 
its  environs.  The  first  continuation,  to  1377,  is  associated  with  the  work  of 
Westminster  chroniclers,  and  subsequent  continuations  are  closely  linked 
with  the  civic  chronicles  of  London.  Their  contents  often  reveal  a  marked 
interest  in  metropolitan  affairs,  which  would  have  appealed  to  an  audience 
that  expanded  to  include  members  of  the  merchant  class.  The  major  center 
of  production  for  both  texts  and  manuscripts  was  undoubtedly  the  London 
area,  and  the  first  printed  edition,  by  William  Caxton,  was  published  at 
Westminster. 

As  we  have  seen,  the  numerous  surviving  manuscripts  and  texts  fall  into 
four  broad  categories  (here  designated  by  the  Roman  numerals  used  in  the 
Classification  of  Texts  below)  within  which  many  smaller  groups  can  be  dis- 
tinguished: 

L  The  Common  Version,  which  originally  took  the  narrative  to  1333  but 
to  which  numerous  additions  were  made,  eventually  bringing  one  group 
(which  includes  the  first  of  the  early  printed  editions)  to  the  year  1461. 

IL  The  Extended  Version,  which  adds  an  exordium  and  includes  details 
taken  from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle. 

III.  The  Abbreviated  Version,  which  is  a  shortened  cross  between  the 
Common  and  Extended  Versions. 

IV.  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions,  which  is  an  amorphous  grouping  of  (1) 
reworked  texts  and  versions  of  all  or  part  of  a  Brut  text,  sometimes 
abbreviated  or  expanded  by  interpolations  from  other  works  and  some- 
times containing  continuations;  (2)  material  of  an  individual  nature 
forming  a  section  of  a  longer  Brut  text  that  belongs  to  an  otherwise 
distinct  group;  (3)  appendages  to  some  work  other  than  the  Brut,  (4) 
very  brief  works  that  have  used  the  Brut  as  a  primary  source;  (5)  the 
second  translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut,  made  in  1435  by  John 


^^'  See,  for  example,  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.171,  one  of  the  earliest  manuscripts 
(South-West  Herefordshire),  and  the  later  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.173  (West  Here- 
fordshire), CUL  Kk.1.12  (Central  Herefordshire),  and  Bodleian  Bodley  840  (Essex,  with 
Herefordshire  relicts). 


INTRODUCTION 49 

Mandeville,  rector  of  Burnham  Thorpe  in  Norfolk,  contained  in  two 
manuscripts. 

A  small  number  of  incomplete  or  fragmentary  texts  have  proved  resistant 
to  classification  and  are  grouped  below  as  "Unclassified  Texts"  (V).  Addi- 
tions made  subsequent  to  the  first  printed  edition  (derived  from  the  Com- 
mon Version)  allow  the  early  printed  editions  to  be  identified  as  belonging 
to  two  types  (VI). 

VI.  Methods  of  Classification 

The  system  of  classification  employed  in  the  present  study  is  partially 
indebted  to  that  used  by  Friedrich  W.  D.  Brie  in  his  Geschichte  und  Quellen 
der  mittelenglischen  Prosachronik  The  Brute  of  England  oder  The  Chronicles  of 
England  (1905),  but  represents  a  considerable  expansion  and  refinement  of 
that  work.  Although  a  pioneering  effort,  Brie's  study  contains  many  flaws 
and  errors. ^^^  He  knew  only  a  limited  number  of  manuscripts  and  was  un- 
able to  examine  all  of  these  personally.  His  method  of  classifying  manu- 
scripts almost  exclusively  by  the  type  of  continuations  they  contained,  sel- 
dom taking  account  of  textual  differences,  prevented  him  from  identifying 
a  number  of  groups  and  resulted  in  oversimplified  views  of  the  complex  rela- 
tionships among  the  texts.  Neither  the  intrusive  Cadwallader  episode  nor 
Queen  Isabella's  letter  are  used  as  criteria  for  classification.  Furthermore, 
Brie  discounted  the  many  manuscripts  of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated 
Versions  of  the  Brut  as  worthless. 

The  criteria  and  factors  used  in  the  present  classification  are  several,  and 
classification  depends  upon  a  combination  of  features.  The  most  important 
are  a  formal  examination  of  each  text  to  determine  its  contents  and  continu- 
ations (reflected  in  the  layout  of  each  entry,  with  additional  commentary,  if 
necessary,  in  the  Remarks).  This  formal  analysis  is  combined  with  textual 
comparison  of  selected  test  passages  that  show  consistent,  definitional  vari- 
ation in  particular  groups  (that  is,  passages  demonstrating  that  some  process 
of  conscious  revision  has  taken  place  as  opposed  to  simple  scribal  variation 
between  texts).  Textual  comparison  is  also  used  extensively  in  the  case  of 
texts  that  are  imperfect  at  either  beginning  or  end.  The  starting  point  for  all 
comparisons  is  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version  of  the  Brut  and  the  initial 
translation  thereof  into  English. 


For  detailed  criticism,  see  Matheson,  "Historical  Prose,"  pp.  210-12. 


50 INTRODUCTION 

The  texts  of  the  Middle  EngHsh  Common  Version  developed  primarily 
through  a  process  of  accretion,  through  the  acquisition  of  certain  added 
sections  of  text  and  of  continuations,  though  some  groups  (for  example,  the 
CV-1419  [Leyle])  are  distinguished  not  only  by  their  formal  contents  but 
also  by  their  verbal  changes.  However,  the  process  of  accretion  does  conceal 
some  potential  complexities,  since  apparent  additions  need  not  always  be 
later  accretions.  In  theory  at  least,  an  early  type  of  text  might  contain  an 
extra  feature  which,  in  the  normal  course  of  scribal  transmission,  was  omit- 
ted from  a  stage  of  the  copying  process  and  was  then  naturally  absent  from 
all  texts  descending  from  that  stage.  Conversely,  as  Dobson  has  remarked 
with  regard  to  the  texts  of  the  Ancrene  Wisse: 

When  the  case  is  one  of  additions  to  a  basic  text ...  it  must  be 
apparent  that  the  author  of  the  additions  may  well  have  taken  steps 
to  circulate  them  to  the  known  owners  of  copies;  and  scribes  or 
owners  who  became  aware  that  additions  were  in  existence  would  be 
Hkely  to  seek  to  acquire  copies.  In  the  result  the  same  additions 
might  be  inserted  into  manuscripts  that  were  otherwise  not  at  all 
closely  related;  and  the  affiliations  of  the  manuscripts  in  the  added 
portions  may  be  quite  different  from  those  in  the  basic  text.^^^ 

Given  the  large  number  of  primary  and  related  texts  in  circulation,  the 
situation  of  the  Brut  is  not  quite  as  contained  as  in  the  case  of  the  Ancrene 
Wisse.  I  have  tried  to  exercise  sufficient  caution  by  regularly  using  the  textual 
collation  of  selected  portions  of  text  as  a  control  and  double-check,  especi- 
ally in  the  case  of  doubtful  or  complex  relationships  where  scribal  cross- 
coUation  has  apparently  occurred.  In  general,  however,  in  the  case  of  the 
absence  of  a  recognized  later  accretion  to  the  basic  text  where  there  is  no 
contrary  or  conflicting  evidence,  I  have  assumed  that  the  additional  matter 
was  not  present  in  the  exemplar  of  a  specified  group  of  texts. 

The  classification  of  texts  of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions  de- 
pends primarily  on  which  of  four  recensions  of  the  exordium  is  present,  on 
distinctive  verbal  differences  among  the  several  textual  groups,  and,  for  some 
Abbreviated  Version  groups,  on  the  handling  of  the  chapter  that  includes 
the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  in  1333. 


^^^  E.  J.  Dobson,  The  Affiliations  of  the  Manuscripts  of  Ancrene  Wisse,"  in  English 
and  Medieval  Studies  Presented  to  J.  R.  R.  Tolkien,  ed.  Norman  Davis  and  C.  L.  Wrenn 


(London,  1962),  p.  129. 


INTRODUCTION 51^ 

Texts  included  under  "Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions,"  whether  singletons 
or  members  of  groups,  require  detailed  examination  both  of  formal  contents 
and  continuations  and  of  verbal  treatment  to  determine  their  likely  antece- 
dents and  affiliations. 

That  so  many  texts  of  a  work  that  went  out  of  fashion  in  the  sixteenth 
century  are  extant  implies  that  an  even  greater  number  have  not  survived,  a 
conclusion  that  is  borne  out  by  textual  comparisons.  It  is  rare,  though  not 
unknown,  that  direct  links  between  manuscripts  can  be  established,  and  each 
manuscript  remains  its  own  cultural  artifact  and  textual  witness.  In  addition, 
the  age  of  a  manuscript  cannot  be  used  as  an  absolutely  defining  criterion, 
since  a  late  but  accurately  copied  manuscript  may  preserve  well  an  early  form 
of  the  text.  Accordingly,  assignment  to  a  particular  group  does  not  imply 
total  identity  among  the  texts  of  that  group,  and  some  variation  and  differ- 
ences must  be  allowed. 

Test  Factors  and  Passages 

The  following  principal  test  factors  were  regularly  examined  and,  if  appro- 
priate, recorded  for  texts  of  the  Common  Version  to  serve  as  the  basis  for 
classification  of  groups  and  subgroups  within  the  version.  Through  factor 
13,  they  are  listed  in  the  order  in  which  they  would  appear  (if  present)  in 
the  narrative.  Combinations  of  these  factors  provide  a  set  of  criteria  whereby 
texts  have  been  classified. 

1.  The  heading  (if  any)  and  the  opening  words  of  the  text,  whether 
complete  or  imperfect.  ^^^ 

2.  A  comparison  of  the  Albina  prologue  and  the  Lear  story  (especially  the 
form  of  the  king's  name — "Leyl(e)"  instead  of  "Leir")  with  the  lexically 
altered  texts  represented  by  Glasgow  Hunterian  7A}^^ 


^^^  The  beginning  and  ending  of  any  table  of  contents,  usually  derived  from  the  chap- 
ter headings,  is  also  noted.  Such  tables  appear  randomly  among  the  Anglo-Norman  and 
English  manuscripts  and  the  printed  editions.  They  are  of  limited  classificatory  use  since 
they  could  be  generated  easily,  naturally,  and  independently,  and  just  as  easily  omitted. 
They  are,  however,  of  great  use  in  determining  or  confirming  the  original  ending  point 
of  texts  that  are  now  imperfect  at  the  end  or  of  texts  to  which  continuations  have  been 
subsequently  added. 

^^^  This  is  the  only  case  in  which  the  form  of  a  proper  name  has  been  used  as  a 
major  distinguishing  feature.  Especially  in  the  earlier  sections  of  the  texts,  the  manuscript 
speUings  of  proper  names  are  highly  variable  and  often  idiosyncratic.  Standardized  forms 
based  either  on  the  CV-1333  or  on  commonly  found  spellings  are  adopted  conventionally 


52 INTRODUCTION 

3.  The  presence  or  absence  of  the  Cadwallader  episode,  which  does  not 
occur  in  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version  or  in  the  original  English 
translation.  See  Appendix  1  below. 

4.  The  presence  or  absence  of  Queen  Isabella's  letter  to  the  citizens  of 
London,  which  does  not  occur  in  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version  or 
in  the  original  English  translation.  See  Appendix  2  below. 

5.  The  presence  or  absence  of  the  intrusive  heading  to  the  fifth  ward  of 
the  battle  of  Scotland — that  is,  the  fifth  division  in  the  battle  array  of 
the  Scottish  army — in  the  chapter  recounting  the  battle  of  Halidon 
Hill  ("5w"  heading;  c£  Brie  284/28,  and  see  pp.  86-87).  Where  the 
wording  of  the  heading  differs  significantly  from  that  of  the  standard 
heading,  then  it  is  recorded  in  the  description  of  the  text. 

6.  The  final  words  of  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill,  which  is 
the  conclusion  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version  and  the  original 
EngUsh  translation  (cf  Brie  286/8-9). 

7.  The  changeover  between  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  and  any  continu- 
ation to  1377,  which  can  be  of  a  long  or  a  short  type.^^'* 

8.  The  presence  or  absence  of  the  poem  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill, 
found  only  in  John  Mandeville's  translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman 
Long  Version  (Brie  287-89). 

9.  The  presence  or  absence  of  the  chapter  describing  the  character  of 
Edward  III,  which  occurs  sporadically  after  the  continuation  to  1377 
(Brie  333-34;  see  p.  92). 

10.  The  presence  (if  any)  of  a  continuation  from  1377  to  1419  (Brie  335- 
91)  and  to  which  of  two  major  types  it  belongs,  depending  on  the  clos- 
ing words  of  the  continuation,  whether  "and  manfiilly  countered  with 
our  English  men"  or  "in  rule  and  governance." 

11.  The  presence  (if  any)  of  a  continuation  beyond  1419  that  includes  John 
Page's  poem  on  the  siege  of  Rouen  (cf  Brie  394-439)  and  to  which  of 
three  recensions  it  belongs. 


below:  thus,  Coryn,  Ebrak,  Blegabred  (one  of  the  thirty-three  kings),  Lud,  Engist  (the 
modern  Hengest  or  Hengist),  Vortiger,  Cadwallader — but  (under  Shakespeare's  influence) 
Lear  rather  than  "Leir."  As  noted  above,  the  Latinized  forms  Albina  and  Brutus  are 
generally  adopted  instead  of  the  Anglo-Norman  and  Middle  English  "Albine"  and 
"Brut(e)"  respectively.  The  modern  form  Isabella  (Edward  II's  queen)  is  used  in 
preference  to  manuscript  "Isabel,"  and  other  modern  forms  are  used  for  names  that 
remain  current,  e.g.,  Alfred  for  "Alurede,"  William  the  Conqueror  for  "William  Bastard," 
Henry  for  "Harri,"  and  so  on. 

^^■^  The  long  continuation  to  1377  is  printed  in  Brie  291-332. 


INTRODUCTION 53^ 

12.  The  presence  (if  any)  of  a  continuation  from  1419  to  1461  (Brie  491- 
533). 

13.  The  concluding  words  of  the  text,  whether  complete  or  imperfect,  and 
any  colophon. 

14.  Any  unique  contributions,  continuations,  or  other  distinguishing  textual 
features. 

15.  The  comparison  of  selected  passages  of  text,  as  deemed  appropriate, 
both  within  and  outside  putative  groups. 

16.  Any  changes  of  hand  or  ink  at  potentially  significant  points  in  the  text, 
for  example,  at  the  onset  of  a  continuation. 

17.  Any  spaces  or  blank  leaves  at  potentially  significant  points  in  the  text, 
especially  at  the  onset  of  a  continuation. 

Many  of  the  factors  significant  for  the  Common  Version  are  not  usefiil 
for  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions;  for  example,  the  Cadwallader 
episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter  are  consistentiy  present  in  complete  texts 
of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions.  Nevertheless,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  the  seventeen  factors  above  should  be  checked  in  the  preliminary 
examination  of  any  unclassified  Brut  text.  The  main  additional  test  factors 
for  the  identification  and  classification  of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated 
Versions  and  their  groups  are: 

1.  The  presence  of  one  of  several  distinctive  headings  to  the  whole  work. 

2.  The  presence  of  one  of  four  distinctive  recensions  of  the  added  exor- 
dium and  prologue  heading  that  characterize  these  versions.  See  Ap- 
pendix 3  below  for  the  most  common  of  these  recensions. 

3.  The  opening  words  of  the  text  proper,  whether  complete  or  imperfect. 

4.  The  distinctive  treatments  of  the  description  of  the  giants  in  the  Albina 
narrative,  which  incorporates  details  derived  from  the  Short  English 
Metrical  Chronicle^  especially  the  inclusion  of  extra  named  giants  and 
the  giants'  sizes  ("first  giants  passage";  see  pp.  184-85,  237-38). 

5.  The  distinctive  treatments  of  the  description  of  the  giants'  mode  of 
existence  in  Diana's  prophecy  to  Brutus  ("second  giants  passage";  see 
pp.  185-86). 

6.  The  designation  of  Coryn's  beloved  as  his  "paramour"  or  his  "leman," 
and  whether  her  name  is  given  ("Coryn's  paramour  passage";  see  pp. 
186-87). 

7.  The  omission  of  the  names  of  King  Ebrak's  numerous  sons  and  daugh- 
ters (Brie  15/15-24). 


54  INTRODUCTION 

8.  The  treatment  of  the  chapter  recounting  the  reigns  of  thirty- three 
kings  of  Britain  (Brie  30/20-31/13),  specifically  (a)  the  type  of  linkage 
("after  him"  type,  enumeration,  or  simple  listing);  (b)  abbreviation,  in- 
cluding the  loss  of  some  names;  and  (c)  the  presence  or  absence  of  an 
intrusive  Latin  tag  after  King  Blegabred  (see  p.  176). 

9.  The  distinctive  wording  of  the  chapter  on  King  Lud's  building  projects 
in  London  and  the  change  of  the  city's  name  ("Lud  passage";  cf  Brie 
31/18-24,  and  see  pp.  238-40). 

10.  The  wording  of  the  passage  recounting  the  establishment  of  Engist's 
heptarchy  (Brie  54/33-55/14),  including  confiisions  between  "Winches- 
ter"/"Worcester"  and  "Derbyshire"/"Devonshire." 

11.  The  substitution  (if  any)  of  a  single  chapter  for  the  four  chapters 
recounting  the  reign  of  King  Arthur's  successor,  Constantine. 

12.  The  omission  of  material  after  the  death  of  King  Arthur,  whereby  he 
is  succeeded  by  Conan  rather  than  Constantine. 

13.  An  examination  of  the  chapter  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  and  of  the 
surrounding  chapters,  specifically  to  determine  (a)  the  number  of  wards 
of  the  Scottish  army  that  are  listed  and  (b)  the  omission  or  reworking 
of  material  around  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill,  including  loss  of  the  en- 
tire narrative  on  the  battle. 

14.  The  end  of  the  continuation  to  1419,  such  as  the  concluding  words  "in 
rule  and  good  governance.  (Deo  gracias.),"  or  some  variation  thereof 
that  includes  "good." 

15.  The  presence  (if  any)  and  type  of  a  continuation  beyond  1419. 

16.  The  concluding  words  of  the  text,  whether  complete  or  imperfect,  and 
any  colophon. 

17.  Any  unique  contributions,  continuations,  or  other  distinguishing  textual 
features. 

18.  The  comparison  of  selected  passages  of  text,  as  deemed  appropriate, 
both  within  and  outside  putative  groups. 

19.  Any  changes  of  hand  or  ink  at  potentially  significant  points  in  the  text, 
for  example,  at  the  onset  of  a  continuation. 

20.  Any  spaces  or  blank  leaves  at  potentially  significant  points  in  the  text, 
especially  at  the  onset  of  a  continuation. 

The  two  sets  of  test  factors  listed  above  were  also  applied  to  texts  that 
have  been  classified  as  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions,  though  by  their  nature 
such  texts  usually  require  additional  individualized  criteria  and  commentary. 


INTRODUCTION 55 

Layout  and  Style  of  Entries 

Although  there  are  181  manuscripts  and  thirteen  early  printed  editions,  the 
Classification  of  Texts  contains  215  items  due  to  the  not  uncommon  scribal 
practice  of  combining  texts.  At  its  simplest  level,  such  combination  consisted 
of  the  addition  to  an  existing  text  of  a  continuation  taken  from  another 
exemplar  by  a  different  scribe.  The  resulting  text  could  then  be  copied  as  a 
whole  by  a  single  scribe.  At  more  complex  levels,  texts  from  several  exem- 
plars could  be  combined  to  form  a  unified  text,  or  additions  from  another 
Brut  text  or  from  some  unrelated  historical  work  could  be  made  to  or  in- 
terpolated into  a  copy  as  it  was  being  compiled.  Where  a  manuscript  can  be 
subdivided  into  distinct  textual  items — for  example,  from  the  evidence  of  the 
hands  or  the  cobbling  together  of  texts  from  otherwise  distinct  groups — such 
items  have  been  distinguished  by  (1),  (2),  etc.,  immediately  following  the 
manuscript  shelfmarks  in  the  Classification  of  Texts  below.  Accordingly,  dif- 
ferent sections  of  one  manuscript  can  appear  as  independent  entries  (with 
appropriate  cross-references  to  the  other  items)  in  different  groups. 

Typically,  the  description  of  each  group  begins  with  a  list  of  its  manu- 
scripts and  any  subgroups,  usually  accompanied  by  some  contextual  com- 
ments on  the  group's  place  in  the  general  scheme  of  development.  Individual 
entries  on  each  of  the  items  then  record  the  formal  features — heading,  open- 
ing words,  contents,  omissions,  changeovers  between  continuations,  conclud- 
ing words — that  form  the  essential  basis  for  classification.  Where  appropri- 
ate, an  optional  Remarks  section  comments  on  these  textual  features  and  on 
physical  aspects  of  the  manuscript  that  bear  on  classification,  including  ex- 
planations of  details  marked  in  the  formal  description  by  a  parenthetical 
"(but)  see  below."  In  some  instances,  these  Remarks  quote  sections  of  text 
that  support  the  classification.  Also  included  under  Remarks  (or  notes  there- 
to) is  information  on  other  contents  of  the  manuscript,  early  ownership  and 
names,  the  dialect  of  the  text,  and  further  points  of  interest  specific  to  the 
item  under  discussion.  Where  no  Remarks  are  given  for  an  individual  item, 
the  omission  reflects  a  judgment  on  my  part  that  further  available  evidence, 
if  any,  is  not  illuminating  for  the  immediate  purposes  of  this  study. 

Again  where  appropriate  or  necessary,  groups  and  subgroups  of  individual 
entries  are  followed  by  a  Remarks  section  on  the  group  or  subgroup,  which 
contains  comments  on  the  textual  character  and  contents  of  the  group  as  a 
whole  and  on  its  internal  and  external  affiliations  and  relationships,  some- 
times supported  by  textual  comparisons.  (For  minor  modifications  in  this 


56 INTRODUCTION 

general  procedure  for  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions,  see  pp.  173- 
74.)  In  the  case  of  unique  texts  included  under  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions, 
commentary  on  the  wider  affiliations  of  the  texts  has  been  placed  under  the 
item-specific  Remarks. 

For  ease  of  reference  in  a  system  as  complex  and  lengthy  as  that  which 
follows,  notes  to  each  of  the  entries  (including  the  entry-specific  Remarks) 
are  placed  at  the  end  of  the  entry;  similarly,  notes  to  the  group-specific 
Remarks  are  placed  directly  after  those  Remarks.  Readers  who  are  not  speci- 
alists in  manuscript  or  medieval  chronicle  studies  may  wish  to  glance 
through  the  introductory  and  Remarks  sections  where  they  exist  (that  is,  for 
the  majority  of  versions,  groups,  and  subgroups,  and  many  of  the  individual 
items)  before  plunging  into  the  more  formal  textual  descriptions,  especially 
when  there  are  more  than  three  or  four  descriptions  in  a  row. 

Page  and  line  references  to  Erie's  standard  edition  of  the  Brut  (and  occa- 
sionally to  other  relevant  editions)  occur  liberally  throughout  this  study  to 
aid  comparison  with  the  modern  edition.  Accordingly,  those  readers  who 
wish  to  pursue  textual  details  and  comparisons  in  depth  should,  if  possible, 
use  Brie  as  a  vade  mecum. 

In  all  quotations  from  manuscripts  and  texts  (except  those  cited  from 
modern  editions),  word  division,  capitalization,  and  (light)  punctuation  are 
editorial.  Abbreviations  and  contractions  have  been  silently  expanded  accord- 
ing to  conventional  or  manuscript-local  use;  when  in  doubt,  possibly  otiose 
marks  and  curls  have  been  ignored.  Word-initial^ has  been  capitalized  as 
i^in  proper  names  and  at  the  beginning  of  sentences;  j  has  been  resolved  as 
J  or  as  z  as  etymologically  necessary.  Chapter  headings  have  been  set  off 
from  their  surrounding  text.  Editorial  emendations,  comments,  and  notes  of 
scribal  alterations  and  insertions  are  enclosed  in  square  brackets.  Missing  or 
illegible  letters  or  words  are  similarly  noted;  if  one  or  two  letters  only  are 
concerned,  this  is  indicated  by  [.]  or  [ . .  ],  while  anything  longer  is  indicated 
by[...]. 


Appendix  1: 
The  Text  of  the  Cadwallader  Episode 

The  intrusive  Cadwallader  episode  regularly  appears  in  texts  other  than 
those  representing  or  directly  derived  from  the  original  translation  from  the 
Anglo-Norman  Long  Version.  When  present,  it  occurs  between  two  chap- 
ters. The  first  recounts  how  King  Oswold  of  Northumberland  was  killed  by 
King  Cadwalyn  of  Leicester  and  his  brother-in-law  Peanda  and  how  Oswy, 
Oswold's  brother,  killed  Peanda,  became  king  of  Northumberland,  and  then 
killed  Oswyn,  Peanda's  cousin,  who  was  buried  at  Tynemouth  (Brie  101/4- 
102/20).  The  next  chapter  in  the  CV-1333  (and  directly  derivative  texts) 
describes  how  King  Offa  (or  "Ossa"),  Oswold's  brother,  conquered  the  con- 
tinually warring  minor  kings  of  England  and  thus  became  their  overlord;  it 
ends  by  recording  how  certain  monastic  chronicles  were  written  that  later 
came  into  the  possession  of  King  Alfred  (Brie  102/21-103/8). 

The  following  text  of  the  Cadwallader  episode  is  edited  from  Staats-  und 
Universitatsbibliothek  Hamburg  MS.  98  in  serin  (designated  H  below),  a 
text  of  the  Common  Version  to  1377  with  full  continuation.  Stage  2,  which 
is  possibly  the  earliest  group  to  include  the  interpolated  material  (see  pp. 
92-93).  However,  a  comparison  with  the  source  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's 
Historia  and  with  other  Brut  texts  shows  that  the  Hamburg  text  contains 
some  small  modifications  in  wording  that  must  be  subsequent  to  the  original 
form  of  the  episode.  Thus  the  date  of  Cadwallader's  death  has  fallen  away, 
and  some  phrases  from  the  beginning  of  the  following  chapter  are  antici- 
pated in  the  opening  lines  (cf.  Brie  102/26-28)  and  then  reworked  slightiy 
for  their  reappearance.  Accordingly,  the  text  has  been  compared  with  that 
found  in  Columbia  University  Library  MS.  Plimpton  262  (designated  P 
below),  which  belongs  to  one  group  of  the  mainstream  Common  Version 
that  ends  in  1419  (see  pp.  98-100).  It  represents  well  forms  of  the  heading 
and  text  that  are  commonly  found  in  the  extant  manuscripts,  and  selected 
variant  readings  of  significant  or  interesting  material  difference  are  recorded 
below.  Significantly,  the  Hamburg  and  Plimpton  texts  (like  a  number  of 
other  texts)  do  not  accord  separate  chapter  numbers  to  the  intrusive  episode; 


58 APPENDIX  1 

the  first,  preceding  chapter  described  above  is  numbered  "Capitulo  Cente- 
simo  Primo"  while  the  second,  succeeding  chapter  is  numbered  "Capitulo 
Centesimo  ij°"  or  "Capitulo  C  ij"."  In  later  texts,  the  episode  is  more  fully 
assimilated  by  according  its  chapters  separate  numbers. 

[p.  Ill]  How  Cadwaladre  regned  after  his  fader  Cadwaleyn  and  how  for  Ipe 
grete  pestylence  derthe  of  vitaylles  and  hunger  he  wente  to  the  kyng  of  Litel 
Britaigne  8c  after  to  Rome  8c  J)ere  deide. 

[How  l^'^ng  Cadwaladre  pat  was  Cadwaleyns  sone  regnede  aftere  his  fadere 
8c  was  J)e  last  kyng  of  Brittons.  P] 

After  Ipe  deth  of  Cadwaleyn  regned  his  sone  Cadwaladre  wel  8c  nobly  and 
his  moder  was  [p.  112]  the  suster  of  J)e  kyng  Peanda  8c  whan  he  had  regned 
xij  3eer  he  fel  in  a  grete  sykenesse  8c  {)an  was  jjere  so  grete  discord  bytwene 
the  lordes  of  Jje  londe  pat  euery  werred  vpon  other  and  he  pat  was  pc 
strenger  8c  more  myghty  toke  pt  londe  8c  kyngdome  fro  hym  J)at  was  pt 
more  feble  [and . . .  feble  om.  P]. 

And  3it  in  J)at  tyme  ^er  felle  so  grette  derthe  [and  scarcete  add.  P]  of 
corne  and  of  other  vitailles  in  J)is  lond  J)at  a  man  myghte  wel  gone  thre  or 
foure  dayes  fro  toun  to  toun  [)at  he  shulde  not  fynde  to  bigge  of  vitaille  for 
gold  [ne  for  gold  de/.  H]  ne  for  siluer  breed  wyne  ne  none  other  vitaille 
wherwith  man  myght  lyuen  but  only  [pe  peple  leuede  add.  P]  by  rootes  of 
herbes  ffor  other  lyvynge  hadde  {)ei  none  so  moche  was  the  londe  bareyne 
and  failled  al  aboute  and  of  fysshe  8c  wylde  bestes  and  of  all  oJ)er  thinges  so 
{)at  of  |)is  mysauenture  come  so  grete  mortalite  and  pestilence  among  pt 
peple  by  pc  corrupcioun  of  pe.  eyre  [)at  pe  peple  lyvinge  sufficed  not  to  burye 
the  dede  ffor  pel  deyed  so  sodenly  bothe  olde  8c  3onge  [olde  8c  3onge  om. 
P]  grete  8c  smale  lord  and  servaunt  etynge  goynge  and  spekynge  so  J)at 
neuere  was  herd  of  more  sodeyn  deth  among  pe  peple  ffor  he  J)at  wende  to 
burye  pe  dede  body  with  pe  same  dede  body  was  buryed. 

Thei  [)at  myghte  fleen  fledden  8c  leften  her  londes  houses  and  tenementz 
[fledden  and  hire  londes  and  houses  P]  as  wel  for  pe  grete  hunger  and 
derthe  [hunger  derth  and  scarcete  P]  of  corn  as  for  the  horrible  mortalite  8c 
pestilence  in  the  londe  and  wenten  into  othre  landes  forto  sauen  her  lyues 
and  lefte  pe  londe  al  deserte  and  waast  so  {)at  [)er  was  not  left  eny  man  to 
trauayle  and  tilye  pe  londe  ne  to  eren  ne  sowen  so  J)at  pe  londe  was  bareyne 
of  tyliers  and  of  comes. 


CADWALLADER  EPISODE 59 

And  |)is  mysauenture  durede  xj  3eer  and  more  |)at  [p.  113]  no  man 
myghte  eren  ne  sowe. 

How  Cadwaladre  wente  out  of  Engelond  [jjis  lond  P]  into  Litel  Brytaigne. 

Cadwaladre  sawh  the  grete  hunger  and  mortalite  [hunger  mortalite  and 
pestilence  P]  and  \>e  lande  al  pouere  8c  failynge  comes  8c  other  vitailles  8c 
his  folk  perisshed  and  sawh  J)e  moste  partye  of  his  land  al  wasted  8c  voyde 
of  peple.  He  apparaylled  him  and  his  folk  J)at  were  lefte  on  lyue  and  passed 
ouer  into  Britaygne  with  a  litel  navye  vnto  kyng  Aleyn  J)at  was  his  cosyn 
whom  his  fader  had  moche  loued  [in  his  tyme  add.  P]. 

And  as  J)ey  seyled  in  the  see  he  made  grete  lamentacioun  and  alle  they  Jjat 
were  with  hym  sayenge  "Dedisti  nos  domine  tanquam  oues  escarum  et  in 
gentibus  dispersisti  nos."  And  f)an  bygan  Cadwaladre  to  compleyne  him  to 
his  folk  pitously  and  saide  "Alias"  seide  he  "to  vs  wrecches  or  caytyues 
fforwhy  for  oure  grete  synnes  of  J)e  whiche  we  wolden  not  amenden  vs  while 
we  hadde  space  of  repentaunce  is  now  comen  vpon  vs  J)is  mysauenture 
whiche  chasith  vs  out  of  oure  reawme  and  propir  londe  [soyle  P].  Fro  and 
out  of  whiche  londe  somtyme  Romayns  Scottes  ne  Saxons  ne  Danes  ne 
myght  not  exilen  vs.  But  what  availlej)  it  now  to  vs  J)at  byfore  tymes  ofte- 
sithes  haue  geten  8c  wonne  manye  oJ)ere  regiouns  and  londes  sithen  it  is  not 
the  wille  of  God  ^at  we  abide  8c  dwelle  in  oure  owne  lond.  God  {)at  is  ver- 
ray  iuge  put  alle  thynges  knoweth  byfore  J)ey  be  done  or  made  he  seeth  Jjat 
we  wolde  not  cessen  of  oure  synnes  and  Jjat  oure  enemyes  myght  not  vs  ne 
oure  lynage  out  of  oure  rewme  exilen  he  wolde  f)at  we  amende  vs  of  oure 
folyes  and  |)at  we  seen  oure  owne  propre  defautes.  Perfore  [p.  114]  ha{)  he 
shewed  to  vs  his  wratthe  and  wole  chasticen  vs  of  oure  mysdedes  sithen  J)at 
he  dooth  vs  withoute  bataille  8c  strengthe  of  oure  enemyes  by  grete  com- 
panyes  8ccopyouse  multitude  of  peple  [8ccopyouse . . .  peple  om.  P]  wrecch- 
edly  to  leuen  oure  rewme  and  propre  soyle  [londe  P]. 

"Turne  ageyn  3e  [\>e  P]  Romaynes  [phrase  repeated  V\,  turne  ageyn  3e  [{)e 
P]  Scottes;  turne  ageyn  3e  [f)e  P]  Saxons;  turne  ageyn  36  Frensshe  men  [{)e 
Frauncoys  P] — now  shewej)  to  30W  Brytaigne  al  deserte  the  whiche  30ure 
power  myght  neuere  make  deserte  [the . . .  deserte  om.  P].  Ne  30ure  power 
now  haj)  not  putte  vs  in  exile  but  only  jje  power  of  \>t  Igmg  almyghti  whom 
we  haue  ofte  offended  by  oure  folyes  |)e  whiche  we  wolde  not  leuen  til  he 
had  chasticed  vs  by  his  dyvyne  power." 

Among  |)e  wordes  8c  lamentaciouns  |)at  kyng  Cadwaladre  made  to  his 
folk  they  arryued  in  Lytel  Britaigne  and  come  to  kyng  Aleyn  byforesaid  and 


60 APPENDIX  1 

J)e  kyng  recyued  hym  wij)  grete  ioye  and  dide  hym  be  serued  wonder  nobly 
and  J)ere  he  dwellid  longe  tyme  after. 

Pe  Englisshe  peple  J)at  were  lefte  alyue  and  were  escaped  J)e  grete  hunger 
and  pestilence  [mortalite  P]  lyueden  in  J)e  beste  wise  {)at  J)ei  myghten  and 
moche  peple  sprong  of  hem  and  pei  senten  to  Saxoun  where  ^ey  were  born 
to  here  frendes  forto  haue  men  wommen  &  children  to  restore  pe  citees  and 
oJ)re  townes  |3at  were  al  desolate  8c  [desolate  8c  om.  P]  voyde  of  peple  and 
forto  laboren  and  [trauaylen  and  add.  P]  tilyen  Jje  erthe. 

Whan  J)e  Saxons  hadde  herde  J)at  they  come  wonder  thikke  with  many 
companyes  and  grete  multitude  of  peple  hadde  J)is  tithinge  J)ei  comen  into 
J)is  lande  wonder  thik  in  grete  companyes  and  laggede  [sic]  and  herberwed 
hem  in  Ipt  cuntree  al  aboute  where  pey  wolde  ffor  J)ei  fond  no  man  hem  to 
lette  [ne  withstonde  add.  P]  and  so  thei  [woxen  and  add.  P]  multiplyed 
gretly  and  vsed  \>e  customes  [p.  115]  of  J)e  cuntrees  wherof  J)ei  were  comen 
and  pt  lawes  and  |5e  langages  of  her  owne  land  and  J)ei  chaunged  \>e  names 
of  citees  townes  castelles  and  borghes  and  3aue  hem  names  8c  called  hem  as 
f)ei  be  now  called  and  pti  helden  the  countees  baronages  lordshipes  and 
cuntrees  in  manere  as  pt  Britouns  byfore  tyme  hadden  compased  hem. 

And  am[on]g  oJ)er  companyes  grete  jDat  come  fro  Germanye  into  {)is  lond 
cam  pe  noble  queene  |)at  was  called  Sexburga  with  men  and  wommen  wi{)- 
oute  noumbre  and  she  arryued  in  pe  counte  of  Northumberlond  and  toke  pe 
lond  of  [fro  P]  Albanye  into  Cornewayle  for  hir  and  for  hir  folk  ffor  jjere 
was  noon  p2it  myght  lette  hem  for  al  was  desolate  8c  voyde  of  folk  but  it 
were  a  fewe  pouere  Brytouns  J)at  leften  [were  lefte  P]  in  mountaynes  8c 
wodes  [8c  wodes  om.  P]  vnto  J)at  tyme. 

And  fro  J)at  tyme  forth  losten  Brytouns  J)is  lond  [reame  P]  for  alle  dayes 
and  pe  Englisshe  bygonne  to  regne  and  departed  pe  land  bytwene  hem  and 
they  maden  many  kynges  aboute  by  dyuers  parties  in  pe  londe  as  here  ben 
dyvised:  J)at  is  to  say  the  [deuysede  and  P]  ferste  of  Westsex;  the  secounde 
of  Merchenriche;  thridde  of  Estangle;  the  iiij*^  of  Kent;  the  v*^  of  Southsex 
and  alle  thise  l^^nges  regnede  [regnedne  H]  in  this  londe  after  J)at  Cadwala- 
dre  passed  out  of  J)is  lande  8c  dwelled  in  Lytel  Brytaigne  with  kyng  Aleyn 
his  cosyn  and  trewe  frend. 

And  whan  he  had  longe  dwelled  {)ere  and  hadde  knowynge  J)at  pe  morta- 
lite [and  pestilence  add.  P]  was  ouerpassed  and  J)at  pe  land  was  replenysshed 
8c  ful  [8c  fill  om.  P]  of  alien  peple  he  J)oughte  forto  turne  ageyn  into  his 
owne  lande  and  prayed  l^^ng  Aleyn  of  socour  and  helpe  J)at  he  myghte 
be  restored  to  his  propre  rewme  and  his  firste  dignyte.  And  kyng  Aleyn 
graunted  [p.  116]  him  his  prayer. 

Than  dede  he  apparaillen  hym  to  take  his  way  and  viage  into  Engelond 


CADWALLADER  EPISODE 61^ 

[this  lande  P]  &  prayed  God  devoutly  |3at  he  wolde  make  to  [him  (to  him 
P)]  demonstacioun  3if  his  repeyre  into  Engelond  [his  lande  P]  were  ple- 
saunce  to  him  or  noght  for  ageyn  pt  wille  of  God  he  wolde  no  J)ing  done. 

Whan  he  in  J)is  wise  had  made  devoutly  his  prayer  a  voyce  fro  heuene  to 
him  saide  J)at  he  [saide  and  bade  him  P]  leue  f)at  iournay  &.  way  into  Enge- 
lond and  J)at  he  goo  to  J)e  pope  of  Rome  and  counsail  pere  with  him  [and 
counsail . . .  him  om.  P]  for  it  was  not  J)e  wille  of  God  J)at  Brytouns  regne 
more  in  Engelond  [Brutaigne  P]  [ne  (ne  P)]  neuere  recouere  pt  londe  vnto 
\>e  tyme  Jjat  J)e  prophecie  J)at  Merlyn  saide  [saide  before  P]  be  fiilfilled  & 
{)at  shulde  neuere  be  vnto  J)e  tyme  were  come  ^at  ^e  relykes  of  his  body 
shulde  be  broght  fro  Rome  and  translated  in  Brytaigne.  And  J)an  whan  J)e 
relikes  of  of)re  seintes  J)at  were  [haue  bene  P]  hidde  for  pt  persecucioun  of 
J)e  paynymes  shal  be  founden  and  openly  schewed  Jjan  shal  pel  recouere  ferst 
[recouere  add.  H]  her  londe  pat  J)ei  shal  haue  so  longe  tyme  by  pe  deserte 
of  her  good  feith  [haue  so  longe  tyme  loste  thurgh  hire  desertes  P]. 

Whan  Cadwaladre  had  herd  J)is  answere  he  meruailled  greetly  8c  tolde  it 
to  kyng  Aleyn  al  J)at  he  hadde  iherd  [al . . .  iherd  om.  P].  Than  kyng  Aleyn 
sent  after  p&  clergie  of  his  land  and  diden  bryngen  forth  pt  bookes  of  [and 
made  ham  to  bringe  pt  P]  stories  [and  prophecies  add.  P]  8c  serchen  forto 
preuen  3if  it  were  so  as  Cadwaladre  had  seid  to  him;  so  J)ei  acorded  wi|)  the 
prophecies  |)at  Merlyn  8c  Sibille  had  seide  in  her  prophecies.  And  whan 
kyng  Aleyn  had  knowynge  |)at  the  prophecie  J)at  Fescome  had  prophecied 
of  pe  egle  and  the  othere  prophecies  accorde  [acordede  P]  to  pc  dyvine  an- 
swere |)at  Cadwaladre  had  herd  he  counseilled  hym  [p.  117]  to  leue  his  folk 
and  his  navie  and  submitten  him  to  pe  disposicioun  of  God  8c  done  all  J)at 
the  aungel  had  comaunded  hym. 

Than  Cadwaladre  called  Ynor  [or  Yuor]  his  sone  and  Ynory  [or  Yuory] 
his  cosyn  JDat  was  his  suster  sone  and  saide  to  him:  "Taketh"  seide  he  "my 
folk  and  my  navie  J)at  is  here  al  redy  and  passith  into  Walys  and  beth  3e 
lordes  of  Britouns  J)at  no  dishonour  come  to  hem  by  irrupcioun  of  J3e  pay- 
nyme  folk  for  defaute  of  lordes." 

And  so  he  himself  lefte  his  rewme  of  Britaigne  and  his  folk  for  euermore 
and  toke  his  way  to  Rome  and  come  [and  come  om.  P]  to  pe  pope  Surgius 
whiche  dede  hym  moche  worship  and  so  he  dede  him  be  confessed  of  his 
synnes  [Sergious  JDe  whiche  worshiped  him  moche  and  so  he  was  confessede 
P]  and  toke  penaunce  for  his  synnes.  And  he  ne  hadde  not  longe  tyme  so- 
iourned  pert  ^at  he  ne  fil  into  grete  sikenesse  and  sithen  deide  and  his  soule 
passed  to  God.  Amen,  [and  he  hadde  nought  longe  dwellede  J)ere  {)at  he  ne 
deide  pe  xij  kalendes  of  May  the  yere  of  grace  yjC  bodx.  P] 


Appendix  2: 
The  Text  of  Queen  Isabellas  Letter 

The  intrusive  text  of  a  letter  by  Queen  Isabella  to  the  citizens  of  London  in 
1326,  with  a  short  narrative  frame,  is  again  regularly  found  in  texts  other 
than  those  representing  or  descended  from  the  original  form  of  the  trans- 
lation of  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version,  in  which  it  is  not  found.  When 
it  occurs,  the  letter  appears  regularly  after  Brie  236/28  (following  Isabella's 
landing  at  Harwich),  although  in  Folger  Shakespeare  Library  MS.  V.b.l06 
it  appears  exceptionally  in  the  following  chapter. ^^^  The  text  is  here 
printed  from  Columbia  University  Library  MS.  Plimpton  262. 

[fol.  83]  And  J)e  quene  and  sire  Edwarde  here  sone  sente  lettres  to  J)e  meyre 
and  the  cominalte  of  London  requiryng  hem  [fol.  83v]  jjat  {)ey  shulde  bene 
helpyng  in  J)e  quarel  and  cause  Jjat  J)ey  had  begonne  Jjat  is  to  seye  to  de- 
stroye  J)e  traytours  of  J)e  reame  but  none  answer  was  sente  ayene.  Wherfore 
{)e  quene  and  sire  Edwarde  hire  sone  senten  ano{)er  patente  letter  vndere 
here  seales  hangyng  the  tenure  of  whiche  lettre  here  folowith  in  this  maner: 
"Isabell  by  the  grace  of  God  quene  of  Engelond  ladie  of  Ireland  and 
countesse  of  Pountiff  and  we  Edwarde  |)e  eldest  sone  of  J)e  kyng  of  Enge- 
lond duke  of  Guyen  erle  of  Chestre  and  of  Pountif  and  of  Monsterell  to  J>e 
mayer  and  to  alle  J)e  cominalte  of  J)e  cite  of  London  senden  gretyng.  For  as 
moche  as  we  haue  before  this  tyme  sente  to  yow  by  oure  lettres  how  we  be 
come  into  this  lande  with  good  aray  and  in  good  maner  for  the  honoure  and 
profite  of  holi  churche  and  of  our  right  dere  lorde  J)e  l^oige  and  alle  J)e 
reame  with  alle  oure  myght  and  poer  to  kepe  and  mayntene  as  we  and  alle 
J)e  good  folk  of  J)e  saide  reame  are  halden  to  do  and  vppon  |)at  we  prayed 
yow  J)at  ye  wolde  bene  helpyng  to  vs  in  as  moche  as  ye  coulde  now  in  this 
querell  J)at  is  for  |)e  comon  profite  of  alle  [the]  reame  and  we  haue  had  into 
J)is  tyme  non  answere  of  J)e  saide  lettres  ne  knowe  nou3t  your  wille  in  J)at 
partie.  Wherfore  we  sende  to  yow  agayne  and  praye  and  charge  yow  but  J)at 


^^^  See  item  60  below. 


QUEEN  ISABELLA'S  LETTER 63 

ye  bene  to  vs  helpyng  by  alle  the  wayes  that  ye  may  or  shall  knowen  or 
mowen.  For  weteth  well  in  certeyn  J)at  we  and  alle  \>o  J)at  beth  comen  with 
vs  into  this  reame  ne  thenke  not  to  done  if  hit  like  God  eny  thynge  but  that 
shal  be  for  the  comon  profite  of  al  \>e  reavme  but  onely  to  distroye  Hugh 
Spencer  oure  enemy  ande  enemy  to  alle  Ipe  reame  as  ye  wel  knowe.  Wher- 
fore  we  prey  yow  and  charge  yow  in  J)e  feith  that  ye  owith  vnto  oure  lorde 
jje  kyng  and  to  vs  and  vppon  alle  that  ye  shullen  forfete  ayenste  vs  that  if  \>t 
seide  Hugh  Spencer  oure  enemye  come  within  youre  power  J)at  ye  done 
hym  hastely  be  taken  and  saufly  kept  vnto  we  haue  ordeyned  of  him  oure 
wille  and  J)at  ye  leue  hit  not  in  no  maner  as  ye  desire  honour  and  profite  of 
vs  alle  and  of  alle  \>t  reavme.  Vnderstondyng  well  jDat  if  ye  done  our  preyer 
and  maundemente  we  shul  \>e  more  be  holden  to  yow  and  also  ye  shal  gete 
yow  worshep  and  profite  if  ye  sende  vs  hastely  answer  of  alle  your  wille. 
Yeuen  atte  Baldok  J)e  yj  day  of  Octobre." 

Whiche  lettre  erly  in  Ipc  dawnyng  of  \>e.  day  of  Seint  Denys  was  takked 
vppon  the  nywe  crosse  in  the  Chepe  and  mony  copies  of  J)e  same  lettre  were 
takked  vppon  wyndowys  and  dores  and  vppon  other  places  in  the  citee  that 
alle  men  passyng  by  the  way  myght  seen  and  reden. 

The  original  letter  sent  by  Isabella  to  the  city  of  London  was  written  in 
French. ^^^  It  appears,  with  introductory  material,  in  the  Short  Version  of 
the  Anglo-Norman  Brut,  which  probably  used  a  copy  of  the  original  let- 
ter,^^''  The  English  translation  was  made  from  this  source  for  incorpora- 
tion in  the  English  Brut  and  the  introductory  material  was  reordered  to  form 
the  narrative  frame. ^-^^  At  the  same  time,  the  interpolator  of  the  letter 
took  the  opportunity  to  correct  the  date  of  Isabella's  landing  at  Harwich  to 
September  24,  1326,  as  reported  in  the  Anglo-Norman  Short  Version,  from 
the  erroneous  date  of  October  10  given  in  the  Long  Version  and  its 
immediate  Middle  English  descendants  (see  Brie  236/27-28). 


^^^  A  copy  of  the  original  is  found  in  Guildhall,  London,  Roll  A  lb,  membrane 
10(12),  and  is  calendared  in  Arthur  H.  Thomas,  ed..  Calendar  of  Plea  and  Memoranda 
Rolls  Preserved  among  the  Archives  of  the  Corporation  of  the  City  of  London  at  the  Guildhall, 
A.D.  1323-64,  vol.  1  (Cambridge,  1926),  pp.  41-42;  a  further  letter  and  reply  are  also 
found  in  the  Guildhall  roll  (p.  42). 

^^^  The  text  is  printed,  with  translation,  in  Childs  and  Taylor,  eds.,  Anonimalle 
Chronicle,  pp.  124-27. 

'^^  Copies  of  the  letter  in  the  London  civic  chronicles  are  derived  from  the  EngUsh 
Brut,  see  Cox,  "The  French  Chronicle  of  London,"  p.  204.  A  Latin  translation  from  the 
Anglo-Norman  Brut  appears  in  the  Historia  Aurea  and  is  printed  in  Galbraith,  "Extracts 
from  the  Historia  Aurea  and  a  French  'Brut'  (1317-47),"  pp.  211-12. 


Appendix  3: 
The  Text  of  an  Extended  Version  Exordium 

(Group  B) 

The  most  immediately  distinctive  feature  of  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated 
Versions,  in  texts  that  are  complete  at  the  beginning,  is  an  exordium  de- 
scribing the  genesis  and  scope  of  the  Brut.  This  exordium  survives  in  three 
recensions  in  the  Extended  Version  and  in  four  in  the  Abbreviated  Version, 
three  of  which  match  those  of  the  Extended  Version.  Printed  here  are  a  rep- 
resentative exordium  text,  the  Albina  prologue  heading,  and  the  first  words 
of  the  prologue  itself  from  the  most  common  EV  group,  the  EV-1419:B, 
whose  corresponding  AV  group  is  likewise  the  most  numerous  group  within 
its  version.  It  should  be  noted  that  even  within  the  distinct  recensions  there 
are  minor  variations  in  layout  and  wording,  details  of  which  will  be  found  in 
the  description  of  individual  texts  in  the  Classification  of  Texts. 

The  base  text  is  that  of  BL  MS.  Harley  4827,  collated  selectively  with 
NLW  MS.  Addit.  442D  (EV-1419:B;  designated  N)  and  with  Bodl.  MS. 
Hatton  50  (AV-1419:B;  designated  H). 

[fol.  1]  Here  bigynneth  a  book  whiche  is  callid  Brute  [of  add.  H]  the 
Cronicles  of  Englond.  Capitulo  primo.  [Capitulo  primo  om.  H] 

This  boke  treteth  and  tellej)  of  [all  add.  H]  \)t  kynges  &.  principal  lordes  J)at 
euer  were  in  J)is  londe  &,  of  auentures  8c  wondreful  [singes  and  [of  add.  H] 
batailles  8c  \pi  add.  H]  o[)er  notable  actes  werres  conquestes  [)at  bifelle  in  {)is 
[{)at  N]  same  [ow.  H]  londe.  And  this  lande  is  [was  N,  H]  callid  Bretaigne 
aftir  him  [)at  first  enhabited  it  whos  name  was  callid  [om.  H]  Brute;  8c  [)is 
same  [om.  H]  Brute  biganne  first  [)e  citee  of  Londoun  |)e  whiche  he  lete 
calle  J)at  tyme  [London  8c  lete  call  it  H]  Newe  Troye  in  [)e  [om.  N,  H]  re- 
membraunce  of  jDe  olde  Troye  ffrom  whens  he  8c  all  his  lynage  weren  come. 
And  |)is  boke  made  8c  compiled  men  of  religioun  8c  ojjer  good  clerkes  [)at 
wreten  [weren  N]  {)at  [what  N,  H]  bifell  in  her  tymes  [tyme  H]  and  made 
[jerof  grete  bokes  and  remembraunce  [remembraunsis  H]  to  men  {)at  comen 


EXTENDED  VERSION  EXORDIUM 65 

aftir  hem  to  heere  [rede  H]  and  to  see  what  bifell  in  J)e  londe  afore  tyme 
[tofore  hem  H]  and  callid  hem  Cronycles.  And  in  Jjis  londe  haue  been  from 
Brute  to  [vnto  N,  onto  H]  kynge  Edward  pc  thridde  aftir  pe  [om.  N]  con- 
quest C  xxxij  kynges  whos  lyues  and  actes  ben  compiled  shortly  in  J)is  boke 
J)e  whiche  conteyneth  CC  xxxviij  [CC  xxxxiiij  N]  chapiters  wi{)oute  J)e 
prothogoll  or  prolog  [pt  whiche . . .  prolog  om.  H;  The  Prologg  add.  H]. 

The  prolog  of  J)is  book  declareth  hou  this  lande  was  callid  Albioun  aftre  pc 
eldest  doughtre  of  pe  riall  kyng  [emperoure  H]  Dioclisian  of  Surry  the 
which  doughtre  was  callid  Albyne  and  she  wij)  hir  xxxij  sustres  weren  exiled 
oute  of  her  owne  londe  for  grete  trespaces  ^at  J)ei  had  doon  and  [thei  add. 
H]  arrived  in  this  londe  casuelly  where-in  [wher  H]  was  no  lyuyng  creature 
but  [save  H]  wilde  beestes  and  hou  vnclene  spirites  lay  bi  hem  and  J)ei 
brou3t  forth  horrible  geauntz  and  Brute  killed  hem.  [Here  begynnyth  the 
first  chaptir  of  this  book  of  Croniculis  add.  H] 

Somtyme  in  pt  noble  land  of  Surry  J)er  was  a  man  of  grete  [grete  man  of  H] 
renoun  callid  Dioclisian  whiche  wele  and  worthily  reulid  him  8c  all  his 
realme  [8c. . .  realme  om.  H]  so  J)at  almooste  [om.  H]  all  pe  l^oiges  not 
Cristen  to  him  weren  [l^oigis  abowt  hym  wer  to  hym  H]  contributours  and 
obedient. 


Classification  of  the  Texts 
of  the  Middle  English  Brut 

Synoptic  Inventory  of  Versions 

The  following  list  of  versions,  groups  within  versions,  and  manuscripts  of 
the  Middle  English  prose  Brut  summarizes  the  findings  reported  in  more 
detail  in  the  descriptions  and  classification  laid  out  in  the  remaining  sections 
of  this  book.  The  texts  are  listed  in  the  order  in  which  they  appear  in  the 
detailed  classification  and  are  prefaced  by  the  item  number  that  they  bear 
there.  Where  texts  have  been  separated  into  different  items  for  purposes  of 
classification,  the  items  are  indicated  by  (1),  (2),  etc.,  immediately  following 
the  shelfmark.  Texts  that  are  incomplete  at  beginning  or  end  are  sometimes 
difficult  to  classify,  such  "doubtfiil"  texts  are  listed  immediately  after  the 
main  group  (with  associated  subgroups)  to  which  they  most  correspond  and 
thus  might  belong.  Those  texts  that  have  proved  resistant  to  classification 
are  listed  as  Unclassified  Texts. 

THE  COMMON  VERSION 

CV-1333   The  Common  Version  to  1333 

1.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.171(l) 

2.  Bodleian  MS.  Douce  323 

3.  Mrs.  J.  D.  Gordan  MS.  63 

4.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  103(1) 

5.  Yale  University,  Beinecke  MS.  494 


68    SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 

6.  Society  of  Antiquaries  MS.  93 

7.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.155 

8.  BL  MS.  Harley  3945 

9.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  206 

10.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  398D 

CV-1377  The  Common  Version  to  1377 

CV-1377 f.c.  Stage  1  The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  fiill  continuation, 
Stage  1 

11.  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  174 

12.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  102 

13.  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia  MS.  Lewis  238 

14.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  103(2) 

15.  BL  MS.  Harley  2279 

16.  BL  MS.  Stowe  68 

CV-1377  s.c.   The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  shortened  continuation 

17.  Bodleian  MS.  RawHnson  B.  171(2) 

18.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  491 

CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  2  The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  full  continuation. 
Stage  2 

19.  Staats-  und  UniversitatsbibUothek  Hamburg  MS.  98  in 
serin 

CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  3  The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  full  continuation. 
Stage  3 

20.  Princeton  University  Library,  Taylor  Medieval  MS.  3(1) 

21.  National  Library  of  Scotland  MS.  6128 

22.  BL  MS.  Harley  266(1) 

23.  University  of  Chicago  MS.  253 

CV-1419   The  Common  Version  to  1419 

CV-1419(men)     The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "and  manfully 
countered  with  our  English  men" 

CV-1419(men):A    The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "and  manfully 
countered  with  our  English  men":  Group  A 

Subgroup  (a) 

24.  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  MS.  190(1) 


SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 69^ 

25.  Sion  CoUege  MS.  L40.2/E  42 

26.  Columbia  University  Library  MS.  Plimpton  262 

27.  Takamiya  MS.  29 

28.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  264(1) 

Subgroup  (b) 

29.  BL  MS.  Egerton  650(1) 

30.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.173(l) 

31.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.166 

32.  Pennsylvania  State  University  MS.  PS.  V-3A(1) 

Subgroup  (c) 

33.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  738 

CV-1419(men):B    The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "and  manfully 
countered  with  our  English  men":  Group  B 

34.  BL  MS.  Stowe  69 

35.  BL  MS.  Additional  33242 

CV-1419fr&gJ  The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gover- 
nance" 

CV-1419(r^g):A  The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gov- 
ernance": Group  A 

36.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Kk.1.12 

37.  Longleat  House  MS.  183A 

38.  Trinity  CoUege,  Cambridge,  MS.  0. 10.34 

39.  BL  MS.  Harley  2248 

40.  BL  MS.  Royal  17.D.xxi 

41.  Yale  University,  Beinecke  MS.  323 

42.  Fitzwilliam  Museum  MS.  McClean  186 

43.  College  of  Arms  MS.  Vincent  421 

44.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.216 

45.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  228(1) 

46.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  587 

47.  Takamiya  MS.  67 

Doubtful  Manuscripts 

48.  Bodleian  MS.  Bodley  231 

49.  BL  MS.  Royal  18.B.iii 

50.  University  of  California  at  Berkeley  MS.  152 

51.  BL  MS.  Additional  26746 


70 SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 

52.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  61 

53.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  104 

54.  Bodleian  MS.  Douce  290 

55.  BibUotheque  Royale  MS.  IV.461 

CV-1419(r&g):B  The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gov- 
ernance": Group  B 

Subgroup  (a) 

56.  Bodleian  MS.  Bodley  840 

57.  Trinity  CoUege,  DubUn,  MS.  490 

Subgroup  (b) 

58.  Heyneman  MS. 

59.  BL  MS.  Harley  1568 

60.  Folger  Shakespeare  Library  MS.  V.b.l06  (725.2) 

Subgroup  (c) 

61.  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(1) 

Doubtful  Manuscripts 

62.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.205 

63.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ee.4.32 

64.  Trinity  CoUege,  Cambridge,  MS.  R.5.43,  Part  II 

65.  University  of  Leicester  MS.  47 

66.  University  of  Sydney,  MS.  Nicholson  13 

67.  Huntington  MS.  HM  113 

CV-1419  (Leyle)  The  Common  Version  to  1419,  with  "Leyle"  for  Lear 

68.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  74(1) 

69.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.196 

70.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  259 

71.  BL  MS.  Harley  4930 

CV-1419 (men/fr^g)   The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  in  "men"  or 
(?)  "in  rule  and  governance" 

72.  University  of  Chicago  MS.  254(1) 

Continuation  to  a  CV-1377  fc.  Stage  3  text  from  a  Common 
Version  text  ending  in  1419(r&g) 

73.  Princeton  University  Library,  Taylor  Medieval  MS.  3(2) 


SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 71^ 

CV-JP  The  Common  Version  beyond  1419,  including  John  Page's  poem 
"The  Siege  of  Rouen" 

CV-1430JP:A  The  Common  Version  to  1430,  including  John  Page's  poem 
"The  Siege  of  Rouen":  Group  A 

74.  BL  MS.  Cotton  Galba  E.viii 

75.  BL  MS.  Harley  2256 

76.  Holkham  HaU  MS.  670 

77.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ee.4.31 

78.  BL  MS.  Harley  266(2) 

CV-1430  JP.B      The  Common  Version  to  1430,  including  John  Page's 
poem  "The  Siege  of  Rouen":  Group  B 

79.  BL  MS.  Harley  753 

80.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  331 

81.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  116(2) 

JP:C    Manuscripts  containing  John  Page's  poem  "The  Siege  of  Rouen": 
Group  C 

82.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Hh.6.9(2) 

83.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge  MS.  0.9.1(2) 

84.  University  of  Chicago  MS.  254(2) 

CV-1461   The  Common  Version  to  1461 

85.  "The  Cronicles  of  Englond"  (Caxton,  1480) 

86.  BL  MS.  Additional  10099 

87.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  74(2) 

88.  BL  MS.  Cotton  Claudius  A.viii 

89.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  228(2) 

90.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(3) 

91.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  264(2) 

92.  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(2) 

93.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  530(2) 

Poly.  1461  W.C.    Manuscripts  containing  the  Polychronicon  1461  continua- 
tion and  associated  with  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle 

94.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  83(2) 

95.  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  MS.  190(2) 

96.  BL  MS.  Harley  3730(2) 


72 SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 

THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

EV-1377  The  Extended  Version  to  1377 

No  extant  manuscripts;  inferred  from  exordia  of  surviving  texts  of 
the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions  ending  in  1419. 

EV-1419   The  Extended  Version  to  1419 

EV-1419:A  The  Extended  Version  to  1419:  Group  A 

97.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  105 

98.  Harvard  University  MS.  Richardson  35 

99.  BL  MS.  Harley  24 

100.  BL  MS.  Additional  12030 

101.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.187 

102.  Takamiya  MS.  12 

103.  Bodleian  MS.  Tanner  188 

EV-1419:B  The  Extended  Version  to  1419:  Group  B 

104.  BL  MS.  Harley  4827 

105.  BL  MS.  Harley  2182 

106.  Edinburgh  University  Library  MS.  185 

107.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  230 

108.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Additional  2775 

109.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ff  2.26 

110.  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  MS.  5 

111.  BL  MS.  Additional  24859 

1 12.  University  of  Virginia  MS.  38-173 

113.  Lincoln  Cathedral  MS.  98 

114.  National  Library  of  Wales  MS.  Additional  442D 

115.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(1) 

EV-1419:C  The  Extended  Version  to  1419:  Group  C 

116.  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  182 

117.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  0.9.1(1) 

118.  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  571 

119.  Princeton  University  Library,  Garrett  MS.  150 

120.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  116(1) 

121.  Society  of  Antiquaries  MS.  223 

122.  Huntington  MS.  HM  133 


SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 73 

THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 
AV-1419   The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419 
AV-1419.A  The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419:  Group  A 

Subgroup  (a) 

123.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  83(1) 

124.  BL  MS.  Harley  3730(1) 

125.  Bodleian  MS.  Digby  185 

Subgroup  (b) 

126.  BL  MS.  Royal  18.B.iv 

Subgroup  (c) 

127.  BL  MS.  Royal  18.A.ix 

128.  Huntington  MS.  HM  131 

AV-1419:B  The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419:  Group  B 

129.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  443 

130.  BL  MS.  Harley  1337 

131.  Bodleian  MS.  Hatton  50 

132.  BL  MS.  Harley  6251 

133.  BL  MS.  Stowe  71 

134.  Jesus  College,  Oxford,  MS.  5 

135.  Bodleian  MS.  Tanner  11 

136.  University  of  Michigan  MS.  225 

137.  Alnwick  Castle  MS.  457A 

138.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  396D(2) 

139.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.901 

140.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.190 

AV-1419:C  The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419:  Group  C 

141.  Bodleian  MS.  Ashmole  793 

142.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  82(1) 

AV-1419:D  The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419:  Group  D 

143.  BL  MS.  Stowe  70 

144.  University  College,  Oxford,  MS.  154 

145.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Hh.6.9(l) 


74 SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 

PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 
Reworked  Texts  and  Versions 

PV-1377/1419(r^g)  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1377,  with  a  continuation  to 
1419  ending  "in  rule  and  governance" 

146.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  530(1) 

PV-1419:A  and  PV-1451/1460   The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  A 
and  the  Peculiar  Version  to  1451/1460 

147.  Cleveland  Public  Library  MS.  John  G.  White  Collection 
W  q091.92-C468 

148.  Trinity  College,  DubUn,  MS.  489 

PV-1419:B  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  B 

149.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  207 

PV-1419:C  The  PecuHar  Version  to  1419:  Group  C 

150.  BL  MS.  Additional  70514 

PV-1419(r&gJ:A  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gover- 
nance": Group  A 

151.  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  733 

PV-1419(ri^g):B  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gover- 
nance": Group  B 

152.  Bodleian  MS.  e  Musaeo  39 

PV-1419(r&g):C  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gover- 
nance": Group  C 

153.  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  MS.  Lat.  151 

PV-1419(r&g):D  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  gover- 
nance": Group  D 

154.  Trinity  CoUege,  Dublin,  MS.  5895 

155.  BL  MS.  Harley  7333 

PV-1422:A  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1422:  Group  A 

156.  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  550 

157.  Collegeof  Arms  MS.  Arundel  8 

158.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  506 

159.  BL  MS.  Sloane  2027 

160.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(2) 


SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 75 

PV-1437:A  and  PV-1437/1461    The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437:  Group  A 
and  the  Peculiar  Version  to  1437,  with  a  continuation  to  1461 

161.  Nottingham  County  Council  MS.  DDKS  3/1 

162.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  O.ll.ll 

163.  Takamiya  MS.  18 

164.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  750  (first  text) 

165.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  750  (second  text) 

166.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  82(2) 

167.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  505 

168.  Bodleian  MS.  Lyell  34  {'DaviesY  Chronicle) 

169.  National  Library  of  Wales  MS.  21608D 

PV-1422:B  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1422:  Group  B 

170.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  397C 

171.  Bodleian  MS.  Bodley  754 

PV-1436:A  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1436:  Group  A 

172.  BL  MS.  Harley  53 

173.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  6 

PV-1437:B  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437:  Group  B 

174.  Columbia  University  Library  MS.  Plimpton  261 

175.  Holkham  HaU  MS.  669 

176.  Bodleian  MS.  Ashmole  791 

PV-1437:C  The  PecuUar  Version  to  1437:  Group  C 

177.  Inner  Temple  Library,  Petyt  MS.  511,  Vol.  XI 

PV-1479/82  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1479/82 

178.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  84 

Sections  of  Longer  Brut  Texts 

PV-1431  and  PV-1422:C  The  PecuHar  Version  to  1431  and  the  Peculiar 
Version  to  1422:  Group  C 

179.  BL  MS.  Egerton  650(2) 

180.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.173(2) 

181.  Pennsylvania  State  University  MS.  PS.  V-3A(2) 


76 SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 

Very  Brief  Works  Based  on  the  Brut 

PV-1307  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1307 

182.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  343A 

PV-1400  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1400 

183.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  306 

PV-1427  The  PecuHar  Version  to  1427 

184.  BL  MS.  Harley  63 

185.  Edinburgh  University  Library  MS.  184 

186.  Bibliotheque  Nationale  MS.  fonds  anglais  30 

Texts  Containing  Brief  King- Lists 

PV-1396/1422  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1396,  with  a  further  text  to  1422 

187.  Bodleian  MS.  Digby  196 

PV-1436:B  and  PV-1475  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1436:  Group  B  and  the 
Peculiar  Version  to  1475 

188.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ff  1.6  (The  Findern 
Manuscript) 

189.  Folger  Shakespeare  Library  MS.  V.a.l98  (1232.3) 

Appendages  to  Other  Works 

PV-1066  The  PecuHar  Version  to  1066 

190.  Mayor's   Calendar,   City  of  Bristol  Record  Office,   no. 
04720(1) 

PV-1419:D  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  D 

191.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ll.2.14 

PV-1419:E  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  E 

192.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  938 

PV-1419:F  The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  F 

193.  Woburn  Abbey  MS.  181 

The  Translation  Attributed  to  John  Mandeville 

JM-1333    Mandeville's  Translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version, 
with  a  CV-1419(men)  continuation 

194.  BL  MS.  Harley  4690 


SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 77 

Mandeville's  Translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version 
(excerpts) 

195.  Collegeof  Arms  MS.  Arundel  58 

UNCLASSinED  TEXTS 

196.  Bibliotheca  Bodmeriana,  cod.  Bodmer  43 

197.  Lincoln  Cathedral  MS.  70  (C.5.12) 

198.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Kk.1.3 

199.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  396D(1) 

200.  Brogyntyn  MS.  8  (Lord  Harlech;  on  deposit  at  NLW) 

201.  BLMS.  Royal  ll.B.ix 

202.  Lehigh  University  (3  fragments) 

203.  Geelong  Church  of  England  Grammar  School  MS. 

THE  EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS 

The  following  list  is  chronological  by  date  of  publication.  The  texts  can, 
however,  be  divided  into  two  types;  for  further  discussion  see  pages  339,  341 
below. 

[85.]  "The  Cronicles  of  Englond."  William  Caxton,  Westmin- 
ster, June  10,  1480  (STC  9991).  Type  1. 

204.  "The  Cronycles  of  Englond."  William  Caxton,  Westmin- 
ster, October  8,  1482  (STC  9992).  Type  1. 

205.  "The  Croniclis  of  Englonde  with  the  Frute  of  Timis." 
[Schoolmaster-Printer,]  St.  Albans,  [?1483]  (STC  9995). 
Type  2. 

206.  ["Chronicles  of  England."]  [William  de  Machlinia,  Lon- 
don, ?1486]  (STC  9993).  Type  1. 

207.  "Cronycles  of  the  londe  of  Englond."  Gerard  de  Leew, 
Antwerp,  1493  (STC  9994).  Type  1. 

208.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  the  Frute  of  Tymes."  Wynkyn 
de  Worde,  Westminster,  1497  (STC  9996).  Type  2. 

209.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  pe  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Wynkyn 
de  Worde,  London,  May,  1502  (STC  9997).  Type  2. 

210.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  \>e  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Julyan 
Notary,  London,  August,  1504  (STC  9998).  Type  2. 

211.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Richard 
Pynson,  London,  December  19, 1510  (STC  9999).  Type  2. 


78 SYNOPTIC  INVENTORY 

212.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Julyan 
Notary,  London,  1515  (STC  10000).  Type  2. 

213.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Wyn- 
kyn  de  Worde,  London,  1515  (STC  10000.5).  Type  2. 

214.  "Cronycle  of  Englande  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes." 
Wynlgm  de  Worde,  London,  1520  (STC  10001).  Type  2. 

215.  "The  Cronycles  of  Englonde  with  the  dedes  of  popes  and 
emperours  and  also  the  descripcyon  of  Englonde."  Wynl^n 
de  Worde,  London,  April  9,  1528  (STC  10002).  Type  2. 


I.  The  Common  Version 


The  Common  Version  to  1333  (CV-1333) 

The  earliest  stage  in  the  development  of  the  English  Brut,  containing  the 
basic  text  to  1333,  is  represented  by  MSS.  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1),  Bodl. 
Douce  323,  Gordan  63,  Rylands  Eng.  103(1),  Yale  Beinecke  494,  Soc.  of 
Antiquaries  93,  and  probably  by  the  imperfect  MSS.  BL  Harley  3945,  Ry- 
lands Eng.  206,  and  NLW  Peniarth  398D.  Bodl.  MS.  Rawlinson  C.155 
contains  early  seventeenth-century  extracts  from  a  manuscript  of  this  group. 
The  first  sections  (to  1333)  of  MSS.  Bodl.  Bodley  840  (item  56)  and 
TCD  490  (item  57)  should  also  be  considered  as  witnesses  to  this  group. 
These  manuscripts  contain  continuations  beyond  1333,  to  1419,  apparently 
added  by  the  same  scribes  who  wrote  the  earlier  sections  but  at  a  later  date 
and  from  new  exemplars.  These  composite  texts  are  classified  below  as  the 
CV-1419(r&g):B,  subgroup  (a). 


1.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.l7l(l)^ 

First  scribe  begins  imperfectly:  disport.  And  J)o  come  Lotryn  and  Camber 

[Brie  13/4] 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
First  scribe  ends  onfol  17 Iv:  wi|)out  eny  chalange  of  eny  man.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  The  writing  of  the  first  part  of  the  manuscript  is  early,  possibly  ca. 
1400.  The  text  corresponds  closely  to  the  Anglo-Norman  source  (see  below) 
and  forms  the  base  text  to  1333  of  Brie's  edition.  The  dialect  is  that  of 
South-West  Herefordshire.^ 

After  the  continuation  from  1333  to  1377,  added  by  a  second  scribe  in  a 
mid-fifteenth-century  secretary  hand,  occur  three  shields  with  clear  but 
unidentified  coats  of  arms  on  fol.  201v  and  a  largely  illegible  name,  "Sere 
I[.]h[.]  T[ . . .  ]1  (?),"  presumably  that  of  an  early  owner  (but  cf.  the  name  in 
the  next  manuscript). 


80  THE  COMMON  VERSION 


^  For  (2),  see  item  17. 
2  LALME,  1:  150,  3:  167. 


2.  Bodleian  MS.  Douce  323^ 

Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surrye 

Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Ends  onfol  lOlv:  withoute  eny  chalange  of  eny  man.  Amen.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  Brie  uses  this  manuscript  for  the  beginning  of  his  text  to  1333 
(Brie  1/5-14/16)  and  for  collation  thereafter  (designated  O). 

At  the  end  of  the  text,  on  fol.  lOlv,  the  late-fifteenth-century  scribe  has 
written  the  name  "Ihannes  Tubantisville"  (cf  the  preceding  manuscript)  and 
has  drawn  a  shield  with  an  unidentified  coat  of  arms. 


*  See  George  Kane,  ed.,  Piers  Plowman:  The  A  Version^  rev.  ed.  (London  and  Berkeley, 
1988),  p.  3,  for  a  description  of  the  manuscript.  Other  contents  are  an  A  text  of  Piers 
Ploiuman  (fols.  102-140);  The  Charter  of  the  Abbey  of  the  Holy  Ghost  (fols.  140\^159v); 
Ipotis  (fols.  160-167v,  imperfect  at  end).  Watermarks  date  the  paper  to  after  1410. 


3.  Mrs.  J.  D.  GORDAN  MS.  63 

Heading^.  Her  may  a  man  here  how  Engelond  was  first  callede  Albion  and 

J)oru3  whome  it  hade  J)e  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Syrrie  J)er  was  a  noble  l^nig  and  my3ty  and  a 

man  of  grete  renoun  jjat  me  callede  Dyoclician 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  withouten  eny  chalange  of  eny  man.  Deo  gracias.  [Deo  gracias  erased\ 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  is  early,  perhaps  written  ca.  1400.  The  heading 
occurs  in  a  number  of  the  Anglo-Norman  texts,  such  as  BL  Royal  20.A.iii: 
"Ci  poet  hom  oir  coment  Engletere  fust  primes  nome  Albion  6c  par  qi  la 
tere  receust  eel  noun."  The  text  does  not  correspond  exactly  to  any  other 
CV-1333  text  but  shows  individual  agreements  in  its  readings.  In  the 
Halidon  Hill  passage  the  names  of  those  in  the  second  part  of  the  Scottish 
army  are  omitted  (Brie  284/9-12).  In  the  same  passage  there  is  an  agree- 
ment in  error  with  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.  171(1)  in  misnumbering  the  fourth 
ward  of  the  Scottish  army:  "In  |)e  first  warde . . ."  (Brie  284/20  and  n.). 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


A  second,  later  hand  has  added  a  line  at  the  end  of  the  text:  "after  kyng 
E  [ins.]  pe  iij*^*  reynyd  l^nig  Richard  ij*^'  amd  [sic]  in  his." 


4.  RYLANDS  MS.  ENG.  103(1)^ 

Tad/e  of  contents  by  first  scribe  begins'.  Here  may  a  man  hure  Engelonde  was 
ferst  called  Albyon  and  thorugh  wham  it  hadde  {)e  name. 

Table  of  contents  ends  on  fol.  7 v.  How  king  Edwarde  gette  a3en  vnto  him 
graciousliche  J)e  feautees  and  Jje  homages  of  Scotlande  whereof  he  was 
pulte  out  J)orugh  J)e  false  counceil  of  Isabelle  his  mooder  and  of  ser  Roger 
Mortymer  Jjat  was  made  erl  of  J)e  March.  Capitulo  CC""  xxiij°. 

Heading  on  fol.  9:  Here  may  a  man  hure  Engeland  was  first  called  Albyon 
and  J)oru3  wham  it  hadde  J)e  name. 

Text  begins:  In  the  nobele  lande  of  Syrrye 

Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

First  scribe  ends  on  fol.  12 6v:  withoute  eny  chalaunge  of  eny  man. 


Remarks:  As  in  TCD  490  (item  57),  there  is  a  table  of  contents  to  1333 
(fols.  1-7).  Although  the  "5w"  heading  is  absent,  a  space  was  left  in  the  text; 
the  heading  has  been  supplied  by  a  modern  hand  from  "MS  B." 


1  For  (2),  see  item  14.  See  Ker,  MMBL  UI,  p.  417;  Geoffrey  A.  Lester,  The  Index  of 
Middle  English  Prose,  Handlist  II:  A  Handlist  of  Manuscripts  Containing  Middle  English 
Prose  in  the  John  Rylands  and  Chetham's  Libraries,  Manchester  (Cambridge,  1985),  p.  38; 
Moses  Tyson,  "Hand-List  of  the  Collection  of  English  Manuscripts  in  the  John  Rylands 
Library,  1928,"  Bulletin  of  the  John  Rylands  Library  13  (1929):  172. 


5.  Yale  University,  Beinecke  MS.  494^ 

Heading  on  fol  3:  Here  may  a  man  hure  hov  Engelonde  was  ferst  callede 

Albyon  and  after  wham  hit  hadde  that  name. 
Begins:  In  J)e  noble  lande  of  Syrrie  J)er  was  a  noble  king  a  stronge  man  6c  a 

mi3ty  of  body  and  of  gret  name  {)at  me  called  Dioclician 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  wijjoute  eny  chalange. 

Remarks:  The  text  is  further  removed  from  the  Anglo-Norman  source  than 
that  of  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1),  but  the  verbal  changes  made  in  the  early 
chapters  can  be  partially  paralleled  in  the  CV-1419  (Leyle).^  The  Yale  text 


82 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

cannot,  however,  underlie  the  later  group,  which  shows  agreements  with  the 
CV-1333  texts  of  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.171(l)  and  Bodl.  Douce  323  not 
paralleled  in  the  Yale  text,  thus  indicating  that  yet  other  texts  of  the  same 
type  existed. 

The  manuscript  was  written  in  the  first  quarter  of  the  fifteenth  century.^ 
Fol.  Ir-v  is  a  bifolium  of  an  obituary  calendar  of  a  Dominican  convent,  pro- 
bably in  Suffolk  or  Chelmsford.  Among  many  notes  and  scribbles  are  two 
early  notes  of  purchase:  on  the  last  leaf  is  a  note  of  purchase  from  S.  Bela- 
my,  dated  33  Henry  VI  (1455);  on  fol.  Iv  is  recorded  that  William  Nasby, 
skinner  of  London,  bought  the  book  for  150s.  on  April  12,  3  Edward  IV 
(1464).  "Robard  Naysbe"  was  apparently  a  subsequent  owner  in  the  late  fif- 
teenth or  early  sixteenth  century. 


^  For  a  full  description,  see  Shailor,  Catalogue,  2:  478-80. 

2  See  pp.  128-31. 

^  See  Shailor,  Catalogue,  2:  479-80,  for  this  information  and  for  post-medieval  names  and 

modern  autographs  in  the  manuscript. 


6.  Society  of  Antiquaries  MS.  93 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelonde  was  ferst  callede  Albyon 

and  {)oru3  wham  hit  had  ferste  J)at  name. 
Begins:  In  J)e  noble  lande  of  Surrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  wijjoute  chalange  of  eny  maner  man.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  Although  containing  the  normal  contents,  the  text  must  be  re- 
garded as  secondary,  for  in  phraseology  it  shows  numerous  differences  from 
the  other  manuscripts  of  the  group.  The  "5w"  heading  is  not  present;  how- 
ever, the  three  words  ("I>e  erl  of")  that  immediately  follow  are  written  in 
red. 


7.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.155 

Heading  on  fol.  89:  Extracts  from  an  old  English  Chronicle  MS.  coming 

down  to  6  Ed.  Ill  1332. 
Begins:  And  this  bataile,  between  K.  Harold  and  Wm  the  bastard  [cf  Brie 

136,  ca.  line  26] 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 83^ 

Ends  onfol.  93v:  in  the  yer  of  Incarnacioun  of  oure  lord  Jesus  Crist  mccc  & 
xxx^  [Brie  272/5-6] 

Remarks:  The  copiest  dates  the  transcription  and  names  himself  at  the  end 
of  the  extracts:  "A.D.  1606  ab  Henrico  Spelmanno  conscriptus."^ 


^  Sir  Henry  Spelman  (P1564-1641),  the  historian  and  antiquary,  see  DNB,  53:  328. 


8.  BL  MS.  PiARLEY  3945 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surre 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL 

Fragmentary  last  folio  ends  during  the  chapter  recounting  the  deposition  of 
Edward  II. 

Remarks:  The  text  is  of  normal  CV  type.  Many  foUos  are  missing  through- 
out. 


9.  RYLANDS  MS.  EnG.  206^ 

Heading:  [H]ere  may  a  man  heren  howe  that  Englonde  was  first  called  Al- 
bion and  thurgh  whom  it  had  the  name. 

Begins:  [I]n  the  noble  londe  of  Surrey 

Omits:  Cad,  QIL 

Ends  imperfectly:  the  goote  shuld  lese  moch  of  his  londe  til  that  shame  shuld 
hym  ouercome.  And  then  shuld  he  cloo[then  hym  in  a  catchwords]  [Brie 
244/16-18] 


^  See  Ker,  MMBL  UI,  pp.  421-22;  Lester,  Handlist,  p.  39;  Tyson,  "Hand-List,"  p.  185. 


10.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  398D1 

Begins  imperfectly:  lete  call  hyt  Loundres  [Brie  1>\I27>-1A'\ 

Omits:  Cad  (see  below),  QIL 

Ends  imperfectly:  Tho  was  the  quene  so  wroth  towarde  sir  Edmunde  erle  of 

Kente  6c  cessed  never  to  praye  vnto  hur  sone  that  he  scholde  [Brie 

265/33-266/1] 


84 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Remarks'.   Among  other   missing  folios   are   the   folios   that  might  have 
contained  the  Cadwallader  episode. 


^  See  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  369-71,  for  a  description  and  an  analysis 
of  the  missing  folios. 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1333 

Like  the  Anglo-Norman  text,  the  CV-1333  does  not  contain  the  Cadwal- 
lader episode  (see  Introduction,  Appendix  1)  or  Queen  Isabella's  letter  (see 
Introduction,  Appendix  2).  The  heading  found  in  some  texts  and  the  prac- 
tice of  prefixing  a  table  of  contents  are  paralleled  in  certain  of  the  Anglo- 
Norman  texts. 

None  of  the  English  manuscripts  preserves  the  original  translation,  for, 
like  the  majority  of  extant  manuscripts  of  the  Brut,  they  represent  copies 
written  some  time  after  the  presumed  date  of  composition  of  any  portion  of 
text.  None  of  the  three  manuscripts  that  form  the  basis  of  Erie's  edition  pre- 
serves an  exact  copy  of  the  original  translation,  as  a  comparison  of  readings 
with  the  Anglo-Norman  text  shows,  although  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1) 
preserves  the  original  readings  most  faithfully.  However,  no  one  text  has  a 
monopoly  of  readings  that  correspond  exactly  to  those  found  in  the  Anglo- 
Norman,  as  the  textual  variants  printed  by  Brie  indicate. 

The  following  extract  from  Brie  serves  the  double  purpose  of  showing  the 
closeness  of  the  translation  to  the  original  Anglo-Norman  as  well  as  the 
variant  readings  that  show  that  none  of  the  English  manuscripts  contains 
the  original  translation.  The  base  text  is  that  of  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1), 
collated  with  Bodl.  Douce  323  (designated  O)  and  TCD  490  (designated 
D): 

How  Engist  and  xj  M^  men  come  Coment     Engist     8c    xj     Mille 

into  J)is  lande,  to  whom  Vortiger  hommes  viendrent  en  ceste  terre 

3af  a  place  {)at  is  callede  [Called  a  Vortiger  as  queux  Vortiger  dona 

is    O]    Thongecastell.    Capitulo  vn    place    nosme    Thowgcastell 

Wf.  [sic].  Capitulo  lvj'°. 

And  sone  after  J)is  sorw,  tidynges  En  toute  ceste  anguise  nouel  luy 

[sorwe    tydyng   D,    tydynge    O]  vient  qe  graunt  navie  de  estran- 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


85 


come  to  Vortiger,  J)at  a  grete 
nauye  [meny  D,  meyne  O]  of 
straungers  were  arryuede  in  [in 
the  centre  of  D,  in  Ipt  Cuntre  of 
O]  Kent;  but  pai  wist  nou3t 
whens  [what  D]  \>a.i  were,  ne 
wherfore  J)ai  were  comen.  The 
Kyng  sent  anone  messagers  [a 
messanger  DO]  [)ider,  put  somme 
of  ham  shulde  come  and  speke 
wij)  him,  forto  wete  what  folc  J)ai 
werne,  and  what  J)ai  axede,  and 
into  what  centre  pzi  wolde  gone. 
I>ere  were  ij  bre|5erne,  Prynces 
and  maistres  of  |)at  straunge  com- 
pany: [)at  on  me  callede  Engist, 
and  J)at  o{)ere  Horn.  Engist  went 
J)o  to  J)e  kyng,  8c  tolde  to  him 
encheson  wher-fore  pai  were  J)ere 
arryuede  in  his  [[)is  O]  lande,  and 
saide:  "sire!  we  beth  of  a  contre 
J)at  is  callede  Saxoyne,  [)at  is,  JDe 
Lande  of  Germayn,  wherin  is  so 
[om.  O]  miche  sorw,  ^at  [pay  yf 
O]  pe  peple  is  [be  O]  so  myche 
^at  pe  lande  may  nou3t  ham 
[hem  not  O]  sustene  ne  suffice. 
The  maystres  8c  Prynces  J)at 
hauej)  pe  lande  to  gouerne  and 
rewele,  shul  done  come  bifore 
ham  men  and  wymmen,  pt  [that 
bene  D]  boldest  f)at  bene  a- 
monges  ham  and  best  mowen 
[boldest  amonges  ham  forto  fi3t 
J)at  best  mow  D,  boldest  |)at  ben 
among  hem  for-to  fight  {)at  best 
mow  O]  trauaille  into  diuerse3 
[diuerse  D,  diuers  O]  londes;  and 
so  |)ai  shal  ham  3eue  Horse  and 


gers  fiirent  ariuez  en  la  pais  de 
Kent  mais  ne  sauoit  qils  flirent  ne 
pur  quoi  ils  flirent  venuz.  Le  roi 
maunda  illoeqes  vn  messanger  qe 
ascun  de  eux  venist  a  luy  parler 
pur  sauoir  qe  la  gent  ceo  furent  8c 
quoi  ils  demandassent  8c  en  quele 
parte  ils  vousissent  aler.  Ils  y  auo- 
ient  deux  freres  maistre  8c  prince 
de  eux  gentz  estrangers  lun  out 
noun  Engest  8c  lauter  Home. 
Engist  ala  al  roy  8c  luy  dist  len- 
chesoun  pur  quele  ils  fiirent  ariues 
en  sa  terre.  "Sire"  fait  il  "nous 
sumez  de  vne  pais  qest  appellee 
Saxsoine  qest  en  le  terre  de  Ger- 
maine  ou  il  y  ad  vne  tiel  custume 
qe  si  le  poeple  soit  si  graunt  que 
la  terre  ne  poet  suffrir  a  eux  sus- 
tenir  les  princes  qe  ount  la  seig- 
nurie  8c  le  pais  a  gouernir  fer- 
roit  venir  deuaunt  eux  hommes  8c 
femmes  les  plus  hardiz  a  com- 
batre  qe  meux  purrount  trauailler 
en  diuerses  terres.  Si  lour  dor- 
rount  chiuaux  armes  8c  quanque 
mistere  lour  serra  et  puis  dirrount 
a  eux  qils  se  augent  purchacer 
terre  en  autre  pais  ou  ils  purrount 
viure  si  come  lour  auncestres  fi- 
rent  deuaunt."  [BL  Cotton  Cleo- 
patra D.iii,  fol.  92v] 


86 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

harneyse,  armure,  and  al  f)ing  {)at 
ham  nedej);  and  after  J)ai  [|)ai 
shul  D,  J)ay  schul  O]  say  to  ham 
J)at  \>ai  go  into  ano{)er  contre, 
wher  J)at  [om.  D]  [jai  mowen 
leue,  as  here  auncestres  deden  bi- 
forne  ham."  [Brie  50/7-29] 

A  specific  point  in  chapter  223  (the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill)  provides  some 
physical  evidence  of  the  genesis  of  a  reading  which  can  be  used  as  a  supple- 
mentary factor  in  determining  the  group  to  which  a  text  belongs. 

During  the  description  of  the  Scottish  army,  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1), 
Bodl.  Douce  323,  Gordan,  Rylands  Eng.  103(1),  Yale  Beinecke  494,  Soc.  of 
Antiquaries  93,  and  Bodl.  Bodley  840  (item  56;  a  witness  to  the  CV-1333 
in  its  first  part)  agree  with  the  Anglo-Norman  text  in  prefacing  the  first  four 
divisions  ("wards")  of  the  Scottish  army  by  a  heading,  e.g.,  "In  \>t  Jjridde 
ward  of  J)e  bataile  of  Scotland  were  J)ise  Lordes"  (Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1): 
Brie  284/13-14).  After  the  names  of  the  lords  in  the  fourth  ward  (mis- 
numbered  as  "first"  in  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.171[l]  and  Gordan)  and  the  num- 
bers of  the  soldiery,  the  CV-1333  manuscripts  continue  the  text  of  the 
chapter  without  break,  whereas  TCD  490  (item  57;  a  witness  to  the  CV- 
1333  in  its  first  part)  introduces  a  subheading: 

. . .  William  Landy,  Thomas  de  Boys,  Rogere  de  Mortymer,  with  xxx 
bachilers,  ix  C  men  of  Armes,  and  [om.  O]  xviij  M*  communes  [and 
iiij  C  of  communes  D,  6c  iiij  C  of  Comune  O].  [In  J)e  v*^  warde  of 
Ipe  bataile  of  Scotlond  were  those  lordis  add.  D]  1|  The  Erl  of  Dun- 
barre,  keper  of  \)e  castel  of  Berwik,  halpe  J)e  Scottis  wij)  1.  men  of 
Armes  . . .  [Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.171(l):  Brie  284/26-30] 

Rylands  Eng.  103(1)  perhaps  represents  an  intermediate  stage;  it  has  no 
heading,  but  leaves  a  space.  The  %  of  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1)  is  omitted 
in  Soc.  of  Antiquaries  93,  but  "P>e  erl  of"  is  written  in  red  ink.  The  reason 
for  the  introduction  of  the  subheading  (here  designated  the  "5w"  heading) 
can  be  seen  by  looking  at  the  visual  presentation  of  the  passage  in  the 
Anglo-Norman  text  of  BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii.  The  layout  takes  the 
form  of  three  contiguous  rectangles;  the  left  one  contains  the  appropriate 
ward  heading,  the  central  one  contains  the  names  of  the  lords  arranged  as  a 
list,  and  the  right  hand  one  contains  the  phrase  enumerating  the  lesser 
soldiery: 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


87 


En  le  quarte  garde 
del  batailes  dEscoce 
fiirent  ceux  sirs 


Robert  de  Lawether 
William  de  Vipount 
William  de  Lonstoun 

William  Landy 
Thomas  de  Boys 
Roger  de  Mortimer 


ouesque  xxx  bachi- 
lers  ix  C  hommes 
darmes  xviij  Mille 
&.  iiij  C  des  com- 
unes  Luy  counte  de 
Dunbarre  gardein 
del  chastel  de  Ber- 
wik  aida  les  Escotz 
oue  1  hommes  dar- 
mes . . .  [BL  Cotton 
Cleopatra  D.iii,  fol. 
182] 


A  similar  layout  may  have  been  employed  in  the  original  manuscript  of 
the  English  translation  (cf.  the  layout  in  BL  Harley  4690,  a  text  of  John 
Mandeville's  translation  to  1333  [item  193]). 

If  the  original  translation  reproduced  the  Anglo-Norman  layout,  then  it 
is  clear  that  the  wards  would  be  distinctly  differentiated  from  the  body  of 
the  text.  In  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(1),  Bodl.  Douce  323,  and  Soc.  of  Anti- 
quaries 93  the  layout  has  merged  the  wards  into  the  body  of  the  text;  in  an 
attempt  to  mark  off  the  resumption  of  the  narrative,  first  a  space  was  left, 
as  in  Rylands  Eng.  103(1),  in  order  to  insert  a  heading,  and  a  heading  was 
subsequently  inserted,  as  in  TCD  490.  The  heading  is  actually  erroneous, 
for  there  were  originally  only  four  wards,  and  the  new  layout  of  Bodl.  Rawl- 
inson B. 171(1)  and  other  CV-1333  texts,  integrating  the  previous  wards 
into  the  body  of  the  narrative,  probably  confused  the  correct  reading  of  the 
text. 

Reflecting  the  complex  textual  tradition,  later  manuscripts  include  all  the 
types  exemplified  in  the  CV-1333 — the  absence  of  any  heading;  the  leaving 
of  a  space;  the  presence  of  the  "5w"  heading;  or  (as  a  new  solution)  the  in- 
troduction of  a  substitute  heading,  either  because  an  examplar  possessed  a 
space  or  because  it  was  noticed  that  the  "5w"  heading  is  wrong. 


The  Common  Version  to  1377  (CV-1377) 

To  the  text  ending  in  1333  a  continuation  was  added  that  brings  to  a  close 
the  reign  of  Edward  III  and  ends  with  his  death  in  1377.  The  continuation 
appears  in  two  versions,  the  longer  of  which  forms  the  basis  of  the  majority 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


of  succeeding  texts;  manuscripts  to  1377  containing  this  full  continuation 
can  be  further  subdivided  into  two  definite  stages  and  probably  another.  The 
first  of  these  stages  contains  neither  the  Cadwallader  episode  nor  Queen  Isa- 
bella's letter;  a  probable  second  stage  contains  the  Cadwallader  episode, 
while  the  third  stage  includes  both  the  episode  and  the  letter. 


The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  full  continuation, 
Stage  1  (CV-1377f.c.  Stage  1) 
The  full  continuation  is  found  in  its  entirety  in  MSS.  CCCC  174  and 
Rylands  Eng.  102.  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia  MS.  Lewis  238  is  imperfect 
at  the  beginning  of  the  continuation,  while  MSS.  Rylands  Eng.  103(2),  BL 
Harley  2279,  and  BL  Stowe  68  are  imperfect  at  the  end  but  probably  belong 
to  this  group.  The  majority  of  the  manuscripts  that  carry  the  text  beyond 
1377  also  contain  or  are  based  on  this  continuation. 


11.  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  174 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  hure  Engelande  was  fferst  callede  Albyon  and 

J)oru3  wham  hit  had  J)e  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Syrrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  wijDoute  eny  chalaunge  of  eny  man.  Ande  so  after 

|)is  gracious  victorye  J)e  king  turnyd  him  a3en  vnto  J)e  same  seege  of 

Berwyk 
Ends:  the  xj  kalend  of  luyn  he  deide  att  Shene  and  is  beried  worshipfiilly  at 

Westmynster  on  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

Remarks:  Brie  prints  this  as  his  base  text  for  the  1333  to  1377  continuation 
(Brie  291-332). 


12.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  102^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  and  our  soueraiegne  his  doughter  Gennogen  to  his  wifF 

[Brie  7/24-25] 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  calenge  of  any  man.  Deo  gracias  dica- 

mus  omnes.  Amen.  And  so  after  this  gracious  victorie 
Ends:  ^e  xj  kalendes  of  lune  he  deyde  at  Shene  and  is  buryed  wirschipfully 

at  Westminster  vppon  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 89 

Remarks:  Leaves  have  been  lost  after  fols.  38,  43,  and  57;  three  inserted 
leaves,  written  in  a  hand  of  the  late  fifteenth  or  early  sixteenth  century,  sum- 
marize some  of  the  missing  text. 


*  See  Ker,  MMBL  UI,  pp.  416-17;  Lester,  Handlist,  pp.  37-38;  Tyson,  "Hand-List,"  p. 
171. 


13.  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia  MS.  Lewis  238 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  hure  Engelande  was  first  callede  Albyon  &  J)oru3 

wham  hit  hadde  the  name. 
Begins:  In  pe  noble  lande  of  Syrrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  ("5w"  heading) 
Ends:  he  deide  at  Shene  8c  is  beried  worschepftilly  at  Westmester  whos 

soule  God  haue  merq^.  Explicit. 

Remarks:  Some  leaves  are  lost  that  would  have  contained  the  end  of  the 
1333  text,  including  the  Halidon  Hill  material,  and  the  beginning  of  the 
1377  continuation. 

A  mid-sixteenth-century  note  on  the  second  from  last  leaf  records  that 
"William  Vmnor  of  Sharryngton  [Norfolk]  gentleman  owyth  this  cronycle." 
The  note  is  in  the  same  hand  as  a  memorandum  on  the  same  page  that  re- 
counts the  betrayal  in  1557  of  Calais  into  French  hands. 

14.  Rylands  MS.  EnG.  103(2)^ 

Second  scribe  begins  onfol  126v:  And  so  after  thys  gracius  victorye 
Ends  imperfectly:  Therfor  JDe  xxvj  day  of  August  kyng  Edeward  in  a  feld  fast 
by  Crescy  [Brie  298/23-24] 

Remarks:  As  the  table  of  contents  for  the  text  to  1333  indicates,  the  continu- 
ation from  1333  to  1377  represents  an  independent,  later  addition  to  the 
manuscript. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  4. 


15.  BL  MS.  Harley  2279 

Headings.  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelond  was  first  called  Albyon  and 
thurgh  whom  hit  had  the  name. 


90       THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Begins:  [I]n  the  noble  lande  of  Syrrye 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL 

Ends  imperfectly:  wherfore  if  I  shal  knoweliche  |)e  verrey  treuth  [Brie 
293/33-34] 

Remarks:  The  text  ends  just  over  two-thirds  down  fol.  146r,  which  suggests 
that  the  scribe  did  not  complete  his  task.  A  sixteenth-century  hand  (which 
also  writes  the  verses  ascribing  the  second  translation  of  the  Brut  to  "John 
Maundevyle";  see  pp.  333-34)  has  added  several  Unes  to  complete  the 
sentence,  ending  "the  comen  people  weare  strongeley  igreued  8cc." 


16.  BL  MS.  Stowe  68 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  hou  Engelond  was  ferst  called  Albioun  and 

thurgh  wham  hit  hadde  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lond  of  Sirrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  hit  was  told  and  certified  to  the  king  [Brie  305/12-13] 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  1 

The  method  by  which  many  of  the  Brut  manuscripts  developed  is  shown  in 
this  first  group  that  possesses  a  continuation.  The  continuation  was  probably 
added  to  a  manuscript  of  the  CV-1333,  as  in  Rylands  Eng.  103,  and  the  re- 
sulting text  to  1377  was  then  copied,  with  the  result  that  manuscripts  in  a 
single  hand  were  produced.  No  significant  changes  have  been  made  to  the 
CV-1333  text. 


The  Common  Version  to  1377 
with  shortened  continuation  (CV-1377  s.c.) 
The  shortened  continuation  is  based  on  the  longer  continuation  described 
above,  and  is  found  in  MSS.  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B. 171(2)  and  Lambeth  491; 
it  also  occurs  in  MSS.  BL  Harley  753  and  Lambeth  331  of  the  CV-1430 
JP:B.i  Lambeth  MS.  491  ends  with  "The  Description  of  Edward  III." 


^  See  pp.  145-50. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 91^ 

17.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawunson  B.  171(2)^ 

Second  scribe  begins  on  fol.  171  v.  [A]nd  eftre  f)is  gracius  victorie  J)e  kyng 

turnyd  ageyn  to  Jje  siege  of  Berwyk 
Ends:  and  was  rially  and  worthely  buryed  at  Westmynstre  on  whos  soule 

Gode  haue  mercy.  Amen. 


^  For  (1),  sec  item  1. 


18.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  491^ 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  1:  the  qwene  anone  toke  gold  and  sylvir  grete  plente 

[Brie  19/29-30] 
Omits:  Cad  (see  below),  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Contains:  Description  of  Edward  III 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  wiJ)out  eny  chalangyng  of  any  man.  Aftir  which 

wyctorie  {)e  l<yng  turnyd  a3en  into  Englond  and  ordeynid  ser  Edward 

Bayllol  with  othir  worthy  lordis  forto  kepe  Scotland. 

How  kyng  Edward  went  a3en  into  Scotland.  Of  Jje  bataill  of  Scluys  and 
Seynt  Omers  and  of  the  turnament  of  Dunstaple  and  of  Seynt  Georges 
feest  at  Wyndesore.  Capitulo  CC  xxiiij". 

The  sevenej)e  3eer  of  l^nig  Edward  in  the  wyntir  tyme  he  went  into  Scot- 
land 8c  reparaillid  the  castell  of  Kylbrig  a3ens  J)e  Scottis 
Changeover,  1377  to  Description  of  Edward  III:  deyd  at  his  manere  of  Shene 
xj  kalend  of  luyn  and  is  buried  atte  Westminster. 

I*e  descripcion  of  l^mg  Edward.  Capitulo  CCxxix°. 
Ends  on  fol.  205v:  and  vnprofitable  harmes  with  meny  evelis  bygan  forto 

spring  and  J)e  more  harme  is  continuyd  longe  tyme  aftir. 
Colophon:  Explicit  quidam  tractatus  Anglicus  de  gestis  Anglorum  Brute  vul- 

gariter  nuncupatus. 

Remarks:  Despite  the  later  textual  evidence  of  the  CV-1430  JP:B,  to  which 
the  text  of  Lambeth  491  is  related  (see  pp.  149-50),  it  is  unlikely  that  the 
Cadwallader  episode  was  originally  present.  Although  the  relevant  leaf  is 
missing,  the  amount  of  text  which  is  omitted  would  probably  fit  into  one 
folio  if  the  episode  were  not  included  and  there  is  no  indication  from  the 
chapter  numbering  that  any  extra  chapters  were  originally  present. 


92  THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Textually,  this  is  the  earliest  group  in  which  "The  Description  of  Edward 
III"  (printed  in  Brie  333-34),  a  short  chapter  assessing  the  character  of  the 
late  king,  appears.  It  is  a  translation  of  a  Latin  eulogy  that  is  found  in  the 
misnamed  "Continuation  of  Murimuth,"  one  of  the  continuations  to  the 
Polychronicon}  This  section  of  text  also  appears  in  Lambeth  738,  BL  Harley 
266(1),  Huntington  HM  136(1),  BL  Harley  753,  Lambeth  331,  and  in 
Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England  and  BL  Addit.  10099.^ 

The  sixteenth-century  signatures  of  John  and  Thomas  Pat(t)sall  occur 
several  times,  together  with  numerous  notes  by  them.  They  may  have  been 
members  of  a  merchant  family  that  acquired  land  in  Essex.'* 


^  See  Montague  Rhodes  James,  A  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts  in  the  Library 
of  Lambeth  Palace:  The  Mediaeval  Manuscripts  (Cambridge,  1932),  pp.  681-84.  See  also 
Karl  D.  Biilbring,  "Uber  die  Handschrift  Nr.  491  der  Lambeth-Bibliothek,"  Jrchiv  86 
(1891):  383-92;  A.  G.  Hooper,  'The  Lambeth  Palace  MS.  of  the  Awntyrs  off  Arthure'," 
Leeds  Studies  in  English  3  (1934):  37-43;  Robert  J.  Gates,  ed.,  The  Awntyrs  off  Arthure  at 
the  Terne  Wathelyne  (Philadelphia,  1969),  pp.  15-16;  Ralph  Hanna  III,  ed.,  The  Awntyrs 
off  Arthure  at  the  Terne  Wathelyn  (Manchester,  1974),  pp.  4-6;  Ralph  Hanna  III,  Pursuing 
History:  Middle  English  Manuscripts  and  Their  Texts  (Stanford,  1996),  pp.  27-29.  The  first 
part  of  the  manuscript  also  includes  texts  of  The  Awntyrs  off  Arthure,  The  Siege  of  Jerusa- 
lem, The  Three  Kings  of  Cologne,  and  a  poem  on  hunting;  Hanna,  Pursuing  History,  pp.  99, 
128,  and  304  n.  3,  notes  that  the  scribe  also  wrote  Huntington  MS.  HM  114  and  was 
the  first  scribe  in  BL  MS.  Harley  3943,  both  of  which  contain  copies  of  Chaucer's  Troilus 
and  Criseyde. 

^  The  continuation  is  reprinted  from  an  edition  of  Queen's  College,  Oxford,  MS.  304  by 
Anthony  Hall  (Oxford,  1722)  in  Thomas  Hog,  ed.,  Adam  Murimuthensis  Chronica  Sui 
Temporis.  .  .  cum  eorundem  Continuatione  (ad M.CCC.LXXX)  a  Quodam  Anonymo  (1846; 
rpt.  Vaduz,  1964);  the  eulogy  is  contained  in  pp.  225-27.  On  further  texts  of  the  con- 
tinuation, unknown  to  its  earlier  editors,  see  Taylor,  716^  'Universal  Chronicle'  of  Ranulf 
Higden,  pp.  118-19,  180-81. 
3  See  items  22,  33,  61,  79,  80,  85,  and  86. 

^  See  JuHa  BofFey  and  Carol  M.  Meale,  "Selecting  the  Text:  Rawlinson  C.86  and  Some 
Other  Books  for  London  Readers,"  in  Regionalism  in  Late  Medieval  Manuscripts  and 
Texts,  ed.  FeUcity  Riddy  (Cambridge,  1991),  pp.  161-62  and  n.  63. 


The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  full  continuation. 

Stage  2  (CV-1377fc.  Stage  2) 

A  group  that  used  the  full  continuation  to  1377  and  that  first  included  the 

Cadwallader  episode  can  be  posited  from  the  evidence  of  Hamburg  MS.  98, 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 93^ 

although  the  manuscript  is  unfortunately  imperfect  at  both  beginning  and 
end. 


19.  Staats-  und  UniversitAtsbibliothek  Hamburg  MS.  98  in 

SCRIN^ 

Begins  imperfectly  on  damaged  fol.  1:  tolen  [ . . .  ]  queene  of  J)at  land  [Brie 

14/10] 
Contains:  Cad 
Omits:  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  wijjoute  any  chalynginge  of  eny  man.  And  so 

after  J)is  gracious  victorie  J)e  l^oig  turned  hym  a3en  vnto  J)e  same  sege  of 

Berwyk 
Ends  imperfectly:  the  chaunceler  6c  J)e  tresorer  J)at  were  bysshopes  8c  \>&  clerk 

of  the  pryve  seel  were  remeued  8c  put  out  of  her  office  8c  in  here  stede 

were  [Brie  324/23-25] 

Remarks:  Although  the  manuscript  is  now  incomplete  at  the  end,  it  is  proba- 
ble that  little  has  been  lost  and  that  in  its  original  state  the  text  ended  in 
1377.  The  omission  of  the  "Sw"  heading  in  the  Halidon  Hill  passage  is  nor- 
mally suggestive  of  a  textually  early  group,  and  the  text  to  1333  agrees  well 
with  the  texts  of  the  CV-1333  that  are  closest  to  the  Anglo-Norman  text. 
If  the  text  did  indeed  originally  end  in  1377,  then  it  is  a  representative  of 
the  earliest  Common  Version  group  to  include  the  Cadwallader  episode, 
which  appears  on  fols.  111-117,  and  suggests  that  the  additions  of  the  Cad- 
wallader episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter  were  independent  of  each  other 
in  the  Common  Version. 


^  See  Tilo  Brandis,  Die  Codices  in  scrinio  der  Staats-  und  Universitatsbibliothek  Hamburg, 
1-110  (Hamburg,  1972),  pp.  167-68.  The  text  of  the  Cadwallader  episode  is  printed 
from  this  manuscript  as  Appendix  1  of  the  Introduction. 


The  Common  Version  to  1377  with  full  continuation. 

Stage  3  (CV-1377fc.  Stage  3) 

If  the  preceding  text  does  in  fact  indicate  a  valid  group  that  ended  in  1377, 

then  a  succeeding  stage  in  the  development  of  the  CV  (though  based  on  a 

text  closer  to  the  original  CV-1333  wording)  is  exemplified  by  Princeton 


94 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

MS.  Taylor  Medieval  3(1)  and  by  NLS  MS.  6128.  Both  use  the  full  con- 
tinuation to  1377  and  include  both  the  Cadwallader  episode  (Cad)  and  the 
text  of  a  letter  from  Queen  Isabella  to  the  citizens  of  London  (QIL),  though 
the  two  manuscripts  cannot  be  directly  related  (see  Remarks  on  the  CV- 
1377  f  c.  Stage  3  below).  BL  MS.  Harley  266(1)  seems  to  be  related  to  NLS 
6128,  although  the  former  also  includes  "The  Description  of  Edward  IIL" 
Although  at  some  textual  remove,  the  unfinished  Chicago  MS.  253  may  also 
be  an  offshoot  of  this  rather  fragmented  group  and  is  thus  included  here. 

20.  Princeton  University  Library,  Taylor  Medieval  MS.  3(1)* 

Table  of  contents  by  first  scribe  begins  on  fol.  40:  This  is  the  kalender  of  this 

boke  of  cronyclys  clepid  Brute  mal^^ng  mencyon  of  the  kyngis  that  haue 

regnyd  in  this  londe  now  callid  Englond.  And  the  prolog  stondith  in  the 

begynnyng  and  aftirward  folowen  the  chapiters  by  order  as  they  stondyn 

here. 

Prologus. 

How  Brute  was  bigeten  and  how  he  slough  fiirst  his  modre  and  aftirward 

his  fadir . . .  Capitulo  primo. 
Table  of  contents  ends  on  fol  43v:  Of  the  dethe  of  kyng  Edward  and  how  sir 

lohn  Mynstreworth  knyght  was  drawen  and  hongid  for  his  treson. 
Heading  on  fol  44:  Here  may  a  man  hyre  how  Englonde  was  ffiirst  callyd 

Albyon  and  thorow  whom  hit  had  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surrye  there  was  a  nobill  kyng  and  a  myghty 

and  a  man  of  grete  renowne  that  men  called  Dioclysian 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  any  chalange  of  any  man.  Deo  gracias. 

And  so  aftir  this  gracious  victory  the  kyng  turnyd  hym  ayen  to  the  same 

sege  of  Berwyk 
First  scribe  ends  on  fol.  118v:  he  deide  at  Shene  and  is  buryed  worshipfiiUy  at 

Westminster  on  whos  sowle  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

Remarks:  Besides  the  change  of  hand,  the  ending  point  of  the  table  of  con- 
tents, written  by  the  first  scribe,  shows  that  the  original  text  ended  in  1377, 
to  which  a  continuation  to  1419  was  subsequently  added. 

The  Brut  table  of  contents  is  preceded  by  an  incomplete  text  of  Sidrak 
and  Bokkus  (fols.  l-39v),  also  written  by  the  first  scribe.^ 

The  signature  of  William  Cecil,  Baron  Burghley  (1520-1598)  appears  on 
the  first  page  of  the  Brut  text. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION  95 


*  For  (2),  see  item  73.  See  Adelaide  Bennett,  Jean  F.  Preston,  and  William  P.  Stoneman, 
A  Summary  Guide  to  Western  Manuscripts  at  Princeton  University  (Princeton,  1991),  p.  55. 
^  See  Karl  D.  Biilbring,  "Sidrac  in  England,"  Beitrdge  zur  romanischen  und  englischen  Philo- 
logie:  Festgabefur  Wendelin  Foerster  (Halle,  1902),  pp.  457-58;  R.  E.  Nichols  Jr.,  "Sidrak 
and  Bokkus,  Now  First  Edited  from  Manuscript  Lansdowne  793,"  Ph.D.  diss..  University 
of  Washington,  1965. 

21.  National  Library  of  Scotland  MS.  6128 

Original  text  begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  1:  but  heo  and  hire  sustres  yfere;  ^o 

sayde  Jjis  Albyne  "My  fair  sustres  fill  wel  we  knowej) . . ."  [Brie  3/14-15] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  wi{)oute  eny  chalaunge  of  eny  man.  And  so  after 

J)is  gracious  victorye  ^e  kyng  turnede  hym  a3en  vnto  J)e  same  sege  of 

Berwyk 
Ends:  he  deide  atte  Shene  and  is  beried  worchipftilly  at  Westmynestre  on 

whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

Remarks:  A  space  has  been  left  where  the  "5w"  heading  might  appear.  Un- 
usually, the  subheading  on  the  array  of  the  Scottish  army  at  Halidon  Hill 
has  been  accorded  a  separate  chapter  number:  "How  J)e  Scottis  comen  in  iij 
batailles  a3ens  |)e  too  kynges  of  Engelonde  and  of  Scotlande.  In  {)e  vaunt- 
warde  of  Scotlande  were  J)ese  lordes.  Capitulo  CC*""  xxiiij'"."  [cf  Brie 
283/24-26] 

The  missing  first  leaf  of  the  original  text  has  been  supplied  at  a  later  date, 
presumably  from  another  text.  It  begins  with  the  heading:  "Here  begynneth 
^e  crounycks  of  this  lande  Engelonde  J)at  first  was  callede  Albyon  J)orug 
whom  hit  hadde  the  name."  The  text  begins:  "In  J)e  noble  lande  of  Syrrie." 

22.  BL  MS.  Harley  266(1)^ 

Begins  imperfectly  (see  below):  After  J)e  death  of  kyng  Henre  regned  his  sone 
Edward  \>t  worthiest  knyght  of  al  J)e  honour  [cf  Brie  179/3-4] 

Contains:  (^L,  Description  of  Edward  III 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  without  ony  chalaunge  of  any  man.  Deo  gracias. 
And  so  after  {)is  gracious  victory  the  kynge  turned  him  a3en  vnto  the  sege 
of  Berwike 


96 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

End  of  text  to  1377  and  beginning  of  "The  Description  of  Edward  III":  the  xj 
kalend  of  luyn  he  deid  at  Shene  and  is  buiyed  worshipflilly  at  West- 
minster on  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 
This  kyng  Edward  was  passyng  gode  and  full  gracious 

"The  Description  of  Edward  III"  ends  onfol.  91:  and  J)e  more  harme  is  it  J)at 
hit  contynued  so  longe  tyme  after. 

Remarks:  Judging  from  the  quire  signatures,  the  text  may  be  as  finished  as 
it  ever  was,  though  the  evidence  is  not  conclusive.^ 

At  the  conclusion  of  "The  Description  of  Edward  III"  a  couple  of  lines 
are  left  blank  at  the  foot  of  fol.  91  and  fols.  91v  and  92  are  also  left  blank, 
indicating  a  change  of  exemplar  at  this  point.  The  same  scribe  then  proceeds 
on  fol.  93  with  a  CV-1430  JP:A  continuation,  in  the  course  of  which  a 
change  of  scribe  occurs. 

As  in  the  previous  manuscript,  a  space  (approximately  half  a  line)  occurs 
in  lieu  of  a  "5w"  heading.  Similarly,  a  chapter  number  was  originally  ac- 
corded the  subheading  on  the  array  of  the  Scottish  army,  which  is  partially 
visible  despite  erasure:''  "This  was  the  arrey  of  the  Scottis  how  |)at  thei  come 
in  batailles  a3ens  the  kynge  of  Engelond  and  of  Scotlond;  in  {)e  vauntward 
of  Scotland  were  J)e  lordes.  Capitulo  [Cap.  61  in  modern  hand  over  erasure 
ending  simo  xxiiij°]." 


^  For  (2),  see  item  78. 

^  Many  of  the  signatures  have  been  fully  or  partially  cropped.  However,  it  appears  that 

the  existing  text  began  with  quire  "a"  and  continued  beyond  the  break  marking  the 

change  of  exemplars.  A  new  series  from  "a"  starts  on  fol.  128,  the  leaf  on  which  a  change 

in  hand  in  the  CV-1430  JP:A  continuation  occurs. 

^  An  early  modern  hand  has  erased  the  original  chapter  numbers  (though  missed  that  for 

chapter  168)  and  replaced  them  from  unity,  the  same  hand  also  added  a  title,  "A  verie 

large  chronicle  from  the  beginning  of  E.  i.  perfect  to  a°.  9°.  H.  6.,"  and  foUo  numbers. 


23.  University  of  Chicago  MS.  253 

Heading^.  Here  may  a  man  he[ . . .  ]  Engelond  was  fyrst  calle  Albion  and  of 

whom  it  [ . .  ]d  his  first  name.  Capitulo  Primo. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lond  of  Surrye  J^er  was  a  noble  kyng  of  myght  and  a 

man  of  grete  renoun  J)at  men  called  Dioclysian 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "5w"  heading 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 97 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  and  euery  man  caught  what  he  myght  take  with- 
out chalenge.  Deo  gracias.  And  after  J)is  gracious  victorie  J)e  kyng  turned 
agein  to  J)e  seege  of  Berwyk 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  in  J)e  xlix^^  yere  of  kyng  Edwarde  J)e  vj'**  day  of  luyn 
deide  ser  William  Witelesy  erchebisshop  of  Canterbury  wherfore  |)e 
monkes  of  the  same  chyrche  desirede  a  cardynall  of  Engelonde  to  be 
erchebisshoppe  [Brie  327/18-21] 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  is  probably  complete  as  we  have  it,  for  the  scribe 
ends  about  one-third  down  the  last  page. 

In  the  Halidon  HiU  passage,  the  heading  for  the  array  of  the  Scottish 
army  (Brie  283/24-26)  is  given  a  separate  (though  confused)  chapter  num- 
ber: "Off  \)t  aray  and  names  of  {)e  lordes  of  Scotlond  f)at  came  enbatailed  in 
iiij  wynges  ayenst  {)e  l^^ng  of  Engelond  and  |)e  kyng  of  Scotlond.  Capitulo 
CC  xxix*""  XXX." 

The  manuscript  contains  the  early  signatures  of  Edmund,  Alexander,  and 
Robert  Trayfort. 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  3 

None  of  the  four  texts  assigned  to  the  present  group  can  be  directly  derived 
one  from  another.  They  fall  into  two  general  types,  in  which  NLS  6128,  BL 
Harley  266(1),  and  Chicago  253  stand  against  Princeton  Taylor  3(1),  which 
contains  the  "5w"  heading  and  does  not  have  the  secondary  development  of 
the  additional  chapter  heading  in  the  Halidon  Hill  narrative.  BL  Harley 
266(1)  shows  a  further  development  in  that  "The  Description  of  Edward 
III"  occurs  as  the  conclusion  of  this  first  section  of  the  text.  Chicago  253  is 
distinguished  by  verbal  changes,  as  in  the  wording  of  the  conclusion  of  the 
narrative  to  1333  and  of  the  additional  chapter  heading  (quoted  above). 
Both  BL  Harley  266(1)  and  Chicago  253  present  incomplete  texts:  the 
former  may  have  begun  with  the  accession  of  Edward  I,  while  the  latter  was 
left  unfinished  by  its  scribe. 


The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending 

"and  manfully  countered  with  our  English  men" 

(CV-1419[men]) 

The  main  line  of  development  is  through  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3,  which 


98 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

is  the  first  group  to  use  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter; 
more  specifically,  the  development  was  probably  through  texts  of  the  type  of 
Princeton  Taylor  MS.  3,  which  also  includes  the  "Sw"  heading.  To  a  text  of 
this  type,  ending  in  1377  with  the  death  of  Edward  III,  a  fiirther  continu- 
ation was  added  taking  the  narrative  to  the  siege  of  Rouen  in  1419,  during 
which  it  ends  with  the  words  "and  manfiiUy  countered  with  our  English 
men"  (Brie  390/28-29). 

Among  texts  ending  at  this  point  two  main  groups  can  be  distinguished, 
designated  A  (with  three  subgroups)  and  B.  The  key  features  of  these 
groups  are  as  follows.  Subgroup  A(a)  carries  on  the  main  tradition,  contain- 
ing the  same  formal  features  as  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3 — the  Cadwallader 
episode.  Queen  Isabella's  letter,  and  the  "5w"  heading.  Subgroup  A(b)  is  dis- 
tinguished by  a  rewritten  and  more  accurate  narrative  for  the  years  1399  to 
1401  and  by  the  appearance  of  a  substitute  heading  in  place  of  the  "Sw" 
heading  in  the  Halidon  Hill  passage.  The  single  manuscript  witness  to  sub- 
group A(c)  omits  the  "5w"  heading  (but  does  not  substitute  the  heading 
found  in  A[b]),  and  includes  "The  Description  of  Edward  III,"  found  in 
texts  from  a  number  of  different  groups.  Group  B  omits  the  Cadwallader 
episode  but  includes  Queen  Isabella's  letter. 

A  text  of  the  continuations  from  1333  to  1377  and  1377  to  1419(men)  is 
also  found  in  BL  MS.  Harley  4690,  appended  to  John  Mandeville's  trans- 
lation of  the  basic  Brut  text  (see  item  194).  The  Heyneman  MS.  (item  58) 
also  combines  texts  copied  from  three  exemplars  by  three  scribes  to  form  a 
skilftilly  assembled,  composite  text  that  now  ends  in  1419(men),  the  final 
section  having  been  added  to  supply  leaves  that  must  have  been  lost  at  an 
early  point  in  the  manuscript's  history. 


The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "and  manfully 
countered  with  our  English  men":  Group  A  (CV-1419[men]:A) 
The  texts  of  the  manuscripts  that  comprise  this  general  group  can  be  fiirther 
differentiated  into  three  secondary  subgroups:  subgroup  (a)  exemplifies  the 
main  line  of  subsequent  development  of  the  Common  Version  and  is  repre- 
sented by  Peterhouse  190(1),  Sion  Coll.  L40.2/E  42,  Columbia  Plimpton 
262,  Takamiya  29,  and  Lambeth  264(1);  subgroup  (b)  comprises  the  first 
sections  of  BL  Egerton  650,  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.173,  and  Pennsylvania  State 
PS.  V-3A,  together  with  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.166,  and  is  in  part  used  in  the 
composite  text  of  TCD  505  (see  item  167);  subgroup  (c)  designates  the  text 
of  Lambeth  738. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 99 

Subgroup  (a) 

24.  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  MS.  190(1)* 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelonde  was  first  callid  Albyon  and 

thorough  whame  hit  hade  J)e  name. 
First  scribe  begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Syrrie  there  was  a  noble  kynge  and 

myghti  and  a  man  of  grete  renoun  that  men  callyd  Dyoclician 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
First  scribe  ends  onfol.  19 6v:  and  manfully  countred  with  our  Englyssh  men. 


^  For  (2),  see  item  95. 


25.  Sign  College  MS.  L40.2/E  42* 

Heading^.  Here  may  a  man  hure  hou  Englonde  was  ferst  called  Albion  and 

thurgh  wham  hit  hadde  that  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surrye 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  on  fragmentary  fol.  184:  oure  En[glischmen]. 


•  See  Ker,  MMBL  I,  pp.  289-90. 


26.  Columbia  University  Library  MS.  Plimpton  262 

Headings.  [HJere  a  man  may  hure  hou  Engelond  was  first  callede  Albion  and 

thurgh  wham  hit  hadde  {)at  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surrye  ther  was  a  noble  kynge  and  myghty  and 

a  man  of  grete  renoune  that  me  callede  Dioclician 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  and  manfully  countred  with  oure  Englissh  men.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  Fols.  59,  105,  108,  and  131  are  supplied  by  a  late-fifteenth-  or 
sixteenth-century  hand. 

On  an  end  flyleaf  occurs  a  note  of  ownership:  "Iste  liber  constat  Ricardo 
Wolston"  (possibly  fifteenth  century).  A  later  owner,  "Fraunces  Button," 
adds  his  name  in  a  pious  colophon  to  the  text. 

27.  Takamiya  MS.  29 

Original  text  begins  imperfectly  on  fr>l.  2:  the  lordes  and  the  ladies  wente  to 


100 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

bedde  and  anon  as  hire  lordes  were  in  slepe  they  cutten  alle  hir  husbonde 

throtes  [Brie  3/28-30] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  and  manfully  countrede  with  oure  Englissh  men. 

Remarks:  The  missing  first  folio  has  been  expertly  supplied  by  a  modern  leaf 
copied  from  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England  and  written  in  a  style  similar  to 
that  of  the  original  text.  It  is  headed  "How  the  lande  of  Englonde  was  first 
named  Albyon  and  by  what  encheson  yt  was  so  named";  the  text  begins  "In 
the  noble  lande  of  Sirrie  there  was  a  noble  king  and  myhty  and  a  man  of 
grete  renowne  that  men  called  Dioclisian."  The  verso  ends  "And  when  night 
was  come." 


28.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  264(1)^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  vj  yer.  And  after  hym  regnyd  Bledhaghe  iij  yere  [Brie 

31/5-6] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Text  to  1419  ends  onfol.  142v:  and  manly  countrid  wdth  our  Englisshmen. 

Remarks:  This  first  part  of  the  manuscript  is  written  in  a  number  of  hands 
of  varying  degrees  of  carefulness.  Transitions  between  hands  are  awkward, 
sometimes  with  overlapping  material  cancelled  and  sometimes  requiring 
blank  spaces  on  pages  that  precede  a  new  hand.  (It  is  possible  that  an  origi- 
nal manuscript  that  had  lost  leaves  has  been  extensively  supplied  at  a  later 
date.) 

Fols.  169v-170  contain  fifteenth-century  copies  of  deeds,  dated  49  Ed- 
ward III,  11  Henry  VI,  34  Henry  VI,  and  38  Henry  VI,  that  deal  with 
Berkshire  properties  in  Cookham,  Bray,  and  Winkfield  and  with  persons 
from  these  places  and  from  Maidenhead  ("Maydenhithe").  On  fol.  170v 
occurs  an  early  note  of  ownership:  "Iste  liber  constat  Johanni  Willeys." 


^  For  (2),  see  item  91.  See  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue . . .  Lambeth  Palace,  pp.  410-11. 


Subgroup  (b) 

29.  BL  MS.  Egerton  650(1)^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  ^at  Mordered  had  begoten  [Brie  91/10] 

Contains:  Cad 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 101 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Ends  onfol.  Ill:  and  manfully  countered  with  our  Englysh  men. 

Colophon:  Here  is  no  more  of  the  sege  of  Rone  and  J)at  is  be  cause  we 
wanted  f)e  trewe  copy  J)erof  bot  who  so  euer  owys  J)is  boke  may  wryte  it 
oute  in  |)e  henderend  of  J)is  boke  or  in  J)e  for{)er  end  of  it  whene  he 
gettes  J)e  trew  copy  when  it  is  wryttyn  wryte  in  J)eis  iij  voyde  lyns  wher  it 
may  be  foundyn. 

Remarks:  The  foUos  that  would  have  contained  Queen  Isabella's  letter  are 
missing. 

A  substitute  heading  for  the  "5w"  heading  occurs  in  the  Halidon  Hill  ac- 
count: "How  erle  of  Dunbare  help  J)e  Scottes." 

The  Brut  text  to  1419  has  occasional  improvements  in  historical  content, 
as  seen,  for  example,  in  the  history  of  Owen  Glendower's  rebellion  (see  Re- 
marks on  the  CV-1419[men]:A[b]  below).  There  are  also  some  minor  addi- 
tions to  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Agincourt. 

One  cannot  tell  whether  in  his  colophon  the  scribe  meant  a  Brut  continu- 
ation or  some  other  work  to  be  "{)e  trewe  copy,"  for  no  subsequent  owner 
has  added  to  the  text.  On  the  following  leaf  the  original  scribe  adds  a  short 
London  chronicle  continuation  to  1431  (see  item  179). 


^  For  (2),  see  item  179.  A  facsimile  of  fol.  Ill,  showing  the  colophon,  is  printed  in 
Mary- Rose  McLaren,  "The  Textual  Transmission  of  the  London  Chronicles,"  in  English 
Manuscript  Studies  1100-1700,  ed.  Peter  Beal  and  Jeremy  Griffiths,  3  (London  and 
Toronto,  1992),  p.  61.  As  McLaren  notes  (p.  60),  the  plural  "we"  in  the  colophon  sug- 
gests commercial  production;  the  comparison  to  "Ashmole  73"  [read  Ashmoie  793]  is, 
however,  misleading  (see  item  141). 


30.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.  173(1)^ 

Partially  illegible  heading  ends:  [ . . .  ]  throw  whom  hit  had  his  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lond  of  Surre  [ . . .  ]  a  noble  kynge  of  myght  and  a  man 

of  greete  renowne  that  men  called  [ . . .  ] 
Omits:  Cad  (but  see  below),  "Sw"  heading  (see  below) 
Contains:  QIL 
Text  to  1419  ends  imperfectly  onfol  221v:  withouten  tho  that  were  slayne  in 

the  felde.  And  so  they  redyn  forth  [{)roughoute  Fraunce  catchwords]  [Brie 

372/6-7] 


102 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Remarks:  Although  it  is  poorly  made,  the  text  is  apparently  based  either  on 
that  of  BL  Egerton  650  or  on  a  common  exemplar,  as  a  comparison  of  read- 
ings and  the  inclusion  of  similar  continuations  (see  pp.  313-14)  show.  Many 
chapters  and  passages  have  been  omitted  throughout,  and  thus  the  lack  of 
the  Cadwallader  episode  is  not  necessarily  significant.  Spaces  are  left  for 
headings  in  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter,  including  one  where  the  substitute 
subheading  might  have  occurred. 

The  text  originally  continued  further  than  its  present  ending  but  some 
leaves  have  been  lost  at  the  end  of  the  text  to  1419  (including  the  account 
of  Agincourt)  and  the  beginning  of  the  continuation  to  1431,  which  now 
begins  in  1421  on  the  folio  immediately  following  the  imperfect  1419  text. 

The  dialect  of  the  two  hands  of  the  manuscript  is  that  of  West  Hereford- 
shire, near  the  Welsh  border.  Memoranda  and  notes  refer  to  Bucklersbury, 
Ewyas-Lacy,  the  foundation  of  the  monastery  of  Dore,  Weobley,  Snowdell, 
Breknor,  Clifford,  Kington,  Caldicot,  etc.,  which  are  all  in  Herefordshire.^ 


^  For  (2),  see  item  180. 

2  LALME,  1:  150,  3:  172-73. 


31.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.166 

Begins  imperfectly,  hom  scomfited  and  kylled.  And  kynge  Leyre  hade  th[e]n 

his  lond  a3ayne  in  pees  [Brie  20/17-18] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends  imperfectly:  bytturly  and  manly  fo3ten  a3ayne  the  duke  of  [Burgoyne 

catchword]  [Brie  295/11-12] 

Remarks:  The  text  corresponds  with  that  of  BL  Egerton  650;  for  example, 
in  the  passage  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  the  substitute  heading  occurs: 
"How  the  erle  of  Dunbarr  holp  the  Skottes." 
The  dialect  is  that  of  Staffordshire.^ 


^  LALME,  1:  150,  3:  457. 


32.  Pennsylvania  State  University  MS.  PS.  V-3A(l)^ 

Heading:  He  [sic]  may  a  man  here  how  Englond  was  first  called  Albyon  and 
thorogh  whom  it  had  is  name. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 103 

Begins  (first  page  rubbed):  In  the  noble  lond  of  Surre  ther  was  [a]  nob[le 
k]ing  [ . . .  ]  and  a  man  of  gret  renowne  jjat  men  called  [Dioclijcion 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Text  to  1419  ends  onfol.  196:  And  so  thei  preved  hem  when  thei  issuet  oute 
of  the  cite  bothe  on  hors  bak  and  on  fote  for  thei  come  neuer  oute  at  one 
gate  allone  but  thei  come  oute  at  iij  or  iiij;  and  at  euery  gate  iij  or  iiij  M* 
of  goode  mennes  bodies  wel  armed  and  manfully  countred  with  oure 
Englissh  men. 

Remarks:  Although  the  continuation  beyond  1419,  to  1422,  is  written  with- 
out break  by  the  same  scribe,  the  text  as  a  whole  is  based  on  a  text  of  the 
type  of  BL  Egerton  650  and  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.173,  including  the  continu- 
ation to  1431  found  in  those  manuscripts.  Accordingly,  the  continuation  has 
been  included  with  those  found  in  the  latter  manuscripts. 

As  in  the  other  texts  of  the  group,  the  substitute  heading  "How  pe  erle  of 
Dunbar  holp  the  Scottes"  occurs  in  place  of  the  "5w"  heading. 

An  omission  (of  one  folio?)  occurs  in  the  Arthurian  material:  "for  pt 
Saxons  in  J)at  cite  and  thei  have  dispended  all  oure  vitailes"  (cf.  Brie  77/6- 
79/9-10).  Some  omissions  are  also  found  in  the  later  parts  of  the  text,  for 
example,  in  the  narrative  on  Richard  II. 

The  dialect  is  possibly  that  of  Northamptonshire,  "with  markedly  central 
W[est]  Midland  elements."^  A  coat  of  arms  has  been  erased  on  fol.  1,  and 
there  are  erased  notes  on  fols.  10,  lOv,  and  11  that  record  the  births  of 
children  to  John  Shirley  (1535-1570)  of  Staunton  Harold  and  Rakedale  in 
Leicestershire.-' 

A  text  in  a  very  similar  hand,  possibly  from  the  same  scriptorium,  is  the 
EngUsh  commentary  on  the  prophecies  of  MerUn  in  Pennsylvania  State  PS. 
V-3,  which  is  highly  indebted  to  the  Brut  for  its  content  and  to  which  the 
commentary  makes  references."*  The  Brut  text  in  PS.  V-3A  ends  with  the 
quire  signature  "N  iij,"  while  PS.  V-3  begins  with  the  signature  "p."^  It  is 
possible  that  the  two  texts  were  once  bound  in  the  same  volume.  The  dialect 
of  the  commentary  is  that  of  Northamptonshire.^ 


^  For  (2),  see  item  181. 

2  LALME,  1:  154. 

^  See  Kate  Harris,  The  Origins  and  Make-Up  of  Cambridge  University  Library  MS. 

Ff.1.6,"  Transactions  of  the  Cambridge  Bibliographical  Society  8  (1983):  306  and  n.  47. 

*  See  Caroline  D.  Eckhardt,  ed.,  The  'Prophetia  Merlini'  of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth:  A  Fif- 


104  THE  COMMON  VERSION 


teenth-Century  English  Commentary,  Speculum  Anniversary  Monographs  8  (Cambridge, 

Mass.,  1982),  pp.  34-38. 

^  Eckhardt,  'Prophet'ta  Merlini',  p.  20. 

*  LALME,  1:  154,  3:  370. 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1419(men):A(b) 

Since  BL  Egerton  650  is  closely  related  to  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.173,  there  is 
agreement  in  the  section  of  text  printed  by  Brie  as  Appendix  C  (Brie  392- 
93),  which  gives  a  slightly  fuller  version  of  the  time  from  1399  to  1401,  in- 
cluding a  more  accurate  account  of  Owen  Glendower's  rising,  which  Brie 
thought  to  be  unique  to  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.173.^  A  text  of  this  subgroup 
underlies  the  CV-1419  (Leyle),  which  also  agrees  with  this  section  of  text.^ 
Pennsylvania  State  PS.  V-3A  must  have  been  copied  from  a  manuscript  that 
was  closely  related  to  BL  Egerton  650,  since  it  includes  an  adaptation  of  the 
London  chronicle  material  found  as  a  continuation  in  that  manuscript  (see 
item  181). 


^  See  Brie  1:  vii. 
2  See  pp.  128-31. 


Subgroup  (c) 

33.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  738 

Begins  imperfectly:  geaunte  |)at  was  mayster  off  ham  all  J)at  men  called  Gog- 

magog  [Brie  11/7] 
Contains:  Cad,  C^L,  Description  of  Edward  III 
Omits:  "5w"  heading 
Ends  onfol.  228v:  &  manfully  countred  with  our  Englesh  men. 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  stands  apart  in  that  it  contains  "The  Description 
of  Edward  III,"  found  also  in  Lambeth  491,  BL  Harley  266(1),  Huntington 
HM  136(1),  BL  Harley  753,  Lambeth  331,  and,  at  a  later  textual  stage,  in 
Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England  2ind  BL  Addit.  10099.^  Although  of  different 
groups,  these  manuscripts  (and  Caxton's  print)  must  be  connected.  The  sim- 
plest explanation  is  that  an  attentive  scribe  was  aware  of,  and  had  access  to, 
the  extra  material  in  some  other  manuscript  that  contained  the  "Description" 
and  incorporated  it  into  the  copy  that  he  was  executing,  either  Lambeth  738 
or  a  lost  precursor. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 105 

Two  scribes  have  written  the  Brut  text;  the  changeover  between  them 
occurs  at  a  point  of  no  particular  textual  significance,  but  the  combination 
of  features  (especially  the  omission  of  the  "5w"  heading)  suggests  that  a 
change  of  exemplar  may  have  occurred  at  some  point. 

After  a  break  of  three  blank  folios,  the  scribe  who  completed  the  Brut  text 
recommences  on  fol.  232  with  a  copy  of  the  English  "Deposition  of  Richard 
II,"  ending  on  fol.  243v.2 


*  See  items  18,  22,  61,  79,  80,  85,  and  86. 

^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  2714-15,  2939-40.  A  copy  is  also  appended  in  Woburn  Abbey 
181  (item  193).  The  copy  inserted  into  the  London  chronicle  found  in  BL  Cotton  Julius 
B.ii  is  printed  in  Charles  L.  Kingsford,  ed..  Chronicles  of  London  (Oxford,  1905),  pp.  19- 
62.  The  Latin  version,  with  additions  by  Thomas  Walsingham,  is  printed  in  Chris 
Given-Wilson,  trans,  and  ed..  Chronicles  of  the  Revolution,  1397-1400  (Manchester  and 
New  York,  1993),  pp.  168-89. 


The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "and  manfully 

countered  with  our  English  men":  Group  B  (CV-1419[men]:B) 

This  small  group,  which  omits  the  Cadwallader  episode  but  includes  Queen 

Isabella's  letter,  contains  MSS.  BL  Stowe  69  and  BL  Addit.  33242,  though 

the  two  texts  are  not  close  and  may  be  unrelated. 


34.  BL  MS.  Stowe  69 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  howe  thatt  England  was  fyrst  callydd  Al- 

byon  and  thorough  whom  hytt  hadd  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Sirrie  ther  was  a  noble  and  a  myghty  and  a 

man  of  grete  renoun  that  men  callyd  Dioclicion 
Omits:  Cad,  "5w"  heading  (but  see  below) 
Contains:  QIL 
Ends:  6c  manfiilly  countred  with  oure  Englisch  men. 

Remarks:  A  blank  line  is  left  for  what  would  presumably  have  been  the  "5w" 
heading.  (Chapter  headings  cease  after  chapter  20,  though  spaces  are  left  for 
them.) 

After  a  blank  folio  at  the  end  of  the  Brut  text,  the  same  hand  writes  a 
short  series  of  historical  notes  in  typical  London  chronicle  form,  from 
1189/90  to  1272.  On  fol.  196r^v  (now  fragmentary)  the  scribe  has  written 


106  THE  COMMON  VERSION 


Lydgate's  popular  verses  on  the  kings  of  England,^ 


^  See  Henry  N.  MacCracken,  ed.,  The  Minor  Poems  of  John  Lydgate,  Part  2,  EETS  o.s. 
192  (1934),  pp.  710-16;  Linne  R.  Mooney,  "Lydgate's  'Kings  of  England'  and  Another 
Verse  Chronicle  of  the  Kings,"  Viator  20  (1989):  256-63,  278-79. 


35.  BL  MS.  Additional  33242 

Begins  imperfectly:  Gracyan  was  aryved  and  all  hys  oste  [Brie  45/14-15] 
Omits:  Cad 

Contains:  (^L,  "5w"  heading 

Ends  on  rubbed  leaf  a  few  lines  into  the  chapter  on  the  Ratcote  Bridge  rising: 
[Brie  342/8] 

Remarks:  The  "5w"  heading  is  given  in  slightly  truncated  form:  "In  the  v*' 
bateille  of  Scotlond  were  thes  lordes." 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1419(men):B 

Neither  of  the  manuscripts  presents  a  good  text  when  compared  to  early  CV 
texts.  One  must  assume  that  the  original  of  this  group  was  a  text  of  either 
the  CV-1333  or  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1,  which  do  not  contain  the  Cad- 
wallader  episode,  to  which  the  1419(men)  continuation  was  added,  probably 
from  the  CV-1419(men):A.  To  explain  the  presence  of  (^een  Isabella's 
letter  one  must  suppose  that  the  compiler  of  the  original  text  noticed  its 
presence  in  the  CV-1419(men):A  text  with  which  he  was  working  or  that 
there  was  an  earlier  change  of  exemplar  to  a  text  containing  it.  It  seems 
unlikely  that  the  compiler  would  have  consciously  omitted  the  popular  Cad- 
wallader  episode  had  it  been  present  in  the  exemplar,  especially  as  this  tale 
was  considered  historical. 


The  Common  Version  to  1419, 
ending  "in  rule  and  governance"  (CV-1419[r&g]) 

A  substantial  number  of  manuscripts  (some  eighteen  described  in  this  sec- 
tion) take  the  narrative  a  few  Hnes  further  than  the  CV-1419(men)  to  the 
successful  conclusion  of  the  siege  of  Rouen,  ending  with  the  words  "in  rule 
and  governance."  There  are  also  fourteen  manuscripts,  now  incomplete,  that 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 107 

may  belong  to  groups  of  this  type  (classified  below  in  two  sets  of  "doubtful" 
manuscripts  immediately  following  the  main  groups  they  most  closely 
resemble  and  to  which,  in  their  complete  state,  they  may  have  belonged). 
This  particular  conclusion,  ending  in  1419  with  the  words  "in  rule  and 
governance,"  was  a  major  point  of  closure  across  the  whole  corpus  of  Brut 
texts,  as  can  be  seen  by  its  regular  occurrence  in  the  Extended  and  Abbre- 
viated Versions  and  in  several  Peculiar  Version  texts. 

Among  these  CV-1419(r&g)  texts,  two  main  groups  can  be  dis- 
tinguished, designated  A  and  B,  the  latter  with  three  subgroups.  Group  A 
is  characterized  by  the  presence  of  the  Cadwallader  episode.  Queen  Isabella's 
letter,  and  the  "5w"  heading;  this  group  represents  the  main  line  of  develop- 
ment for  the  CV  tradition.  Group  B  consists  of  a  set  of  texts  that,  like 
Group  A,  conclude  in  1419  with  the  "rule  and  governance"  ending;  however, 
their  narratives  to  1333  or  to  1377  derive  from  different,  usually  earlier, 
forms  of  the  Brut  than  that  contained  in  Group  A.  More  specifically,  the 
three  subgroups  in  Group  B  draw  their  texts  to  1333  or  1377  from, 
respectively,  the  CV-1333,  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1,  and  a  form  of  the 
CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3  containing  "The  Description  of  Edward  III"  (not 
present  in  Group  A). 


The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  'in  rule  and  governance": 
Group  A  (CV-1419[r&g]:A) 
The  main  tradition  is  carried  on  in  those  manuscripts  that  possess  both  the 
Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter.  This  group  contains  MSS. 
CUL  Kk.1.12,  Longleat  House  183A,  TCC  O.10.34,  BL  Harley  2248,  BL 
Royal  17.Djod,  Yale  Beinecke  323,  Fitzwilliam  Museum  McClean  186, 
Coll.  of  Arms  Vincent  421,  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.216,  Glasgow  Hunterian 
228(1),  Harvard  Eng.  587,  and  Takamiya  67.  (The  last  six  manuscripts  are 
imperfect  at  the  beginning,  but  enough  of  the  opening  text  remains  to  show 
that  they  do  not  belong  to  the  Extended  Version  [EV].^) 


^  For  signs  that  indicate  the  EV,  see  p.  173. 


36.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Kk.1.12 

Table  of  contents  begins  onfoL  1:  How  Englonde  was  firste  callid  Albyon  and 
through  whom  hit  hade  the  name  in  the  prologe. 


108 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Table  of  contents  ends  on  fol.  5:  And  how  king  Henry  the  v'**"^  went  J)e  sec- 
unde  tyme  ynto  Normandye  and  of  the  sege  of  Roone.  Capitulo  CC  xlv*°. 

Heading  on  fol.  6:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelonde  was  callid  first  Al- 
byon  and  through  whom  it  had  the  name. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Sirie 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Ends:  And  Jeanne  \>e  king  entred  ynto  \>e  toun  8c  restyd  hym  in  the  castell 
tyll  Ipe  toun  were  sette  yn  rewle  and  gouernawnce. 

Remarks:  Brie  prints  this  as  his  base  text  for  the  1377  to  1419(r&g)  continu- 
ation (Brie  335-91).  The  dialect  is  that  of  Central  Herefordshire,  which 
may  indicate  that  there  was  a  continuing  interest  in  that  area  in  the  produc- 
tion of  Brut  manuscripts.^ 


1  LALME,  1:  68,  3:  170. 


37.  LONGLEAT  House  MS.  183A 

Heading  on  fol.  6:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  England  was  furst  callyd  Al- 
bion and  throgh  whom  it  had  the  name. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  l^^ng  and  a  myghty  and 
a  man  of  grete  renoun  that  men  called  Dioclician  that  wele  and  worthely 
hym  gouerned  and  reuled  thorgh  his  noble  chiualrie 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (in  red) 

Ends:  And  the  kyng  entred  into  the  towne  and  restyd  hym  in  the  castell  till 
the  towne  was  sett  in  reulle  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  first  item  (fols.  3-4v)  in  the  manuscript  is  a  copy  in  French  of 
the  Battle  Abbey  Roll,  headed  "Ces  sont  les  facciounes  les  linages  des  grans 
qui  vindrent  ou  William  le  Conqueroure  en  Angleterre";  it  ends  "Explicit 
quod  R  D." 

The  manuscript  belonged  in  the  fifteenth  century  to  Alice  Brice  ("Constat 
Aligus[?]  Brice"  [fol.  2v];  "Iste  liber  constat  Domina  Alicia  Brice"  [fol. 
136v]).  The  name  of  Francis  Thynne  (died  1611)  also  appears  on  fol.  136v. 


38.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  0.10.34^ 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  Engelande  was  first  callede  Albyon  and 
thoru3  whom  it  had  the  name. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 109 

Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Syreie 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  rewle  and  in  gouernaunce. 


^  See  Linne  R.  Mooney,  Tbe  Index  of  Middle  English  Prose,  Handlist  XI:  Manuscripts  in 
the  Library  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge  (Cambridge,  1995),  p.  150. 


39.  BL  MS.  Harley  2248 

Table  of  contents  begins  onfol.  1:  The  ffirst  how  Brute  was  getten  &  howe  he 
slow  ffirst  his  moder  and  afterward  his  fader  and  how  he  conquered  Al- 
bion that  after  he  nempned  Bretayne  after  his  owne  name  that  now  ys 
called  Englonde  after  the  name  of  Engyst  of  Saxoyne. 

Table  of  contents  ends  onfol  17:  The  CCxlij  wher  as  begynneth  the  cronicle 
of  kyng  Henry  the  fyfte. 

Heading  on  fol.  19:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Englonde  was  ffirst  called 
Albion  and  through  whom  hit  hadde  that  name. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Surrye 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "Sw"  heading 

Ends:  in  good  rule  8c  good  gouernance.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  On  fol.  1  appears  a  note  of  ownership:  "Iste  lyber  constat  Wyllyam 
Thomas."  Other  early  names  include  "Edmunde  Knyvet,"  "John  Symons," 
and  "WyUyam  Frost"  (fol.  17). 


40.  BL  MS.  Royal  17.D.xxi 

Heading^.  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelonde  was  first  callede  Albion  and 

thorowgh  wham  yt  hadde  J)e  name. 
Begins:  In  J)e  noble  land  of  Sirie 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  rewle  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  N.  R.  Ker  ascribes  the  early  ownership  of  the  manuscript  to  the 
Augustinian  Priory  of  St.  Bartholomew,  Smithfield,  London,  presumably 
from  the  evidence  of  the  following  addition,  which  suggests  that  the  manu- 
script was  written  in  the  priory.^  It  is  written  in  the  same  hand  as  the  text 
in  a  lower  margin  and  is  marked  for  insertion  in  the  Brut  text  at  a  point 
corresponding  to  Brie  369,  between  lines  10  and  11: 


110 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

And  in  J)e  same  x  3eer  of  kyng  Henries  regne  J)e  iiij*  on  Candilmasse 
Day  ser  Raynold  Colyer  priour  of  J^e  priorye  of  Seynt  Bartymewes  in 
Westsmythfeld  of  London  was  schorn  chanon  beeng  of  aage  xviij  3er 
full  on  Shrofe  Sonday  next  foloenge.  And  ^e  xxx  day  of  lanvere  J)an 
Monday  |3e  xiiij'  3er  of  kynges  Henry  Ipe  v'f^  pe  said  ser  Raynold  was 
chosen  priour  of  J)e  saide  pryorye  and  vpon  Shrofe  Sonday  next 
foloenge  ^e  xix'  day  of  Feuer3ere  \>e  said  ser  Raynold  was  stalled  and 
so  conteneweth  pryour  vnto  \>e 


^  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries,  p.  123. 


41.  Yale  University,  Beinecke  MS.  323^ 

Heading  onfol.  3:  Her  may  a  man  hure  Engelande  was  ferst  callede  Albyon 

and  |)oru3  wham  hit  had  J)e  na[me.] 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Syrrie 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly  on  fragmentary  fol  158v:  [ . . .  ]ne  J)e  Ig^ng  [ . . .  ]  toun  was 

[Brie  391/14-15] 

Remarks:  The  last  leaf  is  a  mere  fragment,  but  the  few  words  left  show  that 
the  text  ended  in  1419(r&g). 

The  Brut  text  was  perhaps  written  ca.  1440,^  and  the  manuscript  can  be 
associated  in  the  later  fifteenth  century  with  some  Yorkist  adherent  who  was 
particularly  interested  in  the  Clare  family,  the  direct  male  line  of  which 
ended  with  Gilbert  at  Bannockburn  (1314). 

Fol.  1  contains  a  series  of  notes  on  Richard,  earl  of  Gloucester  (died 
1217)  and  his  wife  Amice,  countess  of  Gloucester,  down  to  the  Clare  heir- 
esses, Eleanor,  Margaret,  and  Elizabeth,  the  sisters  of  Gilbert,  earl  of  Glou- 
cester (killed  at  "hello  de  Polles,"  that  is,  Bannockburn),  and  their  respective 
husbands,  Hugh  le  Despenser  the  younger;  Hugh  d'Audeley  the  younger; 
and  Theobald  de  Verdun  (first  husband),  Roger  d'Amory  (second),  and  John 
de  Burgh  (third). 

In  response  to  references  in  the  text,  marginal  notes  in  several  early  hands 
mention  Robert,  first  earl  of  Gloucester  (ca.  1090-1147;  fols.  60,  61v);  Gil- 
bert of  Clare  (ca.  1180-1230;  fols.  72,  73v);  the  death  of  Gilbert  of  Clare 
(1291-1314)  at  Bannockburn  (fol.  85);  Roger  d'Amory,  Hugh  d'Audeley, 
the  late  Gilbert  de  Clare  (fol.  87v);  and  the  death  of  Roger  d'Amory  (fol. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 111 

88v).  The  primary  focus  is  on  the  Clare  family  rather  than  the  earldom  of 
Gloucester,  for  there  are  no  sidenotes  for  Thomas  of  Woodstock,  duke  of 
Gloucester,  or  for  Thomas  le  Despenser,  earl  of  Gloucester. 

In  the  mid-fifteenth  century,  Richard  Plantagenet,  duke  of  York  (1411- 
1460),  the  father  of  Edward  IV,  possessed  extensive  properties,  especially  in 
East  Anglia,  of  the  honour  of  Clare.^  The  strong  Yorkist  connections  of  the 
manuscript  are  further  exhibited  on  fol.  2,  which  contains  a  set  of  genealogi- 
cal roundels  showing  the  claim  of  Edward  IV  to  the  crowns  of  England  and 
France,  whereas  "Henricus  Derby"  and  his  successors  are  said  to  have 
usurped  the  throne. 


^  See  Shailor,  Catalogue,  2:  135-36. 

^  So  dated  by  Kathleen  L.  Scott  on  the  basis  of  the  style  of  illumination  (reported  in 

Shailor,  Catalogue,  2:  136). 

^  See  Joel  T.  Rosenthal,  "The  Estates  and  Finances  of  Richard,  Duke  of  York  (1411- 

1460),"  Studies  in  Medieval  and  Renaissance  History  2,  ed.  W.  M.  Bowsl^  (Lincoln,  1965), 

p.  194.  I  am  indebted  to  Professor  Rosenthal  for  this  reference. 


42.  FiTZWILLIAM  MUSEUM  MS.  McCLEAN  186 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  2:  and  vnto  hem  he  seide  that  if  thei  wolde  not  be 

chastised  thei  shulde  his  loue  lese  for  euermore  [Brie  3/7-9] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  and  than  f)e  kyng  entred  the  towne  and  restyd  hym  yn  the  castell  tyll 

J)e  towne  was  sett  yn  rewle  and  gode  gouernance. 


43.  College  of  Arms  MS.  Vincent  421 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol  2  (misbound  after  fol  !)•}  to  hem  for  half  a  yer  and 
whan  thys  was  doon  alle  the  sustrys  wenten  ynto  the  shyp  and  saylid  forth 
into  the  see  [Brie  4/2-3] 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "Sw"  heading 

Ends:  And  thanne  the  l^oig  entryd  ynto  the  toun  and  restid  hym  yn  the 
castel  tyl  the  toun  was  set  yn  rewle  and  yn  governaunce. 

Remarks:  There  are  no  EV  signs. 

That  the  manuscript  was  written  before  1461  is  clear,  since  Henry  VI  is 
called  the  current  sovereign  in  a  mnemonic  poem  on  the  kings  of  England 


112 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

that  the  scribe  added  in  the  bottom  margin  at  the  beginning  of  William  the 
Conqueror's  reign. 


^  Several  folios  have  been  bound  in  the  vi^rong  order  at  the  beginning  of  the  text. 


44.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.216^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  scomfited  thise  geauntes  aboueseid.  [Brie  4/33-34] 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (but  see  below) 

Ends  on  fol.  125:  in  rewle  and  in  governaunce. 

Remarks:  The  text  shows  no  EV  signs  at  the  beginning. 

Instead  of  the  "5w"  heading  occurs  a  chapter  heading:  "The  batayle.  Capi- 
tulo  xxiiij'°,"  suggesting  that  a  space  had  been  left  in  the  exemplar  at  this 
point  for  a  rubricated  heading. 


^  Described  in  M.  C.  Seymour,  "The  English  Manuscripts  of  Mandeville's  Travels" 
Edinburgh  Bibliographical  Society  Transactions  4  (1966):  191-92.  The  Brut  text  is  followed 
by  an  EngUsh  copy  of  the  Treaty  of  Troyes  (1420)  between  Henry  V  and  Charles  VI  of 
France  (fols.  125-127v).  The  manuscript  also  contains  texts  of  Mandeville's  Travels,  The 
Proverbs  of  Solomon,  and  Lydgate's  Life  of  St.  Edmund. 


45.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterl\n  228(1)^ 

First  scribe  begins  imperfectly:  done  moche  harme  and  sorow  in  many  diuerse 

places  [Brie  6/2-3] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
First  scribe  ends  on  fol.  149v:  in  rewle  and  in  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  text  shows  no  EV  signs  at  the  beginning. 


^  For  (2),  see  item  89. 


46.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  587^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  Brute  had  the  victory;  neuertheles  Brute  made  great  sorow 
for  his  cosyn  Turyn  [Brie  10/17-18] 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 113 

Contains:  Cad  (imperfect  at  start),  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  rule  and  gouernaunce. 

Colophon:  Ita  vita  est  hominum  quasi  cum  ladas  tesseris,  si  id  quod  maxime 
opus  casu(?)  non  cadet:  tunc  idem  quod  cecidit  forte,  id  arte  ut  coregas. 

Remarks:  There  are  no  EV  signs  at  the  beginning. 

The  name  "Ryther  [^also  Rither]  scriptor"  occurs  in  several  of  the  chapter 
headings  when  there  remains  room  to  add  it.  The  early  (possibly  fifteenth- 
century)  name  "Edmond  Goodwyn"  appears  in  the  top  margin  of  fol.  96. 


*  See  Linda  Ehrsam  Voigts,  "A  Handlist  of  Middle  English  in  Harvard  Manuscripts," 
Harvard  Library  Bulletin  33,  no.  1  (Winter,  1985):  22-24. 


47.  TAKAMIYA  MS.  67 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fragmentary  foL  203v  (bound  in  at  end)'}  for  half  3eer  &, 

whane  J)is  was  al  i-done  alle  J)e  sustres  wenten  into  a  shippe  [Brie  4/2-3] 
Fol.  1  begins  imperfectly:  Newe  Troye  xx  3eer  aftir  tyme  J)at  Jje  cite  was  made 

and  there  he  made  {)e  lawes  f)at  f)e  Bretouns  helden  [Brie  12/5-7] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  Thane  anon  |)ey  sente  vnto  J)e  kyng  bisekynge  him  of  grace 

&  mercye  &  brou3te  [Brie  391/8-9] 

Remarks:  There  are  no  EV  signs. 

The  present  ending-point  occurs  after  the  1419(men)  conclusion;  probably 
one  leaf,  containing  the  few  remaining  lines  to  the  1419(r&g)  ending,  has 
been  lost  at  the  end. 


*  The  original  recto  and  verso  have  been  reversed  in  the  present  numbering  and  binding. 
The  fragmentary  fol.  203  contains  6  lines  of  text:  "Here  endij)  the  prolog  of  Albyon  . . . 
aftir  the  name  of  Engest  of  Saxoyne.  Capitulo  primo."  [Brie  4/35-5/4].  At  some  point, 
the  present  verso  lay  against  the  present  fol.  202v,  on  to  which  it  bled  considerably.  Some 
of  the  opening  words  given  here  have  been  read  from  fol.  202v  with  the  aid  of  a  mirror. 


Doubtful  Manuscripts 

Manuscripts  wdth  texts  that  are  incomplete  at  either  beginning  or  end,  yet 
contain  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter,  can  be  difficult 
to  classify  with  certainty  depending  on  how  much  text  has  been  lost.^ 


114 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Some  that  are  incomplete  at  the  end — for  example,  MSS.  Bodl.  Bodley 
231,  BL  Royal  18.B.iii,  California-Berkeley  152,  BL  Addit.  26746,  and 
Glasgow  Hunterian  61 — could  belong  to  either  the  CV-1419(men):A  or  the 
CV-1419(r&g):A.  Three  texts,  sufficiently  incomplete  at  the  beginning  as 
to  remove  any  possible  EV  signs,  could  belong  to  the  CV  or  EV:  Rylands 
Eng.  104  could  belong  to  the  CV-1419(men):A,  the  CV-1419(r&g):A,  or 
the  EV;  Bodl.  Douce  290  (which  begins  after  the  Cadwallader  episode)  be- 
longs to  either  the  CV  or  the  EV;  Bibliotheque  Royale  IV.461  (which  is 
missing  the  relevant  folios  for  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's 
letter)  could  belong  to  the  CV-1419(men):A,  the  CV-1419(men):C,  the 
CV-1419(r&g):A,  the  CV-1419(r&g):B,  or  the  EV. 


'  See  pp.  124-28  for  further  incomplete  manuscripts  that  do  not  contain  the  Cadwallader 
episode  or  Queen  Isabella's  letter  and  that  are  similarly  doubtful  in  classification. 


48.  Bodleian  MS.  Bodley  231 

Heading^.  Here  may  a  man  here  howe  Engelond  was  first  callid  Albyon  and 

thorough  whame  hit  hade  J)e  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Syrrie 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w" 
Ends  imperfectly:  the  l<yng  of  Fraunce  8c  the  dolphyn  and  the  duke  of  Bur- 

goyne  wolde  come  adoun  to  rescue  the  citee  of  Rone  with  a  [Brie 

389/28-30] 

Remarks:  The  text  ends  imperfectly  before  the  1419(men)  or  1419(r&g) 
endings. 


49.  BL  MS.  Royal  I8.B.111 

Begins  onfol.  5  (misbound  after fols.  1-4):  was  alle  wyldernesse.  And  whanne 

dame  Al[ . , .  ]  comyn  to  that  londe  and  all  hyr  susters  [Brie  4/5-7] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  with  him  laye  the  erle  of  Southfolke  and  the  lorde  of 

Burgevenye  wyth  all  here  retenue  [Brie  389/20-21] 

Remarks:  There  are  no  EV  signs,  such  as  the  extra  giants,  in  the  chapter  on 
the  thirty- three  kings  of  Britain  and  in  the  description  of  Engist's  heptarchy. 
The  text  ends  imperfectly  before  the  1419(men)  or  1419(r8cg)  endings. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 115 

The  manuscript  belonged  to  the  Gaynesford  family  of  Carshalton,  Surrey, 
members  of  which  can  be  connected  with  the  ownership  of  a  number  of 
books.  ^  Gaynesford  names  that  appear  are  those  of  John,  Mary,  Erasmus, 
George,  Ralph,  and  Thomas.  Also  in  the  sixteenth  century,  the  manuscript 
belonged  to  Christopher  Watson,  whose  note  of  ownership  appears  on  fol. 
160;  a  note  on  fol.  189  reads  "To  my  louyd  frynd  Crystofer  Wetson"  and 
the  name  of  Thomas  Watson  also  occurs. 


'  See  Julia  BofFey,  Manuscripts  of  English  Courtly  Love  Lyrics  in  the  Later  Middle  Ages 
(Woodbridge,  1985),  p.  126  n.  42  (misnumbered  as  Royal  IS.B.ii);  BofFey  and  Meale, 
"Selecting  the  Text,"  p.  158  and  n.  45. 


50.  University  of  California  at  Berkeley  MS.  152 

Begins  imperfectly:  spousen  Corynus  doughter  that  men  caUid  Guentolen. 

[Brie  13/22-23] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  anon  J)e  kinge  sente  his  heraudes  to  J)e  capteyne  of 

Took  to  delyuer  to  J)e  kinge  his  castell  and  his  toune  and  [.]llys  he 

schulde  [Brie  383/10-12] 

Remarks:  The  leaves  are  missing  that  would  have  contained  the  chapter  on 
the  thirty-three  kings  of  Britain  and  Lud's  naming  of  London;  there  are, 
however,  no  EV  signs  in  the  passage  on  Engist's  heptarchy.  The  text  ends 
imperfectly  before  the  1419(men)  or  1419(r&g)  endings. 

The  manuscript  belonged  to  Thomas  London  of  Teberton,  Suffolk,  in 
1627,  as  a  note  on  fol.  1  attests.  Other  sixteenth-century  names  are  those  of 
Mary  Whinkop  and  Timothy  Thornborough. 


51.  BL  MS.  Additional  26746 

Begins  imperfectly:  them  he  saide  thatt  if  thei  wolde  nought  be  chastisede 

thei  schulde  lese  his  loue  for  euermore  [Brie  3/7-9] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "Sw"  heading  (but  see  below) 
Ends  imperfectly:  forto  entere  on  the  north  side  [Brie  389/31-32] 

Remarks:  There  are  no  EV  signs.  The  leaves  are  missing  that  would  have 
contained  the  array  of  the  Scottish  army  at  Halidon  Hill.  The  text  ends  im- 


116 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

perfectly  before  the  1419(men)  or  1419(r&g)  endings. 

The  manuscript  is  a  late  (probably  sixteenth-century),  but  handsome  and 
careful,  copy  of  the  text.  Some  labor  has  gone  into  its  production;  proper 
names  are  written  in  different  colors,  chapter  headings  and  initial  letters  of 
chapters  are  in  red,  and  initials  and  numbers  are  tinged  with  yellow. 


52.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  61 

Heading:  Here  begynneth  |)e  cronnycles  of  |)is  lande  Engelonde  that  first 

was  callede  Albyon  {)oru3  whom  hit  hadde  J)e  name.^ 
Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Syrrie 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  Graunt  lackes  a  worJ)y  [Brie  390/17] 

Remarks:  The  text  ends  imperfectly  before  the  1419(men)  or  1419(r8cg) 
endings. 


^  Cf.  BL  Royal  19.C.ix,  a  text  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Long  Version:  "Cy  commencent  les 
croniqez  d'Angleterre  et  premierement  comment  elle  eut  nom  Albe  et  dont  lui  vint  ce 
nom."  The  heading  is  also  similar  to  the  heading  of  certain  EV  texts. 


53.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  104^ 

Fol.  Iv  begins  (fol.  Ir  is  illegible):  Thanne  kyng  Aleyn  did  sende  for  the  cler- 

gie  of  his  londe  [Cadwallader  episode;  see  p.  61] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  our  king  and  his  lordis  atte  {)e  dise  8c  an  [Brie  378/13-14] 

Remarks:  The  text  ends  imperfectly  before  the  1419(men)  or  1419(r&g) 
endings. 


^  See  Ker,  MMBL  III,  pp.  417-18;  Lester,  Handlist,  p.  39;  Tyson,  "Hand-List,"  p.  172. 


54.  Bodleian  MS.  Douce  290 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol  157:  Howe  William  Bastarde  duke  of  Normandye 
come  into  Englonde  and  quelled  kynge  Harolde.  Capitulo  yj'°'  iijd.  [Brie 
136/6-7] 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 117 

Contains:  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Ends  imperfectly  on  fol.  280v:  her  londes  &  lordshypes  {)at  J)ay  helde  in  J)e 
reame  of  [Brie  291/17-18] 

Remarks:  The  incomplete  text  begins  after  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  ends 
at  a  point  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  1377  to  1419  narrative. 


55.  BlBLIOTHfiQUE  ROYALE  MS.  IV.461 

Begins  imperfectly:  Afftre  {)e  dethe  of  J)is  Eldrede  Knoght  J)at  was  a  Danoys 

bigan  |)o  forto  regne  [Brie  119/5-6] 
Omits:  QIL  (see  below),  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends  imperfectly,  many  tovnes  and  poortes  in  Englonde  [up]on  |)[e]  [Brie 

365/18-19] 

Remarks:  The  text  begins  after  the  point  at  which  the  Cadwallader  episode 
would  have  appeared,  and,  among  many  others,  the  folios  are  missing  that 
might  have  contained  Queen  Isabella's  letter  and  the  "5w"  heading.  Accord- 
ingly, the  text  could  belong  either  to  the  CV-1419(men):A,  the  CV- 
1419(r&g):A,  or  the  EV  (if  both  features  were  originally  present),  or  to  the 
CV-1419(r&g):B  (if  both  features  were  originally  absent). 


The  Common  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  governance': 
Group  B  fCV-1419[r&gJ:B) 
Six  manuscripts  contain  the  complete  1419(r&g)  continuation  but  reflect  in 
their  texts  to  1333  or  1377  a  different,  usually  earlier,  form  of  the  Brut  than 
that  found  in  manuscripts  of  Group  A.  Such  composite  texts  are  treated 
here  if  there  are  indications  that  they  were  deliberately  conceived  of  as  uni- 
fied narratives  by  the  scribes  or  their  supervisors.  Within  the  general  type 
three  subgroups  can  be  distinguished,  though  the  texts  within  each  are  not 
necessarily  directly  related  and  in  most  instances  simply  reflect  similar 
methods  of  combination. 

Subgroup  (a)  contains  MSS.  Bodl.  Bodley  840  and  TCD  490,  unrelated 
composites  of  CV-1333  and  CV-1419(r6cg)  texts.  Subgroup  (b)  includes 
the  Heyneman  MS.  and  BL  MS.  Harley  1568,  a  combination  of  CV-1377 
f.c.  Stage  1  and  CV-1419(r&g)  texts,  and  Folger  Shakespeare  Library  MS. 
V.b.l06  (725.2),  which  was  probably  produced  in  the  same  way. 

Subgroup  (c)  consists  of  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(1),  apparently  a  com- 
bination of  a  CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  3  text  containing  "The  Description  of 


118 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Edward  III"  and  the  CV-1419(r&g)  text.  Although  only  a  single  manuscript 
of  subgroup  (c)  has  survived,  it  is  important  in  that  a  text  of  this  type 
formed  the  basis  for  William  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England.  If  Caxton's 
printed  edition  is  seen  as  the  culmination  of  the  main  tradition  of  the 
Common  Version  of  the  Brut,  then  its  development  is  through  this  collateral 
subgroup  of  Group  B  rather  than  through  the  CV-1419(r&g):A,  which  can 
be  regarded  as  the  classic  state  of  the  pre-print  manuscript  tradition  of  the 
Common  Version. 


Subgroup  (a) 

56.  Bodleian  MS.  Bodley  840 

Heading-.  Here  may  a  man  hure  Engelande  was  fyrst  callid  Albyon  and 

thorw  wham  hit  hadde  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Syrrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Text  to  1333  ends  on  fol.  11 7:  wythoute  any  chalange  of  any  man.  Deo 

gracias. 
Text  from  1333  to  1419  begins  on  fol  117:  And  so  aftyr  {)is  gracius  victorye 
Ends:  in  revle  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  text  beyond  1333  continues  in  the  same  hand  immediately 
after  the  narrative  ending  in  that  year.  However,  the  ink  used  for  the  con- 
tinuation is  blacker,  suggesting,  in  conjunction  with  the  internal  textual  fea- 
tures, that  a  change  of  exemplar  took  place  at  this  point  and  that  the  first 
part  of  the  text  was  copied  from  a  CV-1333,  to  which  the  1419(r&g)  con- 
tinuation was  added  from  another  manuscript.  Since  it  is  possible  that  the 
scribe  conceived  of  the  complete  narrative  to  1419  as  a  unified  text,  it  has 
been  classified  here  rather  than  under  the  type  represented  by  the  second 
section  of  Princeton  Taylor  MS.  3  (item  73). 

The  dialect  is  that  of  Essex,  with  some  Herefordshire  relicts  "probably  to 
represent  the  flavour  of  the  Brut  original."^ 


^  LALME,  1:  146,  3:  117. 


57.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  490 

Table  of  contents  begins  on  fol  3:  Here  may  a  man  here  Engeland  was  first 
callede  Albyon  j3orow3  wham  hit  hadde  J)e  name. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 119 

Table  of  contents  ends  onfol.  12:  In  J)e  fer|)e  warde  of  {)e  batayle  of  Scotland 

were  Jjese  lordes. 
Heading  onfol.  13:  Here  may  a  man  hure  how  Engelande  was  ferst  callede 

Albyon  and  through  whome  it  hade  the  name. 
Text  begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Syrrie  ther  was  a  noble  I^nig  and  mi3ty 

and  a  man  of  gret  renoun  that  me  callede  Dyoclician 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL 
Contains:  "5w"  heading 
Text  to  1333  ends  on  fol.  132:  withouten  any  chalange  of  any  man.  Deo 

gracias. 
Text  to  1419  begins  on  fol  132:  And  so  after  {)is  gra[ . . .  ]  victorie  king 

Edwarde  turned  hym  a3en  toward  f)e  same  [ . . .  ]  [BJerewike 
Text  ends:  And  than  the  kinge  entrid  the  toun  and  rested  hym  in  the  castelle 

tyll  the  tovne  was  sette  in  reule  and  goode  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  inclusion  of  a  table  of  contents  is  paralleled  in  several  Anglo- 
Norman  texts  (for  example,  Bibl.  Nat.  fonds  franfais  12155,  BL  Royal 
19.C.ix,  BL  Addit.  18462a).  The  table  shows  that  the  original  ending  point, 
at  least  of  the  exemplar,  was  1333,  to  which  the  continuation  to  1419  was 
added.  Brie  seems  to  be  mistaken  in  identifying  a  new  hand  as  having  con- 
tinued the  text  beyond  the  1333  ending;  the  continuation  looks  to  be  in  the 
same  hand  but  perhaps  begun  after  some  space  of  time  with  a  new  pen.^ 

The  manuscript  belonged  to  the  Dominican  priory  of  the  Virgin  Mary 
and  St.  Margaret  at  Dartford  in  Kent  ("Iste  liber  constat  religiosis  sororibus 
de  Dertfford,"  with  an  heraldic  achievement  of  the  Arma  Christi  drawn 
below  [fol.  Iv];  "IHC"  and  interlocked  "Ave"  and  "Maria"  appear  on  fol.  2.)^ 


*  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  53.  If  there  is  indeed  a  second  scribe,  then  the  first  section  of 
the  text  should  be  reclassified  under  the  CV-1333,  to  which  the  continuation  to 
1419(r8cg)  has  been  added. 
^  See  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries,  p.  57. 


Subgroup  (b) 

58.  Heyneman  MS. 

Heading  by  first  scribe:  Here  may  a  man  heren  how  Engelande  was  first 

called  Albyon  and  thorough  whom  it  hadde  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Syrrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 


120 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  ony  chalenge  of  ony  man.  Deo  gracias. 

And  so  after  this  gracious  victorie  Jje  kynge  turnede  hym  a3en  vnto  {)e 

same  sege  of  Berwyke 
First  scribe  ends  text  to  1377  on  fol.  142r.  he  deyde  at  Shene  and  is  entered 

worshipflilly  at  Westmynstre  on  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 
Second  scribe  begins  continuation  to  1419  on  fol.  143r.  And  aftir  J)e  king 

Eduuard  ^e  thridde  {)at  was  born  atte  Wyndesore  regned  Richard  of 

Burdeux 
Second  scribe  ends  imperfectly  on  fol.  165 v.  and  there  he  kepte  him  longe  tyme 

and  at  the  last  my  [lord  Powes  catchwords]  [Brie  386/16-17] 
Third  scribe  begins  on  fol  166:  lorde  Powes  met  with  him  and  toke  him  [Brie 

386/17-18] 
Third  scribe  ends:  and  manfully  countred  with  oure  Englisshmen. 

Remarks:  The  evidence  of  the  following  manuscript  (see  below)  shows  that, 
despite  the  present  ending  in  1419(men),  the  Heyneman  MS.  originally 
ended  in  1419(r&g).  It  was  designed  as  a  composite  text  copied  from  a  CV- 
1377  f.c.  Stage  1  text  with  a  continuation  taken  from  a  CV-1419(r&g).  In 
addition  to  the  change  in  hand,  the  blank  page  between  the  text  to  1377 
and  the  1419  continuation  indicates  the  change  in  exemplars.  The  illustra- 
tions, however,  show  that  the  text  was  treated  as  a  whole.  Its  concluding 
leaves  to  1419(r&g)  must  have  been  lost  early  in  its  history  but  were  then 
supplied  from  a  text  ending  in  1419(men). 

The  "5w"  heading  is  not  present,  but  a  space  of  almost  two  flill  lines  at 
the  foot  of  the  second  column  of  a  leaf  occurs  before  the  narrative  continues. 

This  is  a  finely  executed  manuscript.  There  are  decorated  initials  through- 
out; those  at  the  beginnings  of  reigns  contain  portraits  of  rulers.^ 

There  is  evidence  of  care  in  the  treatment  of  the  continuation  beyond 
1377  in  order  to  preserve  the  illustration  program.  In  the  chapter  recounting 
the  deposition  of  Richard  II  and  the  election  of  Henry  Bolingbroke  as  king, 
a  rubricated  subheading  (without  separate  chapter  number)  is  introduced 
after  Richard's  death  and  burial  for  the  first  year  of  Henry's  reign:  "Here 
endeth  the  lief  of  king  Richard  with  the  materialle  noticeon  of  his  deposing. 
And  now  beginnej)  the  lief  of  kinge  Henric'  the  iiij  and  the  actes  of  his 
reign  that  folowen  in  this  wise"  (between  Brie  360/26  and  360/27).  This 
allows  for  a  portrait  of  Henry  IV  within  the  following  initial^.  The  chapter 
heading  for  the  accession  of  Henry  V  is  adapted  to  this  model;  Henry  re- 
ceives the  largest  portrait  in  the  manuscript,  ten  lines  high  and  extending 
across  a  full  column. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION  121 


*  Dioclician  is  portrayed  with  his  thirty-three  daughters;  Cordeill,  Lear's  daughter,  is  the 
sole  woman  ruler;  Morwith's  portrait  includes  the  "grete  beste  that  was  blak  &  horrible 
6c  hidous"  that  devoured  him;  Hesidur  is  crowned  by  a  cleric;  multiple  kings  (Athelbright 
and  Edelf,  Cadwallader  and  Elfrid;  seven  kings  for  the  heptarchy)  are  so  portrayed,  except 
for  chapter  33,  in  which  the  reigns  of  thirty-three  kings  are  listed  but  where  the  portrait 
of  one  stands  for  all;  the  baptism  of  Athelbright  by  St.  Austin  is  included.  A  number  of 
leaves  are  missing,  presumably  removed  for  their  illustrations. 


59.  BL  MS.  Harley  1568 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelande  was  first  callide  Albion  and 

thorow  wham  it  had  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Syrrie 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  any  chalangynge  of  any  man.  Deo  gra- 

cias.  And  so  after  this  gracius  victori  J)e  kyng  turnede  ageyne  vnto  J)e 

same  sege  of  Barwyke 
Changeover,  1377  to  1419:  he  diede  at  Shene  &  is  enterede  worschipflilly  at 

Westmynstre  one  whos  saule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

And  after  the  l^nig  Edwarde  |)e  thyrde  J)at  was  borne  at  Wyndesore 
regnede  Richard  of  Burdeux 

Ends:  And  thene  J)e  kynge  enturede  into  the  toun  and  restede  him  in  the 
castell  till  |)e  towne  was  sett  in  rewle  &  gud  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  manuscript,  which  is  written  in  a  single  hand,  is  an  inferior 
copy  of  the  Heyneman  MS.  (see  above),  made  before  the  latter  lost  its  final 
leaves  to  1419(r&g),  or  a  poor  copy  from  a  common  model.  It  is  illustrated 
with  rather  crude  imitations  of  the  portraits  in  the  Heyneman  MS.  (though 
that  of  Henry  V  is  only  of  regular  size)  and  includes  occasional  Latin 
sidenotes  found  therein. 

Where  the  Heyneman  MS.  leaves  almost  two  blank  lines  instead  of  a 
"5w"  heading,  a  substitute  heading  occurs:  "How  the  felde  of  Barwyke  was 
discomfetede  &  J)e  toun  delyuerd." 

The  adapted  headings  for  the  reigns  of  Henry  IV  and  Henry  V  occur  in 
corrupt  form;  that  for  the  former  reads:  "Her  endith  J)e  hf  of  kyng  Richarde 
with  |)e  moriallite  [sic]  noticione  of  his  deposicione.  And  now  begynneth  the 
lif  of  kyng  Henry  |)e  iiij'  8c  \>c  actes  of  his  reigne  J)at  folows  in  these  wise." 


122 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

60.  FOLGER  Shakespeare  Library  MS.  V.b.106  (725.2) 

Headings.  Here  may  a  man  heren  how  Englonde  was  ffyrst  callid  Albyon  and 
thurgh  whom  it  hadde  the  name. 

Begins:  [I]n  the  noble  lande  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  kyng  and  a  myghty 
and  a  man  of  grete  renowne  that  menne  callid  Dyoclysian 

Omits:  Cad,  "5w"  heading 

Contains:  QIL  (see  below) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  eny  chalange  of  eny  man.  Deo  gracias. 
And  so  aftre  this  gracyous  victorye  the  l^^ng  turned  hym  ayen  onto  the 
same  sege  of  Berewike 

Ends:  tylle  the  towne  was  sette  in  rewle  and  good  governaunce.  Deo  gracias. 

Colophon:  Quod  Cogman.  Si  mea  penna  valet  melior  mea  litera  fiet.  {^Re- 
peated in  a  later  hand] 

Remarks:  Queen  Isabella's  letter  is  found  in  the  chapter  following  that  into 
which  it  is  usually  inserted: 

Howe  Maystyr  Walter  of  Stapulton  bisshop  of  Excestre  was  byheued 
at  London  atte  Standard  in  Chepe.  Capitulo  CC  viij°. 

[A]nd  in  the  same  tyme  ky^ng  Edwarde  was  sore  adredde  leste  menne 
of  London  wolde  yelde  hem  vnto  the  qwene  Issabelle  and  of  the 
lettre  that  the  qwene  Issabelle  sente  to  the  mayre  and  to  the  aldremen 
of  London  which  l[ett]re  here  foloweth  in  this  manere:  Issabelle  by 
the  grace  of  God  qwene  of  Englonde . . . 

. . .  that  alle  menne  passyng  in  the  waie  myghte  se  and  redyn.  And 
that  same  tyme  kyng  Edwarde  sente  Maystyr  Walter  Stapulton  [cf. 
Brie  237/27-28] 

It  seems  likely  that  the  basic  exemplar  that  the  scribe  was  following  was 
one  that  ended  in  1377  and  did  not  include  this  section  of  text.  The  supple- 
mentary text,  however,  that  the  scribe  ("Cogman")  used  for  the  continuation 
to  1419  did  include  it  (he  must  have  had  both  exemplars  open  before  him), 
though  he  noticed  it  a  fraction  too  late  to  include  in  its  normal  CV  posi- 
tion— and  so  he  improvised  by  including  it  in  the  next  chapter. 

In  the  Halidon  Hill  passage  only  four  wards  of  the  Scottish  army  are 
given,  which  is  usually  an  indication  that  a  text  is  early  in  the  CV  tradition. 

There  is  a  list  of  chapter  headings  at  the  end  of  the  text,  added  in  1604. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 123 

Subgroup  (c) 

61.  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(1)^ 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  that  England  was  furst  called  Albion  and 

thurgh  whom  it  had  the  name. 
First  scribe  begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Sirrie 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  Description  of  Edward  III 
Omits:  "5w"  heading 
End  of  text  to  1377  and  beginning  of  "The  Description  of  Edward  IIF:  the  xj 

kalend  of  luyn  he  deid  at  Shene  and  is  buried  wurshipflilly  at  West- 

mynster  on  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

This  l^Tig  Edwa[r]d  was  for  sothe  of  a  passyng  goodnesse 
First  scribe  ends  onfol.  156v:  in  rewle  and  in  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  text  seems  to  be  a  combination  of  a  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3  text 
of  the  type  found  in  BL  Harley  266(1)  with  the  continuation  to  1419(r&g). 
They  possess  the  same  combination  of  features  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  text, 
and,  like  BL  Harley  266(1)  (and  NLS  6128),  Huntington  HM  136  accords 
a  chapter  number  to  the  subheading  on  the  array  of  the  Scottish  army  at 
Halidon  Hill:2 

This  was  the  array  of  the  Scottes  howe  J)at  |)ey  comen  in  batailles 
ayens  the  ij  kynges  of  Englond  and  Scotland.  In  the  vauntward  of 
Scotland  were  thees  lordes.  Capitulo  CC  xxiiij*". 

Like  BL  Harley  266(1),  the  text  contains  "The  Description  of  Edward 
III,"  which  follows  immediately,  with  no  heading  (as  in  Harley  266  and 
Lambeth  738),  after  the  death  of  that  king.-' 

The  Brut  text  is  preceded  by  some  Latin  verses  on  historical  subjects  on 
the  front  flyleaves,  and  between  fols.  83v-130  occurs  a  copy  of  the  "Brid- 
lington Prophecy,"  written  in  a  fifteenth-century  hand  chiefly  in  the  lower 
margins  and  starting  at  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Edward  II. 

Late- fifteenth-  or  early-sixteenth-century  owners  of  the  manuscript  were 
John  Leche  of  Nantwich,  Cheshire,  and  Dorothy  Helbarton,  whose  name 
appears  throughout  the  volume  in  a  series  of  marginal  notes.'* 


^  For  (2),  see  item  92.  See  Dutschke,  Guide,  1:  181-83;  Ralph  Hanna  III,  The  Index  of 
Middle  English  Prose,  Handlist  I:  A  Handlist  of  Manuscripts  Containing  Middle  English 
Prose  in  the  Henry  E.  Huntington  Library  (Cambridge,  1984),  p.  15. 
2  See  pp.  95-96. 


124 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

^  See  items  22  and  23. 

"  See  Dutschke,  Guide,  1:  183,  and  Josephine  Koster  Tarvers,  "English  Women  as 
Readers  and  Writers,"  in  Tie  Uses  of  Manuscripts  in  Literary  Studies:  Essays  in  Memory  of 
Judson  Boy ce  Allen,  ed.  Charlotte  Cook  Morse,  Penelope  Reed  Doob,  and  Marjorie  Curry 
Woods,  Studies  in  Medieval  Culture  31  (Kalamazoo,  1992),  pp.  319-20. 


Doubtful  Manuscripts 

MSS.  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.205,  CUL  Ee.4.32,  TCC  R.5.43,  Leicester  47, 
and  Sydney  Nicholson  13  do  not  contain  the  Cadwallader  episode,  Queen 
Isabella's  letter,  or  the  "5w"  heading  (though  the  relevant  leaf  is  missing  in 
TCC  R.5.43).  They  all  present  some  or  most  of  the  standard  1419  continu- 
ation but  are  imperfect  at  the  end;  they  could  therefore  belong  to  the  CV- 
1419(r&g):B,  although  it  is  also  possible,  but  less  likely,  that  they  ended  in 
1419(men).  Like  several  manuscripts  of  the  CV-1419(r&g):B,  these  may 
represent  independent  combinations  of  texts  from  different  groups. 

Although  Huntington  MS.  HM  113  contains  the  Cadwallader  episode 
and  (^een  Isabella's  letter,  it  does  not  contain  the  "Sw"  heading;  since  the 
text  is  imperfect  at  the  end  it  is  included  here. 


62.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.205 

Heading.  Here  men  may  hiren  how  Engelond  first  was  called  Albioun  and 

thurgh  whome  it  hadde  the  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Sirrie 
Omits:  Cad  (see  below),  QIL  (see  below),  "5w''  heading 
Text  to  1333  ends:  Deo  gracias  dicamus  omnes. 
Ends  imperfectly:  and  sir  John  [Cheyny  knyght  weren  brou3t  catchwords^ 

[Brie  354/25-26] 

Remarks:  The  text  of  the  Cadwallader  episode  is  not  present,  and  the  folios 
that  might  have  contained  Queen  Isabella's  letter  are  missing.  Assuming  that 
the  latter  was  not  present,  then  the  first  part  of  the  text  appears  to  be  a  copy 
of  a  CV-1377  fc.  Stage  1  text  (cf  the  ending  words  of  the  text  to  1333  in 
Rylands  Eng.  102  [item  12]:  "Deo  gracias  dicamus  omnes.  Amen.";  cf  also 
the  following  manuscript).  To  this,  the  scribe  has  added  a  continuation  from 
a  text  ending  in  1419. 

Although  the  Cadwallader  episode  is  not  present,  the  manuscript  contains 
the  heading  of  the  first  chapter  of  the  episode,  written  in  the  same  hand  as 
the  main  text:  "How  king  Cadwaladre  that  was  Cadwaleynes  sone  regned 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 125 

after  his  fader  and  was  the  laste  kynge  of  the  Britouns."  The  scribe  then 
stroked  this  out  and  wrote  the  heading  of  the  first  chapter  after  the  episode: 
"How  kyng  Offa  was  soueraigne  aboue  all  the  kynges  of  Engelond  6c  how 
euery  kyng  werred  vpon  ojjer.  Capitulum  Centesimum  ij*""  [the . . .  ij""  writ- 
fen  in  margin]. 

It  is  probable  that  this  curious  situation  arose  because  the  scribe  originally 
left  blank  lines  for  the  chapter  headings.  At  the  conclusion  of  writing  the 
main  narrative,  including  the  continuation  to  1419  from  a  second  exemplar, 
he  inserted  the  chapter  headings,  taken,  however,  from  his  second  exemplar, 
which  contained  the  Cadwallader  episode.  Only  after  he  had  mechanically 
written  the  heading  did  he  realize  that  his  text  did  not  in  fact  include  the 
episode,  and  so  he  cancelled  the  heading  and  wrote  the  correct  one,  though 
he  had  to  use  the  margin  to  get  it  all  in. 


63.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ee.4.32^ 

Heading  on  fol.  24:  Here  may  a  man  hure  how  Engelonde  was  ferst  callede 
Albyon  8c  J)orwe  wham  hit  hadde  J)e  name. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Surrie 

Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoutyn  any  chalengyng  of  any  maner  man. 
Deo  gracias  dicamus  omnes.  Amen.  And  so  aftir  this  gracious  victorie  the 
kyng  turned  a3en  to  the  sege  of  Berwyk.  And  whan  they  of  the  towne 
saugh  and  herd  how  kyng  Edward  had  sped  they  3olde  to  hym  the  town 
with  the  castell  on  the  morne  after  the  batayle 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  on  the  xij*^  evyn  come  the  duke  of  Almayn  vnto  |)e 
[Brie  360/28-29] 

Remarks:  The  combination  of  features  and  the  ending  of  the  narrative  to 
1333  suggest  that  the  text  to  1377  is  based  on  a  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1  text 
(cf  the  preceding  manuscript).  The  continuation  to  1419  is  occasionally  ab- 
breviated and  altered,  as  seen,  for  example,  in  the  passage  on  the  death  of 
John  of  Gaunt: 

And  in  this  same  yere  dyed  syr  lohn  of  Gaunte  the  Igoiges  vncle  and 
duke  of  Lancastyr.  And  he  lyth  att  Seynt  Powlys  in  London  besydes 
dame  Blaunch  hys  wyfe. 

How  |)e  erle  of  Derby  and  the  duke  of  Norffolk  were  exiled  and  how 
the  erle  of  Derby  putt  down  kyng  Richard,  [subheading  in  red] 


126 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

And  in  that  same  yere  ther  felle  a  discencioun  betwyn  the  duke  of 
Hertford  [sic]  and  the  duke  of  Norfolk  [cf  Brie  355/15-22] 


^  The  Brut  is  preceded  in  the  manuscript  by  the  prose  TAree  Kings  of  Cologne  (fols.  1- 
23v).  A  note  at  the  top  of  fol.  23v  records  "Leaf  24  cancelled,"  and  the  foliation  starts 
afresh  with  "Leaf  1"  at  the  beginning  of  the  Brut  up  to  184  (corrected  from  180),  that  is, 
fol.  207  of  the  complete  volume. 


64.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  R.5.43,  Part  IP 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  39:  bygan  Leyr  ayen  wepe  8c  made  mych  sorowe 

[Brie  19/1-2] 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends:  Salyn  Cheyne  Mongomery  8c  [Brie  384  n.  17] 

Remarks:  Leaves  at  the  end  of  the  1333  narrative  are  missing,  including  any 
"5w"  heading;  if  absent,  then  the  text  could  have  been  based  on  the  CV- 
1333  or  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1. 

There  are  embellishments  in  the  text,  such  as  the  changes  from  indirect 
to  direct  speech  in  the  account  of  Edmund  of  Woodstock's  trial,  which 
heighten  the  dramatic  quality  of  the  normal  CV-1333  narrative  at  various 
points: 

Tho  answerid  the  goodman  and  seide,  "forsoth  ser  vndirstondeth  wele 
that  I  was  neuer  traytour  to  my  king  ne  to  the  reme  and  that  I  do  me 
on  God  and  on  all  the  world.  And  ferthermore  by  my  kynges  leve  I 
shall  it  preve  and  defende  as  a  man  ought  to  do."  Tho  seide  the 
Mortymere,  "ser  Edmonde,  hit  is  so  ferforth  I  knowe  that  it  may  nat 
wele  be  ageynseide.  And  in  presence  of  all  that  here  bene  it  shall  well 
be  iprovid."  Nowe  had  this  false  Mortymere  the  same  lettre  that  ser 
Edmond  had  take  to  ser  lohn  Deuerell  in  the  castell  of  Corff  forto 
take  vnto  kyng  Edward  his  brothir  that  ser  Edmond  wist  not  of  ne 
supposid  no  thing  that  ser  lohn  Daverell  had  be  so  false  to  deliuere 
his  lettre  in  suche  a  wise  to  the  Mortymere  and  {)oght  no  manere 
thing  of  J)at  lettre  [fol.  132v;  and  J^oght . . .  lettre  catchwords;  following 
leaves  lost]  [c£  Brie  266/21-30] 


^  See  Mooney,  Handlist,  p.  29.  The  Brut  is  preceded  by  the  prose  Three  Kings  of  Cologne 


THE  COMMON  VERSION  127 


(fols.  1-38).  The  ascription  "Johan  Hillcs  boke"  appears  on  fol.  1. 


65.  University  of  Leicester  MS.  47^ 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  England  was  first  called  Albyon  and 

thorow  whome  it  had  his  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Sunye  ther  was  a  worthi  kynge  and  a  myghty 

man  of  grete  renoune  that  men  called  Diodocian 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Cbangeover,  1333  to  1377:  withouten  eny  chalenge  of  eny  man.  Deo  gracias. 

And  after  this  graciouse  victory  the  kynge  turned  hym  agayne  into  the 

seide  sege  of  Berwik 
Fol.  106v  ends:  And  ser  Henry  duke  of  Lancastre  vndir  pese  &,  treuse  went 

to  the  [Brie  310/10-11] 
Ends  imperfectly  on  fragmentary  fol.  105v  (bound  in  before  fol.  106):  ix* 

[ . . .  Jminster  [ . . .  ]  {)at  [ . . .  ]le  [ . . .  ]cle  [Brie  340/30-341/3] 

Remarks:  Many  leaves  are  lost  between  fol.  106,  which  breaks  off  during  35 
Edward  III,  and  the  scrap  that  now  forms  fol.  105,  which  ends  during  9 
Richard  II. 

The  early  (possibly  fifteenth-century)  ownership  signatures  of  William 
and  Edmund  Chadertun  (Chaderton)  appear  on  fols.  54v  and  77. 


*  See  Kcr,  MMBL  UI,  p.  99.- 


66.  University  of  Sydney,  MS.  Nicholson  13^ 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  howe  Englond  was  ffyrst  callyd  Albyoun 

and  afterward  whanne  hit  that  name  hadde. 
Begins:  In  the  nobjdle  londe  of  Surre  there  was  a  nobyll  kyng  a  stronge  man 

and  a  myghty  of  body  and  of  grete  name  that  men  called  Dioclesioun 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  eny  chalenge  of  eny  man.  Deo  gracias. 

And  so  aftur  this  gracious  victorye  the  kynge  turned  hym  ayen  to  the 

same  sege  of  Berwik 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  the  baroun  of  Carewe  with  his  retenewe  was  loigged 

on  the  watre  syde  and  [Brie  388/9-10] 

Remarks:  The  text  to  1333  is  changed  verbally  from  that  of  the  CV-1333, 


128 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

and  in  the  thirty-three  kings  passage,  after  one  instance  of  the  "after  him" 
phrase,  the  text  simply  lists  the  king's  name  and  gives  the  length  of  his 
reign. 

The  "5w"  heading  does  not  occur  but  a  space  sufficient  for  a  chapter 
heading  is  left. 

The  text  is  clearly  a  copy,  as  errors  show,  and  although  it  was  written  by 
two  scribes,  there  is  no  significance  to  the  point  of  changeover. 


1  See  Margaret  H.  Engel,  "An  Edition  of  MS.  Nicholson  13:  f.  161r-f  lyTv,"  M.A. 
thesis,  University  of  Sydney,  1981,  for  a  description  of  the  manuscript  and  an  edition  of 
the  text  from  1377  to  its  end;  I  am  grateful  to  Ms.  Engel  for  a  copy  of  her  thesis.  See 
also  Keith  V.  Sinclair,  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Medieval  and  Renaissance  Western  Manu- 
scripts in  Australia  (Sydney,  1969),  pp.  193-95. 


67.  Huntington  MS.  HM  113^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  J^at  {)ey  wold  al  make  amendis  [Brie  3/10-11] 
Contains:  Cad,  C^L 
Omits:  "5w"  heading 

Ends  imperfectly:  8c  wan  him  there  grete  worship  8c  gre  of  |)e  feld.  [And  in 
J)e  next  catchwords]  [Brie  369/17-18] 

Remarks:  The  unusual  combination  of  features  is  similar  to  that  in  NLS 
6128  of  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3,  Huntington  HM  136  (which  includes 
"The  Description  of  Edward  III"),  and  the  texts  of  the  CV-1419(men): 
A(b),  but  since  no  substitute  "5w"  heading  appears  in  Huntington  HM  113, 
it  cannot  be  directly  related  to  these  texts. 


^  See  Dutschke,  Guide,  1:  149-50;  Hanna,  Handlist,  p.  10. 

The  Common  Version  to  1419, 
with  "Leyle"  for  Lear  (CV-1419  [Leyle]) 

Verbal  differences  from  the  main  tradition  of  CV  texts  are  the  major  distin- 
guishing feature  of  the  group.  They  are  most  marked  in  the  early  chapters 
of  the  1333  text  and  consist  mainly  of  the  substitution  of  one  word  by  a  sy- 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 129 

nonymous  word  or  phrase.  Alterations  (generally  simplifications)  of  the 
grammatical  structure  of  some  sentences  also  occur.  A  further  distinguishing 
feature  is  that  King  Lear  is  called  "Leyle."  The  group  consists  of  MSS. 
Glasgow  Hunterian  74(1),  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.196,  Lambeth  259,  and  BL 
Harley  4930. 


68.  University  of  Glasgov^,  MS.  Hunterian  74(1)^ 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelond  was  first  called  Albyon  and 

afterwarde  whan  it  hadde  first  \>e.  name. 
First  scribe  begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Sirrye 
Omits:  Cad,  "5w"  heading 
Contains:  QIL 
Third  scribe  ends  onfol.  lUir.  &  manfully  counterd  with  owre  Englishe  men. 

Remarks:  The  first  three  scribes  are  contemporary  and  prepared  the  original 
text.  Their  dialects  are,  respectively,  those  of  Northwest  Essex,  Central 
South  Essex,  and  Southeast  Suffolk  (Ipswich  area).-^ 

The  arms  incorporated  into  the  decoration  of  the  first  page — a  shield  (ar- 
gent), a  chevron  (sable),  and  an  annulet  (sable)  in  chief,  dexter  canton — 
show  that  the  manuscript  belonged  to  a  member  of  the  Wauton  family  of 
Great  Staughton,  Huntingdonshire,  which  also  had  Bedfordshire  connec- 
tions.'' 


^  For  (2),  see  item  87.  The  full  text  is  edited  in  vols.  2  and  3  of  Lister  M.  Matheson, 
The  Prose  Brut  A  Parallel  Edition  of  Glasgow  Hunterian  MSS.  T.3.12  and  V.5.13, 
with  Introduction  and  Notes,"  3  vols.,  Ph.D.  diss..  University  of  Glasgow,  1977. 
2  See  Matheson,  "The  Prose  Brut"  1:  227-40;  cf.  LALME,  1:  88,  3:  131-32. 
^  See  Matheson,  The  Prose  Brut,"  1:  323-29. 


69.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.196 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelonde  was  first  called  Albyoun  and 

affterward  whanne  hit  had  first  name. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Surrie 
Omits:  Cad,  "Sw"  heading  (see  below) 
Contains:  QIL 
Ends  onfol.  109v:  yn  rewle  &  in  gouernaunce. 


130 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Remarks:  The  leaf  is  missing  that  contained  the  Halidon  Hill  narrative,  in- 
cluding the  array  of  the  Scottish  army. 


70.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  259^ 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Engelond  was  first  called  Albyon  and 
aftirward  whanne  hit  hadde  fyrst  name.  Incipit  prologus. 

Begins  illegibly  onfol.  1. 

Omits:  Cad,  "5w"  heading 

Contains:  QIL 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  so  whan  all  J)inge  was  redy  {)e  kynge  hastyd  hym  to  |)e 
sege  ward  Sec.  [Brie  306/28-29] 

Remarks:  The  text  is  probably  as  complete  in  its  current  state  as  when  ori- 
ginally written,  ending  as  it  does  at  the  end  of  the  chapter  on  the  battle  of 
Wynchilsea  part-way  down  the  last  leaf 

The  Brut  text  is  preceded  by  a  calendar  of  Sarum  use  and  a  table  of  eclip- 
ses from  1384  to  1462.  Front  and  end  flyleaves  contain  copies  of  documents 
and  many  scribbles,  including  shields  with  a  merchant's  mark.^  An  early 
owner  was  William  Bentelee  (Bentele,  Bentylee),  whose  rhymed  curse  on 
thieves  appears  several  times. 


^  See  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue .  .  .  Lambeth  Palace,  pp.  404-406. 
^  For  details  of  these  documents  (one  of  which  is  addressed  to  the  prior  of  Newnham  in 
Bedfordshire)  and  names,  see  James's  Catalogue;  the  name  of  "William  Mondeffeld  de 
Charre"  should  be  added. 


71.  BL  MS.  Harley  4930 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  howe  that  England  was  ffirst  named  Albyon 
and  thenne  afterward  whenne  that  it  hadde  first  name.  Hie  incipit  pro- 
logus vt  patet  in  sequentis. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  lond  of  Surrey 

Omits:  Cad,  "5w"  heading 

Contains:  QIL 

Ends  imperfectly:  Vpon  which  spech  8c  conauntes  it  was  sent  to  the  court  of 
Rome  on  boJ)e  sydes  [Brie  304/31-32] 

Remarks  on  the  CV-1419  (Leyle) 

Glasgow  Hunterian  74  probably  preserves  the  original  ending  of  the  group, 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 131 

which  appears  to  have  developed  from  some  form  of  the  CV-1419(men):B, 
although  from  a  better  text  than  that  found  in  the  extant  manuscripts  of  that 
group,  one  that  did  not  possess  the  "5w"  heading.  The  extra  lines  to  the 
1419(r&g)  ending  in  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.196  are  possibly  a  secondary  addi- 
tion made  by  the  scribe  in  that  manuscript  itself  or  were  present  in  a  pre- 
vious exemplar.  The  incomplete  BL  Harley  4930  and  Lambeth  259  could 
have  ended  originally  at  either  point,  although  it  is  possible  that  the  Lam- 
beth manuscript  was  not  written  beyond  its  present  ending. 


The  Common  Version  to  1419, 

ending  in  "men"  or  (?)  "in  rule  and  governance" 

(CV-1419[men/?r&g]) 

The  text  to  1419  found  in  Chicago  MS.  254  is  best  considered  separately. 
Although  written  in  the  same  hand  as  the  succeeding  continuation  to  1445, 
which  contains  part  of  John  Page's  poem  on  the  siege  of  Rouen,  the  con- 
tinuation beyond  1419  is  found  appended  to  texts  of  very  different  groups.^ 


1  See  pp.  150-56. 


72.  University  of  Chicago  MS.  254(1)^ 

Heading:  In  nomine  Ihesu.  Here  may  a  man  heren  how  Englonde  was  ffirste 

callyd  Albyon  and  thurghe  whom  hit  hadde  J)e  name. 
Begins:  In  J)e  nobyl  lande  off  Syrrye 
Omits:  Cad 

Contains:  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Text  to  1419 (men)  ends  onfol.  124:  and  manfully  countiyd  with  oure  Eng- 

lyssch  men. 

Remarks:  The  text  has  none  of  the  distinguishing  verbal  features  of  the  CV- 
1419  (Leyle);  it  may  well  derive  from  a  CV-1419(men):B  text  to  which  the 
few  lines  to  the  1419(r&g)  conclusion  ("in  rewle  and  in  gouernaunce")  have 
been  added  as  part  of  the  succeeding  continuation,  which  was  copied  from 
a  new  exemplar  of  the  type  of  TCC  0.9.1.^  A  large  "X,"  of  indeterminate 
age,  however,  has  been  inserted  in  the  text  after  the  word  "men"  and  also 
appears  in  the  margin. 

The  manuscript  was  owned  by  John  Nuton,  who  became  prior  of  Batde 


132 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Abbey  in  1463,  as  a  note  on  a  front  flyleaf  attests.  A  marginal  note  by  the 
scribe  (who  makes  many  notae  throughout)  on  fol.  49  suggests  that  the 
manuscript  may  well  have  been  written  at  Battle  Abbey: 

They  J)at  desyre  to  here  all  J)e  lyfe  of  kyng  William  Conquerour  lete 
{)em  turne  ayen  to  {)e  begynnyng  of  J)ys  boke  6c  J)er  he  may  se  both 
J)e  lyfe  of  hym  8c  of  hys  auncetyrys. 

The  manuscript  is  still  bound  in  its  original  wooden  boards  and  sheepskin. 
Unless  this  is  an  imprecise  reference  to  the  preceding  Brut  account  of  Wil- 
liam the  Conqueror,  there  may  have  been  some  abandoned  intention  to  in- 
clude a  work  on  the  founder  of  Battle  Abbey. 


^  For  (2),  see  item  84. 
^  See  items  117  and  83. 


Continuation  to  a  CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  3  text 
from  a  Common  Version  text  ending  in  1419(r&g) 

Princeton  Taylor  MS.  3  contains  a  continuation  from  a  CV-1419(r&g)  text 
that  has  been  appended  by  a  second  scribe  to  a  text  of  the  CV-1377  f.c. 
Stage  3.  As  noted  above  (p.  50,  and  cf  item  14),  such  a  procedure  underlies 
the  original  accretion  of  continuations  to  the  basic  CV-1333  text — a  con- 
tinuation would  be  appended  to  an  originally  complete  text  and  the  whole 
would  subsequently  be  recopied.  Those  manuscripts  that  contain  composite 
texts  ending  in  1419(r&g)  that  were  (or  may  have  been)  deliberately  planned 
as  unified  combinations  have  been  classified  above  as  the  CV-1419(r&g):B 
(with  three  subgroups),  and  the  following  item  should  be  considered  in  that 
general  context.  However,  since  Princeton  Taylor  3  was  written  by  two 
scribes  and  shows  no  evidence  of  a  unified  program  of  copying,  it  has  been 
treated  as  two  separable  items. 


73.  Princeton  University  Library,  Taylor  Medieval  MS.  3(2)^ 

Second  scribe  begins  with  heading  on  fol.  118v:  And  after  kyng  Edward  the 

thrid  that  was  borne  at  Wyndesore  regned  Richard  of  Burdeaux. 
Second  scribe  ends  on  fol.  13 Iv.  in  rule  and  governawnce. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION  133 


^  For  (1),  see  item  20. 


The  Common  Version  beyond  1419,  including 
John  Page's  poem  "The  Siege  of  Rouen"  (CV-JP)^ 

Those  manuscripts  that  carry  the  narrative  beyond  1419  and  also  contain  a 
substantial  extract  from  John  Page's  poem  "The  Siege  of  Rouen"  can  be  sub- 
divided into  three  groups  (the  CV-1430  JP:A,  the  CV-1430  JP:B,  and  the 
JP:C),  partly  according  to  quite  different  textual  antecedents  up  to  the  con- 
tinuation containing  the  poem  and  partly  according  to  the  continuation  it- 
self. Groups  A  and  B,  to  which  most  of  the  manuscripts  belong,  end  in 
1430  and  contain  Page's  poem  from  line  637  of  the  full  text.  Group  C  con- 
sists of  a  continuation  containing  the  poem  from  line  1157  appended  to 
Brut  texts  of  differing  groups. 

The  CV-1430  JP:A  contains  the  Cadwallader  episode,  Queen  Isabella's 
letter,  and  a  substitute  heading  for  the  "Sw"  heading,  suggesting  that  it  is 
probably  based  on  the  CV-1419(men):A.  It  also  shows  signs  of  some  verbal 
expansion,  for  example,  in  chapter  headings  and  in  the  addition  of  sub- 
headings to  the  prophecies  of  Merlin.  From  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of 
Henry^  V,  the  compiler  began  more  and  more  to  revise  the  text  of  his  exem- 
plar, adding  details  from  what  was  apparently  a  London  chronicle  source.  In 
some  earlier  form  this  chronicle  had  also  been  used  by  the  compilers  of  the 
standard  continuation  to  1419(men)  and  the  extra  few  lines  to  the  (r&g) 
ending.  This  source  contained  at  least  part  of  John  Page's  poem  on  the  siege 
of  Rouen,  which  is  reproduced  in  its  verse  form  in  the  CV-1430  JP:A. 

Distinctive  features  of  the  CV-1430  JP:B  include  its  heading  and  the  first 
words  ("Some  time")  of  the  text,  both  of  which  are  reminiscent  of  the  Ex- 
tended Version  of  the  Brut.  The  first  part  of  the  narrative  contains  the  Cad- 
wallader episode  and  "The  Description  of  Edward  III"  but  omits  Queen  Isa- 
bella's letter  and  the  "Sw"  heading.  It  is  probably  based  on  a  CV-1377  s.c. 
text  similar  to  that  found  in  Lambeth  MS.  491  into  which  the  Cadwallader 
episode  has  been  interpolated.  To  this  has  been  added  most  of  a  standard 
continuation  to  1419,  which  then  switches  in  the  second  chapter  of  Henry 
Vs  reign  to  the  continuation  found  in  the  CV-1430  JP:A. 

The  JP:C  stands  apart  from  the  two  previous  groups.  Although  the  three 
manuscripts  in  which  it  occurs  are  all  written  in  single  hands  throughout, 


134 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

the  narratives  up  to  the  continuation  belong  to  very  different  groups  and 
have  been  treated  as  separate  items.  The  JP:C  continuation  begins  with  a 
shorter  extract  from  Page's  poem  than  that  found  in  the  A  and  B  groups, 
followed  by  material  in  London  chronicle  format  to  either  1434  or  1445. 

Although  these  texts  containing  Page's  poem  are  not  part  of  the  main  tra- 
dition of  the  Common  Version,  they  are  interesting  as  examples  of  complex 
aspects  of  Brut  production  (similar  to  what  occurs  even  more  often  in  the 
Peculiar  Versions)  and  as  illustrations  of  the  close  interrelationship  between 
the  Brut  and  the  chronicles  of  London. 


^  See  Rossell  Hope  Robbins,  "Poems  Dealing  with  Contemporary  Conditions,"  A  Manual 
of  the  Writings  in  Middle  English  1050-1500,  ed.  Albert  E.  Hartung,  vol.  5  (Hamden, 
1975)  pp.  1427-28,  1665-66.  Page's  poem  is  edited  in  John  J.  Conybeare,  "On  a  Poem, 
Entitled  the  'Siege  of  Rouen,"  Archaeologia  21  (1827):  48-78;  Frederic  Madden,  "Old 
English  Poem  on  the  Siege  of  Rouen,"  Archaeologia  22  (1829):  361-84;  James  Gairdner, 
ed.,  Historical  Collections  of  a  Citizen  of  London  in  the  Fifteenth  Century,  Camden  Society 
n.s.  17  (1876),  pp.  1-46;  John  W.  Hales  and  Frederick  J.  Furnivall,  eds..  Bishop  Percy's 
Folio  Manuscript.  Ballads  and  Romances,  3  vols.  (London,  1867-1868),  3:  533-41;  Herbert 
Huscher,  td.,John  Page's  'Siege  of  Rouen',  Kolner  Anglistische  Arbeiten  1  (Leipzig,  1927); 
and  (as  part  of  the  Brut)  in  Brie  404-22.  The  author's  name  is  not  given  in  any  of  the 
Brut  texts  but  is  found  in  BL  Egerton  1995,  w^hich  has  the  fiill  text  of  the  poem  (see  p. 
144  below). 


The  Common  Version  to  1430,  including  John  Page's  poem 
"The  Siege  of  Rouen":  Group  A  (CV-1430  JP:A) 
This  group  contains  MSS.  BL  Cotton  Galba  E.viii,  BL  Harley  2256, 
Holkham  670,  and  CUL  Ee.4.31  (though  the  poem  is  missing  in  the  last). 
The  second  part  of  the  composite  text  found  in  BL  MS.  Harley  266  can 
also  be  included  here. 


74.  BL  MS.  Cotton  Galea  E.viii^ 

Heading  on  fol.  29:  Here  may  a  man  here  and  knowe  how  Englonde  was 
furst  callud  Albion  and  whom  thorough  [^marked  for  reversal]  hyt  hadde 
hys  furst  name  as  ye  shuU  fynde  yn  thys  boke  wyth  many  othyr  thynges. 

Begins:  In  the  nobull  londe  of  Surre 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  John  Page's  poem 

Omits:  "5w''  heading  (see  below) 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 135 

Page's  poem  (set  out  as  verse)  begins:  and  ofte  we  depid  and  longe  there  stode 
and  so  we  come  doune  to  the  duke  of  Exeture  and  there  we  gate  non 
ansuere. 

And  at  Warwike  that  erle  so  fre 
We  callid  ofte  it  wold  not  be. 
Page's  poem  ends: 

And  alle  that  haue  herd  this  redynge 
To  his  blisse  Criste  you  brynge 
That  for  vs  deied  vpon  a  tree 
Amen  sey  we  alle  pur  charite. 
And  in  this  yere  was  quene  lohna  that  was  l^mge  Henryis  the  iiij*  arestid 
be  lohn  duke  of  Bedfford 
Text  ends:  and  yet  God  sent  hem  good  hele  and  welfare  and  scomfiture  of 
all  her  enemyes  blessid  be  God. 

Remarks:  A  substitute  heading  appears  for  the  "Sw"  heading:  "How  ^Tige 
Edward  reskewyd  the  toune  of  Berewyke  and  how  the  kynge  of  Scotlond 
did  hys  homage  to  the  kyngt  of  Engelond." 

The  carefully  written  manuscript  also  contains  Lydgate's  "Kings  of  Eng- 
land sithen  William  Conqueror"  (fol.  Ir-vY  and,  in  the  same  hand  as  the 
Brut,  the  Latin  Tbree  Kings  of  Cologne  (fols.  3-28v). 

The  name  "Rycharde  Rendale"  (late  fifteenth  or  early  sixteenth  century) 
occurs  on  an  end  flyleaf. 


*  Extracts  from  the  first  chapter  and  the  whole  second  chapter  that  deal  with  the  reign  of 
Henry  V  are  printed  in  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  299-309;  the  third 
chapter,  including  the  poem,  and  the  succeeding  chapters  to  the  end  of  the  text  are 
printed  in  Brie  394-439. 
^  See  Mooney,  "Lydgate's  'Kings  of  England',"  pp.  256-63,  277. 


75.  BL  MS.  Harley  2256 

Heading.  Here  may  a  man  here  and  knowe  how  England  was  flirste  callud 

Albyon  and  thorugh  whom  hit  hadde  his  firste  name  as  3e  schull  fynde  in 

this  boke  with  many  othir  thyngis. 
Begins:  In  the  nobul  lond  of  Surre 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  John  Page's  poem 
Omits:  "5w'*  heading  (see  below) 
Page's  poem  (set  out  as  verse)  begins:  and  ofte  we  clepud  and  long  J)ere  stode 


136 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

and  so  we  come  doun  to  ^e  duke  of  Exeter  &  Jjere  we  gate  noon  answere. 

And  at  Warwik  J)at  erle  so  fre 

We  callid  ofte  it  wold  not  be. 
Page's  poem  ends: 

6c  all  |)at  haue  hirde  J)is  redynge 

To  his  blisse  Criste  30U  brynge 

f>at  for  vs  deide  vpon  a  tre 

Amen  sey  we  alle  pur  charite. 
And  in  this  3ere  was  quene  lohna  J)at  was  kyng  Henreis  wiff  {)e  iiij' 
arestid  by  lohn  duke  of  Bedfford 
Text  ends:  and  3it  God  sente  hym  good  hele  &  welfare  8c  scomfiture  of  all 
her  enemyes  blessid  be  God. 

Remarks:  The  substitute  "5w"  heading  found  in  the  previous  text  occurs: 
"How  kyng  Edward  reskewid  J)e  toun  of  Berwik  &,  how  {)e  kyng  of  Scot- 
lond  dide  his  homage  to  J)e  kyng  of  Englond." 

The  name  "Rouland  Lathum"  (fifteenth  century?)  appears  on  a  front  fly- 
leaf. A  deleted  memo  on  a  back  flyleaf,  retrospective  in  nature,  reads:  "Be 
hit  knowen  to  all  Crystyn  men  J)at  y  Rychard  Deuenysshe  become  d[ . . .  ] 
ser(?)  [ . . .  ]  the  y[ . . .  ]  the  viij  day  of  Nouembre  Jje  yere  of  l^^ng  Herry  yj*' 
J)e  fyrst  yere." 


76.  HoLKHAM  Hall  MS.  670 

Table  of  contents  begins  imperfectly:  How  after  the  deth  of  Cassibelan  Andro- 
gen the  erle  of  Cornewaill  reigned.  Capitulum  xxxviij'". 

Table  of  contents  ends  imperfectly:  Capitulum  C  boocvj'".  How  J)e  gode  l^'^ng 
Edward  hilde  his  parlement  and  how  J)erto  cam  diuers  lordes  of  Scotlond 
and  how  J)ey  were  accorded  and  swore  to  l^^ng  Edward. 

Text  begins  impefectly:  And  whan  this  myschefe  was  bifall  the  peple  of  the 
lond  tho  made  grete  sorowe  [cf  Brie  6/13-14] 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  John  Page's  poem 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Page's  poem  (written  in  prose  lines)  begins:  And  at  Warwyk  Jje  erle  so  fre  we 
called  ofte  it  wolde  nat  be 

Text  ends  imperfectly  during  Page's  poem:  For  a  worde  wronge  out  of  warde 
myght  make  you  to  fare  full  harde.  Therfore  of  wordes  loke  ye  be  wise 
and  sey  no  thing  [without  gode  avise  catchwords^  [Brie  408/18-19] 

Remarks:  Folios  are  missing  that  would  have  contained  the  end  of  the  table 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 137 

of  contents  and  the  beginning  of  the  text,  the  prophecies  of  Merlin,  and  the 
substitute  "5w"  heading. 


77.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ee.4.31 

Begins  on  fol.  203:  How  after  kyng  Henre  regnyd  hys  sone  Edward  the 

worthiest  knyght  of  alle  the  worlde  and  of  kyng  Alisaundyr  of  Scotlond. 

[Brie  179/1-2] 
Contains:  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below),  John  Page's  poem  (but  see  below) 
Text  ends  imperfectly:  Mouns  in  Henaude  J)e  whiche  was  sworn  to  hym  to 

ben  gode  6c  trewe  6c  to  kepe  {je  lady  in  sauffe  wafis  [read  ward]  tille  he 

come  [a3en  catchnvord]  [Brie  432/4-6] 

Remarks:  The  Brut  text  from  Edward  I  is  used  as  a  continuation  of  the 
longer  version  of  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Metrical  Chronicle  (fols.  53-200v), 
which  probably  was  the  original  item  in  the  manuscript.^  (The  Cadwallader 
episode  is  accordingly  absent.) 

The  leaves  are  missing  that  would  have  contained  the  text  of  John  Page's 
poem.  The  remaining  text,  however,  agrees  with  that  of  the  preceding 
manuscripts.  It  contains,  for  example,  the  substitute  "Sw"  heading:  "How 
kyng  Edward  reskewyd  the  toun  of  Berwyk  6c  how  the  ^Tig  of  Scotlond 
dide  hys  homage  to  Jje  kyng  of  Englond." 


^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2617-21,  2798.  The  original  beginning  of  the  manuscript 
was  probably  fol.  51.  "Hughe  Cooke"  (sixteenth  century)  is  noted  as  its  owner  on  fol.  52. 
The  manuscript  now  also  contains  a  fragmentary  Wise  Book  of  Philosophy  and  Astronomy 
(fols.  l-6v,  see  Peter  Brown,  "The  Seven  Planets,"  in  Popular  and  Practical  Science  of 
Medieval  England,  ed.  Matheson,  p.  9  and  n.  16),  Benedict  Burgh's  Parvus  Cato  (fols.  7- 
24),  and  the  Chronicle  of  Popes  and  Emperors  (fols.  25-50;  see  Dan  Embree,  ed..  The 
Chronicles  of  Rome  [forthcoming]). 


78.  BL  MS.  Harley  266(2)^ 

Continuation  begins  on  fol  93:  And  after  kynge  Edeward  the  iij^  that  was 

borne  att  Wyndesore  regned  Richarde  of  Burdeux  [Brie  335/5-6] 
Contains:  John  Page's  poem 
Pages  poem  (written  in  prose  lines  with,  sporadically y  colons  to  indicate  verse 


138 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

endings)  begins:  8c  oft  we  clepyd  8c  long  there  there  [sic]  stode  and  so  we 
cam  dovne  to  J)e  duke  off  Excestre  8c  thare  we  gate  non  answere.  And  at 
Warwyk  that  erlle  so  ffre  we  callyd  ofte  hit  wold  not  be 

Page's  poem  ends:  And  J)is  cytee  ffaste  encresyd  off  brede  8c  wyne  ffysch  8c 
fflesch  8c  thus  ovre  kyng  made  an  ende  off  hys  sege.  And  in  thys  3ere  was 
quene  lane  |?at  was  l^nig  Henre  wyfe  J)e  fferthe  arestyd  by  lohn  duke  off 
Bedeford 

Text  ends:  and  yet  God  sent  hym  gode  hele  8c  welfare  and  scomfyture  of  all 
here  enemyes  blessyd  be  God. 

Remarks:  Although  the  same  scribe  continues,  a  change  of  exemplar  to  a 
CV-1430  JP:A  text  takes  place  at  fol.  93.  A  second  scribe  then  takes  over 
on  fol.  128  in  the  course  of  the  first  chapter  on  the  reign  of  Henry  V  (with 
the  words  "And  anon  the  captayne  come  fforthe  in  the  kyngges  presens" 
[Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  304-305]). 

Page's  poem  breaks  off  sooner  than  in  other  texts  of  the  CV-1430  JP:A, 
the  deficiency  being  supplied  by  a  prose  paraphrase.  Nevertheless,  and  de- 
spite the  late  fifteenth-century  date  of  the  manuscript,  there  is  evidence  to 
suggest  that  the  basis  of  the  text  to  1430  was  a  textually  early  version  of  the 
CV-1430  JP:A,  for  a  number  of  its  readings  are  superior  to  those  preserved 
in  the  other  extant  texts  of  group  A.^  Some  additional  material  found  in  the 
other  texts  of  the  group  is  absent,  such  as  the  account  of  the  duke  of  Bed- 
ford's naval  victory  off  Harfleur  at  the  end  of  the  first  chapter  on  Henry  V 
and  the  accounts  of  the  earl  of  Huntingdon's  naval  victory  and  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  Council  of  Constance  in  the  second  chapter  on  Henry  V. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  22. 

^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  302;  Huscher,  ed.,  Siege  of  Rouen,  pp.  34- 

35,  37. 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1430  JP.A 

The  texts  of  the  group  show  stylistic  differences  from  the  earliest  CV  word- 
ing, mainly  in  the  addition  of  superfluous  words  and  phrases.  The  wording 
of  chapter  headings  is  more  discursive  and  additional  headings  have  been  in- 
serted, for  example,  for  the  individual  sections  of  the  prophecies  of  Merlin 
to  Arthur  (in  those  manuscripts  that  possess  this  section  of  narrative). 
There  is  no  precise  onset  of  the  1430  JP  continuation,  which  is  preserved 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 139 

in  its  fullest  form  in  the  JP:A;  rather  there  is  a  gradual  changeover  from  the 
usual  1419  continuation  to  the  present  continuation  in  the  chapters  that  be- 
gin the  reign  of  Henry  V.  In  the  first  chapter  on  the  reign  of  Henry  V  the 
stylistic  additions  become  more  significant  and  some  extra  material  details 
begin  to  be  incorporated.^  The  second  chapter  (printed  by  Kingsford)  and 
the  third  chapter  (printed  by  Brie,  who  does  not  notice  any  previous  differ- 
ences^) give  progressively  more  information  and  differ  in  wording  to  some 
extent  from  the  1419  continuation. 

It  is  likely  that  the  1419  continuation  known  to  the  compiler  of  the 
archetype  of  the  1430  continuation  belonged  to  the  CV-1419(men):A  rather 
than  the  CV-1419(r6cg):A;  the  evidence  of  the  substitute  heading  for  the 
"Sw"  heading  supports  this  view  on  the  grounds  that  the  CV-1419(men):A 
would  be  more  likely  to  possess  a  text  that  omitted  this  heading.  In  addi- 
tion, a  number  of  readings  in  Glasgow  Hunterian  74  agree  with  the  CV- 
1430  JP:  A,  and,  as  argued  earlier,  this  text  was  based  on  a  continuation  end- 
ing "and  manfully  countered  with  our  English  men."-'  Kingsford  seems  to 
have  been  familiar  with  only  the  CV-1419(r&g),  and  his  argument  cannot 
be  accepted  that  there  were  versions  of  the  Brut  ending  earlier  than  1419. 
He  assumes  "one  perhaps  ending  in  November  1415  or  in  October  1416, 
and  others  more  certainly  in  July  1417  and  November  1417,"  to  which  the 
continuation  to  1430  was  added  {English  Historical  Literature,  p.  133). 

Unlike  previous  developments,  where  a  new  continuation  is  simply  ap- 
pended to  an  existing  text,  the  compiler  of  the  archetype  of  the  1430  JP  text 
has  reworked  his  original  and  has  grafted  on  his  continuation,  blending  it 
into  the  existing  text  of  his  exemplar  before  finally  forsaking  his  exemplar  to 
strike  out  on  his  own.  The  verbal  similarities  between  the  1419  continuation 
and  the  1430  continuation  make  it  clear  that  the  same  sources  were  used  for 
both,  although  the  compiler  of  the  1430  version  probably  had  additional 
sources  of  information. 

The  following  passages,  taken  from  Kingsford  (1430  version).  Brie  (1419 
[r&g]  version),  and  Glasgow  Hunterian  74  (as  a  reflex  of  the  1419[men] 
text),  illustrate  the  development  of  the  1430  continuation. 

In  the  first  chapter  on  the  reign  of  Henry  V,  the  1430  compiler  follows 
a  1419  text,  and  the  two  versions  are  very  similar.  Although  the  "tennis-ball" 
story  is  related  more  briefly,  as  Kingsford  remarks,  the  1430  version  has 
some  fuller  readings  and  some  extra  material  details,  as  the  following  se- 
lected extracts  show: 


140 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


(1)  |)is  worthi  Prynce  8c  King 
toke  his  leve,  8c  went  hym  to 
Caleys  warde  by  londe.  And  pt 
Frensch  men  herde  of  his  kom- 
yng  [Brie  377/11-13] 


And  the  kynge  the  worthi  prynce 
that  God  saue  and  kepe  wold  fro 
thens  to  Caleis  so  stronge  thor- 
ough the  londe  and  the  Frensshe 
men  herd  of  his  comynge  [Cot- 
ton Galba  E.viii,  fol.  133v;  cf. 
Kingsford,  English  Historical  Lit- 
erature, p.  299] 


Since  the  1430  version  was  written  after  the  death  of  Henry  V,  the  phrase 
"that  God  saue  and  kepe"  suggests  that  the  1430  compiler  was  using  a 
source  written  while  Henry  was  still  living. 


(2)  8c  Jjere  |)ay  welcomyd  hym, 
and  brou3t  hym  to  London  with 
moche  honour  and  grete  reuer- 
ence.  And  atte  Seint  Thomas  wa- 
tryng  J)ere  mette  with  hym  the 
King  and  alle  his  lorde3  yn  gode 
aray.  And  J)ere  was  a  worthi  met- 
yng  betwene  J)e  Emperour  and  |)e 
King;  8c  [jere  thay  kussid  to- 
gadre3,  8c  braced  ech  othir.  [Brie 
380/31-381/4] 


And  there  thei  welcomyd  hym 
with  alle  honoure  and  reu[er]ence 
and  so  the  meyre  and  the  aldre- 
men  with  the  cominnalte  brought 
hym  to  Seint  Thomas  Waterynge 
withoute  Southewerke  and  there 
the  kynge  met  with  hym  with  alle 
his  lordis  in  a  good  and  riall  araye 
and  there  was  a  worthi  and  a  sol- 
empne  metynge  betwix  the  em- 
peroure  and  oure  l^nige  and  there 
kyssid  togederis  and  myche  obey- 
saunce  yche  shewid  to  othir  and 
thankynge.  [Cotton  Galba  E.viii, 
fol.  134;  cf  Kingsford,  English 
Historical  Literature y  pp.  299-300] 


There  is  little  new  material  here,  but  the  effect  is  more  graphic  and 
immediate,  and  the  use  of  "oure  kynge"  in  the  1430  version  suggests  that 
Kingsford's  opinion  is  correct,  "that  we  have  here  a  record  drawn  up  at  the 
time,""*  that  is,  a  return  to  the  common  original  source.  This  is  borne  out 
further  by  the  insertion  of  two  passages  which  are  not  found  in  the  1419 
continuation.^ 

In  the  second  chapter  the  same  processes  are  at  work;  the  1430  compiler 
has  longer  readings  and  is  historically  fuller  in  some  respects.  He  is  still 
using  the  Brut  framework  for  chapter  headings  and  for  the  general  ordering 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


141 


of  his  material: 


How  kinge  Henry  the  .v^.  pur- 
posyd  and  ordeynyd  him  ouere 
the  see  in  to  Fraunce  and  Nor- 
mandie  by  the  counceyle  of  all  his 
lordis  and  comons  of  the  reame 
of  Englond. 

And  in  J)e  ,iiij'.  3ere  of  kyng 
Henries  regne  \>e  .v.  he  helde  his 
parlement  at  Westmynster  in  pe 
begynnyng  of  J)e  monthe  of  Octo- 
bur  &  lasted  vnto  pc  purifica- 
cioun  of  oure  lady  J)an  nexte 
folowynge  6c  J)ere  was  graunted 
vnto  pe  king  to  mayntene  his 
werres  bothe  of  spiretualte  & 
temparalte  a  hole  taxte  &c  a  dyme 
in  sustenynge  of  hys  werres  & 
J)an  anone  \>e  kyng  prayed  al  hys 
lordis  to  make  hem  redy  to 
strengthe  hym  in  hys  ry3th  &c 
anone  he  lete  make  a  newe  rete- 
new  &,  charged  all  men  to  be 
redy  at  Hampton  in  Whitson- 
weke  {)an  nexte  folowing  with- 
outen  any  delay.  [Glasgow  Hun- 
terian  74,  fols.  llOv-111] 


How  kynge  Henry  the  v  purposid 
and  ordeynyd  hym  ouyr  the  see 
ayen  into  Fraunce  and  Norman- 
dye  by  counseill  of  hys  lordis  and 
cominnes  off  the  Rewme. 

And  in  the  iiij'  yere  of  kyngt 
Henryis  regne  the  v  the  l^ge 
haldynge  his  parlement  at  Weste- 
minster  in  the  bygynnynge  of  the 
monythe  of  Octobre  the  whiche 
parle[ment]  endid  aboute  the 
puryfication  of  oure  lady  thanne 
nexte  by  comen  assent  of  alle  the 
clergye  and  temperalte  ther  was 
grauntid  to  the  kynge  bothe 
dymes  and  tallagis  to  flilfille  the 
kyngis  purpos  in  holdynge  and 
susteynynge  of  chalenge  and  right 
that  he  had  to  Normandye  and 
Guyane  his  trewe  titull  and  right 
heritage.  Wherefore  the  kynge 
chargid  dukis  erlis  baronys  kny- 
ghtis  and  squyeris  to  make  hem 
redy  in  the  best  and  moste 
worthy  aray  that  thei  coude  or 
myght  with  all  the  strengthe  of 
men  of  armys  and  archeris  to 
helpe  and  strengthe  hym  yn  his 
werris  for  the  right  of  Engelond 
and  that  thei  alle  be  redy  to 
moustur  at  Hampton  in  the  Wit- 
sonwoke  thanne  nexte  comynge 
in  all  her  aray  as  they  ought  to 
werre.  [Cotton  Galba  E.viii,  fol. 
135;  cf.  Kingsford,  English  Histo- 
rical Literature,  p.  302] 


142 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


The  chapter  heading,  not  found  in  the  early  CV  texts,  suggests  again  that 
a  1419(men)  continuation  was  used  by  the  1430  compiler.  The  continual  use 
of  the  phrase  "oure  kynge"  is  noticeable  in  the  1430  version  in  this  chapter. 
Many  details  and  distinct  additional  passages  are  incorporated  that  can  be 
paralleled  in  other  works,  such  as  the  account  of  the  earl  of  Huntingdon's 
naval  battle  in  1417  and  the  murder  of  John,  duke  of  Burgundy,  in  some 
London  chronicles,^  showing  that  the  1430  compiler  is  using  the  common 
source  more  and  more. 

In  the  third  chapter  (printed  in  Brie),  both  the  1419  and  1430  versions 
are  based  on  John  Page's  poem  The  Siege  of  Rouen,  and  the  1430  JP:A  ver- 
sion includes  the  second  half  of  the  poem  in  verse  from  line  637.  However, 
it  is  clear  that  the  1430  compiler  used  the  poem  as  reference  from  the  be- 
ginning of  the  chapter,  as  the  following  passage  shows: 


How  king  Henre  J)e  ffythe  leyde 
a  sege  vnto  J)e  cete  of  Rone.  And 
how  he  gat  J)e  cetee  with  strenthe 
6c  manhode. 


How  kynge  Henry  the  v  leide 
sege  to  the  cite  of  Rone  and  how 
he  gate  the  cite  with  strengthe 
and  manhode  well  and  worthily. 


And  in  J)e  vj^  3  ere  of  kyng 
Henries  regne  J)e  v^  he  sente  his 
vncle  sere  Thomas  Beauford  duke 
of  Excestre  with  a  fayre  meyne  of 
men  of  armys  8c  archers  tofore  J)e 
cetee  of  Rone  and  J)ere  displayed 
here  baneres  8c  sente  herodes 
vnto  J)e  towne  and  bad  hem  3eld 
{)at  cetee  vnto  here  king  8c  here 
lege  lord  8c  J)ey  sayde  he  toke 
hem  non  to  kepe  ne  none  he 
shoulde  haue  jjere  but  3if  hit  were 
ry3t  dere  ibou3th  8c  meved  with 
here  handis  for  o|)ere  answere 
wolde  J)ey  none  3eve  but  out  go 
gonnes  8c  |)ere  J)e  duke  toke  good 
avysement  of  {)e  grounde  all  a- 
bowte.  [Glasgow  Hunterian  74, 
fol.  112] 


And  in  the  yj  yere  of  kynge 
Henryis  regne  [MS.  Regnyd]  the 
V  the  kynge  sent  his  vncle  sir 
Thomas  Beauford  duke  of  Exetir 
with  othir  lordis  and  knyghtis 
men  of  armys  and  archeris  to  the 
cite  of  Rone  and  there  displayid 
her  baneris  opynly  byfore  the  cite 
of  Rone  and  sent  herodis  to  hem 
that  were  withynne  the  cite  and 
bade  hem  yolde  vp  the  cite  in  alle 
haste  that  was  the  kyngis  righte 
or  ellis  thei  shuld  deie  an  harde 
and  sharpe  dethe  and  withoute 
eny  mercy  or  grace  and  there  he 
behild  the  g[r]ounde  about  the 
cite  how  thei  myght  best  sette  her 
sege  to  get  that  cite.  And  answere 
wold  thei  none  yeue  but  meuyd 
with  her  hondis  ouyr  the  waUis  as 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 143 

who  seyth  "voydith  the  grounte 
and  the  place  that  ye  ben  on"  and 
shotte  tho  many  gunnys  to  hem. 
[Cotton  Galba  E.viii,  fol.  137;  cf. 
Brie  394/1-16] 

The  extra  details  of  the  1430  version  are  paralleled  in  the  fiill  text  of 
Page's  Siege  of  Rouen,  showing  that  the  1430  compiler  had  resorted  to  it 
even  before  he  decided  to  give  the  unparaphrased  poem  in  verse:'' 

Howe  the  V.  Harry  our  lege, 
With  hys  ryalte  he  sette  a  sege 
By  for  Rone,  that  ryche  cytte. 
And  endyd  hyt  at  hys  owne  volunte. 
[Gairdner,  ed..  Hist.   Collections,  p.  1;  lines 
11-14] 

Whenne  Pountlarge  with  sege  was  wonne. 
And  ovyr  Sayne  then  enter  was  be  gunne, 
The  Duke  of  Exceter  that  [lord  so]  hende. 
To  Rone,  yn  sothe,  oure  l^nge  hym  sende. 
Herrowdys  with  hym  unto  that  cytte. 
To  loke  yf  that  they  yoldyn  wolde  be. 
And  aUe  soo  for  to  se  that  grounde 
That  was  a  boute  the  cytte  rounde; 
Howe  our  ^oig  myght  lay  {)er  at  a  sege, 
If  they  wolde  not  obey  to  oure  lege. 
When  J)e  Duke  of  Exceter  with  grete  re- 

nowne 
Was  come  by  fore  the  ryaUe  towne, 
He  splayyd  his  baners  on  a  bent. 
And  herrowdys  unto  |)e  cytte  were  sent, 
To  meke  hem  to  oure  l^gys  merthe, 
Chargyd  them  uppon  payne  of  dethe, 
Not  withstondyng  hym  of  hys  ryght. 
But  delyvyr  the  cytte  to  hys  syght. 
For  he  dyd  them  to  wytte  with  owtyn  bade, 
He  wolde  not  goo  er  he  hyt  hadde, 
But  or  he  paste  farre  in  space, 


144 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Wynne  hys  ryght  thoroughe  Goddys  grace. 
To  that  the  cytte  gaf  non  answere, 
But  prayde  oure  herrowdys  furthe  to  fare. 
They  made  a  maner  skorne  with  hyr  honde 
That  they  there  shulde  not  longer  stonde. 
Gonnys  they  schott  with  grete  envye, 
And  many  were  smytte  pyttyfully. 
[Gairdner,  ed.,  Hist.  Collections,  pp.  2-3;  lines 
25-52] 

The  poem  has  been  used  by  both  the  1419  and  1430  versions,  but  the  lat- 
ter gives  a  much  fuller  paraphrase  that  follows  very  closely  until  the  poem 
itself  is  reproduced  in  verse.  It  is  a  more  polished  version  than  John  Page's 
rough  original  in  BL  Egerton  1995;  presumably  Page  lived  long  enough  to 
fulfill  the  promise  made  at  the  end  of  the  original  poem  (in  lines  skipped  in 
the  Brut  version): 

With  owten  fabylle  or  fage 
Thys  procesce  made  John  Page 
Alle  in  raffe  and  not  in  ryme, 
By  cause  of  space  he  hadde  no  tyme. 
But  whenne  thys  werre  ys  at  a  nende 
And  he  have  lyffe  and  space  he  wylle  hit  a  mende. 
[Gairdner,  ed..  Hist.  Collections,  pp.  45-46; 
lines  1305-10] 

The  1430  compiler  brings  the  narrative  finally  to  the  year  1430,  using 
material  which  was  probably  not  available  to  the  compiler  of  the  1419  con- 
tinuations. 

Why  the  1419(men)  compiler  did  not  proceed  further  vidth  his  loose  para- 
phrase of  the  poem  is  uncertain,  unless  he  did  not  have  the  full  text  of  the 
poem  to  work  with.  The  unsatisfactory  conclusion,  ending  in  the  middle  of 
the  siege,  is  rectified  in  the  1419(r&g)  continuation  by  the  addition  of  a  few 
lines  of  prose  to  bring  the  siege  to  an  end.  Brie  believed  that  these  lines 
were  not  connected  with  the  poem.^  The  phraseology  of  the  last  lines,  how- 
ever, can  be  paralleled  in  the  poem,  which  must  surely  have  been  known  to 
their  writer.  For  example: 

(a)  Both  govnnys  and  quarellys  &,   moche    pople    slayne    dyuers 

went  so  thrylle,  tyme3   with   Gune3,   quarell,   8c 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


145 


Trypget  and  spryggalde  and  grete 

ingyne, 
They  wrought   oure    men    fiille 

moche  pyne. 

[Gairdner,  ed.,  Hist.  Collections, 

p.  16;  lines  408-10] 


o{)er  ordynaunce3.  [Brie  390/29- 
30] 


(b)  They  etete  doggys,  they  ete 

cattys; 
They  ete  mysse,  horse  and  rattys. 

[Gairdner,  ed.,  Hist.  CollectionSy 

p.  18;  Unes  471-72] 


for  |)ay  hade  ete  al  her  hors, 
doggis  and  catte3.  [Brie  390/34- 
391/1] 


(c)  And  the  chyldryn  soI^Tig  in 
ther  pappe 

With  yn  a  dede  woman  lappe. 
[Gairdner,  ed..  Hist.  Collections, 
p.  35;  Unes  1003-1004] 


and  also  saue  yonge  childryn  lye 
&  sowke  her  modir  pappis  |)at 
weryn  ded.  [Brie  391/7-8] 


*  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  299-300. 

^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  87:  "Er  beginnt  abzuweichen  an  dem  Punkte,  wo 
Heinrich  V.  seinen  Onkel  Thomas  Beauford  gegen  Rouen  schickt." 
'  See  pp.  104,  130-31.  Thus  the  1430  JP  contains  some  of  the  more  accurate  details 
concerning  Owen  Glendower's  rebellion. 

*  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  299;  a  fiirther,  similar  example  is  given  by 
Kingsford  on  p.  300. 

'  Quoted  in  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  300. 

*  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  301. 

^  Quoted  from  Gairdner's  edition  of  BL  Egerton  1995  in  Hist.   Collectionr,  the  Une 
numbering  is  that  of  Huscher's  critical  edition.  The  dialect  of  BL  Egerton  1995  is  that 
of  Surrey,  see  LALME,  1:  109,  3:  493. 
^  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  72. 


The  Common  Version  to  1430,  including  John  Page's  poem 
'The  Siege  of  Rouen":  Group  B  (CV-1430  JP.B) 
The  group  contains  MSS.  BL  Harley  753,  Lambeth  331,  and  Illinois 
116(2). 


146 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

79.  BL  MS.  Harley  753 

Heading;.  Here  begynneth  the  prologe  of  Brut. 

Begins:  Svm  tyme  in  J)e  noble  land  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  l^Tig  and  a 
myghty  and  a  man  of  grete  power  J)at  clepid  was  Dioclisian 

Contains:  Cad,  Description  of  Edward  III,  John  Page's  poem 

Omits:  QIL,  "Sw"  heading 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  without  eny  calenge  of  eny  man.  After  which  vic- 
tory |)e  kyng  turned  ayene  into  Englond  and  ordeyned  ser  Robert  Baillol 
with  of)er  wordes  [sic\  to  kepe  Scotland. 

How  kyng  Edward  went  ayene  into  Scot[ . . .  ]  J)e  batayle  of  Scluys  and 
Seint  Omers  and  of  J^e  tur[ . .  ]ment  of  Dunstaple  and  of  Seint  Georgis 
feste  at  Wyndesore.  Capitulo  \repeated\  CC  xxiiij^. 

The  vij  yere  of  l^^ng  Edward  in  \>t  wynter  tyme  he  went  into  Scotlond 
End  of  text  to  1377  and  heading  of  "The  Description  of  Edward  III":  |)e  l^nig 
Edward  after  tyme  J)at  he  had  regned  1  wynter  dyed  at  hys  manere  of 
Shene  |)e  xj  kalend  of  luyn  and  is  buryed  at  Westminster. 

Of  f)e  distruccioun  of  kyng  Edward.  Capitulo  CC  xxix°. 
Changeover,  "The  Description  of  Edward  III"  to  1419  continuation:  and  |)e 
more  harme  is  conteyned  longe  tyme  after. 

And  after  kyng  Edward  J)e  {)irde  |)at  was  borne  at  Wyndesore  regned 
Richard  of  Burdeux  J)at  was  prince  Edwardes  sone  of  Walys  which  prince 
Edward  was  sone  of  \>t  l^^ng  Edward.  Capitulo  CC  xl°. 

Changeover,  1419  to  1430  continuations:  And  so  J)e  lord  Powes  meyne 
brought  hym  out  of  Walys  to  London  in  a  whirlecole  and  so  in  J)e  same 
whirlecole  brought  to  Westminster  halle  byfore  J)e  kynges  iustice.  And 
J)ere  he  was  examyned  and  arayned  of  |)o  poyntes  jjat  were  put  vpon  hym 
[cf  Brie  386/19-22  and  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  308; 
see  below] 

Page's  poem  (set  out  as  prose,  with  occasional  colons  to  indicate  line  breaks) 
begins:  and  ofte  we  cleped  and  longe  J)ere  stode  and  so  we  come  downe  to 
J)e  duke  of  Excestre  and  {)ere  we  gate  none  answere. 
Atte  Warwyk  Jje  erle  so  fre  we  cleped  ofte  it  wold  not  be 

Page's  poem  ends:  And  all  haue  herd  |)ise  tydyng  to  blysse  Crist  yow  brynge 
J)at  for  vs  dyed  on  a  tre.  Amen  seyde  all  for  charitee. 
And  J)is  yere  was  quene  lohanne  |)at  was  kyng  Henryes  wyfe  J)e  iiij* 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 147 

arested  by  lohn  duke  of  Bedford 
Ends  imperfectly  on  rubbed  last  leaf,  victorie  and  scomf[ . .  Jure  [Brie  439/27- 
28] 

Remarks:  The  text  probably  ended  originally  at  the  same  point  as  the  CV- 
1430  JP:A. 

The  names  of  several  sixteenth-century  owners  appear:  "Thys  ys  Henry 
Brayne  hys  boke  bey  the  leyff  off  Robartt  Herdes  and  Ellen  hys  wyffes  wryt- 
tyn  the  iiij  day  beffore  he  whas  maryed"  (fol.  165v;  "Henry  Brayne"  also  on 
fol.  125);  "Rowland  Shakerley"  (13  EUzabeth  [1571-72],  fol.  127v;  named 
also  on  fol.  134). 


80.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  331^ 

Heading:  Her  begynned  J)e  prologe  of  Brute. 

Begins:  Sum  tyme  in  the  noble  land  of  Sirrye  J)er  was  a  noble  l^nig  and  a 

my3thy  &  a  man  of  gret  power  J)at  clepyd  was  Dyoclician 
Contains:  Cad,  Description  of  Edward  III,  John  Page's  poem 
Omits:  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  without  eny  chalange  of  eny  man.  After  whych 

victory  \>t  l^Tig  turned  ayen  into  Englond  &  ordeyned  ser  Edward  Bayllol 

with  ojjer  wordy  lordes  to  kepe  Scodond. 

How  |)at  JDe  kyng  Edward  went  ayene  into  Scodond  &  of  f)e  batayle  of 
Cluys  &  Seynt  Omers  &  of  J)e  turnament  of  Dunstable  &  of  Seynt 
Georges  fest  at  Wyndesore.  Capitulo  CC  xxiiij. 

The  vij  yere  of  l9^g  Edward  in  {)e  wynter  tyme  he  went  into  Scodond  & 
reparayled  J)e  castell  of  Kylbrigge  ayenst  {)e  Scottes 
End  of  text  to  1377  and  heading  ofHThe  Description  of  Edward  UT:  J)e  kynge 
Edward  after  tyme  J)at  he  had  regned  1  wynter  dyed  at  his  maner  of 
Shene  J)e  xl  kalendes  of  luyn  8c  is  buryed  at  Westmynster. 

The  distruxcyoun  of  l^ng  Edward.  Capitulo  CC  xxix°. 
Changeover,  H'he  Description  of  Edward  IW  to  1419  continuation:  &  {)e  more 
harme  is  conteyned  longe  tyme  after. 

And  after  kyng  Edward  [)e  |)irde  J)at  was  borne  at  Wyndesore  regned 
Richard  of  Burdeux  {)at  was  prince  Edwardes  sone  of  Wales.  Capitulo 
CCxl. 


148 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Changeover,  1419  to  1430  continuations:  8c  so  J)e  lord  Poweys  meyne  brought 

hym  out  of  Wales  to  London  in  a  whircole  &.  so  in  J)e  same  whircole 

brought  to  Westmynster  halle  byfore  J)e  kynges  iustice  8c  |)er  he  was 

examyned  8c  arayned  of  |)o  poyntes  J)at  were  put  vpon  hym 
Page's  poem  (set  out  as  prose,  with  stops  and  double  virgules  to  indicate  line 

breaks)  begins:  8c  so  we  come  down  to  J)e  duke  of  Excestre  8c  J)ere  we 

gate  non  aunswere. 

Atte  Warwik  J)e  erle  so  fre  we  called  oft  it  wold  nat  be 
Page's  poem  ends:  8c  all  have  herd  J)is  tidynges  to  blisse  Criste  you  bringes 

J)at  for  vs  dide  on  a  tree.  Amen  seid  alle  for  charitee. 

And  {)ys  yere  was  queue  lohanna  J)at  was  kyng  Henryes  wiff  J)e  iiij* 

arested  by  lohn  duk  of  Bedford 
Ends  imperfectly  onfol  117v:  by  ordinaunce  8c  commaundement  of  f)e  kyng 

8c  of  his  counsell  J)e  bastard  of  Clarance  8c  ser  lohn  Kyghle  [Brie  437/9- 

11] 


^  See  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue .  .  .  Lambeth  Palace,  pp.  436-37. 


81.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  116(2)^ 

Third  hand  begins  onfol  185:  [capjtayne  boJ)e  of  J)e  citee  and  off  J)e  castel 

Contains:  John  Page's  poem 

Page's  poem  (set  out  as  prose,  with  occasional  stops  to  indicate  line  breaks)  begins: 

And  ofte  we  clepyd  and  longe  J)ere  stode.  And  so  we  come  downe  to  {)e 

duke  of  Excetre.  And  Jjere  we  gate  none  answere. 

Atte  Warwyk  the  erle  so  ffre  we  callid  ofte  it  wolde  nat  be 
Page's  poem  ends:  And  alle  haue  herde  J)is  tydynges  to  blysse  Cryst  you 

brynge  jjat  for  vs  deyde  on  a  tre.  Amen  seyde  alle  ffor  charyte. 

And  thys  yeer  was  queue  lohanna  that  was  l^^ng  Henryes  wyfe  J)e  iiijthe 

arestyd  by  lohn  duke  of  Bedford 
Ends:  and  yit  God  sent  hem  bo^e  hele  and  wellfare  and  scomfyture  of  alle 

here  enmyes  blessid  be  God. 

Remarks:  The  third  hand^  in  the  manuscript  begins  fol.  185  in  the  middle  of 
a  word  and  completes  the  text  from  a  new,  CV-1430  JP:B  exemplar,  as  tex- 
tual comparison  with  BL  Harley  753  and  Lambeth  331  shows.  The  change 
in  exemplar  occurs  as  follows: 

Mounser  Guy  Botteler  was   chieff  cap[fol.    185;   new  hand  and 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 149 

exemplar] tayne  bo|)e  o(\>t  citee  and  ofFJ)e  castel  and  Mounsere  Ter- 
megan  and  he  was  captayne  off  pe  porte  Caux.  Mounsere  le  Roche 
was  captayne  off  Devisyn.  Mounsere  Antony  he  was  levetenaunt  to 
Mounsere  le  Guy  de  Boteler.  Harry  Chamfewe  was  capteyne  of  |)e 
port  de  Fount.  lohn  Matrivers  was  captayne  off  porte  de  la  castell. 
Mounsere  Peneux  was  po  captayne  off  port  de  Seynt  Hillarie.  The 
bastard  of  Teyne  was  po  capteyne  off  port  Martevile.  And  Graunt 
lakes  a  worthy  werriour  was  capteyne  of  alle  pe  ordenauncis  outward 
on  hors  bale  and  on  fote  of  men  of  armys  pat  isswid  out  of  {)e  citee  at 
alle  J)e  portis  to  done  peir  ffetis  in  poyntis  of  werre  ayenst  here 
enemyes.  [cf  Brie  390/9-21,  398/11-24] 


^  For  (1),  see  item  120. 

^  The  change  from  the  first  to  second  hands  occurs  at  a  point  of  no  textual  significance. 

The  leaves  on  which  the  third  hand  writes  are  more  heavily  lined  than  those  before. 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1430  JP:B 

As  noted  above,  the  group  is  composite,  formed  from  several  other  groups. 
The  heading  and  the  first  words  ("Some  time")  of  the  two  flill  texts  re- 
semble the  Extended  Version,  but  the  other  distinctive  features  of  the  EV 
are  lacking.^ 

To  1377  the  text  is  based  on  the  CV-1377  s.c.  of  the  type  of  Lambeth 
491,  which  also  includes  "The  Description  of  Edward  III,"  but  which  did 
not,  apparently,  include  the  Cadwallader  episode.^  However,  the  text  that 
the  compiler  used  for  the  1430  continuation  would  have  certainly  included 
this  popular  story,  and  the  text  that  served  for  the  1419  continuation  may 
also  have  included  it. 

After  the  1377  text  and  "The  Description  of  Edward  III,"  the  narrative 
continues  with  a  normal  1419  continuation  to  almost  the  end  of  the  second 
chapter  on  the  reign  of  Henry  V,  where,  in  the  middle  of  the  account  of  Sir 
John  Oldcasde,  the  text  changes  to  that  of  the  1430  JP:A: 

and  so  pt  Lorde  Powys  meyne  brou3t  hym  out  of  Walls  to  London 
yn  a  whirlecole;  and  so  he  was  brou3t  to  Westmynstre  [1419  continu- 
ation: Brie  386/19-21] 

and  so  he  was  take  there  and  arestid  by  the  lord  Powis  and  his  meyne 
and  brought  oute  of  Walls  into  Engelond  and  so  to  London  in  a 


150 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

whirlecole  and  so  in  the  same  whirlicole  brought  to  Westeminstre 
hall  to  the  parlement  and  byforn  the  l^^ngis  iusticis  [1430  JP:A 
continuation:  Cotton  Galba  E.viii,  fol.  137;  cf.  Kingsford,  English 
Historical  Literature,  p.  308] 


1  See  p.  173. 
^  See  item  18. 


Manuscripts  containing  John  Page's  poem 
"The  Siege  of  Rouen":  Group  C  (JP:C) 
In  MSS.  CUL  Hh.6.9(2),  TCC  0.9.1(2),  and  Chicago  254(2)  a  continua- 
tion is  found  beyond  1419  that  begins  with  a  shorter  extract  from  John 
Page's  poem  (corresponding  to  line  1157  in  the  full  poem)  and  ends  in  1434 
or  1445.  Although  in  all  three  manuscripts  the  continuation  is  written  in  the 
same  hand  as  the  preceding  texts,  these  preceding  texts  are  of  such  different 
groups  as  to  justify  treating  the  continuation  separately. 


82.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Hh.6.9(2)^ 

Page's  poem  (set  out  as  verse)  begins  on  fol.  158v: 

And  more  they  shulde  vndertake 

A  castell  for  our  kyng  doo  make  [Brie  418/32-33] 
Page's  poem  ends  on  fol.  161: 

And  all  that  harde  of  J)is  talkyng 

To  his  blisse  Criste  theme  brynge 

That  for  vs  died  vpon  a  tre 

Amen  sey  we  all  for  charitee. 

Off  the  tretis  made  bytwne  the  kyng  off  Yngland  and  off  Fraunce. 
Capitulo  ij^  xlviij°. 

And  in  this  same  yere  att  \)t  feste  of  Witsonday  the  l^Tig  lay  at  Maunt 
with  all  his  lordes 
Ends:  which  was  grete  hevynesse  to  all  people.  [Capitulo  ij^  iiij'"  xviij°  del.\ 
Brie  467/18-19] 

Remarks:  The  continuation  follows  without  break  immediately  after  the 


THE  COMMON  VERSION  151 


1419(r6cg)  conclusion  of  the  first  part  of  the  text. 


*  For  (1),  see  item  145.  An  extract  from  1420  to  1428  is  printed  in  Brie  440-43. 


83.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge  MS.  0.9.l(2)^ 

Page's  poem  (set  out  as  verse)  begins  onfol.  195 v. 
And  more  thei  shall  vndertake 
A  castell  for  oure  kyng  to  make  [Brie  418/32-33] 
Page's  poem  ends: 

And  all  Jjat  haue  herd  this  tall^Tig 
To  his  blisse  Crist  theim  bryng 
Pat  for  vs  deied  vpon  a  tree 
Amen  say  we  alle  for  charite. 
And  in  the  same  yere  at  the  fest  of  Whitsontide  the  kyng  lay  at  Maunt 
with  alle  his  lordes  and  there  held  a  roiall  fest  at  that  tyme  among  all  his 
peple 
Ends  onfol.  225v  (the  names  set  out  as  in  the  London  chronicles)'.  Simon  Eyre 
Maior.  Johannes  Derby  Galfrid  Feldyng  vicecomites.  Anno  xxiiij'". 

Remarks:  Although  the  original  text  is  written  in  a  single  hand,  a  change  of 
exemplar  is  indicated  when  the  text  to  1419  ends  on  fol.  195r,  about  one- 
third  of  which  is  left  blank,  and  Page's  poem  begins  the  continuation  on  the 
verso  of  the  leaf.  The  text,  however,  was  conceived  of  as  a  whole,  for  the 
program  of  illumination  continues.  Thus  the  leaf  on  which  the  mayor  and 
the  sheriffs  are  recorded  for  the  first  year  of  Henry  VI  receives  an  illumin- 
ated border  in  the  same  manner  as  the  beginnings  of  previous  reigns  were 
distinguished. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  original  continuation,  a  later,  fifteenth-century 
hand  continues  the  text  for  one  year  from  a  London  chronicle,  on  fol.  226v, 
beginning  "Johannes  Olney  Maior.  Robertus  Home  Galfiidus  Boleyne  vice- 
comites. Anno  xxv^."  and  ending  "And  they  rode  thoroughe  London  in 
theire  passage  outeward  with  a  roiall  meyny." 

On  fols.  230-231  occurs  a  copy  of  an  indenture,  dated  26  December,  17 
Edward  IV  (1478),  between  Walter  Lokington  and  John  Cokerych,  wardens 
of  the  Fraternity  of  the  Assumption  of  Our  Lady  in  St.  Margaret's  Church 
in  the  close  of  St.  Peter  of  Westminster,  and  James  Fytt,  citizen  and  tailor 
of  London. 


152  THE  COMMON  VERSION 


^  For  (1),  see  item  117.  See  Mooney,  Handlist,  pp.  136-38.  The  continuation  from  1430- 
31  to  the  original  end  in  1445-46  is  printed  in  Brie  456-90. 


84.  University  of  Chicago  MS.  254(2)^ 

Page's  poem  (set  out  as  verse)  begins  onfol.  124\ 

And  more  J)ey  schulde  vndyrtake 

A  castel  for  oure  l^mge  to  make  [Brie  418/32-33] 
Page's  poem  ends: 

And  all  {)at  harde  off  f)is  talkyng 

To  blysse  Cryste  hem  brynge 

That  ffor  vs  dyyde  oon  a  tre 

Amen  say  we  all  ffor  charyte. 

Of  a  ffeste  J)at  J)e  kyng  made  at  Maunte  at  |)e  whych  ffeste  he  made  ij 
erlys  &.  of  embassatourys. 

And  in  J)is  same  yere  at  J)e  ffeste  off  Whitsontyd  the  I^Tig  lay  at  Maunte 
with  all  his  lordys 
Ends  imperfectly  on  torn  fol.  149v\  vnto  J)e  feste  off  Saynt  George  [ . . .  {torn 
off)  And  J)an  J)e  catchwords]  [Brie  488/4-5] 

Remarks:  The  continuation  follows  without  break  immediately  after  the 
1419(r&g)  conclusion  of  the  first  part  of  the  text  and  may  have  ended  at  the 
same  point  as  that  found  in  the  preceding  manuscript. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  72.  The  manuscript  belonged  to  John  Nuton,  prior  of  Battle  Abbey. 


Remarks  on  the  JP:C 

The  relationships  among  the  texts  of  the  three  manuscripts  of  the  JP:C,  and 

between  them  and  the  1419(men)  and  the  1430  continuations,  are  complex. 

The  first  part  of  each  manuscript  belongs  to  different  textual  groups  that 
are  not  directly  related.  Textual  comparisons  show  that  none  of  the  JP:C 
continuations  were  copied  directly  from  any  of  the  others  and  that  each  of 
the  three  texts  has  agreements  with  the  other  two  members  of  the  group. ^ 

TCC  0.9.1  preserves  most  closely  the  annalistic  format  of  the  London 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 153 

chronicle  source.  On  the  other  hand,  Chicago  254  (which  probably  ended 
at  the  same  point  as  the  preceding  text)  and  CUL  Hh.6.9  (which  ends  some 
eleven  years  earher)  make  some  accommodation  to  the  narrative  structure  of 
the  Brut  by  introducing  subheadings  that  approximate  to  chapter  headings. 
This  is  particularly  true  of  the  text  in  the  former  manuscript,  whereas  the 
latter  also  inserts  chapter  numbers.  Although  it  ends  at  an  earlier  point, 
CUL  Hh.6.9  omits  much  material  related  to  the  French  wars.  Clearly,  ear- 
lier texts  must  have  existed  from  which  the  surviving  texts  of  the  JP:C  were 
derived  and  then  appended  to  texts  of  various  groups. 

The  original  text  of  the  JP:C  continuation  was  close  in  form  to  the  source 
material  and  preserved  the  annalistic  structure  of  the  London  civic  chroni- 
cles, which  also  provided  the  raw  material  for  the  1419  and  1430  JP  con- 
tinuations. Yet  the  surviving  texts  of  the  JP:C  continue  the  narrative  further 
(1434,  1445)  than  the  more  literary  Brut  continuations  (1419,  1430),  and  it 
is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  had  this  extra  information  been  available  to  the 
compilers  of  the  1419  and  1430  continuations,  they  would  have  used  it.  Like 
the  1419  and  the  1430  continuations,  the  JP:C  texts,  although  based  on 
common  sources,  were  largely — though  probably  not  entirely — independent 
adaptations  of  the  source  material. 

The  common  sources  for  the  various  groups  are  clearly  to  be  sought  in 
the  London  City  Chronicles.  Although  a  single  original  source  does  not 
seem  to  have  survived,  there  are  sufficient  agreements  and  disagreements  in 
the  extant  civic  chronicles  to  show  that  there  once  existed  chronicles  that 
provided  the  raw  material  for  the  Brut  continuations.^  The  developing  rela- 
tionship may  have  occurred  as  follows. 

The  1419(men)  continuation  was  principally  taken  from  a  London  civic 
chronicle-'  and  from  John  Page's  poem  (adapted  into  prose).'*  To  the  primary 
civic  chronicle  source  a  continuation  to  1430  was  added,^  and  the  compiler 
of  the  CV-1430  JP:A  continuation  reverted  to  it  for  his  material,  which  he 
converted  into  a  form  analogous  to  the  customary  Brut  text.  Thus  he  omit- 
ted the  names  of  mayors  and  sheriflfs  and  presented  his  continuation  in 
chapters,  with  headings  taken  from  existing  1419  continuations  as  far  as 
possible.^ 

A  further  addition  to  the  primary  source  London  civic  chronicle,  in  one 
copy  or  another,  appears  to  have  brought  it  to  1434,  and  this  stage  is  now 
represented  by  the  text  in  CUL  Hh.6.9.  This  continuation  is  less  an  adapta- 
tion to  Brut  form  than  a  mere  transcription  of  selected  passages  inserted 
primarily  to  bring  the  narrative  up  to  date  without  any  artistic  or  literary 
pretensions.  There  are  some  attempts  to  accommodate  the  form  to  that  of 


154 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


the  Brut  by  introducing  some  chapter  headings  and  numbers,  but  the  civic 
provenance  is  betrayed  by  the  names  of  the  mayors  and  sheriffs  and  by  the 
typical  civic  chronicle  opening-phrase  "And  in  this  same  yere,"  which  opens 
a  great  number  of  notices  of  individual  events/ 

The  closeness,  if  not  identity,  of  the  chronicle  sources  of  the  1430  con- 
tinuation and  of  the  continuation  in  the  JP:C  (here  quoted  from  CUL 
Hh.6.9)  can  be  seen  in  the  following  extracts  (quoted  from  Brie): 


(a)  And  also  in  the  same  yere, 
betwene  Cristemesse  and  Candil- 
masse,  the  toune  of  Milon  was 
yolden  to  the  Kynge;  and  all  the 
cheueteynys,  with  the  soudiourys, 
were  taken,  and  led  to  the  Cite  of 
Paris  in  the  croke  of  the  mone, 
they  myght  sey;  for  of  hem  ther 
scapid  thens  but  a  fewe  on  lyue. 
[1430  JP:A  cont.:  Brie  427/24- 
28] 


And  in  this  same  yere,  And  in  {)e 
yere  of  grace  a  M^  IIII'^  XX",  by- 
twene  Cristemesse  and  Candil- 
masse,  the  Towne  of  Milloyne 
was  yolden  vp  to  the  Kynge;  And 
all  {)e  Chiftains,  with  J)e  Soul- 
deours,  were  take  and  ledde  to  {)e 
Cite  of  Parys,  "in  J)e  Croke  of  |)e 
mone,"  J)ei  may  say  for  theme; 
ffor  {)er  escapede  fro  thens  of 
{)eme  but  a  fewe  on  lyue,  for  J)ei 
of  Paris  did  theme  to  dethe. 
[CUL  Hh.6.9:  Brie  440/10-15] 


(b) 


How  that  there  ffiU  grete  habun- 
daunce  off  Rayn;  And  how  dyuers 
sowdiourz  went  ouer  the  see. 


And  also  in  this  same  yere  fro  the 
begynnynge  of  the  monythe  of 
Appryell  into  the  feste  of  All- 
Haloue,  was  so  grete  haboun- 
dance  of  Reyne,  where-thorough 
not  only  heigh  was  distroyid,  but 
also  all  maner  of  cornys,  for  it 
reynyd  almoste  euyry  othir  day, 
more  or  lesse,  durynge  the  tyme 
aforeseid.  [1430  JP:A  cont.:  Brie 
435/6-10] 


And  in  this  same  yere,  8c  in  J)e 
yere  of  grace  M'  III?  XXVII, 
from  ^e  begynnyng  of  J)e  moneth 
of  Aprile  vnto  the  feste  of  All 
Halowen,  was  so  abundaunce  of 
Rayn  that,  not  only  hay  was  di- 
stroied,  but  Also  all  maner  of 
Cornes;  for  it  Raynede  all-moste 
euery  day,  more  or  lesse,  duryng 
this  terme  a-for-said.  [CUL  Hh. 
6.9:  Brie  442/8-14] 


Since  he  believed  that  the  common  source  of  CUL  Hh.6.9  and  of  TCC 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 155 

0.9.1  was  a  London  chronicle  ending  in  1445,  Brie  was  unable  to  explain 
why  the  latter  text  should  end  eleven  years  later  than  the  former.^  Various 
explanations  are  possible. 

It  is,  for  example,  possible  that  all  three  extant  texts  of  the  JP:C  were 
copied  from  a  text  ending  in  1445,  through  at  least  one  intermediate  stage 
(to  account  for  agreements  that  each  text  has  with  each  of  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  group),  but  that  CUL  Hh.6.9  was  not  completed. 

Assuming,  however,  that  this  manuscript  is  in  fact  complete,  then  a  plaus- 
ible genesis  may  be  that  it  was  copied  from  an  earlier  stage  of  the  text  that 
ended  in  1434  but  which  later  received  a  continuation  to  1445.  Again,  at 
least  one  intermediate  text  must  have  intervened  between  the  original  com- 
pilation and  the  existing  witnesses,  as  textual  agreements  show,  exempUfied 
in  the  following  notice  for  1432-33  from  the  three  texts: 

Off  a  gen[er]all  counsell  hold  by3ond  the  see  ffor  to  destroie  eretikes 
&.  lollardes.  Capitulo  ij*^  iiij"  xiij°. 

And  in  J)is  same  yer  anone  aftir  Cristemesse  \>e  grete  convocation  &. 
consaill  of  all  J)e  landes  of  Cristeiance  of  all  \>e  spiritualte  8c  tem- 
porallte  and  of  all  seculer  lordes  and  clerkis  J)at  is  to  say  bisshoppis  8c 
other  was  holden  8c  begonne  in  ^e  citie  of  Basile  in  Ducheland  for  to 
make  peace  8c  vnite  betwix  all  Cristen  peple  8c  for  to  destroie 
heretikes  8c  heresie  pat  now  reigneth  amonge  the  peple.  [CUL 
Hh.6.9:  cf  Brie  466  n.  2] 

Of  a  grete  conuocacion  holde  at  Basyle  yn  Duchelande  of  alle 
Crystyn  landys. 

And  in  J)is  same  yere  anone  after  Crystemas  pt  gret  conuocacion  and 
counceyle  off  all  \>e  lande  off  Crystyanyte  and  also  of  oJ)er  seculer 
lordes  and  clerkes  pat  is  to  say  bysschops  and  othre  was  holdyn  and 
bygunne  in  J)e  cyte  off  Basyle  in  Duchelande  ffor  to  make  vnyte  and 
pees  amonge  all  Crystyn  pepyl  and  for  to  distroye  heretykes  and 
heresy  pat  now  regnyth  amonge  pe  pepyl.  [Chicago  254,  fol.  138v] 

And  in  this  same  yere,  anon  after  Cristmasse,  the  grete  conuocacion 
and  consayle  of  all  the  landes  in  Cristendom,  and  also  of  all  oJ)er 
seculer  lordes,  and  Clerkes, — J)at  is  to  say,  Bisshoppis  and  other 
[other  which  MS.]  consayle  began  in  the  Cite  of  Basyle  in  Duche- 
lande, for  to  make  vnite  and  peas  emong  all  Cristen  peple,  and  for  to 


156 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

destroye  heretikes  and  erresye  J)at  then  reigned  emong  the  peple. 
[TCC  0.9.1:  Brie  466/3-8] 

Individual  readings  show  the  closeness  of  the  three  texts  but  also  illustrate 
that  none  seem  to  be  derived  directly  from  any  other. 

Two  points  in  the  passage  last  quoted  deserve  separate  comment.  First, 
the  headings  in  CUL  Hh.6.9  and  Chicago  254  indicate  a  primitive  attempt 
at  assimilation  to  the  normal  Brut  format.  Second,  the  use  of  "now"  in  CUL 
Hh.6.9  suggests  that  the  original  JP:C  text  may  have  been  written  around 
that  date,  that  is,  in  1434-35  (the  reading  being  simply  retained  in  a  text 
continued  to  1445  and  thus  occurring  in  Chicago  254),  whereas  the  use  of 
"then"  in  TCC  0.9.1  is  consonant  with  a  suggested  date  of  writing  some 
eleven  years  later,  that  is,  in  1445-46. 


^  Huscher,  who  did  not  have  access  to  Chicago  254  (olim  Quaritsch),  concludes  that 
neither  CUL  Hh.6.9  nor  TCC  0.9.1  is  a  copy  of  the  other  {Siege  of  Rouen,  p.  36). 
^  The  relationship  among  the  extant  texts  of  the  London  chronicles  is  highly  complex, 
more  so  than  Kingsford  concluded  {English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  75-107);  see  Mc- 
Laren, "Textual  Transmission,"  pp.  38-72  (for  the  texts  of  the  present  Brut  group,  see  pp. 
41,  70-71  n.  25).  Thomas  and  Thornley,  eds.,  Great  Chronicle,  pp.  xviii  ff ,  see  each  text 
as  more  or  less  an  independent  production,  drawing  selectively  upon  common  sources  and 
upon  one  another.  Many  such  texts  have  clearly  been  lost. 

^  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  76  and  292,  argues  that  some  texts  ended  at 
1417  and  1419. 

■*  It  is  possible  that  John  Page's  poem,  in  its  revised  form,  was  included  in  some  lost  Lon- 
don City  Chronicle  source,  since  three  Brut  continuations  that  used  that  common  source 
include  the  poem  in  some  form,  whether  in  prose  adaptation  or  in  verse.  However, 
Kingsford  points  out  the  paucity  of  poems  in  the  extant  texts  of  London  chronicles 
{Chrons.  London,  pp.  xxv-xxvi).  The  inclusion  of  Page's  poem  in  the  CV-1430  JP:A  may 
have  influenced  the  compilers  of  the  JP:C. 

^  There  is  some  evidence  that  one  version  of  a  London  chronicle  ended  in  1430;  sec 
Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  77,  80,  82-86. 
6  See  pp.  138-42. 

^  The  phrase  is  found,  though  more  sparingly,  in  the  more  literary  continuations  based  on 
London  chronicles. 

8  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  90-91  (read  "1445"  for  "1345"  on  p.  90).  Brie  had  not 
seen  the  Chicago  text.  The  extant  London  chronicle  text  to  which  the  Brut  continuations 
are  most  closely  related  is  found  in  BL  Harley  540,  transcribed  by  John  Stow,  which  be- 
gins imperfectly  in  1421  and  ends  in  1447;  see  McLaren,  "Textual  Transmission,"  p.  66, 
and  the  short  extract  in  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  295-96. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION  157 

The  Common  Version  to  1461  (CV-1461) 

The  final  group  of  texts  in  the  Common  Version  contains  the  Cadwallader 
episode,  Queen  Isabella's  letter,  "The  Description  of  Edward  III,"  and  a 
continuation  that  takes  the  narrative  from  the  end  of  the  siege  of  Rouen  in 
1419  to  the  year  1461  but  omits  the  "5w"  heading.  The  CV-1461  can  be 
considered  the  culmination  of  the  main  tradition  of  the  Common  Version 
in  that  it  presents  the  fullest  form  of  the  text  taken  to  the  latest  date. 
However,  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  CV-1461  developed  from  a  sub- 
group of  those  texts  that  ended  in  1419(r&g) — the  CV-1419(r&g):B,  sub- 
group (c),  represented  by  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(1)  (which,  coinci- 
dentally,  received  in  its  turn  an  incomplete  addition  from  the  continuation 
to  1461). 

The  continuation  from  1419  to  1461  appears  in  William  Caxton's  editio 
princeps  of  the  Bruty  under  the  title  of  The  Chronicles  of  England  {14S0),  and 
was  probably  compiled  by  him  (see  Remarks  on  the  CV-1461  below).  The 
only  complete  manuscript  written  in  a  single  hand  that  contains  the  1461 
continuation  is  BL  MS.  Addit.  10099.  Incomplete  texts  of  the  1461  con- 
tinuation are  appended  to  texts  of  various  groups  in  MSS.  Glasgow  Hunter- 
ian  74,  Glasgow  Hunterian  228,  Bodl.  Rawlinson  poet.  32,  Lambeth  264, 
Huntington  HM  136,  and  Harvard  530.  BL  Cotton  Claudius  A.viii  con- 
tains an  extract  covering  the  reign  of  Henry  V.  (A  section  of  the  1461  con- 
tinuation also  appears  in  the  Poly.  1461  W.C;  see  the  following  group.) 


85.  "The  Cronicles  of  Englond"  (Caxton,  1480)^ 

Preface:  In  the  yere  of  th'yncarnacion  of  our  lord  Ihesu  Crist  M  CCCC  Ixxx 
and  in  the  xx  yere  of  the  regne  of  kyng  Edward  the  fourthe  atte  requeste 
of  dyuerce  gentilmen  I  haue  endeuourd  me  to  enprinte  the  cronicles  of 
Englond  as  in  this  booke  shall  by  the  suffraunce  of  God  folowe.  And  to 
th'ende  that  euery  man  may  see  and  shortly  fynde  suche  mater  as  it  shall 
plese  hym  to  see  or  rede  I  haue  ordeyned  a  table  of  the  maters  shortly 
compiled  6c  chapitred  as  here  shall  folowe  which  booke  begynneth  at  Al- 
byne  how  she  with  her  susters  fonde  this  land  first  &  named  it  Albion  &, 
endeth  at  the  beginnyng  of  the  regne  of  our  said  souerain  lord  kyng  Ed- 
ward the  iiij. 

Tahie  of  contents  begins:  First  in  the  prologue  is  conteyned  how  Albyne  with 
hir  sustres  entred  into  this  ile  and  named  it  Albyon. 

Table  of  contents  ends:  Of  the  deposicion  of  Igmg  Harry  the  sixthe  and  how 
l<yng  Edward  the  fourth  toke  possession  of  the  reame  and  of  the  bataille 


158 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

on  Palme  Sonday  and  how  he  was  crouned.  Capitulo  cc  Ixiij  &,  vltimo. 
Heading:  How  the  lande  of  Englonde  was  fyrst  namd  Albyon  and  by  what 

encheson  it  was  so  namd. 
Begins:  [I]n  the  noble  lande  of  Sirrie  ther  was  a  noble  l^^ng  and  myhty  &.  a 

man  of  grete  renome  that  me  called  Dioclisian  that  well  and  worthely 

hym  gouerned  and  ruled  thurgh  hys  noble  chiualrie  so  that  he  conquered 

all  the  landes  about  hym  so  that  almost  al  the  lunges  of  the  world  to  hym 

were  entendant. 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  Description  of  Edward  III 
Omits:  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1419  to  1461:  And  than  the  kyng  entred  into  the  toune  and 

rested  hym  in  the  castell  till  the  toune  was  sette  in  rewle  and  in  gouern- 

aunce. 

How  the  kyng  of  Englond  was  made  heritier  8c  regent  of  Fraunce  and 
how  he  wedded  quene  Katherine.  Capitulo  CC  xlv. 

And  anone  after  that  Rone  was  goten  Depe  &  many  othir  tounes  in  baas 
Normandie  yaf  them  ouer  withoute  strok  or  siege  [cf.  Brie  391/14-16, 
491/1-5] 

Ends:  And  aboute  midsomer  after  the  yere  of  our  lord  M  cccc  Ix  and  the 
first  yere  of  his  regne  he  was  crouned  at  Westmynstre  8c  enoynted  kyng 
of  Englond  hauyng  the  hole  possession  of  all  the  hole  reame  whom  I  pray 
God  saue  8c  kepe  8c  sende  hym  the  accomplisshement  of  the  remenaunt 
of  his  rightfuU  enheritaunce  beyonde  the  see  8c  that  he  may  regne  in 
them  to  the  playsir  of  Almyghty  God  helthe  of  his  soule  honour  8c  wur- 
ship  in  this  present  lyfe  8c  well  8c  proufytt  of  alle  his  subgettis  8c  that 
ther  may  be  a  verray  fmall  pees  in  all  Cristen  reames  that  the  infidelis  8c 
mysscreauntes  may  be  withstanden  8c  destroied  8c  our  faith  enhannced 
which  in  thise  dayes  is  sore  mynusshed  by  the  puissaunce  of  the  Turkes 
8c  hethen  men  and  that  after  this  present  8c  short  lyfe  we  may  come  to 
the  euerlasting  lyfe  in  the  blisse  of  heuen.  Amen. 

Colophon:  Thus  endeth  this  present  booke  of  the  cronicles  of  Englond  en- 
printed  by  me  William  Caxton  in  th'abbey  of  Westmynstre  by  London. 
Fynysshid  and  accomplisshid  the  x  day  of  luyn  the  yere  of  th'incarnacion 
of  our  lord  God  M  CCCC  Ixxx  and  in  the  xx  yere  of  the  regne  of  kyng 
Edward  the  fourth. 

Remarks:  To  the  1419(r8cg)  ending,  the  text  is  of  the  type  of  Huntington 
HM  136(1),  which  contains  a  similar  combination  of  features.^  As  in  that 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 159 

manuscript,  a  separate  chapter  heading  and  number  (also  listed  in  the  table 
of  contents)  occur  for  the  array  of  the  Scottish  army  at  Halidon  Hill:  "This 
was  the  aray  of  the  Scottes  how  that  they  comen  in  batailles  ayens  the  ij 
Igmges  of  Englond  and  Scotland.  In  the  vauntward  of  Scotland  were  these 
lordes.  Capitulo  ducendesimo  xxiiij." 

This  edition  of  1480  formed  the  basis  for  all  subsequent  printed  editions 
(see  pp.  339-48  below). 


^  For  a  typographical  description,  see  William  Blades,  The  Life  and  Typography  cf  William 
Caxton,  2  vols.  (1863;  rpt.  New  York,  n.d.),  2:  109-11.  The  Chronicles  of  England  are 
often  found  bound  with  The  Description  of  England  {finished  August  18,  1480),  an  extract 
from  John  Trevisa's  translation  of  the  Poly chron icon,  in  the  preface  to  which  Caxton  notes: 
"Hit  is  so  that  in  many  and  dyuerse  places  the  comyn  Cronycles  of  Englonde  ben  hadde 
and  also  now  late  enprynted  at  Westmynstre." 
^  See  item  61. 


86.  BL  MS.  Additional  10099^ 

Tai/e  of  contents  begins  on  fol.  1\  31  sustres  [marg.]  Fyrst  in  J)e  prologue  is 
conteyned  how  Albyne  with  h[.]r  sustres  entred  into  Jjis  land  &,  named  it 
Albyon. 

Tab/e  of  contents  ends  on  fol.  8:  Ed.  iiij'"*  [^arg.]  Of  f)e  deposicion  of  king 
Henry  pe  sixt.  And  how  king  Edward  pe  fourt  toke  possession  of  J)e 
realm  &  of  pe  batail  of  Palme  Sonday  &  of  his  coronacion. 

Heading  on  fol.  11:  How  pt  land  of  England  was  first  named  Albion  and  by 
what  encheson  it  was  so  named. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Surry  ptt  was  a  noble  kyng  and  a  man  of  gret 
renown  that  men  callid  Dioclician  that  wel  &  worthely  gouerned  him  &, 
keped  him  thorow  his  noble  chivalry  so  p2X  he  conquered  al  J)e  landes 
about  him  so  p2X  almoste  al  pt  kynges  of  ^e  world  to  him  wer  entendant. 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  Description  of  Edward  III 

Omits:  "5w"  heading 

Changeover,  1419  to  1461:  And  jjan  pt  king  entred  into  pt  town  &  rested 
him  in  pt  castell  til  pt  town  was  sett  in  rewl  &  gouernance. 

How  {)e  l^^ng  of  Englond  Henry  pt  v'^  was  made  heritier  8c  regent  of 
Fraunce  &  how  he  weddid  quene  Katerine.  Capitulo  CCxlv. 

[A] none  after  pzx  Rone  was  goten  Depe  &  many  other  townes  in  baas 


160 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Normandie  yafe  J)ame  ouer  without  stroke  or  siege  when  pei  vnderstode 
J)at  Jje  l<yng  had  goten  Rone. 
Ends  onfol.  203:  which  in  thise  dayes  is  sore  mynushed  by  J)e  puissaunce  of 
J)e  Turkes  6c  hethen  men  and  Jjat  after  J)is  present  &  short  life  we  may 
come  to  J)e  euerlastyng  life.  Amen.  Explicit. 

Remarks:  Fol.  9v  contains  historical  notes  in  Latin.  Fol.  lOv  contains  a  set 
of  Latin  verses  and  a  mnemonic  verse  on  the  kings  of  England  up  to  Henry 
VIL 

After  the  Brut  text  occur  a  number  of  short  items:  (1)  fols.  203v-204  were 
originally  blank;  fol.  204  contains  Elizabethan  notes  on  the  accessions  of  the 
monarchs  from  Edward  IV  to  Elizabeth,  "whome  God  longe  preserue";  (2) 
fol.  204v:  Latin  notes  on  the  kings  and  their  coronations  from  William  the 
Conqueror  to  Henry  III  and  on  the  election  of  Thomas  Warthel  to  the 
abbacy  of  Westminster;  (3)  fols.  205-210v:  a  tripartite,  English  treatise  (also 
found  in  BL  Harley  2252,  fol.  51v)  on  Edward  IVs  claim  to  the  crowns  of 
England,  France,  "castel  legiounes,"  and  Normandy,  from  A.D.  876  to  Ed- 
ward III;  the  text  refers  to  Edward  IV  as  the  current  king  and  ends  with  the 
initials  "T.  B."  (see  below);  (4)  fol.  210v  also  contains  several  of  the  provi- 
sions of  the  Treaty  of  Picquigny  (August  29,  1475),  including  the  proposed 
marriage  of  Edward  IVs  daughter  Elizabeth  to  the  Dauphin  and  an  annual 
jointure  of;C60,000^;  (5)  fols.  211-212v:  thirteen  disarranged  stanzas  of  Lyd- 
gate's  "Dietary,"  here  entitled  "Doctrina  sana,"  ending  with  the  reversed 
name  Thomas  Burton;  (6)  fols.  213-226v:  extracts  from  various  chapters  of 
the  Latin  Polychronicon,  beginning  in  book  1,  chapter  36  ("Giraldus 
refert . . .");  (7)  fols.  227-233v:  a  Latin  charter,  dated  at  Roxburgh,  January 
25,  1355,  from  Edward  Balliol,  King  of  Scots,  to  Edward  III  of  England, 
granting  Edward  Ill's  overlordship;  (8)  fols.  234v-235v:  a  letter,  dated  at 
Ramsey,  March  7,  1301,  from  Edward  I  to  Pope  Boniface  VIII,  concerning 
Edward's  right  to  the  kingdom  of  Scotland;  and  (9)  fols.  236-246v:  an 
alphabetical  index  to  the  Polychronicon,  headed  "Tabula  super  Policronicon." 

The  manuscript  is  on  paper  to  fol.  204  and  on  vellum  thereafter.  It  is 
written  in  an  unprofessional  hand,  which  may  also  be  responsible  for  the 
historical  notes  (except  for  the  Elizabethan  notes  on  fol.  204). 

Item  (3)  was  probably  composed  before  Edward  IVs  French  expedition 
of  1475  and  item  (4)  deals  with  the  resulting  treaty  toward  the  end  of  that 
year.  This  need  not  imply,  however,  that  the  manuscript  was  written  before 
1480  (the  date  of  Caxton's  edition),  though,  given  the  inclusion  of  these 
items,  it  was  probably  written  before  Edward's  death  on  April  9,  1483.  First, 
the  terms  of  the  treaty  were  not  made  widely  public  in  1475.^^  Second,  the 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 161 

proposed  marriage  became  a  central  issue  in  diplomatic  negotiations  between 
1479  and  1481  between  England,  France,  and  Burgundy,  though  any  possi- 
bility of  it  taking  place  was  destroyed  by  the  Treaty  of  Arras  (December  23, 
1482)  between  France  and  Burgundy,  which  included  an  agreement  that  the 
Dauphin  should  marry  Margaret  of  Austria.'* 

The  manuscript  belonged  to  Leonard  Beckwith  in  1634. 


'  See  Peter  Brown  and  Elton  D.  Higgs,  The  Index  of  Middle  English  Prose.  Handlist  V:  A 

Handlist  of  Manuscripts  Containing  Middle  English  Prose  in  the  Additional  Collection 

(10001-14000),  British  Library,  London  (Cambridge,  1988),  pp.  10-12.  The  1419-1461 

continuation  is  printed  in  Brie  491-533. 

^  See  Charles  Ross,  Edward  IV  (Berkeley  and  Los  Angeles,  1974),  p.  233. 

^  See  Ross,  Edward  IV,  p.  236  and  n.  1. 

*  See  Ross,  Edward  IV,  pp.  253-55,  284,  292. 


87.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  74(2)^ 

Fourth  scribe  begins  on  fol.  113:  And  moche  people  slayne  dyuerse  tymes 

wyth  gonnes  quarelles  and  other  ordynaunce  [Brie  390/29-30] 
Changeover,  1419  to  1461:  tyll  the  towne  was  sett  in  mile  &  in  gouernaunce. 

And  anone  after  Jjat  Roone  was  gotten  Depe  &  many  other  townes  in  the 
Basse  Normandy  gaue  them  ouer  wythowt  stroke  or  seyge 
Ends  imperfectly:  he  shulde  not  seke  none  occasiouns  for  to  entre  into  such 
matters  &  |)en  [Brie  495/11-12] 

Remarks:  The  fourth  scribe,  who  belongs  to  the  late  fifteenth  or  early  six- 
teenth century,  continues  immediately  after  the  1419(men)  ending.  Spaces 
are  left  for  the  chapter  headings. 

*  For  (1),  see  item  68. 


88.  BL  MS.  Cotton  Claudius  A.vm^ 

Heading  on  fol.  2:  The  cronycle  of  l^Tig  Henry  the  v  that  was  kyng  Henries 

sone. 
Begins:  And  after  the  deth  of  kyng  Henry  the  iiij*  [Brie  373/3] 
Changeover,  1419  to  1461:  tyll  the  toune  was  sett  in  rewle  and  in  gouern- 
aunce. 


162 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

How  the  kyng  of  England  was  made  hertier  and  regent  of  Fraunce  and 
howe  he  wedded  quene  Katerine.  Capitulo  CC  xlv. 

And  anone  after  that  Rone  was  goten  Depe  and  many  othir  tounes  in 
Baas  Normandye  yaf  hem  ouer  withoute  stroke  or  seige 
Ends  onfol.  12:  on  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  [Brie  496/32-33] 

Remarks:  That  this  extract,  which  covers  the  reign  of  Henry  V,  is  taken  from 
a  complete  text  is  shown  by  the  chapter  number  in  the  heading  of  the  first 
chapter  of  the  1461  continuation,  quoted  above  (cf  Brie  491/1-3  and  n.  1). 


'  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2633-34,  for  this  and  other  biographies  of  Henry  V. 


89.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  228(2)^ 

Second  scribe  begins  onfol.  149v:  How  the  kyng  of  Englond  was  made  heritor 
\changedjrom  herityer]  and  regent  of  Fraunce  and  how  he  wedded  quene 
Kateryne.  Capitulo  CC  xlv°. 

[A]nd  anone  after  that  Rone  was  gotyn  Depe  and  many  other  tounes  in 
Baas  Normandye  yaf  them  ouer  withoute  stroke  or  siege 
Ends  imperfectly:  Vltima  conseptam  denunciat  esse  Mariam  [Brie  495/32] 

Remarks:  The  unprofessional  hand  is  of  the  late  fifteenth  century.  The  text 
agrees  with  that  of  Caxton's  1482  edition  of  the  Chronicles  of  England. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  45. 


90.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(3)^ 

1461  continuation  begins  onfol.  151:  How  kyng  Henry  the  vj  regned  beyng 
a  childe  not  one  yere  of  age  and  of  the  bataill  of  Vernoill  in  Perche. 

Affter  l^^ng  Henry  the  v  regned  Henry  his  sone  but  a  childe  and  not  fully 
a  yere  old  [Brie  497/1-5] 
Ends  onfol.  168:  And  that  after  this  present  8c  short  lyfe  we  may  come  to 
the  euerlastyng  lyfe  in  the  blisse  of  heuen.  Amen.  [Brie  533/30-31  and  n. 
10] 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 163 

Remarks:  The  continuation  to  1461  begins  with  its  third  chapter,  recounting 
the  accession  of  Henry  VI.  It  follows  immediately  upon  the  conclusion  of  a 
continuation  copied  from  the  PV-1422:A,  which  ends  with  the  death  of 
Henry  V.^  The  same  hand  that  finished  the  PV-1422:A  text  (the  last  of 
several  hands  that  wrote  the  composite  Brut  text),  beginning  at  the  top  of 
fol.  151,  was  also  responsible  for  the  1461  section. 


'  For  (1),  see  item  115;  for  (2),  see  item  160. 
2  See  pp.  271-77. 


91.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  264(2)^ 

New  scribe  begins  on  fol.  143:  How  l^^ng  Henry  the  vj***  regned  beyng  a 
childe  not  on  yere  of  age  and  of  {)e  bataille  of  Vernoill  in  Perche.  Capitu- 
lum  CC  xlvij. 

After  kyng  Henre  J)e  v  regned  Henry  his  sone  but  a  childe  &,  not  ftilly  a 

yere  olde  [Brie  497/1-5] 
Ends:  And  that  after  J)is  present  &  short  lyf  he  may  come  to  {)e  euerlastyng 

lyf  in  f)e  blisse  of  heuen.  Amen. 
Colophon:  Thus  endeth  J^is  present  booke  of  cronicles  of  Englond  wryten  by 

me  Thomas  Rydyng  J)e  iiij  day  of  Novembre  J)e  yere  of  our  lord  M 

CCCCC  X. 

Remarks:  Several  leaves  have  been  torn  out  between  the  end  of  the 
1419(men)  continuation  and  the  beginning  of  the  1461  continuation,  which 
begins  with  the  third  chapter.  The  sixteenth-century  writer,  Thomas  Ryd- 
yng, was  probably  also  the  owner.  His  colophon  is  modeled  on  Caxton's. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  28. 


92.  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(2)^ 

Second  scribe  begins  on  fol  156v:  [A]nd  anone  after  that  Rone  was  goten 
Depe  and  many  other  tounes  in  Baase  Normandie  yaf  them  over  with- 
owte  stroke  or  siege  [Brie  491/4-5] 

Ends  imperfectly  on  fol  158:  [A]fter  kynge  Henry  the  v  regned  Henry  his 


164 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

sone  but  a  childe  and  not  fully  a  yere  olde  whos  regne  begane  the  first 
day  of  Septembre  [Brie  497/4-6] 

Remarks:  That  the  continuation,  which  is  written  in  a  neat  fifteenth-century 
hand,  ends  at  the  foot  of  the  recto  of  a  leaf  shows  that  it  was  not  completed. 
Spaces  are  left  blank  for  chapter  headings. 


^  For  (1),  including  early  owners  of  the  manuscript,  see  item  61.  See  Dutschke,  Guide,  2: 
181-83. 


93.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  530(2)^ 

Heading  onfol.  204:  Howe  the  kyng  of  Englond  was  made  heriter  &  regent 

of  Fraunce  6c  howe  he  weddid  qwene  Kateryn. 
Begins:  and  anone  after  that  Rone  was  goten  Depe  8c  many  other  townes  in 

Baas  Normandy  yaf  them  over  withowte  stroke  [Brie  491/1-5] 
Ends  imperfectly  onfol.  21  Iv:  certeyn  shyppes  la[ . . .  ]  with  rye  which  eaysyd 

&,  dyd  moch  gode  to  the  peple  ffor  come  was  so  skarse  yn  Englond  that 

[Brie  507/24-26] 

Remarks:  The  1419  to  1461  continuation,  which  includes  chapter  headings 
but  not  numbers,  is  added  in  a  late-fifteenth-century  hand  that  does  not 
appear  elsewhere  in  the  manuscript.  This  hand  cannot,  of  course,  be  that  of 
John  Shirley,  who  is  associated  with  the  manuscript,  since  Shirley  died  in 
1456.^  The  text  agrees  well  with  that  of  Caxton's  edition. 


*  For  (1),  see  item  146.  See  Voigts,  "Handlist,"  pp.  20-22. 

^  See  A.  I.  Doyle,  "More  Light  on  John  Shirley,"  Medium  jEvum  30  (1961):  93. 


Remarks  on  the  CV-1461 

There  is  strong  codicological  and  internal  evidence,  which  I  have  adduced  in 

detail  elsewhere,  to  suggest  that  William  Caxton  was  the  compiler  of  the 

continuation  from  1419  to  1461  and  that  the  manuscript  witnesses  are 

copied  either  from  his  printed  editions  or,  in  the  case  of  BL  Addit.  10099, 

perhaps  from  the  manuscript  exemplar  that  Caxton  had  prepared  for  his 

compositor.^ 

There  is  no  evidence  that  a  manuscript  tradition  lies  behind  the  continu- 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 165 

ation  from  1419  to  1461.  In  Huntington  HM  136,  Glasgow  Hunterian  74, 
Lambeth  264,  Glasgow  Hunterian  228,  and  Harvard  Eng.  530,  the  continu- 
ation is  appended  by  later  scribes  to  texts  belonging  to  various  groups.  The 
short  additions  in  Glasgow  Hunterian  74,  Huntington  HM  136,  and  Glas- 
gow Hunterian  228  were  possibly  never  finished;  the  text  of  the  last  agrees 
with  that  found  in  Caxton's  second  edition  of  the  Chronicles  of  England 
(1482).  The  late  copy  in  Lambeth  264,  incomplete  at  the  beginning,  is 
clearly  taken  from  Caxton. 

BL  Cotton  Claudius  A.viii  presents  itself  as  a  biography  of  Henry  V.  It 
is  not,  however,  an  independent  work  but  a  close  copy  of  Caxton's  printed 
text  covering  the  reign  of  that  king. 

The  continuation  in  Bodl.  Rawlinson  poet.  32  follows  upon  a  continu- 
ation that  ends  with  the  death  of  Henry  V  in  1422  and,  like  Lambeth  264, 
begins  with  the  third  chapter.  The  text  corresponds  almost  exactly  to  Cax- 
ton's, and  it  ends  with  the  prayer  for  Edward  IV. 

The  Brut  text  in  BL  Addit.  10099  is  written  in  a  single  hand  and  is  the 
only  manuscript  that  contains  the  full  continuation.  Both  content  and  word- 
ing correspond  almost  exactiy  to  those  found  in  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  Eng- 
land. It  also  contains  a  table  of  contents  similar  to  that  in  the  print  where 
Caxton  seems  to  claim  this  feature  as  his  own  contribution. 

A  verbal  comparison  with  the  London  civic  chronicle  sources  for  the  1419 
to  1461  continuation  shows  that  BL  Addit.  10099  could  not  be  the  exem- 
plar for  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England.  It  also  shows  that  BL  Addit.  10099 
cannot  simply  be  a  copy  from  the  print.  There  is  evidence  that  some  copies 
of  texts  printed  by  Caxton  were  made  from  the  manuscript  exemplars  pre- 
pared for  the  press  rather  than  from  the  printed  books  themselves.  The 
more  handsome  of  these  were  probably  intended  as  presentation  copies  for 
royal  or  noble  patrons,  but  more  ordinary-looking  manuscripts  of  this  type 
presumably  had  less  lofty  purposes  or  recipients,  perhaps  of  the  merchant 
class.  It  is  likely  that  BL  Addit.  10099  falls  into  the  latter  category.^ 

The  major  source  of  the  continuation  was  a  civic  chronicle  of  London, 
supplemented  by  material  from  the  Fasciculus  temporum  of  Werner  Role- 
vidnck,  first  officially  published  in  Cologne  in  1474  and  in  Louvain  in  1475 
by  Johan  Veldener,  who  had  been  Caxton's  printing  master  and  business 
associate.  An  addition  to  the  notice  of  the  invention  of  printing  around 
1456  suggests  that  printed  books  were  easily  available  and  cheap  in  England. 
This  notice,  reminiscent  in  phrasing  of  Caxton's  Advertisement  of  ca.  1477, 
probably  refers  to  the  situation  after  Caxton's  introduction  of  printing  to 
England  in  the  1470s.  The  concluding  prayer  for  Edward  IV  contains  topi- 


166 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

cal  allusions  appropriate  to  the  year  1480,  and  many  of  the  phrases  used 
therein  are  paralleled  or  echoed  in  other  such  prayers  or  dedicatory  epilogues 
by  Caxton. 


^  See  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  594-601,  610-13,  on  which  the  present 
Remarks  on  the  CV-1461  are  based.  The  addition  of  Harvard  Eng.  530,  which  agrees 
with  Caxton's  printed  text,  does  not  alter  the  arguments  presented  therein. 
^  In  addition  to  the  examples  and  references  given  in  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  p. 
598  n.  21,  see  also  N.  F.  Blake,  "Manuscript  to  Print,"  in  N.  F.  Blake,  William  Caxton 
and  English  Literary  Culture  (London  and  Rio  Grande,  1991),  pp.  287-90,  294-303. 


Manuscripts  containing  the  Polychronicon  1461  continuation 
and  associated  with  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle  (Poly.  1461  W.C.) 

Three  manuscripts,  Peterhouse  190,  Glasgow  Hunterian  83,  and  BL  Harley 
3730,  form  a  closely  linked  group  that  illustrates  in  a  striking  way  the 
methods  open  to  a  medieval  scribe  who  wished  to  assemble  a  composite 
text.  These  manuscripts  contain  a  continuation  from  1419  to  1461  (Poly. 
1461)  formed  by  combining  sections  of  text  copied  first  from  Caxton's 
printed  Chronicles  of  England  and  then  from  the  Liber  ultimus,  which  was 
compiled  by  Caxton  to  complete  his  1482  edition  of  the  Polychronicon.  In 
the  two  complete  manuscripts,  this  composite  continuation  is  followed  by  a 
short  chronicle  once  attributed  to  John  Warkworth  (W.C.).^ 

The  first  section  of  Caxton's  Liber  ultimus,  from  1358  to  the  end  of  the 
siege  of  Rouen  in  1419,  is  itself  partly  based  on  a  Brut  text  ending  in  1419, 
quite  possibly  the  1480  edition  of  the  Chronicles  of  England,  supplemented 
from  a  copy  of  a  London  civic  chronicle  and  from  other  sources.^  In  general, 
the  Brut  text  is  followed  more  closely  in  the  earlier  parts  of  this  section,  per- 
haps because  the  civic  chronicle  and  the  other  sources  were  not  as  fiiU  for 
this  period.  As  the  supplementary  sources  became  fuller,  Caxton  relied  on 
them  more  and  he  made  a  number  of  compensatory  abbreviations  in  the 
Brut  text.  Thus,  for  example,  the  whole  story  of  the  siege  of  Rouen  is  sum- 
marized as  follows  before  the  text  begins  to  correspond  to  that  of  the  con- 
tinuation to  1461  found  in  the  Chronicles  of  England: 

In  the  syxthe  yere  the  kyng  besyeged  the  cyte  of  Roan  whiche 
endured  half  yere  and  more.  And  atte  laste  the  cyte  beyng  in  grete 
famyne  putte  oute  moche  peple  as  women  and  children  whiche  deyde 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 167 

for  honger  moo  than  thyrtty  thousand  8c  also  seyng  that  noo 
rescowse  cam  appoynted  with  the  kyng  &  gaf  ouer  the  toun  vnto 
hym  which  he  receyued.  And  anone  after  that  Roan  was  goten  Deepe 
and  many  other  tounes  in  Baas  Normandye  gaf  them  ouer  withoute 
strook  or  syege  whanne  they  vnderstode  that  the  kynge  had  goten 
Roan. 

Capitulum  xv 

Also  this  same  yere  hadde  ben  a  pees  made  and  sworne  bytwene  the 
due  of  Burgoyne  and  the  dolphyn 

The  second  section  of  the  Liber  ultimus,  from  1419  to  1461,  is  essentially 
the  same  as  the  corresponding  section  in  the  earlier  volume,  with  spelling 
changes  and  minor  verbal  alterations  made  by  the  compositor.  Some  short 
passages  are  deleted  and  some  minor  additions  and  corrections  are  made  that 
are  occasionally  paralleled  in  the  surviving  London  chronicles,  and  this  part 
of  the  Liber  ultimus  could  well  have  been  set  up  from  a  marked-up  copy  of 
the  Chronicles  of  England.  The  text  ends  with  the  prayer  for  Edward  IV. 

The  chapters  of  the  Liber  ultimus  are  numbered  from  1  ("Capitulum  Pri- 
mum")  to  33  ("Capitulum  Trisesimum  Tercium").  Apart  from  the  natural 
chapters  provided  by  the  beginnings  of  the  reigns  of  Richard  II,  Henry  IV, 
and  Henry  V,  the  divisions  in  the  text  to  1419  do  not  correspond  to  those 
in  the  Chronicles  of  England.  After  1419,  however,  except  for  the  redivision 
for  chapter  15  quoted  above  (cf  Brie  491/1-8),  the  chapter  divisions  cor- 
respond, though  no  narrative  chapter  headings  are  used  throughout  the  Liber 
ultimus. 


^  See  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  601-610;  fuller  descriptions  of  the  manuscripts 
of  this  group  and  their  relationships  appear  in  my  new  edition  of  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle 
in  Lister  M.  Matheson,  ed.,  Death  and  Dissent:  Two  Fifteenth-Century  Chronicles  (Cam- 
bridge, 1998). 
^  For  a  full  account  of  Caxton's  sources,  see  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  603-607. 


94.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterl\n  83(2)^ 

Second  scribe  begins  onfol  128:  withoute  J)e  gates  ffor  spendyng  off  jjer  vitale. 
And  anone  our  Englisch  men  droff  them  into  the  tovn  agayn  [cf  Brie 
391/2-3] 


168 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

Changeover,  1419  to  Poly.  1461'.  And  then  J)e  kynge  entred  J)e  town  &  rested 
hym  in  the  castell  tyll  Jje  tovn  was  set  in  rewell  and  gouernaunce. 

How  the  kyng  off  Englond  was  made  heritier  and  regent  off  Fraunce  6c 
how  he  wedded  quene  Katerine.  Ca. 

And  anone  after  J)at  Roone  was  goten  Depe  &  many  o|)er  tovnes  in  Baas 

Normandy  yaf  them  ouer  without  strok  or  siege 
Poly.  1461  continuation  ends  imperfectly  on  fol.  140v:  Ageynste  whoos  com- 

ynge  the  duke  off  Northffolke  the  [cf  Brie  531/18] 
"Warkworth's"  ChxomcXt  begins  imperfectly  on  fol  141:  the  erle  off  Warwyke 

com  home  and  herd  her-off  then  was  he  gretely  displeysed 
"Warkworth's"  Chronicle  ends:  and  all  was  done  by  there  oune  foly  &c. 

Remarks:  To  the  original  Brut  text  the  second  scribe  has  prefixed  a  prologue 
taken  from  the  Saint  Albans  edition  of  the  Chronicles  of  England  {}14S3;  see 
item  205).  He  also  made  a  number  of  notes  on  the  text,  in  Latin  and  Eng- 
lish, throughout  the  manuscript,  and  he  may  also  have  inserted  chapter 
headings  throughout  the  text. 

The  scribe  may  have  paused  between  completing  the  narrative  to 
1419(r&g)  and  adding  the  Poly.  1461  W.C.  texts;  beginning  with  the  chap- 
ter heading  "How  the  kyng  of  England . . ."  (see  above),  the  ink  appears  dif- 
ferent and  the  writing  is  heavier  and  less  neat  on  fol.  128r. 

Starting  with  fol.  132,  many  of  the  pages  of  the  Poly.  1461  continuation 
have  Caxton's  heading  "Liber  Vltimus  (or  ultimus),"  and  a  number  also  in- 
clude the  corresponding  folio  number  from  the  printed  edition. 

The  leaf  is  missing  that  would  have  contained  the  end  of  the  Poly.  1461 
text  and  the  beginning  of  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle)  it  is  simply  a  chance  cor- 
respondence that  the  next  words  of  the  former  would  have  been  "erle  of 
Warwycke"  (Caxton,  Liber  ultimus)  whereas  the  first  words  of  the  latter  in 
the  manuscript  are  "the  erle  off  Warwyke."^ 


^  For  (1),  see  item  123. 

^  See  the  collation  in  J.  Young  and  P.  Henderson  Aitken,  y1  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts 

in  the  Library  of  the  Hunterian  Museum  in  the  University  of  Glasgow  (Glasgow,  1908),  p. 

88. 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 169 

95.  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  MS.  190(2)* 

Second  scribe  begins  on  fol.  196v\  and  quyte  hem  lyke  good  men  and  J)ei 

slewh  myche  peple  of  owrys  with  gonnes  and  quarelles  and  this  sege  en- 

duryd  xx  wel^^s  and  moor  [cf.  Brie  390/29-30] 
Changeover,  1419  to  Poly.  1461:  and  than  the  kynge  enteryd  the  towne  and 

restyd  hym  in  the  castell  tyll  {)e  towne  was  sette  in  reule  and  gouern- 

awnce. 

How  the  l^ge  of  Englond  was  made  herytier  and  regent  of  Fraunce  and 
he  wedde  quene  Kateryne. 

[A]nd  anone  after  that  Rone  was  geten  Deepe  and  many  other  townes 
and  Baas  Normandy  yaf  them  ouyr  withowte  stroke  or  sege 

Poly.  1461  continuation  ends  on  fol.  214v'.  And  the  fyrste  yer  of  his  regne 
aboute  mydsomer  after  J)e  yer  of  our  lorde  M'  CCCC  Ixj  he  was  crowned 
at  Westmynster  and  enyoynted  kyng  of  Englond  havyng  the  hole  possess- 
youn  of  alle  the  hool  reame  whom  I  pray  God  saue  and  kepe  and  sende 
hym  the  complyshment  of  the  remanent  of  ryghtfull  enherytaunce  wher 
so  euer  it  be  and  he  to  lyff  in  God  and  he  in  hym.  Amen. 

Colophon:  And  her  I  make  an  ende  of  this  lytell  werke  as  myche  as  I  can 
fynde  after  the  forme  of  the  werke  byfore  made  by  Ranulpd  monke  of 
Chester.  And  where  ther  is  ony  faught  I  beseche  them  that  schal  rede  it 
to  correcte  it  ffor  yf  I  cowed  haue  founde  moo  storyes  I  wold  haue  sett  in 
itt  moo  but  the  substaunce  that  I  can  fynde  and  knowe  I  haue  schortely 
seett  them  in  this  boke  to  the  entent  that  suche  thynges  as  haue  be  don 
sith  deyth  or  ende  of  the  same  booke  of  Polycronycoun  be  hade  in  re- 
memberaunce  and  not  putt  in  oblyuioun  ne  forgetynge.  Prayenge  alle 
them  that  schall  see  this  simple  werke  to  pardoun  my  symple  and  rude 
wrytynge.  Ended  the  secunde  day  of  Julij  the  xxij  yer  of  the  regne  of 
kynge  Edward  the  fourt  and  of  the  incarnacyoun  of  our  lorde  M'  CCCC 
iiij  score  and  tweyne.  Finysched  and  ended  after  the  copey  of  Caxton  then 
in  \ins.  above\  Westmynster. 

'Warkworth's"  Chronicle  begins  on  fol.  214v:  [A]s  for  alle  thynges  that  folowe 
referre  them  to  my  copey  in  whyche  is  wretyn  a  remanente  lyke  to  this 
forseyd  werke.  That  is  to  wytt  that  at  the  coronacyon  of  the  forseyde 
Edward  he  create  and  made  dukes  his  two  brythir 

"Warkworth's"  Chronicle  ends:  and  alle  was  doune  by  ther  owne  foly  Sec. 

Remarkr.  The  second  scribe  takes  the  narrative  from  the  original  ending  in 


170 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

1419(men)  to  1419(r&g)  and  then  writes  the  Poly.  1461  continuation  and 
"Warkworth's"  Chronicle. 

As  in  Glasgow  Hunterian  83,  the  Poly.  1461  section  retains  the  chapter 
numbers  of  the  Liber  ultimus.  The  prayer  for  Edward  IV  that  concludes  this 
section  (missing  in  the  Hunterian  manuscript)  is  abbreviated  compared  to 
Caxton's  original  text,  but,  apart  from  the  last  sentence,  the  colophon  is  that 
of  the  printed  text. 

The  manuscript  was  presented  to  Peterhouse  in  1481  by  John  Wark- 
worth,  master  of  the  college,  whose  note  of  presentation  and  anathema  ap- 
pears on  the  verso  of  the  front  flyleaf. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  24.  The  text  of  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle  is  printed  in  James  Orchard 
Halliwell,  ed.,  A  Chronicle  of  the  First  Thirteen  Years  of  the  Reign  of  King  Edward  the 
Fourth,  by  John  Warkworth,  D.D.,  Camden  Society  o.s.  1  (1839). 


96.  BL  MS.  Harley  3730(2)1 

Poly.  1461  continuation  begins  on  fol  106:  How  the  l^^ng  of  Englond  was 
made  heritier  and  regent  of  France  &c  how  he  wedde  quene  Katerine, 

[A]nd  anon  after  {)at  Roone  was  getyn  Deepe  and  many  oJ)er  townes  in 
Baas  Normandy  yaf  them  ouer  without  stroke  or  sege 
Ends  imperfectly:  J)e  erle  of  March  hys  sone  was  comyng  with  [Brie  520/29- 
30] 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  is  written  by  one  scribe  throughout  and  was  cop- 
ied from  Glasgow  Hunterian  83  (see  Remarks  on  the  Poly.  1461  W.C.  be- 
low); nevertheless,  it  is  convenient  to  consider  it  under  the  same  group 
headings  as  its  exemplar. 

The  continuation  to  1461  was  used  by  Brie  to  collate  the  CV  continu- 
ation from  1419  to  1461  in  his  edition,  where  the  manuscript  is  designated 
H.^  A  textual  comparison,  however,  shows  that  the  text  is  the  same  as  that 
contained  in  the  continuations  of  the  two  preceding  manuscripts,  that  is,  for 
the  first  chapters  beyond  1419  it  is  based  on  a  CV-1461  continuation,  fol- 
lowed by  the  Liber  ultimus  version  of  the  1461  continuation.  Again,  the 
chapter  numeration  of  the  latter  work  is  employed.  The  following  are  exam- 
ples of  additions  found  in  the  Liber  ultimus  and  in  BL  Harley  3730  (H)  but 
not  in  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England  or  BL  Addit.  10099:-' 


THE  COMMON  VERSION 


171 


1.  \>e  world  [worde  H]  was  nat 
worthy  to  haue  his  presence.  [In 
J)is  yer  was  |)e  kynge  of  Scottes 
murthered  in  his  chambour  by 
nyght  pytously  which  l^nig  hade 
ben  presoner  xv  yere  in  Englond. 
And  thei  J)at  slew  hym  wer  takyn 
efterward  and  hade  cruell  iustice. 
add.  H]  [BL  Addit.  10099,  coUa- 
ted  with  Caxton's  Chronicles  and 
BL  Harley  3730  (H);  cf.  Brie 
506/27  and  n.] 

2.  Also  J)is  yere  [the  lorde  Talbott 
leyd  sege  to  Depe  (y  del.  between 
e  and  p).  But  {)e  Dolphyn  res- 
cowed  it  and  wan  |)e  bastell  {)at 
Englischmen  hade  made.  Also  J)is 
yere  add.  H]  was  A  gret  Affray  in 
Flet  Strete  [BL  Addit.  10099, 
collated  with  Caxton's  Chronicles 
and  BL  Harley  3730  (H):  Brie 
509/16  and  n.] 


the  worlde  was  not  worthy  to 
haue  hys  presence.  Jn  this  yere 
was  the  kynge  of  Scottys  mur- 
thred  in  his  chambre  by  nyght 
pytously  whiche  l^oige  had  be 
prysoner  xv  yere  in  Englonde, 
And  they  that  slewe  hym  were 
taken  afterward  8c  had  cruel 
iustyce.  [Caxton,  Liber  ultimus 
(1482)] 


Also  this  yere  the  lord  Talbotte 
had  leyde  syege  to  Dyepe  but  the 
dolphyn  rescowed  it  and  wan  the 
bastyle  that  Englysshmen  had 
made.  Also  this  yere  was  a  greete 
effraye  in  Fletestrete  [Caxton, 
Liber  ultimus  (1482)] 


Corresponding  omissions  of  details  also  occur  in  BL  Harley  3730  and  in 
Caxton's  Liber  ultimus. 

The  text  breaks  off  before  the  end  of  the  1461  continuation,  but  it  is 
unlikely  that  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle  formed  part  of  the  manuscript  (see 
Remarks  on  the  Poly.  1461  W.C). 


*  For  (1),  see  item  124  and  below. 

2  See  Brie  2:  viii,  491-520/30. 

^  These  additions  are,  of  course,  also  found  in  the  other  two  texts  in  this  group. 


Remarks  on  the  Poly.  1461  W.C.^ 

Glasgow  Hunterian  83  is  the  original  compilation  consisting  of  a  Brut  text 


172 THE  COMMON  VERSION 

to  which  the  Saint  Albans  preface  and  the  Poly.  1461  continuation  and 
"Warkworth's"  Chronicle  were  added.  The  last  of  these  was  probably  added 
later  than  the  other  items,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  first  item  was  also 
added  at  the  same  time. 

BL  Harley  3730  was  copied  entirely  from  the  Hunterian  manuscript  and 
probably  ended  with  the  note  that  now  prefaces  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle  in 
the  Peterhouse  manuscript,  referring  the  reader  to  the  text  of  this  in  the 
Hunterian  manuscript.  A  short  extract  from  the  B-version  of  John  Hard- 
yng's  Chronicle  was  added  as  preface  to  the  Harley  manuscript. 

The  text  beyond  1419(men)  in  Peterhouse  190,  also  originally  a  discrete 
Brut,  was  copied  from  Harley  3730,  the  scribe  including  by  mistake  the  note 
of  reference  to  the  Hunterian  manuscript,  to  which  he  then  turned  to  copy 
"Warkworth's"  Chronicle. 

The  additions  to  all  three  manuscripts  were  probably  made  about  1483  or 
1484  for  fellows  of  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  possibly  in  the  college  library. 

The  Poly.  1461  continuation  follows  the  text  of  Caxton's  Chronicles  of 
England  for  its  first  four  chapters,  but  in  the  course  of  the  fifth  chapter  it 
changes  to  the  text  of  the  Liber  ultimus. 


^  For  a  full  account  of  the  development  of  the  group,  on  which  the  present  remarks  are 
based,  and  for  speculations  on  the  author  of  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle,  see  Matheson,  ed.. 
Death  and  Dissent. 


11.  The  Extended  Version 


The  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions 

The  primary  distinguishing  features  of  all  groups  of  manuscripts  of  the 
Extended  Version  (EV)  and  of  the  related  groups  that  constitute  the  Abbre- 
viated Version  (AV)  are  a  short  exordium  not  found  in  the  Common  Ver- 
sion, the  words  "Some  time ..."  at  the  beginning  of  the  Albina  prologue, 
and  the  addition  of  selected  details  from  the  anonymous  Short  English  Me- 
trical Chronicle  to  the  Albina  prologue  and  the  earlier  part  of  the  narrative.^ 
A  complex  set  of  variations  in  the  different  versions  of  the  exordium  allows 
distinctions  to  be  made  among  individual  groups  of  texts.  Other  features, 
such  as  textual  variations  and  differences  of  content  in  the  later  narrative, 
can  be  used  to  classify  Extended  and  Abbreviated  texts  when  the  exordium 
or  prologue  is  missing.  These  features  include  such  details  as  the  "first  giants 
passage,"  the  passage  on  Lud's  naming  of  London,  the  Latin  tag  associated 
with  King  Blegabred,  and  other  items  in  the  list  of  test  factors  for  the  Ex- 
tended and  Abbreviated  Versions  (pp.  53-54;  items  4  through  14). 

As  noted  earlier  in  this  study,  the  Extended  Version  can  be  divided  into 
three  groups  (A,  B,  and  C),  characterized  by  three  distinct  recensions  of  the 
exordium.  The  Abbreviated  Version  has  four  groups  (A,  B,  C,  and  D), 
again  based  on  their  recensions  of  the  exordium;  the  exordia  for  EV  groups 
A,  B,  and  C  correspond  to  those  found  in  AV  groups  A,  B,  and  C  respec- 
tively, while  AV  group  D  offers  an  independent  recension  that  is  not  pa- 
ralleled in  the  EV.  The  Abbreviated  Version  differs  from  the  Extended 
Version  primarily  in  its  abridgments  of  the  narrative  at  various  points  (de- 
pending on  the  particular  group  or  subgroup),  including  material  after  the 
death  of  Arthur  and  material  surrounding  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill.  The 
Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter  are  generally  found  in  sur- 
viving EV  and  AV  texts  that  are  not  physically  defective  at  either  point  of 
the  narrative;  "The  Description  of  Edward  III"  does  not  occur  in  any  EV  or 
AV  texts. 

Although  individual  groups  within  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Ver- 


174 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

sions  can  be  differentiated  fairly  easily,  they  are  less  internally  coherent  than 
those  of  the  Common  Version,  and  the  precise  relationships  between  the  in- 
dividual groups  are  not  always  clear.  As  will  be  seen,  much  scribal  crossing 
has  occurred  (apparently  among  texts  from  a  variety  of  groups),  with  a  re- 
sulting array  of  correspondences  and  divergences  among  groups.  Accord- 
ingly, the  following  layout  has  been  adopted  for  sections  II  and  III  of  the 
Classification  of  Texts: 

1.  description  of  the  individual  manuscripts  and  groups,  first  of  the  Ex- 
tended Version  (section  II)  and  then  of  the  Abbreviated  Version  (sec- 
tion III),  with  short  accounts  and  preliminary  discussions  of  the  inter- 
nal correspondences,  divergences,  and,  where  these  can  be  ascertained, 
relationships  among  particular  manuscripts  of  the  individual  groups. 

2.  at  the  end  of  section  III,  a  full  discussion  of  the  interrelationships 
among  all  the  groups  and  subgroups  belonging  to  both  the  Extended 
and  the  Abbreviated  Versions. 


^  For  a  representative  example  of  the  exordium  text  (from  the  EV-1419:B),  see  Introduc- 
tion, Appendix  3.  Brie  treats  texts  of  the  Abbreviated  Version  under  the  Extended  Ver- 
sion ("die  erweiterte  Fassung"),  calling  them  "eine  umfangreiche  Klasse  von  MSS  . . . ,  die 
nichts  als  verkiirzte  Wiedergaben  jener  sind"  ("a  large  class  of  manuscripts . . .  that  are 
nothing  but  abbreviated  renderings  of  [the  Extended  Version]";  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p. 
84).  This  is  an  oversimplification,  and  the  type  of  conscious  change  found  in  the  Abbrevi- 
ated Version  texts  makes  it  preferable  to  consider  them  as  constituting  an  independent 


The  Extended  Version  to  1377  (EV-1377) 

From  remarks  found  in  the  exordia  of  most  texts  of  the  Extended  and 
Abbreviated  Versions,  one  can  assume  a  now  lost  manuscript  or  group  of 
manuscripts,  based  on  a  Common  Version  text,  in  which  an  exordium  was 
first  used  and  which  ended  with  the  death  of  Edward  III  in  1377: 

And  J)is  booke  made  8c  compiled  men  of  religioun  &  o\>tx  good 
clerkes  f)at  wreten  J)at  bifell  in  her  tymes  and  made  {)erof  grete  bokes 
and  remembraunce  to  men  |)at  comen  aftir  hem  to  heere  and  to  see 
what  bifell  in  f)e  londe  afore  tyme  and  callid  hem  cronycles.  And  in 
J)is  londe  haue  been  from  Brute  to  Igoige  Edward  \)t  thridde  aftir  |)c 
conquest  C  xxxij  kynges  whos  lyues  and  actes  ben  compiled  shortly  in 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 175 

J)is  boke  pt  whiche  conteyneth  CC  xxxviij  chapiters  wiJ)oute  J)e  pro- 
thogoll  or  prolog.  [BL  Harley  4827] 

Both  the  finishing  point  of  the  text,  that  is,  the  death  of  King  Edward 
III,  and  the  number  of  chapters  stated  to  have  comprised  the  work  point  to 
an  original  text  ending  in  1377.  It  seems  likely  that  this  1377  group  was  an 
embryonic  EV  rather  than  an  AV  for  the  following  reasons: 

1.  It  is  unlikely  that  an  exordium  would  be  added  to  a  projected  abbre- 
viation of  the  text,  especially  in  view  of  the  truncated  state  of  the  extant 
AV  texts. 

2.  The  use  of  literary  sources  found  in  the  prologues  and  elsewhere  in 
the  extant  EV  and  AV  texts  suggests  a  conscious  attempt  to  produce 
a  "show"  text.  It  is  even  possible  that  the  Cadwallader  episode  and 
Queen  Isabella's  letter  were  first  introduced  into  the  Brut  canon  in  this 
group. 

3.  The  relationships  between  the  groups  of  the  EV  and  AV,  although  un- 
clear, suggest  a  prototype  EV. 

The  remarks  in  the  exordia  of  the  surviving  EV  texts  point  to  a  text  of 
the  CV-1377  f.c.  as  having  been  the  basis  for  the  original  form  of  the  EV. 
There  are,  however,  three  stages  of  the  CV-1377  f  c.  (see  pp.  88-90,  92- 
97):  the  first  does  not  contain  the  Cadwallader  episode  nor  Queen  Isabella's 
letter;  the  second  includes  the  Cadwallader  episode;  and  the  third  includes 
both  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter.  There  are,  there- 
fore, at  least  three  possible  explanations  for  the  constitution  and  early  history 
oftheEV-1377: 

(i)  The  EV-1377  was  based  on  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1  and  contained 
neither  the  Cadwallader  episode  nor  Queen  Isabella's  letter. 

(ii)  The  EV-1377  was  based  on  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1  and  first  intro- 
duced the  Cadwallader  episode.  This  was  then  borrowed  during  the 
compilation  of  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  2  and  thus  introduced  into  the 
development  of  the  Common  Version. 

(iii)  The  EV-1377  was  based  on  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3,  which  was  first 
to  include  both  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter. 

Little  weight  can  be  put  on  the  evidence  that  the  EV-1377  contained 
exactly  238  chapters,  for  in  manuscripts  of  the  Brut  chapter  numbering — 
where  found  at  all — tends  to  vary.  However,  possibility  (i)  can  probably  be 
discounted,  for  all  complete  texts  of  the  extant  EV  and  AV  groups  contain 


176 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

the  Cadwallader  episode  and  Queen  Isabella's  letter,  which  suggests  that 
these  were  found  in  the  early  stages  of  the  EV/AV  development. 

The  Cadwallader  episode  in  the  Brut  is  taken  from  Book  XII  of  Geoffrey 
of  Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britannie,  and  incorporates,  in  Latin,  Geoff- 
rey's biblical  quotation:  "Dedisti  nos  domine  tanquam  oues  escarum  et  in 
gentibus  dispersisti  nos."  Geoffrey's  Historia  reads:  "Dedisti  nos  deus  tan- 
quam oues  escarum  8c  in  gentibus  dispersisti  nos"  (Ps.  43:12).^ 

In  the  chapter  listing  thirty-three  kings  of  Britain,  most  texts  of  the  EV- 
1419:A,  EV-1419:B,  and  AV-1419:B  contain  a  Latin  tag  that  occurs  after 
the  name  of  Blegabred:  "Qui  quidem  omnes  regni  cantares  in  modulis  &- 
musicis  instrumentis  superabant"  (Harvard  Richardson  35;  BL  Harley  4827 
reads  ". . .  cantores . . .  supera").  This  quotation  is  also  based  on  some  text  of 
Geoffrey's  Historia,  and  the  corresponding  phrase  in  Biirgerbibliothek  Bern 
MS.  568  is  "Hie  omnes  cantores  quos  retro  etas  habuerat  et  in  modulis  et  in 
omnibus  musicis  instrumentis  superabat."^  Since  the  Latin  tag  is  not  found 
in  CV  texts,  this  indicates  that  a  compiler  involved  in  the  EV  knew  Geoff- 
rey's Historia,  but  whether  it  was  the  compiler  of  the  EV-1377  is  not  defi- 
nite, for  the  distribution  of  the  tag  is  not  universal.  Either  it  was  an  inde- 
pendent addition  made  at  some  stage  of  the  EV/AV  development  after  the 
EV-1377,  or  it  dropped  out  of  certain  EV/AV  groups  in  the  course  of 
scribal  transmission  or  by  deliberate  omission. 

Possibilities  (ii)  and  (iii)  remain  open.  In  view  of  the  general  character  of 
the  extant  EV  texts,  which  use  details  from  literary  sources,  possibility  (ii) 
allows  a  possible  hypothesis  concerning  the  genesis  and  early  development 
of  the  EV-1377.  We  can  suppose  that  the  compiler  was  faced  by  a  text  of 
the  CV-1377  f.c.  Stage  1,  containing  neither  the  Cadwallader  episode  nor 
the  Queen  Isabella  letter.  His  intention  was  to  improve  upon  the  text  of  his 
exemplar,  and  to  this  end  he  added  an  exordium  and  some  details  from  the 
Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle  to  the  prologue  and  early  parts  of  the  narra- 
tive. For  purposes  of  coUation,  the  compiler  was  using  a  text  of  the  Historia 
Regum  Britannie  (upon  which  the  earlier  parts  of  the  Brut  are  ultimately 
based),  and  from  this  he  may  have  inserted  the  Latin  tag  into  the  catalogue 
of  British  kings  and  a  translation  of  the  Cadwallader  episode  (perhaps  on 
account  of  its  connection  with  the  Havelok  tale).  In  the  subsequent  CV- 
1377  f.c.  Stage  2  recension,  the  Cadwallader  episode  was  introduced  into  the 
main  development  of  the  Common  Version.  Queen  Isabella's  letter  was  then 
added  separately  to  the  CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  3  and  thus  appears  in  subse- 
quent CV  texts  ending  in  1419,  from  which  source  it  was  introduced  into 
the  EV-1419. 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 177 

No  manuscript  of  the  EV-1377  appears  to  have  survived.  Extant  EV  and 
AV  manuscripts  carry  the  text  to  1419,  using  the  CV-1419(r&g)  continu- 
ation, or,  where  incomplete,  can  be  assumed  to  have  once  carried  the  text  at 
least  beyond  1377  and  most  likely  to  1419.  Some  EV  texts  modify  the  "in 
rule  and  governance"  ending  by  inserting  "good"  before  one  of  the  nouns — 
"in  rule  and  (in)  good  governance"  or  "in  good  rule  and  governance" — but 
the  formulaic  nature  of  the  phrase  and  the  number  of  texts  that  end  imper- 
fectly weaken  the  taxonomic  usefulness  of  this  feature. 


^  Acton  Griscom,  ed.,  The  Historia  Regum  Britannia  of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  (London, 
1929),  p.  531.  See  also  Neil  Wright,  ed.,  The  Historia  Regum  Britannie  of  Geoffrey  of 
Monmouth,  I:  Bern,  Burgerbibliothek,  MS.  568  (Cambridge,  1984),  p.  145. 
^  Wright,  ed.,  Historia,  p.  34;  cf.  Griscom,  ed.,  Historia,  p.  300. 


The  Extended  Version  to  1419,  Group  A  (EV-1419:A) 

Group  A  consists  of  MSS.  Rylands  Eng.  105,  Harvard  Richardson  35,  BL 
Harley  24,  BL  Addit.  12030,  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.187,  Takamiya  12,  and 
BodL  Tanner  188. 


97.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  105^ 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynneth  a  boke  in  Englysshe  tunge  called  Brute 

whiche  entreteth  of  the  first  begynnyng  of  the  lond 
Exordium  ends:  And  in  this  lond  have  ben  with  Brute  vnto  l^nig  Edward  the 

thridde  C  xxxij  kynges  whos  lyves  actes  and  dedes  ben  compiled  in  this 

boke  here  folowyng  the  whiche  conteyneth  CC  xxxviij  chapiters  withoute 

the  prolog  or  protogoll. 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  this  booke  declareth  how  this  lond 

was  first  called  Albyon  after  the  eldest  doughter 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  noble  lond  of  Surry 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  extra  giants  (see  below),  Latin  tag,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends  imperfectly:  Of  kinge  Henri  the  v*^  borne  at  Monmouth  in  Wales  son 

to  king  He[nri]  the  iiij*.  [cf  Brie  373/1-2] 

Remarks:  The  foUo  that  would  have  contained  the  extra  giant  details  in  the 
prologue  is  missing. 


178 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

In  the  chapter  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  a  redistribution  of  the  num- 
bering of  the  wards  of  the  Scottish  army  has  occurred,  presenting  only  four 
and  not  five  wards,  and  the  "5w"  heading  is  altered  accordingly:  "In  the 
fourth  warde  of  the  Scottes  were  theis  lordes." 

A  late  marginal  note  on  fol.  46v  can  be  discounted:  "This  chronicle  was 
mayde  the  x*^  yere  of  the  reynge  of  l^^nge  Henry  the  viiith  by  the  right  re- 
nouned  and  myghty"  [breaks  off];  the  hand  of  the  manuscript  belongs  to  the 
second  half  of  the  fifteenth  century. 

Sixteenth-  and  early-seventeenth-century  owners  are  "Thomas  Hought'," 
"Ricardus  Hobbes,"  "Hugo  Wynnard,"  "Thomas  Pawlyn,  surgion  in  civitate 
London'." 


^  See  Lester,  Handlist,  pp.  39-40;  Tyson,  "Hand-List,"  p.  172. 

98.  Harvard  University  MS.  Richardson  35 

Exordium  begins:  [HJere  bygynnej)  a  boke  in  Englysche  tonge  J)at  ys  called 
Brute  of  Ynglond  wyche  declarejje  spekef)  and  treteth  of  J)e  frust  bygyn- 
nyng  of  J)e  londe  of  Ynglond 

Exordium  ends:  And  for  to  sey  soJ)e  in  J)is  londe  haue  ben  with  J)is  Brute 
vnto  l^nge  Harry  J)e  v  aftur  J)e  conquest  C  xxxv  kynges  wos  lyues  actes  & 
dedes  ben  all  compiled  schortely  in  {)is  booke  here  folowyng  |)e  wyche 
conteynej)  CC  xlj  chapitures  withoute  ^e  protegoll  of)er  prologe. 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  |)is  booke  declarej)  how  |)is  londe 
was  frust  called  Albyon  after  J)e  eldest  suster  dou3ter  of  J)e  ryal  kynge 
Dyoclycian  of  Surre 

Text  begins:  Svm  tyme  in  J)e  noble  londe  of  Surrey 

Contains:  extra  giants,  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  so  furth  to  Westmynstre  and  {)er  she  was  crowned 
quene  of  Englond.  And  |)an  was  she  broght  ayen  into  J)e  kynges  place. 
And  J)er  was  [Brie  351/8-10] 

Remarks:  The  scribe  has  altered  the  name  of  the  latest  king  in  the  exordium 
from  Edward  III  to  Henry  V,  though  he  has  not  altered  the  number  of 
chapters  to  correspond  to  this  change  (chapter  238  ends  with  the  death  of 
Edward  III,  but  the  last  chapter  in  the  incomplete  text  is  numbered  244;  cf. 
a  similar  change  in  item  118).  The  folio  is  lost  that  would  have  contained 
the  "5w"  heading. 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 179 

After  the  imperfect  conclusion  of  the  Brut  text  occur  22  pages  of  shields 
of  arms,  with  the  names  of  the  bearers  and  the  blazons.  That  the  earl  of 
Wiltshire  is  also  called  of  "Vrmont"  (that  is,  Ormond)  gives  a  terminus  a  quo 
of  1452  for  this  section.^ 

The  earliest  (possibly  fifteenth-century)  name  in  the  manuscript  is  that  of 
"Rycharte  Thomas  of  Nethe"  (Glamorgan)  and  later  marginal  names  also 
suggest  a  Welsh  connection.  The  manuscript  is  decorated  throughout  with 
grotesque  figures  and  fancifiil  creatures  in  the  margins. 


^  See  E.  B.  Fryde,  D.  E.  Greenway,  S.  Porter,  and  I.  Roy,  eds..  Handbook  of  British  Chro- 
nology, 3rd  ed.  (London,  1986),  pp.  487,  496;  James  Buder,  earl  of  Wiltshire  and  Or- 
mond, was  executed  in  1461.  The  manuscript  is  dated  1430-1500  in  Kennedy,  Manual, 
p.  2820. 


99.  BL  MS.  Harley  24^ 

Heading:  Here  begynnyth  the  kalendare  of  Brute  in  Englyssh  tunge. 

Exordium  begins:  Her  begynnyth  a  booke  in  Englyssh  tung  that  is  called 

Brute  of  Englande  which  declarith  and  tretith  of  the  ftirste  beginnyng  of 

the  lande  of  Englande 
Exordium  ends:  and  [f..t.(?)  del^  seye  the  sothe  in  this  lande  haue  bene  with 

this  Brute  vnto  kyng  Edw[a]rde  the  thirde  after  the  conqueste  C  xxxij 

kynges  whos  lyues  actes  and  dedes  bene  alle  compilede  shortly  in  this 

booke  here  [-re  ins.  above]  folowyng  the  which  conteyneth  CC  xxxviij 

chapitours  withoute  the  protegoll  othir  prologe. 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  this  booke  dedareth  howe  this  lande 

was  fiirste  callede  Albyon  after  J)e  eldest  doughter 
Text  begins:  Sume  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surrey 
Contains:  extra  giants,  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "Sw"  heading 
Ends:  in  ruele  and  good  gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias. 


^  The  Arthurian  narrative  in  this  manuscript  is  printed  in  Karl  Boddeker,  "Die  Geschichte 
des  Konigs  Arthur,"  Archiv  52  (1874):  10-29. 


100.  BL  MS.  Additional  12030^ 

Heading.  Here  begynnyth  the  kalendare  of  Brute  in  Englyssh  as  here  after 
ye  shall  here. 


180 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynnyth  a  book  in  Englyssh  tunge  that  ys  called 
Brute  of  England  which  declareth  speketh  and  tretethe  of  the  furst  by- 
gynnyng  of  the  lande  of  Englande 
Exordium  ends:  and  forto  seye  the  sothe  in  this  lande  haue  ben  with  this 
Brute  vnto  kyng  Edwarde  the  thirde  after  the  conqueste  C  xxxij  l^niges 
whos  lyves  actes  and  dedes  ben  alle  compylede  shortely  in  this  book  here 
folowyng  the  which  conteyneth  CC  xliiij  chapitours  withoute  the  prote- 
goll  other  prologe. 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  this  book  declareth  howe  this  lande 
was  fiirste  called  Albyon  after  the  furste  eldeste  sustre  doughter  to  the 
ryall  kyng  Dioclician  of  Surre 
Text  begins:  Summe  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surre 
Contains:  extra  giants,  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  afterwarde  the  kyng  passing  furthe  by  the  cuntre  aboute  the 
brede  of  xx  myles  he  wastede  alle  [Brie  298/8-9] 


*  See  Brown  and  Higgs,  Handlist,  p.  42. 


101.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.187 

Begins  on  fragmentary  foL  1:  wyldyrnesse  8c  no  thyng  [ . . .  ]  And  thys  booke 
ys  calledde  Brute  aftyr  [ . . .  ]  the  lond  whos  name  was  Brute  the  [ . . .  ] 
opynly  ys  declared  yn  dyuers  chapyty[rs . . .  ]  good  clerics  and  namely  men 
of 

Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  extra  giants  (see  below),  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Ends  imperfectly:  the  Scottes  vnderstoode  J)an  J)at  the  [Brie  280/5] 

Remarks:  The  folio  that  would  have  contained  the  extra  giants  in  the  pro- 
logue is  lost  and  the  text  ends  before  the  enumeration  of  the  Scottish  army 
at  Halidon  Hill. 

The  evidence  for  including  the  text  here  is,  therefore,  a  combination  of 
the  features  noted  above  and  of  textual  comparisons  with  other  texts  of  the 
group: 

(a)  the  phrases  given  above  from  the  fragmentary  fol.  1. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

also  the  geawntys  lyven  be  dyuers  frwtys  growyng  ther  and  be  fowlys 
vyld  and  tame  and  othyr  grett  bestys  and  yn  specyalle  be  flesche  of 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 181 

schepe  grett  as  hors  the  whyche  weryn  woUe  as  the  her  of  a  goote  ther- 
of  they  makyn  hem  slawyns;  and  that  lond  to  yow  ys  ordeynyd  be  des- 
tanye  and  to  yowr  pepyll.  [cf.  Remarks  on  the  EV-1419:A  below] 

(c)  Lud  passage: 

this  kyng  Lud  loved  more  to  dwell  at  Newe  Troye  J)en  in  any  oJ)er 
place  of  J)e  lond  wherfor  he  commaundid  that  J)at  cite  shuld  not  no 
lenger  be  called  Newe  Troy  but  Ludentoun  or  Ludestoun  as  sum  bokes 
seyen  after  his  name  Lud  for  in  Jsat  cite  he  mad  most  cost  of  byldyng. 
And  ther  he  mad  a  gate  al  oute  of  |)e  ground  and  lat  hit  to  be  called 
Ludgate  after  his  name.  And  he  lat  walle  J)e  toune  and  dike  hit  also 
but  afterwardis  J)e  name  of  J)is  cite  was  chaunged  with  Saxons  tonge 
and  by  variaunce  of  lettres  and  was  called  London.  And  Normandis 
and  Frenchemen  and  oJ)er  alyauntes  call  it  Loundris.  And  these  clerkes 
call  it  in  Latyn  Ciuitas  Londinarum.  [see  pp.  238-39  below] 

(d)  there  are  no  AV  features;  for  example,  Constantine  reigns  after  Arthur 
and  the  Engist's  heptarchy  passage  agrees  with  the  other  members  of 
the  group. 

The  form  of  Coryn's  paramour's  name  is  paralleled  in  Harvard  Richard- 
son 35  (and  in  the  AV-1419:A[b]):  "yef  Erneborowe  J)i  paramour  my3th 
wete  that  on  man  only  ferde  thus  with  J)e  sche  wold  neuer  love  J)e.'' 

The  hand  of  the  manuscript  is  similar  to  the  first  hand  of  Glasgow  Hun- 
terian  83,  a  text  of  the  AV-1419:A(a). 


102.  Takamiya  MS.  12 

Begins  imperfectly:  hem  home  into  hir  owne  cuntre  and  their  hem  q[ . . .  ]. 

And  it  byfell  thus  aftrewarde  that  this  dame  Albyne  b[.]come  so  stoute 

and  so  stately  [Brie  2/5-7] 
Contains:  extra  giants,  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  so  king  Henry  the  v'*^  gate  and  conquerid  all  the 

tovnes  and  the  castelles  pyles  streng[)es  abbeis  vnto  Pountelarge  and  frome 

thens  vnto  the  citee  of  Roon.  [Brie  386/10-12] 

Remarks:  The  evidence  for  including  the  text  here  is  a  combination  of  the 
features  noted  above  supported  by  textual  comparisons  with  other  EV- 
1419:A  texts,  as  follows: 

(a)    first  giants  passage: 

and  thei  conceyvid  and  brough  flirth  geantz  of  the  whiche  men  callid 


182 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

one  Gogmagog  chief  king  of  hem  all  and  he  was  xl  fote  in  length  and 
xij  in  breede.  One  othre  hight  king  Wydy  and  duellid  vppon  one  highe 
hill  within  Shropshire  that  is  callid  the  Wreken.  One  othre  Onewen 
[-ne-  ins.]  the  forte.  Ane  othre  Bonde  at  the  brugge  ende  brothre  to 
Onewen;  one  othre  Laugherygo  Bondes  sonne  whome  Onewenz  erne 
slough  aftre  in  [ins.]  a  bataille  assignid  bytwix  hem  two  vnwitting  to 
hem  both;  and  grete  multitude  moo  of  giauntz  that  were  callid  many 
diuers  names.  And  in  this  manere  thei  come  furth  and  weren  borne 
horrible  giauntz  in  Albion  and  thei  duellid  in  cavis  and  in  hilles  at  heir 
luste  and  had  the  londe  of  Albion  as  hem  liked  vnto  the  tyme  that 
Brute  come  and  arryvid  at  Tottenesse  that  was  in  the  He  of  Albion  and 
their  this  Brute  conquerid  and  scomfite  the  giauntz  abouesaide  and 
slough  the  moste  parte  of  hem  as  othre  bookes  openly  declareth. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

Also  the  gyauntz  lyven  by  diuers  fruites  growing  their  and  by  foulez 
wilde  and  tame  and  othre  grete  bestes  and  in  especiall  by  flesshe  of 
shepe  grete  as  hors  the  whiche  were  woU  as  here  of  geyte  wherof  thei 
maken  hem  slavens  and  |)at  londe  to  you  is  ordeynid  by  destenie  and  to 
your  poeple. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Than  saide  Brute  to  Corin  "yef  Erneborowe  thi  paramour  might  wit  that 
one  mane  onely  ferde  thus  foule  with  the  she  wolde  neuir  love  the," 

(d)  Lud  passage: 

he  commaundid  that  that  citee  no  lenger  shulde  be  callid  Newe  Troie 
hot  Ludentoune  or  Ludestoune  as  sum  bookes  sein  aftir  his  name  Lud 
for  in  that  citee  he  made  most  coste  of  belding  and  ther  he  made  a 
gate  all  out  of  the  grounde  and  callid  hit  Ludgate  aftir  his  name  and  he 
made  wall  the  toune  and  diche  it  also  hot  aftirwarde  the  name  of  this 
cite  was  chaungid  by  Saxons  tonge  and  variaunce  of  lettres  and  was 
callid  London  and  yete  is  hot  Normandez  and  othre  aliens  call  it 
Loundres  and  clerkes  callez  it  Ciuitas  London. 

(e)  Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

The  flirst  kingdome  was  Kent  their  that  Engest  himself  reignid  and 
was  lorde  and  maistir  of  all  that  othre.  And  one  othre  king  had  Sussexe 
where  nowe  is  Chicestre;  the  iij  had  Wessex;  the  iiij  had  Essex;  the  v 
hadde  Estangle  that  nowe  is  callid  Northfolke  and  SouthfolkMarchene- 
riche  that  nowe  is  to  saie  the  erledome  of  Nichole;  the  sixte  had  Ley- 
cestre;  the  vij  Oxenford  Gloucestre  Winchestre  Warewik  and  Derbye- 
shire. 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 183 

(f)     there  are  no  AV  features;  for  example,  Constantine  reigns  after  Arthur. 

Sixteenth-century  notes  of  ownership  name  Thomas  Mettham  of  Brayton 
in  Yorkshire  (who  has  made  many  notes  and  drafts  of  letters),  John  Baxter, 
Robert  Red,  and  Richard  Wattsoun  (Watson).  The  names  of  John  Frobyser 
and  Richard  Walsby  also  occur. 


103.  Bodleian  MS.  Tanner  188 

Begins  imperfectly:  with  here  strength  yche  one  of  hem  toke  a  certayne  con- 
trey  and  euery  man  in  his  lande  lete  calle  hym  kynge  [cf  Brie  22/30-32] 

Contains:  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Omits:  extra  giants  (see  below) 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  at  his  furst  commyng  [to  her  iustes  xxiiij  catchwords] 
[Brie  343/14-15] 

Remarks:  The  text  begins  after  the  point  at  which  the  giants'  passages  would 
have  occurred. 

The  text  is  included  here  on  the  evidence  of  the  combination  of  features 
noted  above  and  of  textual  comparisons  with  other  texts  of  the  group: 

(a)  Lud  passage: 

This  Lud  loved  more  to  dwell  atte  Troy  than  in  any  other  place  of  the 
londe  wherfore  he  commaunded  that  cite  no  lengur  be  called  Newe 
Troy  but  Londestoun  as  bokes  seyne  aftur  his  name  Lud  for  in  that 
cite  he  made  moste  cost  of  byldyng.  And  there  he  made  a  gate  alle 
oute  of  the  grounde  and  called  hit  Ludgate  aftur  his  name.  And  he 
made  the  waUes  of  the  towne  and  dichid  hit.  But  afturward  the  name 
of  the  cite  was  changed  by  Saxons  tonge  and  variaunce  of  letteres  and 
was  called  London  and  yit  is.  But  Normandes  and  other  aliens  calle  hit 
Loundours.  [Cf.  the  two  preceding  texts.] 

(b)  Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

And  Engist  wente  through  the  londe  and  sesud  all  the  londe  with  all 
the  ffrauncheys  into  his  hande.  And  in  euery  place  J)at  he  come  he  lete 
caste  doun  chirches  and  houses  of  religioun  and  destroied  Cristondome 
through  all  the  lande.  And  made  change  the  name  of  the  londe  and 
lete  calle  hit  Engislonde  and  nowe  by  corrupcioun  of  tong  is  called 
Englond.  And  he  departed  the  lande  to  his  men  and  made  therin  vij 
kynges  ffor  to  streynth  the  londe.  The  flirst  kyngedom  was  Kente  there 
that  Engist  hymself  reigned  and  was  lorde  of  And  that  other  Igoige 


184 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

had  Sussex.  And  the  thirde  had  Westsex.  The  fourth  had  Essex.  The 
V  had  Eastangle  and  nowe  is  called  Norffolk  and  Suffolke  and  the 
erledom.  The  vj  had  Leycestre  Northamptounshire  Hertfordshire  [in 
bottom  marg.]  and  Huntyngdoun.  The  vij  had  Oxonfordshire  Glouces- 
tre  Wynchestre  Warwike  and  Derbyshire, 
(c)     Constantine  follows  Arthur. 

Remarks:  The  spaces  for  chapter  headings  have  been  left  blank. 

Remarks  on  the  EV-1419:A 

Among  the  four  manuscripts  that  are  complete  at  the  beginning,  Rylands 
Eng.  105,  Harvard  Richardson  35,  BL  Harley  24,  and  BL  Addit.  12030, 
there  are  a  number  of  details  that  suggest  that  the  Rylands  text  reflects  in 
the  main  an  earlier  stage  of  the  development  of  this  group  than  the  Harvard 
and  BL  manuscripts  do,  although  the  redivision  of  the  Scottish  army  at 
Halidon  Hill  and  some  verbal  abbreviation  must  be  secondary  developments 
in  the  Rylands  text.  In  turn.  Harvard  Richardson  35  seems  to  represent  an 
earlier  stage  than  the  BL  texts,  the  heading  and  title  of  which  must  be  a 
secondary  development  since  they  occur  in  no  other  EV  group.  The  Latin 
tag  associated  with  Blegabred  found  in  the  Harvard  and  BL  texts  but  not  in 
Rylands  Eng.  105  is,  however,  paralleled  elsewhere  in  the  EV  and  AV 
manuscripts. 

In  the  prologue  and  opening  chapters,  additional  details,  taken  from  the 
Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle,  are  found  in  the  EV.  In  this  work,  a  de- 
scription of  Gogmagog  and  of  the  giants'  mode  of  existence  is  found  after 
Brutus's  arrival  in  England  and  just  prior  to  the  giants'  attack: 

He  was  of  swy^e  gret  streng|)e 

Fourty  fot  he  was  in  lenj)e 

8cxij.  fro  his  elbow  to  his  bond 

&  XX.  in  brede  men  hym  fond 

In  gret  hulles  J)ei  woned  here 

8c  lyued  by  erbis  [and]  wilde  dere 

Melc  8c  water  J)ei  dronke  no3t  ellis 

As  J)e  Brut  hit  seis  8c  tellis^ 

Schep  J)ei  hadde  as  hors  gret 

t>erof  [\>t\\  maden  hom  sclaueyns 

So  palmers  weryn  8c  painim(s). 

[Zettl,  ed..  Metrical  Chron.,  p.  2,  lines  25-36] 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 185 

Details  from  this  passage  are  added  at  two  points  in  the  EV  texts: 

(a)  At  the  end  of  the  prologue  relating  the  Albina  story,  which  is  given 
thus  in  the  CV: 

6c  they  conceiued,  and  after  J)ei  broughten  forth  Geauntes,  of  pe 
which  on  me  called  Gogmagog,  and  anoJ)er  Laugherigan,  &.  so  J)ei 
were  nompned  by  diuers  names;  &  in  {)is  manere  they  comen  forth, 
and  weren  boren  horrible  Geauntes  in  Albion;  &,  pty  dweUyd  in 
Cauys  &.  in  hulles  at  here  will,  6c  had  J)'  lond  of  Albyon  as  hem 
liked,  vn-to  J)'  tyme  J)at  Brut  Arryved  6c  come  to  Tottenesse,  J)at  was 
in  {)'  He  of  Albyon.  and  pere  {)is  Brut  conqueryd  6c  scomfyted  these 
geaunt3  aboueseyd.  [Brie  4/26-34] 

The  corresponding  passage  in  Harvard  Richardson  35,  collated  with  BL 
Harley  24  (H)  and  Addit.  12030  (Add),  reads: 

And  Jjey  conceyued  6c  brou3th  forjje  gyountes  of  J)e  wyche  men 
called  one  Gogmagog  chefe  I^nige  [repeated  Add]  of  pern  all  [repeated 
Add].  And  he  was  xl  foote  of  [in  H,  Add]  length  6c  xij  in  brede. 
Anojjer  hy3th  l^mge  Wydy  6c  dwellyd  vpon  an  hye  hylle  withinne 
Shorpshire  [sic]  J)at  was  [ys  H,  Add]  called  J)e  Wreken;  one  oJDer 
Onewen  le  fort;  ano{)er  Bonde  at  pt  brygge  ende  broJ)er  to  Onewen 
[le  forte  add.  H];  one  oJ)er  Laugherygo  Bondes  sone  whom  Onewens 
[Qnewens  H]  eme  slowe  aftur  in  a  [om.  Add]  batayle  assygned  by- 
twyxte  {)em  to  [om.  H]  vnAvytyng  to  {)em  bo|)e;  6c  grete  multitude  mo 
of  gyantes  J)at  weren  called  mony  diuerse  names.  And  in  J)is  [same 
add.  H]  maner  J)er  come  fourthe  6c  weren  borne  horryble  gyantes  in 
Albyoun  6c  pet  dwelled  in  caues  and  in  hylles  at  J)er  lust  and  hadde 
pt  londe  of  Albyoun  as  jjem  lyked  vnto  pe.  [om.  Add]  tyme  that 
Brute  came  and  aryved  atte  Totenesse  J)at  was  in  pe.  He  of  Albyon 
and  J)er  Jjis  Brute  conquered  and  sconfited  pt  gyantes  aboue-sayde 
and  slou3th  pt  most  partye  of  {)em  as  oJ)er  bokes  openly  dedareth 
6cc.  [Harvard  Richardson  35] 

Unfortunately,  as  noted  above,  the  relevant  leaf  in  Rylands  Eng.  105  is 
missing,  but  from  a  comparison  with  the  corresponding  passage  in  other  EV 
and  AV  groups,  the  extra  giants  and  folklorish  details  of  the  Harvard  and 
BL  texts  can  be  seen  as  secondary  additions,  possibly  not  having  occurred  in 
the  Rylands  text  or  not  in  such  extended  form. 

(b)  The  remainder  of  the  lines  from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle 


186 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

quoted  above  are  incoqjorated  into  Diana's  prophecy  to  Brutus.  Harvard 
Richardson  35,  again  collated  with  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030,  reads: 

Also  \>t  gyantes  leuen  by  diuerse  frutes  growyng  J)er  and  by  foules 
wylde  8c  tame  8c  ojjer  grete  bestys  8c  inspecyally  [enspeciall  H,  in  es- 
peciall  Add]  by  [om.  H]  flesche  of  schepe  grete  as  horses  [hors  H, 
horse  Add]  J)e  wych  weren  wolle  as  here  of  gote  wherof  J)ey  make 
[made  H]  ptm  sclauyns  [slauyns  H,  Add].  And  J)at  londe  to  30W  ys 
ordeyned  by  destenye  8c  to  3oure  peple. 

The  corresponding  section  in  Rylands  Eng.  105  is: 

And  thies  giauntz  live  by  diuers  frutes  and  rootes  of  the  erth  and 
foules  wilde  and  tame  and  other  grete  bestes  and  in  especiall  bi  grete 
shepe  as  grete  as  hors  which  weren  wolle  as  herre  wherof  thei  make 
hem  slavyns.  And  that  lond  to  you  is  ordeyned  by  destany  and  to 
your  peuple. 

The  "erbis"  of  the  S/jort  English  Metrical  Chronicle  appear  to  have  become 
"rootes  of  the  erth"  in  the  Rylands  text,  which  omits  the  Chronicles  qualify- 
ing phrase  "of  get,"  which  appears  in  the  Harvard  and  BL  texts — that  is, 
each  text  preserves  details  from  the  source,  although  each  is  close  to  the 
other.  Minor  errors  in  BL  Harley  24  suggest  that  it  is  secondary  to  BL 
Addit.  12030. 

A  further  detail  that  helps  to  distinguish  the  EV-1419:A  from  other 
groups  is  the  name  of  Coryn's  paramour  in  chapter  4,  which  is  not  given  in 
the  CV: 

Then  seyde  Brute  to  Coryn  "3yf  Erneborowe  [Erneburgh  H,  Add]  {)y 
paramoure  my3t  wyte  |)at  one  man  onely  ferde  J)ys  [thus  H]  foule 
with  \t&  sche  wolde  neuer  loue  {)e."  [Harvard  Richardson  35] 

This  detail  is  also  taken  from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle,  where 
the  relevant  lines  read: 

8c  if  J)e  worde  of  J)e  spronge 
[)at  o  man  f)e  stod  so  longe 
Geant  or  champion 
Al  J)i  honour  were  ileide  adon 
8c  nameliche  to  J)i  lemman 
J)at  is  so  fair  a  womman 
Whenne  Coryneus  hurde  J)at 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION  187 

J)at  Brut  of  his  lemman  spak 

Of  Erneborw  [vrr.  ernebourwe,  Erneburh, 
erneburgh] 

|)at  maide  hende 

To  Gogmagog  he  gan  wende . . . 
[Zettl,  ed.,  Metrical  Chron.,  p.  4,  lines  71-80;  variant  readings 
from  Marion  C.  Carroll  and  Rosemond  Tuve,  "Two  Manuscripts 
of  the  Middle  English  'Anonymous  Riming  Chronicle',"  PMLA 
46  (1931):  122;  Joseph  Ritson,  ed.,  Ancient  Engleish  Metrical  Ro- 
mancees,  3  vols.  (London,  1802),  2:273;  CUL  Dd.14.2,  fol.  261v; 
see  also  Zettl,  ed..  Metrical  Chron.,  pp.  1-li] 

In  the  listing  of  the  kingdoms  of  Engist's  heptarchy,  the  Rylands  and 
Harvard  texts  (especially  the  former)  preserve  a  reading  that  is  closer  to  that 
of  the  CV  and  the  other  EV/AV  texts  than  that  of  BL  Harley  24  and 
Addit.  12030: 

The  vij  hade  Oxenford,  Gloucestr',  Wynchestre,  Warwik,  and  Darby- 
shire.  [CV,  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.171:  Brie  55/13-14] 

the  vij*  had  Oxfordshire  Gloucestreshire  Winchestre  Wari[k]  and 
Derbyshire.  [Rylands  Eng.  105] 

And  \>t  vij  hadde  Oxenfordschyre  Gloucestreschyre  Wynchestreschyre 
Wanvykeschyre  8c  Darbyschire.  [Harvard  Richardson  35] 

and  the  vij  had  Oxenfordeshire  Gloucestershire  Worcester  Warwyke 
and  Derbyshire.  [BL  Harley  24] 

Thus  a  number  of  details  suggest  that  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030 
can  be  considered  as  slightly  apart  from  Rylands  Eng.  105  and  Harvard 
Richardson  35,  which  appear  to  be  closer  to  the  ultimate  source  in  the  CV 
and  to  have  points  of  agreement  with  other  EV  and  AV  groups  that  the  BL 
texts  do  not  have.  Textual  details  associate  the  imperfect  texts  in  Bodl.  Raw- 
linson B.187,  Bodl.  Tanner  188,  and  Takamiya  12  with  Harvard  Richardson 
35  rather  than  with  Rylands  Eng.  105. 


^  Probably  an  Anglo-Norman  chronicle,  possibly  Le  Brut  DEngletere  abrege  (or  some 
source  common  to  both  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle  and  the  Anglo-Norman 
work),  which  is  printed  in  Zettl,  ed.,  Metrical  Chron.,  pp.  92-107.  But  cf.  M.  Dominica 
Legge,  "The  Brut  Abridged,  A  Query,"  Medium  ^vum  16  (1947):  32-33. 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 


The  Extended  Version  to  1419,  Group  B  (EV-1419:B) 

Group  B  contains  MSS.  BL  Harley  4827;  BL  Harley  2182;  Edinburgh  185; 
Glasgow  Hunterian  230;  CUL  Addit.  2775;  CUL  Ff.2.26;  Trinity  Coll., 
Oxford,  5;  BL  Addit.  24859;  Virginia  38-173;  Lincoln  Cathedral  98;  NLW 
Addit.  442D;  and  Bodl.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(1).  With  the  exception  of  the 
last  two  manuscripts,  the  texts  of  this  group  are  generally  consistent  with 
one  another.  A  text  of  the  exordium  from  this  group  is  printed  in  the  Intro- 
duction, Appendix  3;  it  differs  from  that  of  the  EV-1419:A  in  ways  dis- 
cussed more  fully  below,  along  with  further  lexical  differences  between  the 
EV-1419:B  and  the  CV  and  other  EV  groups  (pp.  237-40). 


104.  BL  MS.  Harley  4827^ 

Heading:  Here  bigynneth  a  booke  whiche  is  callid  Brute  the  Cronicles  of 

Englond.  Capitulo  primo. 
Exordium  begins:  This  boke  treteth  and  telle{)  of  |)e  kynges  &  principal 

lordes 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  Jjis  book  declareth  hou  this  lande  was 

callid  Albioun  aftre  |)e  eldest  doughtre  of  J)e  riall  kyng  Dioclisian  of  Surry 
Text  begins:  Somtyme  in  |)e  noble  land  of  Surry 
Contains:  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  reule  6c  in  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  A  slip  of  vellum  interleaved  between  fols.  56  and  58  contains  a 
copy  in  a  Chancery  hand  of  a  bill,  apparently  dated  36  Henry  VI  (1457),  re- 
questing letters  of  safeconduct  for  John  Ponce  and  four  of  his  servants. 


^  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2819,  erroneously  dates  the  manuscript  to  the  sixteenth  century. 


105.  BL  MS.  Harley  2182 

Heading:  Here  begynnej)  a  boke  which  is  callid  Brute  J)e  cronycles  of  Eng- 

londe.  Capitulo  'f. 
Exordium  begins:  This  booke  tretej)  techej)  and  tellij)  of  kingis  and  of  princi- 

palle  lordis  jjat  euere  were  in  J)is  londe 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  {)is  boke  declarej)  how  J)is  londe  was 

callid  Albyon  after  J)e  eldist  dou3ter 
Text  begins:  Somtyme  in  Jje  noble  londe  of  Surreye 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 189 

Contains'.  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "Sw"  heading 
Ends:  in  reule  and  in  gode  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  At  the  end  of  the  text,  on  fol.  185,  occurs  a  short  note  by  a  six- 
teenth- or  seventeenth-century  annotator:  "printinge  was  firste  invented  in 
Germanie  at  Magance  in  the  yere  of  our  redempcion  anno  1458  &  was 
brougt  into  England  in  the  yere  of  our  lord  1471."  The  wording  is  reminis- 
cent of  the  Great  Chronicle  of  London  and  of  Caxton's  comments  in  the  Liber 
ultimus  of  his  printed  Polychronicon} 

On  the  front  flyleaf  occur  the  early  modern  name  of  George  This(?),  an 
owner  of  the  manuscript,  and  the  later  name  of  William  Jones. 


^  See  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  599-600  and  n.  30. 

106.  Edinburgh  University  Library  MS.  185 

Heading:  Here  begynneth  a  boke  which  is  called  Brute  the  cronyculis  of 

England.  Capitulo  primo. 
Exordium  begins:  This  book  tretij)  &  tellij)  of  J)e  kingis  and  princepall  lordis 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  J)is  book  declarij)  how  J)is  land  was 

callid  Albyoun  aftir  f)e  oldest  doughtir  of  J)e  ryall  l^^g  Dioclysyan  of 

Surry 
Text  begins:  Svmtyme  in  J)e  noble  lond  of  Surry 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  C^L,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  good  rule  and  gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias. 

107.  University  of  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  230 

Original  text  begins  imperfectly,  his  lettris  patent  vnto  these  xxxiij"  kingis  [cf. 

Brie  2/32] 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  good  rule  &  gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  The  text  up  to  the  imperfect  beginning  has  been  supplied  in  a 
modern  copy  taken  from  Glasgow  Hunterian  74(1)  (item  68). 

The  text  is  included  here  on  the  evidence  of  the  giants'  passages  and  the 
enumeration  of  the  thirty-three  kings  (see  pp.  190-91,  193-94  below). 

Some  aphorisms  written  by  a  "Rychard  Wylloughbe"  occur  on  the  last  fo- 
lio. The  manuscript  seems  to  have  been  owned  by  the  Willoughby  and 
Zouche  families  of  Nottinghamshire  and  Derbyshire.^ 


190  THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 


^  See  BofFey,  Manuscripts  of  English  Courtly  Love  Lyrics,  p.  124  and  n.  33. 


108.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Additional  2775 

Begins  imperfectly:  his  letters  patent  vnto  these  xxxiij"  kingis  [cf.  Brie  2/32] 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends:  in  good  rule  8c  gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  The  first  folio  is  now  fragmentary,  it  is  possible  that  Glasgow 
Hunterian  230  (see  the  preceding  manuscript),  which  begins  at  the  same 
point,  was  copied  from  the  Cambridge  manuscript  at  some  time  after  this 
folio  was  damaged. 


109.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ff.2.26 

Begins  imperfectly  during  exordium  on  fragmentary  fol.  1:  J)e  ^ridde  aftir  J)e 
[ . . .  ]  kingis  whos  lyues  8c  actis  ben  [ . . .  ]  in  {)is  book  ^e  which  conteyn- 
eth  CC  xx[ . . .  jtris  wiJ)oute  |)e  protholog  or  prolog. 

Prologue  heading.  [T]he  prolog  of  J)is  book  declarith  how  jjis  lond  was  callid 
Albioun  aftir  J)e  eldist  doughtir  of  {)e  rial  king  Dioclisian  of  Surry  J)e 
which  dou3ter  was  callid  Albyne  and  sche  wi|)  hir  xxxij  sisters  were  exilid 
out  of  her  owne  lond  for  grete  trespaces  J)at  |)ey  hadde  doon  and  arryued 
in  this  lond  casuely  wheryn  was  no  lyuyng  creature  but  wilde  berstis  \sic\ 
and  how  vnclene  spiritis  lay  by  hem  and  J)ey  broughten  forth  horrible 
gyauntis  and  Brute  killide  hem.  [cf  p.  65  above] 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  Latin  tag  (see  below),  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Ends  imperfectly:  almy3ti  God  hadde  many  tymes  done  for  Thomas  loue  of 
Lancastre  many  grete  myracles  to  many  men  8c  women  that  [Brie  263/6- 
8] 

Remarks:  The  text  ends  before  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill.  Many  folios  are 
missing  throughout  the  manuscript,  including  those  that  contained  the 
chapter  on  the  thirty-three  kings,  but  the  internal  details,  insofar  as  they 
remain,  agree  with  those  of  other  EV-1419:B  texts,  as  follows: 

(a)    first  giants  passage: 

8c  so  conceyuede  and  brou3te  for|)  grete  gyantis  of  {)e  whiche  oon  was 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 191 

callid  Gogmagog  and  he  was  xl  feet  of  leng^e  &  xij  feet  [repeated  of 
brede 

(b)  second  giants  passage. 

and  in  {)at  lond  was  wont  to  be  manye  giauntis  and  now  ther  ben  but 
fewe  and  J)at  lond  is  al  wildirnes  in  the  which  gyauntis  lyuen  J)ere  bi 
herbis  &  bi  rootis  and  J)ere  ben  scheep  as  grete  as  hors  and  J)at  lond  is 
ordeyned  for  30U  8c  for  30ure  peple  and  J)ere  schule  we  [corr.  to  3e  in 
marg.]  dwelle. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Panne  seide  Brute  vnto  Coryn  "If  Eneburgh  J)i  paramour  my3te  wite 
J)at  00  man  ferde  so  foule  with  J)ee  sche  wolde  neuer  loue  |>ee.'' 

In  1856,  Frederic  Madden  implied  that  the  text  ended  in  1377,  and  since 
the  manuscript  was  imperfect  when  Brie  examined  it.  Brie  relied  on  Mad- 
den's  description  to  assume  that  it  was  a  text  of  the  CV-1377.^  The  pro- 
logue heading  and  internal  details  are,  however,  those  of  an  EV  text,  and 
Madden  was  mistaken  in  believing  that  it  ended  in  1377.^ 

The  appropriate  volume  of  the  catalogue  of  Cambridge  University  manu- 
scripts, published  in  1857,  describes  the  manuscript  as  being  then  in  the 
same  imperfect  state  as  it  is  now.-'  It  cannot,  therefore,  be  supposed  that  the 
text  represents  the  posited  EV-1377,  for  the  EV-1419:B  shows  many  sec- 
ondary features  unique  to  the  group  (see  below),  and  these  features  are 
found  in  CUL  Ff  2.26. 

The  dialect  of  the  text  is  that  of  the  Central  Midland  literary  standard."* 


^  Frederic  Madden,  "Prose  Chronicles  of  England  Called  the  Brute,"  Notes  and  Queries 

2nd  ser.,  1  (1856):  2-3;  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  56. 

^  It  seems  likely  that  Madden  did  not  examine  the  manuscript  personally,  for  he  remarks 

elsewhere  in  his  article  that  "None  of  the  copies  I  have  examined  are  older,  however,  than 

the  fifteenth  century,  and  it  would  be  desirable  to  know  if  those  referred  to  at  Cambridge 

are  coeval  with  the  period  at  which  they  conclude"  (3). 

^  A  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts  Preserved  in  the  Library  of  the  University  of  Cambridge 

(Cambridge,  1857),  pp.  346—47,  where  the  manuscript  is  described  as  possessing  104 

leaves  and  breaking  off  at  "cap.  ccxvi"  of  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England  (1480). 

*'  Samuels,  "Some  Apphcations  of  Middle  Enghsh  Dialectology,"  pp.  84-85  and  n.  5. 

110.  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  MS.  5^ 

Heading,  Here  begynneth  a  boke  the  whiche  is  callyd  Brute  the  Cronycler 
\sic\  of  Inglond.  Capitulo  primo. 


192 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

Exordium  begins:  This  book  tretyth  &  tellyth  of  the  kynges  &  the  pryncipal 

lordys 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  this  boke  declaryth  how  this  lond 

was  callyd  Albyon  after  the  eldest  dovter  of  the  royall  kyng  Dyodycyan 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  noble  lond  of  Surre 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly  on  fol  216v:  8c  the  dolfyn  &  the  duke  of  Burgoyne  [Brie 

389/29] 


^  See  S.  J.  Ogilvie-Thomson,  The  Index  of  Middle  English  Prose,  Handlist  VIII:  Manu- 
scripts Containing  Middle  English  Prose  in  Oxford  College  Libraries  (Cambridge,  1991),  p. 
93. 


111.  BL  MS.  Additional  24859 

Begins  imperfectly:  and  so  withinne  a  litil  while  he  bicame  of  so  greet  power 
that  men  wiste  not  whiche  were  the  l^^ngis  men  ne  whiche  were  Engistis 
men  [Brie  52/31-53/1] 

Contains:  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Ends:  in  reule  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  Additional  evidence  for  including  the  text  here  can  be  found  in  the 
Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

The  first  kyng  was  of  Kent  and  there  Engist  himsilf  regnyd  and  he 
was  lord  and  maistir  of  the  o|)ere  kyngis;  f)e  secund  was  kyng  of 
Southsexe;  J)e  iij^  was  kyng  of  Westsexe;  J)e  iiij*  was  l^^ng  of  Essexe; 
|)e  v^  was  kyng  of  Estangle  that  is  callid  Northfolk  and  Southfolk; 
and  the  yj^  was  kyng  of  Leicestre-schire  Northampton  Hertford  and 
Huntyngdoun;  J)e  vij*^  was  kyng  of  Oxenford  Gloucestre  Wynchestre 
Warwik  and  Derbischire.  [cf  pp.  193,  196  below] 

Brie,  however,  thought  that  this  text  belonged  to  the  CV-1419  and  used 
it  for  collation  purposes  for  his  texts  for  1333  to  1377  and  1377  to  1419,  de- 
scribing it  in  his  edition  as:  "7=  MS.  Br.  Mus.  Add.  24,859,  a  late  but  accu- 
rate transcript  from  a  MS.  of  the  second  half  of  the  15th  century  which 
closes  with  the  capture  of  Rouen  in  1419."^ 


^  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  63;  Brie  2:  vi. 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 193 

112.  University  of  Virginia  MS.  38-173^ 

First  complete  lines  of  fragmentary  fol  Iv  (fol  Ir  illegible):  assent  wroot 
[ . . .  ]el  tacches  of  her  wyues  vnto  here  fad[ . . .  ]  Dioclisian  biseking  him 
to  sette  a  remedie  [cf.  Brie  2/24-27] 

Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Ends  imperfectly:  J)e  king  prayede  alle  his  lordis  to  make  hem  [ . . .  ]o 
strengthe  him  his  ri3t  and  |)anne  anone  he  [lete  catchword\  [Brie  382/2-3] 

Remarks:  Additional  evidence  for  including  the  text  here  consists  of: 

(a)  second  giants  passage: 

and  in  f)at  londe  was  wonte  to  ben  many  geauntes  but  now  J)er  been 
but  fewe  &  ^at  londe  is  al  wildernesse  in  J)e  whiche  geauntes  lyuen 
|)ere  by  herbis  and  by  rootis  and  J)ere  ben  scheepe  as  greet  as  an  hors 
&,  J)at  londe  is  ordeyned  for  30U  and  for  30ure  peple  and  |)ere  schulle 
3e  dwelle. 

(b)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Thanne  seide  Brute  vnto  Coryn  "if  Eneburgh  \>\  paramour  my3t  wyte 
J)at  00  man  ferde  so  foule  with  J)ee  sche  wolde  neuer  loue  {)ee." 

(c)  33  kings  passage: 

The  j^  kinge  of  {)ese  xxxiij"  kingis  was  callid  Gorbodia  and  he  regnyd 
xij  3ere.  The  ij^  kynge  was  callid  Morgan  and  he  regnyd  ij  3ere.  The  iij' 
kynge  was  callid  Githnaus  [sic\  and  he  regned  yj  3ere.  {etc.^ 

(d)  Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

The  j'  kyng  was  of  Kent  J)er  Engist  himsilf  regnyd  and  was  lorde  &. 
maister  of  alle  J)e  o|)er  kyngis.  The  ij^  was  kynge  of  SouJ)sex;  J)e  iij'  was 
kynge  of  Westsex;  |3e  iiij^  was  kynge  of  Essex;  \>e.  v*  was  kynge  of  Est- 
angle  jjat  is  now  Northfolke  and  Sou^folke;  and  J)e  yj^  was  l^^nge  of 
Leicestre-schire  Northamton  Hertforde  &  Hontyngdon.  The  vij^  was 
kynge  of  Oxenforde  Gloucestre  Wynchestre  Warwike  and  Derby- 
schere. 


^  See  George  H.  Reese,  "The  Alderman  Brut.  A  Diplomatic  Transcript,  Edited  with  a 
Study  of  the  Text,"  Ph.D.  diss.,  University  of  Virginia,  1947,  esp.  pp.  14-21  for  a  de- 
scription of  the  manuscript  and  its  history. 


113.  Lincoln  Cathedral  MS.  98^ 

Heading  on  damaged  foL  1 74:  Hire  bigynneth  a  bok  wiche  is  callid  Brut  the 


194 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

Cronyclis  of  Engelonde.  Capitulo  primo. 
Exordium  begins:  This  boke  tretith  8c  tellith  of  the  kingis  8c  principal  lordis 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  this  book  declareth  how  this  londe 

was  callid  Albioun 
Text  begins:  Sumtyme  in  the  noble  londe  of  Surry 
Ends  imperfectly  onfol  181v:  ffor  he  was  duk  of  Burgoyn  J)orugh  Fowyn  J)at 

he  had  spousid  wiche  was  dou3tir  8c  heir  [vnto  the  duke  of  catchwords] 

[cf  Brie  26/18-19] 

Remarks:  Only  one  quire  of  the  Brut  text  survives;  with  other  items,  it  has 
been  appended  to  form  this  composite  manuscript. 

The  text  is  included  here  on  the  strength  of  the  exordium  and  prologue, 
supported  by  the  following  passages: 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

8c  so  \>ey  conceyvid  8c  brou3t  forth  gret  gyauntis  of  the  wiche  oon  was 
called  Gogmagog  8c  he  was  xl  feet  of  lengthe  8c  xij  feet  of  brede.  And 
thes  giauntis  dwelleden  in  diuers  placis  in  this  londe  Albioun  in  cavis 
8c  in  mounteyns  into  the  tyme  J)at  Brute  come  into  this  lond  8c  arryvid 
at  Toteneys  in  Devenshire  8c  j[)anne  this  Brute  scomfitid  8c  conqueryd 
alle  these  giauntis  8c  slow3  hem  all. 

(b)  second  gian  ts  passage: 

8c  in  J)at  londe  J^ere  was  wonte  to  ben  many  geauntis  but  now  J)ere  ben 
but  fewe  8c  |)at  londe  is  al  wildernes  in  J)e  wiche  geauntis  lyven  |)ere  by 
herbis  8c  by  rootis  8c  J)ere  ben  shepe  as  grete  as  hors  8c  J)at  londe  is 
ordeyned  for  30W  8c  for  30ur  puple  8c  ther  shulde  36  dwelle. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Thanne  seid  Brute  vnto  Coryn  "3if  Eneborugh  thi  paramour  myght  wet 
J)at  00  man  ferde  so  foule  wij)  the  she  wolde  neuere  loue  the." 


^  See  Rodney  M.  Thompson,  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts  of  Lincoln  Cathedral  Chapter 
Library  (Cambridge,  1989),  pp.  73-75;  Julia  C.  Crick,  The  'Historia  Regum  Britannie'  of 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  IIL  A  Summary  Catalogue  of  the  Manuscripts  (Cambridge,  1989), 
pp.  130-33. 


114.  National  Library  of  Wales  MS.  Additional  442D^ 

Heading;^.  Here  begynneth  a  booke  whiche  is  called  Brute  the  Cronycles  of 
Englonde.  Capitulo  primo. 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 195 

Exordium  begins:  This  booke  treteth  and  telleth  of  |)e  ^Tiges  and  principal 

lordes 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  |)is  booke  declareth  hou  J)is  was  callyd 

Albyon  aftre  Jje  eldest  doughtre 
Text  begins:  Somtyme  in  J)e  noble  londe  of  Surry 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL,  "Sw"  heading 
Ends:  in  reule  and  in  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  internal  features  are  those  of  the  preceding  texts  until  the  end 
of  the  chapter  on  the  battie  of  Halidon  Hill,  that  is,  the  point  where  the 
CV  text  to  1333  continues  with  the  1377  continuation.  The  concluding  sec- 
tion of  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter  and  the  first  section  of  the  chapter  "How 
King  Edward  made  a  duchy  of  the  earldom  of  Cornwall ..."  are  omitted, 
and  the  text  reads: 

And  J)is  victorie  bifelle  to  J)e  Englissh  men  in  Sent  Margaretes  euen 
in  J)e  yere  of  oure  lorde  Ihesu  Crist  M'  CCC  xxxij  And  while  J)is 
doyng  last  |)e  Englissh  knaues  nomen  J)e  pilfre  of  f)e  Scottes  {)at  were 
queld  euery  man  J)at  he  my3t  of  |)e  l^Tiges  frendes  of  Englond  wij) 
_  tovnes  &  castelles  &  meny  o|)ere  of  her  lordships  and  meny  harmes 
shames  and  despites  dede  vnto  J)e  queen.  Wherfore  J)e  kyng  whanne 
he  herde  of  J)ese  tidynges  he  was  strongliche  moued  and  J)erwiJ)  an- 
angred  and  sent  dyuers  lettres  ouere  see  to  {)e  queen  and  to  ojjere  |)at 
were  his  frendes  gladyng  hem  and  certefiyng  |)at  he  wolde  be  {)ere 
himself  in  alle  jje  haste  J)at  he  might,  [cf  Brie  286/4-8,  294/4-10] 

Thereafter  the  text  becomes  normal  again  until  it  ends  in  1419(r&g).  The 
omission  of  material  does  not  make  sense  as  it  stands  and  has  probably  oc- 
curred through  scribal  error;  it  is  of  interest,  however,  since  the  AV-1419:B 
also  exhibits  the  omission  of  material  around  this  point  (see  pp.  226-27). 


*  See  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  371-73,  for  a  description  and  an  analysis 
of  the  contents  (Marx  niistakenly  assigns  the  text  to  my  "Common  Version"  [373]). 

115.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(1)^ 

Heading  onfol  57:  Here  begynneth  a  boke  which  is  called  Brute  the  Crona- 

cle  of  England.  Capitulo  &c. 
Exordium  begins:  This  boke  treteth  techeth  and  telleth  of  kyngis  and  of 

pryncipall  lordis 


196 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologg  of  this  boke  declareth  how  this  lande 

was  called  Albioun  after  the  eldest  doughter 
Text  begins:  Sum  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surrey 
Omits:  Latin  tag 
Contains:  Cad 
EV-1419  text  ends  onfol.  llSv:  and  this  batail  was  ended  at  Tunbrigg  in  the 

ij*^^  yer  of  his  raigne  vppon  Saint  Calixtis  day  and  he  lyeth  att  Walteham. 
Colophon:  Here  endeth  the  Cronacles  from  Brute  vntill  William  Conquerour. 

Remarks:  The  extra  details  in  the  prologue  and  opening  chapters  are  similar 
to  those  in  the  other  EV-1419:B  texts  (although  minor  verbal  differences 
suggest  that  the  text  stands  at  one  further  remove),  but  in  the  chapter  listing 
the  kings  of  Britain,  although  the  kings  are  enumerated  (the  last  being  num- 
bered twenty-nine),  the  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred  does  not  appear.  Constan- 
tine  reigns  after  Arthur's  death. 

The  naming  of  Engist's  heptarchy  is  slightly  shorter  than  in  either  the 
CV  or  the  EV,  but  the  introductory  wording  is  closer  to  the  CV  or  EV- 
1419:A  than  to  the  other  EV-1419:B  texts,  whereas  the  remainder  corres- 
ponds in  general  to  that  of  the  EV-1419:B: 

And  then  thai  changed  the  name  of  this  land.  And  callid  hit  [ins. 
above]  after  the  name  off  Engeist  and  that  no  man  yn  no  wyse  wer  so 
hardy  to  call  hitt  Bretaigne.  And  then  Engeist  departyd  the  lond 
betwene  hym  and  his  men  and  made  vij  kynges  for  the  mor  strengjje 
of  hymself  so  that  the  Bretons  shuld  cum  no  mor  among  ham.  The 
first  l^^ng  was  of  Kent  ther  that  Engeist  hymself  raigned  above  all  the 
oJ)er  kynges.  The  ij''  was  of  SowJ)esex;  the  iij'^  of  Westsex;  the  iijj*"^  of 
Estsex.  The  v^^  of  Esthangele  which  ys  now  Northfolke  and  Sowth- 
folke.  The  vj  was  of  Laicesttre  Northampton  Hertefford  and  Hun- 
tyngdon.  The  vij^^  kyng  was  off  Oxfford  Glowcettre  Wynchester 
Warwyke  and  Derbysher.  [cf  pp.  192,  193,  and  Brie  55/2-14] 

The  Brut  text  is  written  in  a  number  of  hands,  who  were  clearly  super- 
vised carefully  in  the  production  of  the  composite  text.  Medieval  foliation  by 
one  of  the  scribes  in  the  top  right  corner  of  the  rectos  of  the  leaves  shows 
that  the  Brut  text  was  originally  written  as  a  separate  text  and  that  it  was 
originally  conceived  of  as  a  whole  to  the  end  of  the  continuation  to  1422. 

The  beginning  of  the  EV  text  occurs  on  medieval  fol.  "j"  (modern  fol. 
57).  The  last  medieval  foUo,  numbered  "iiij""  xiijj"  (modern  fol.  150),  con- 
tains on  its  verso  text  from  near  the  end  of  the  1422  continuation,  which  is 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 197 

finished  by  a  new  hand  on  fol.  151.  The  new  hand  then  proceeds  with  a 
CV-1461  continuation  that  was  probably  not  part  of  the  original  plan. 

The  composite  Brut  text  became  the  eighth  part  of  a  larger  compendium 
manuscript  in  the  late  fifteenth  century.  In  the  general  table  of  contents  the 
Brut  text  is  called  "The  olde  Cornecles  and  the  newe"  (fol.  2).  A  "tabyll  off 
all  the  l^ges  that  euer  raignyd  yn  Englond"  and  the  lengths  of  their  reigns 
(fols.  55v^56v)  precedes  the  Brut  text,  on  which  it  is  clearly  based;  the  table 
begins  with  Brutus  and  ends  "Henre  the  yj  raygnyd  xxxix  yere." 


^  For  (2),  see  item  160;  for  (3),  see  item  90.  Part  of  fol.  65v  is  reproduced  in  M.  B. 
Parkes,  English  Cursive  Book  Hands  1250-1500  (1969;  rpt.  Berkeley  and  Los  Angeles, 
1980),  plate  12(ii). 


The  Extended  Version  to  1419,  Group  C  (EV-1419:C) 

Group  C  contains  MSS.  CCCC  182,  TCC  0.9.1(1),  Bodl.  Laud  Misc. 
571,  Princeton  Garrett  150,  Illinois  116(1),  Soc.  of  Antiquaries  223,  and 
Huntington  HM  133.  For  discussion  of  its  recension  of  the  exordium  and 
further  changes  compared  to  the  CV  and  other  EV  groups,  see  pages  237- 
40  below. 


116.  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  182 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynneth  a  booke  in  Englissh  tonge  called  Brute  of 
Englonde  or  the  Cronicles  of  Englonde  compilinge  and  treatynge  of  the 
saide  lande 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prloge  [sic\  of  this  booke  declareth  and  tellith 

Text  begins:  Sum  tyme  in  the  noble  londe  of  Surre 

Omits:  Latin  tag 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Ends:  in  rule  and  goueranase  [sic]. 

Remarks:  A  sixteenth-century  hand  has  added  a  colophon:  "Explicit  usque  ad 
annum  7""  Henrici  quinti." 


117.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  0.9.l(l)^ 

Exordium  begins  on  fol.  49:  Here  begynneth  a  booke  in  Englissh  tonge  called 


198 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

Brute  of  Englond  or  the  Cronicles  of  Englond  compilyng  and  tretyng  of 

the  seid  lande 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  this  booke  declareth  and  telleth  how 

this  lande  was  first  called  Albioun  after  the  eldest  doughter  of  the  roiail 

kyng  Dioclician  of  Surre  called  Albyne 
Heading  to  text  Here  begynneth  the  ffirst  chapter. 
Text  begins:  Somtyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  and  a 

worthy  man  called  Dioclician  a  grete  conquerour  and  a  myghty  man 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
EV-1419:C  ends  onfol.  195:  in  rewle  and  in  gouernaunce. 

Remarks'?  The  name  of  Coryn's  "lemman"  is  not  given  and  the  names  of 
Ebrak's  children  are  omitted. 

The  manuscript  is  illustrated  throughout  with  well  executed  borders  and 
initials,  though  the  rubrication  of  chapter  headings  was  not  completed. 
Headings  are  thus  omitted  in  the  chapter  containing  the  battle  of  Halidon 
Hill  and  a  space  is  left  where  the  "5w"  heading  would  appear. 

A  break  occurs  in  the  manuscript  between  fol.  lOOr  (the  death  of  "Alrude" 
and  the  flight  of  Godwin  [Brie  128/10])  and  fol.  103r  (the  arrival  in  Eng- 
land of  Edward  the  Confessor  [Brie  128/11]).  Much  of  fol.  lOOr  is  left 
blank;  fols.  lOOv-101  contain  notes  on  Ireland,  the  number  of  bishoprics, 
shires,  towns,  etc.;  fols.  lOlv  and  102r  are  left  blank  (except  for  the  later 
name  "William  Barret"  on  the  latter;  the  beginning  of  a  late  deed  of  Will. 
Barret  of  Sholton  in  Staffordshire  appears  on  fol.  231v);  on  fol.  102  appears 
a  fine  set  of  illustrations  to  the  life  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  consisting  of 
seven  scenes  in  six  compartments.  The  break  seems  to  have  been  dehberately 
left  for  the  paintings,  and  there  does  not  appear  to  have  been  a  change  of 
exemplar  at  this  point. 


^  For  (2),  see  item  83.  See  Mooney,  Handlist,  pp.  136-38.  Earlier  items  in  the  manuscript 
are  "Heruest  hath  iij  monethis"  and  prose  lives  of  St.  Katherine,  St.  James,  and  the 
Virgin;  for  these  and  other  minor  items,  see  also  James,  Western  Manuscripts . . .  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge,  3:  439-41. 
^  See  also  p.  151  for  a  London  connection. 


118.  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  571 

Exordium  begins  onfol  6:  Here  begynneth  a  boke  yn  Englyssh  tonge  called 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 199 

Brute  of  Engelond  or  the  Cronycler  of  Engelond  compyled  and  tretyng 

of  the  sayd  londe 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologge  of  thys  booke  declareth  8c  telleth  how 

thys  lande  was  ffirste  called  after  the  eldest  doughter  of  J)e  ryall  Ignig 

Deoclisyan  off  Surre 
Heading  to  text  (damaged):  Here  bigynneth  the  cronycle  of  a  wo[ . . ,  ]  called 

Dyoclisian  which  was  a  grete  conquerour  &  conquered  many  [ . . .  ] 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  nobbe  Ysic\  lande  of  Surrey 
Omits:  Latin  tag 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly  (see  below):  And  yn  J)e  firste  yere  of  his  reigne  for  grete 

[Brie  373/5-6] 

Remarks:  The  text  is  prefaced  by  an  early  modern  table  of  kings  and  chapters 
to  Henry  V. 

The  exordium,  which  omits  some  phrases  found  in  other  manuscripts  of 
the  group,  is  subdivided  into  sections,  some  parts  of  the  text  being  laid  out 
as  headings  in  red.  The  number  of  kings  who  have  reigned  in  England  is 
computed  up  to  Henry  VI,  instead  of  up  to  Edward  III  (cf  item  98);  the 
number  of  kings  has  been  changed,  but  the  number  of  chapters  said  to  be  in 
the  book  seems  to  have  been  left  alone  (the  edge  of  the  leaf  is  damaged,  but 
"CC  xxx[ . . .  ]"  is  visible). 

Coryn's  "lemman"  is  not  named,  and  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are 
omitted. 

The  text  ends  in  the  midst  of  a  line,  partway  down  fol.  142v  (four  lines 
into  chapter  244),  and  is  presumably  as  complete  as  it  ever  was. 

After  the  imperfect  ending  occurs  an  early  note  of  ownership  (part  of  the 
leaf  has  been  cut  away):  "This  boke  is  gevyn  to  Esabell  Alen  of  the  bequest 
of  her  hunkuU  ser  William  Trouthe  vicary  in  the  close  of  Salisbury  to  the 
entent  that  sche  schuld  pray  for  hym  of  whom  God  of  his  [mi.]  sawle  haue 
mercy.  Delyueryd  by  the  handes  of  hir  ffader  and  moder  William  Alen 
[ . . .  ]  Elenor  his  wiff  which  Elenor  [which  Elenor  ins.]  desessyd  vpon  ser 
[^(f/.]  Mary  Mawdlen  eve  the  [ . . .  ]  of  kyng  H.  vij"  of  whom  God  of  her 
saule  haue  mercy.  Amen.  Quod  Esabel(?)." 

119.  Princeton  University  Library,  Garrett  MS.  150^ 

Begins  imperfectly  during  exordium  on  fragmentary  fol  1:  pi[ . . .  ]  lond  [ . . .  ] 
was  fyrst  a  wyldreness[ . . .  ]nd  forlete  and  no  thyng  theerin  [ . . .  ]ut  wylde 
bestis  and  fowlis 


200 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  proloog  of  this  book  declarith  and  tellyth 

Omits:  Latin  tag,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Ends:  in  rewie  and  in  governaunce.  Explicit. 

Remarks:  The  names  of  Ebrak's  numerous  sons  and  daughters  are  omitted 
(Brie  15/15-24). 

An  addition  is  made  to  the  chapter  heading  that  begins  the  reign  of  Wil- 
liam the  Conqueror:  "Here  endith  the  cronicles  of  alle  the  kynges  before  the 
conquest  and  next  folowith  William  Bastard  duke  of  Normandie  that  con- 
querid  alle  Englond.  Off  William  Bastarde  and  howe  he  gouerned  hym  wel 
and  wysely  8c  of  the  warre  that  was  betwene  hym  &  the  kyng  of  Fraunce." 

The  chapters  between  the  death  of  Mortimer  and  the  establishment  of  the 
duchy  of  Cornwall  are  omitted  (Brie  272/6-292/26),  a  gap  that  includes  the 
Halidon  Hill  chapter.  This  gap  is  very  suggestive  of  the  omission  of  material 
around  the  same  point  that  occurs  in  the  AV-1419:B  (see  pp.  226-27). 
Taken  with  the  evidence  of  the  "double  heading"  to  the  reign  of  William 
the  Conqueror,  it  might  seem  possible  that  these  reflect  a  change  to  an 
exemplar  that  also  underlies  the  AV-1419:B.  The  evidence  of  the  following 
text,  however,  suggests  that  this  is  not  the  case  and  that  the  gap  in 
Princeton  Garrett  150  is  the  result  of  scribal  error. 

Early  owners  of  the  manuscript  include  Sir  John  Sulyard  (died  1488), 
justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  and  "Syr  Thomas  Bourgyer  knight"  (also 
"T.  Bourgchier"),  the  constable  of  Leeds  Castle,  who  married  Sulyard's  wid- 
ow, Anne,  and  who  died  in  1492? 


^  See  Bennett,  Preston,  and  Stoneman,  Summary  Guide,  p.  45. 

^  And  not  Thomas  Bourghier,  archbishop  of  Canterbury  (d.  1486),  as  mistakenly  noted 
by  me  in  Analytical  and  Enumerative  Bibliography  3  (1979):  265.  See  BofFey,  Manuscripts 
of  English  Courtly  Love  Lyrics,  pp.  122-23  and  nn.  29  and  30  (where  other  books  associ- 
ated with  the  influential  Bourchier  family  are  also  noted);  Meale,  "Patrons,  Buyers  and 
Owners,"  pp.  216  and  233  n.  87,  where  the  signature  of  "John  Sulyerd"  is  noted;  Carol 
M.  Meale,  " '. . .  alle  the  bokes  that  I  haue  of  latyn,  enghsch,  and  frensch':  Laywomen  and 
Their  Books  in  Late  Medieval  England,"  in  Women  and  Literature  in  Britain  1150-1500, 
ed.  Carol  M.  Meale,  2nd  ed.  (Cambridge,  1996),  pp.  142-43. 


120.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  116(1)^ 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynneth  a  boke  in  Englysshe  tonge  called  Brute  of 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 201 

Ingelond  or  the  Cronycles  of  Ingelond  compylynge  and  tretynge  of  J)e 

seyd  londe 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  J)is  boke  declarej)  &  tellej) 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  J)e  noble  londe  of  Surry 
Omits:  Latin  tag 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Second  hand  ends  onfol.  184v:  Nowe  wille  I  tel  30U  whiche  were  J)e  chiefF 

capteyns  6c  governoures  of  J)is  cite  of  Rone.  Mounser  Guy  Botteler  was 

chieff  cap  [Brie  390/8-10] 

Remarks:  As  in  the  preceding  text,  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are  omit- 
ted and  the  addition  to  the  heading  to  the  reign  of  William  the  Conqueror 
appears.  Unlike  the  previous  text,  however,  there  is  no  loss  of  material 
around  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter. 

A  change  of  exemplar  is  indicated  where  the  third  hand  of  the  manuscript 
continues  in  mid-word  on  fol.  185  with  a  CV-1430  JP:B  continuation. 


^  For  (2),  see  item  81. 


121.  Society  of  Antiquaries  MS.  223 

Text  begins:  Som  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surry 

Omits:  Latin  tag 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  whenne  she  came  vnto  age  she  [Brie  67/23-24] 

Remarks:  The  hand  of  this  paper  manuscript,  which  belongs  to  the  late  fif- 
teenth century,  becomes  progressively  more  of  a  hurried  scribble.^  The  text 
is  probably  complete  as  the  scribe  left  it,  for  it  ends  about  two-thirds  down 
fol.  45v. 

The  text  is  included  in  this  group  on  the  evidence  of: 

(a)    Jirst  giants  passage: 

grete  gyauntes  of  the  whiche  men  callyd  one  of  hem  Gogemagoge 
chefe  of  hem  all  xl  ffoote  longe  &  xij  foote  of  breede  &  an  othir  was 
called  Wydy  &  he  dwellyd  in  Shropeshyre  vppon  an  hyghe  hyll  callyd 
the  Wrekyn  and  an  other  Onowen  and  an  othir  Bounde  and  many 
othir  there  weren  8c  called  dyuerse  names  8c  dwelled  in  depe  caues  8c 
on  hyghe  hyllys  and  mountetaynes  whiche  gyantes  gate  vppon  her 
moders  more  gyantes  [vppon  her  moders  del.]  to  multeplye  there  people 


202 THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 

at  theyre  owne  luste  8c  wyll  vnto  the  tyme  that  Brute  come  and 
sloughe  many  of  them  and  conquered  the  londe  &c. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

8c  that  ile  is  compassed  all  with  the  see  and  no  man  may  come  ther  but 
all  shyppes  and  in  that  londe  were  wonte  to  be  many  gyauntes  but  now 
{)er  be  but  few  and  so  that  is  but  wyldyrnes  ne  no  erthe  tylled  ne  none 
sede  isow  of  no  maner  graynes;  also  the  gyauntes  lyue  be  dyuers  frutes 
growyng  there  and  be  fowles  wylde  and  tame  and  othir  grete  bestes  and 
in  especyall  by  fleshe  off  sheepe  grete  as  horses  whyche  beryn  woll  as 
it  were  here  of  gotes  where-of  they  maken  hem  slavens  and  that  londe 
is  to  you  ordeyned  by  desteny  and  to  yowre  people. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

and  than  seyde  [seyde  repeated\  Brute  vnto  Coryn  "yefe  thy  lemman 
wyste  {)at  one  farde  so  fowle  the  she  wolde  neuyr  loue  the  after." 

(d)  As  in  the  other  texts  of  the  group,  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are 
omitted. 


^  Three  examples  of  the  development  of  the  hand  are  given  in  Parkes,  English  Cursive 
Book  Hands,  plate  21  and  p.  21. 


122.  Huntington  MS.  HM  133^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  Fraunce.  And  whanne  he  come  a3ene  intoo  ^is  londe  he 
belded  \ftrst  e  overy]  a  fayre  tone  and  now  es  a  cytee  [cf.  Brie  15/10-11] 

Omits:  Latin  tag,  QIL  (see  below) 

Contains:  Cad 

Ends  imperfectly:  nay  he  shulde  notte  be  transled  the  same  erle  Thomas  of 
Lancaster  vntoo  the  tyme  that  he  was  [Brie  263/12-13] 

Remarks:  The  folios  are  missing  that  might  have  contained  QIL. 

An  examination  of  the  first  chapters  of  the  text  shows  it  to  agree  well 
with  the  other  EV-1419:C  texts.  As  in  these,  the  names  of  Ebrak's  numer- 
ous children  are  omitted. 

In  the  chapter  relating  the  construction  by  Bladud  of  the  hot  baths  at 
Bath,  there  is  a  verse  addition  (written  as  prose),  apparently  unique  among 
extant  EV  and  AV  manuscripts,  taken  from  the  Short  English  Metrical 
Chronicle?  The  verses  occur  at  a  point  where  the  CV-1333  remarks  "as  Jje 
gest  tellej)"  (Brie  16/16),  a  phrase  that  is  omitted  in  the  other  EV-1419:C 


THE  EXTENDED  VERSION 203 

texts.  The  Huntington  manuscript  is  at  times  carelessly  written,  presenting 
readings  at  a  further  remove  from  the  ultimate  CV  sources  than  the  corres- 
ponding readings  in  the  other  texts  of  the  group;  it  cannot,  therefore,  repre- 
sent the  original  of  the  group  in  its  present  form.  It  is  striking,  however, 
that  the  verses  on  the  hot  baths  should  come  from  the  Short  English  Metrical 
Chronicle f  from  which  source  other  details  were  added  to  the  EV;  possibly 
the  Huntington  text  reflects  an  earlier  stage  of  the  EV  that  contained  those 
verses. 


^  Sec  Dutschke,  Guide,  1:  177-78;  Hanna,  Handlist,  pp.  13-14. 
^  Zettl,  ed.,  Metrical  Cbron.,  pp.  7-8,  lines  156-84. 


III.  The  Abbreviated  Version 


The  Abbreviated  Version  contains  four  primary  groups:  the  AV-1419:A 
(with  three  subgroups),  B,  C,  and  D.  Important  features  that  help  dis- 
tinguish these  groups  and  subgroups  are  the  form  of  the  exordium,  specific 
details  of  content,  and  the  kinds  of  abridgment  found  in  the  individual  texts. 
As  we  have  seen,  the  exordia  in  groups  A,  B,  and  C  agree  well  with  the  cor- 
responding exordia  in  groups  A,  B,  and  C  of  the  Extended  Version,  while 
that  of  group  D  has  no  EV  counterpart.  As  in  the  EV,  the  wording  of  de- 
tails ultimately  derived  from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle,  such  as  the 
name  and  designation  ("paramour"  or  "leman")  given  to  Coryn's  mistress,  is 
a  very  useful  taxonomic  tool. 

Abridgments  occur  throughout  the  AV  narratives,  but  those  that  have 
proved  most  significant  for  this  classification  include  the  chapter  on  thirty- 
three  kings  of  Britain,  the  handling  of  material  after  Arthur's  death,  and  the 
treatment  of  chapters  around  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill,  as  well  as  other 
passages  and  details  that  will  be  encountered  in  the  descriptions  and  dis- 
cussions below.  Thus,  for  example,  the  AV-1419:A(a)  and  the  AV- 
1419:A(b)  drastically  abbreviate  the  chapter  on  the  thirty-three  kings  by 
simply  omitting  the  names  and  lengths  of  reign  of  all  but  the  last.  The  AV- 
1419:A(a),  the  AV-1419:A(b),  the  AV-1419:B,  and  the  AV-1419:C  omit 
four  chapters  after  the  death  of  Arthur,  whereas  the  AV-1419:A(c)  and  the 
AV-1419:D  apparently  repair  this  omission  with  a  single,  substitute  chapter 
on  Arthur's  successor  Constantine  that  is  drawn  from  Geoffrey  of  Mon- 
mouth. Except  for  one  atypical  (but  explainable)  member  of  the  group,  the 
AV-1419:B  is  marked  by  the  wholesale  omission  of  material  around  the 
batde  of  Halidon  Hill. 


The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  A  (AV-1419:A) 

Group   A   consists    of  three   subgroups,    the   AV-1419:A(a),    the   AV- 
1419:A(b),  and  the  AV-1419:A(c),  which  share  the  same  exordium  (with 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION  205 

verbal  variations)  found  in  the  EV-1419:A  but  are  othervsdse  not  derivable 
one  from  the  other. 


The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419: 
Group  A,  Subgroup  (a)  (AV-1419:A[a]) 
This   subgroup   contains   MSS.   Glasgow  Hunterian   83(1),   BL   Harley 
3730(1),  and  Bodl.  Digby  185. 


123.  UNivERsnY  OF  Glasgow,  MS.  Hunterian  83(1)^ 

Exordium  begins  on  fol.  15\  Here  begynnythe  a  boke  in  Engleshe  tonge 

callyd  Brute  of  Englond  qwyche  declarethe  and  tretethe  of  the  ferst  be- 

gynnyng  of  England 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  |)is  boke  tellethe  how  J)is  land  was 

first  callid  Albioun  efter  J)e  [qwiche  del^  eldest  doochter 
Text  begins:  Svm  tyme  in  the  noble  land  of  Surre 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  "5w''  heading  (see  Remarks  on 

the  AV-1419:A[a]  below) 
Containr.  Cad,  QIL 
AV  text  ends  imperfectly  on  fol.  127'v:  the  armed  men  drew  owte  J)e  beggers 

8c  J)e  povyr  peple  [c£  Brie  391/1-2] 

Remarks:  The  AV-1419:A(a)  text  is  the  original  text  of  the  manuscript,  to 
which  the  second  scribe  later  added  prefatory  material  and  a  Poly.  1461  con- 
tinuation, together  with  a  text  of  "Warkworth's"  Chronicle. 

The  first  hand  is  a  secretary  book  hand  similar  to  one  of  the  hands  in 
Bodleian  Arch.  Selden  B.24,  which  has  been  described  as  "a  typical  Scottish 
hand  of  the  end  of  the  fifteenth  century."^  The  language  is  northern. 


^  For  (2),  see  item  94.  For  a  fUller  account  of  the  manuscript,  its  texts,  and  its  history,  see 

Matheson,  ed.,  Deati  and  Dissent. 

^  Parkes,  English  Cursive  Book  Hands,  p.  13  and  plate  13(ii). 

124.  BL  MS.  Harley  3730(1)^ 

Exordium  begins  on  fol  2:  Here  begynnythe  a  boke  in  Englysch  tonge  called 
Brute  of  Englond  which  dedareth  and  treyateth  of  ^e  fyrst  begynnyng  of 
Englond 


206 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  J)is  boke  telleth  how  J)is  land  was  first 

callid  Albioun  efter  J)e  eldest  doughtur 
Text  begins:  Sum  tyme  in  the  noble  land  of  Surrye 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  "5w"  heading 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
AV  text  ends  onfol.  105:  in  reule  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  Brut  text,  including  the  continuation  to  1461  (now  incom- 
plete), was  copied  by  two  scribes  from  the  preceding  manuscript  and  thus 
shares  the  same  internal  features. 

The  second  scribe  has  prefixed  on  fol.  Ir-v  an  extract  from  the  epilogue 
of  the  later  version  of  John  Hardyng's  Chronicle? 


^  For  (2),  see  item  96.  For  a  fuller  account  of  the  manuscript,  its  texts,  and  its  relation- 
ship to  the  preceding  manuscript,  see  Matheson,  ed..  Death  and  Dissent. 
^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2644-47,  2836. 


125.  Bodleian  MS.  Digby  185 

Exordium  begins:  Her  begynnyth  a  booke  in  Englisch  tong  called  Brute  of 
Englond  which  declareth  and  treteth  of  the  first  begynnyng  of  Englond 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  this  boke  tellith  how  this  lond  was 
furst  called  Albion  after  the  eldist  doghter 

Text  begins:  Svm  tyme  in  the  noble  lond  of  Surrey 

Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  "5w"  heading 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Ends  onfol  79:  in  revoll  and  governaunce.  Explicit. 

Remarks:  The  Brut  is  the  first  item  in  the  manuscript  and  is  followed  by 
Hoccleve's  Regiment  of  Princes ,  Hoccleve's  stories  of  Gerelaus  and  his  wife 
and  of  Jonathas  and  his  paramour,  and  the  unique  text  of  King  Ponthus  and 
the  Fair  Sidone} 

The  manuscript  belonged  to,  and  was  possibly  commissioned  by,  the 
Hopton  family  of  Swillington  (near  Leeds)  in  Yorkshire,  whose  arms  are  in- 
corporated in  the  decoration  of  the  initials  of  the  first  words  of  the  major 
works.  Mather  (followed  in  LALME)  suggests  that  it  might  have  been  writ- 
ten for  Sir  William  Hopton.^ 

The  language  is  of  the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  "somewhat  northern- 
ized,  but  of  late  type."-' 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION  207 


^  See  M.  C.  Seymour,  "The  Manuscripts  of  Hoccleve's  Regiment  of  Princes,"  Edinburgh 
Bibliographical  Society  Transactions  4  (1974):  276-77;  Frank  J.  Mather,  Jr.,  "King  Ponthus 
and  the  Fair  Sidone,"  PMLA  12  (1897):  xxiii-xxiv. 

^  See  Mather,  "King  Ponthus,"  pp.  xxiv^-xxv  and  facsimile.  Mather  claims  that  Hopton 
was  the  treasurer  of  Edward  IV  ca.  1465,  but  he  is  not  listed  as  such  in  Fryde,  Greenway, 
Porter,  and  Roy,  eds..  Handbook  of  British  Chronology,  p.  107.  Carol  Meale  suggests  that 
this  manuscript  may  have  been  the  "booke  of  Englisshe  callid  OcdiT  that  Thomasin 
Hopton  bequeathed  to  her  son  in  1498;  see  Meale,  " '. . .  alle  the  bokes  that  I  haue  of 
latyn,  englisch,  and  frensch',"  p.  141. 
3  LALME,  1:  147. 


Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:A(a) 

The  exordium  agrees  well  with  that  found  in  the  EV-1419:A.  The  first 
passage  on  the  giants,  however,  does  not  include  the  extra  giants  found  in 
the  EV-1419:A: 

&  thei  conceved  &  brogth  for  [fiirth  G,  H]  giantes  of  the  which  men 
called  on  Gogmagog  chef  of  theym  all  &  he  was  fifty  fote  in  lenght 
8c  xij  in  bred  and  all  [ow.  G,  H]  the  other  were  called  dyuers  names 
&  dwellyd  in  hie  hylles  8c  montayns  and  in  this  maner  thei  came 
forth  and  were  borne  horrible  giantes  in  Albioun  8c  dwellid  sum  of 
theym  in  caves  [coves  G,  H]  8c  in  hiUes  at  [and  G,  H]  their  lyst  8c 
had  the  land  of  Albioun  vnto  the  tyme  that  Brute  come  8c  arrived  at 
Tottnesse  in  the  He  of  Albioun  8c  ther  thys  Brute  conquered  and 
scomfytt  theis  giantes  aboueseyd  8c  slogh  the  most  parte  of  theym  as 
bokes  openly  declareth.  [Bodl.  Digby  185,  collated  with  Glasgow 
Hunterian  83  (G)  and  BL  Harley  3730  (H)] 

The  second  giants  passage  reads  as  follows: 

Also  the  giantes  lyven  by  dyuers  frutes  grovyng  ther  8c  by  fowles  wyld 
8c  tame  8c  other  bestes  8c  in  esspeciall  by  flesch  of  schep  gret  as 
horsses  wich  weren  woUe  as  her  of  gete  wherof  thei  mak  theym 
slavyns.  And  that  land  is  to  you  ordenyd  by  destyne  8c  to  your 
people.  [Bodl.  Digby  185] 

The  name  of  Coryn's  paramour  is  omitted  and  she  is  called  his  "leman": 

And  than  said  Brute  vnto  Coryn  "And  yff  thy  leman  wist  |)at  oon 


208 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

man  farde  so  fowle  with  \>e  scho  wald  neuer  love  the  efter  this," 
[Glasgow  Hunterian  83] 

In  the  chapter  listing  the  thirty-three  kings  of  Britain  in  the  CV  and  EV, 
the  text  is  drastically  shortened  and  the  chapter  reads: 

How  xxxiij  kinges  regnede  in  peass. 

And  efter  the  deith  of  Esidure  xxxiij  kinges  regnede  in  this  land 
euerichon  efter  othere.  And  J)e  last  of  J)aim  at  regned  was  callid  Ely 
and  he  had  iij  sones  Lude  Cassibalane  and  Enemyen.  [Glasgow 
Hunterian  83] 

The  names  of  Ebrak's  many  children  (Brie  15/15-23)  are  omitted. 

After  the  death  of  Arthur  four  chapters,  recounting  the  reign  of  Constan- 
tine  and  his  war  with  Mordred's  sons,  the  reigns  of  Adelbright  and  Edelf, 
the  story  of  Conan  and  Argentil,  and  the  reign  of  Curan  (see  Brie  90/28- 
92/30),  are  omitted,  and  Arthur's  successor  is  thus  Conan.  (This  omission 
is,  of  course,  a  distinguishing  feature  of  four  of  the  six  AV  groups  and  sub- 
groups.) 

The  text  is  abbreviated  in  many  places,  such  as  the  chapters  on  and 
around  the  reign  of  King  John  (see  Remarks  on  the  Extended  and  Abbre- 
viated Versions,  below). 

In  the  chapter  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  the  parts  of  the  Scottish 
army  are  enumerated  in  the  text  without  any  rubricated  subheadings,  the 
text  is  abbreviated,  and  only  three  wards  of  the  Scottish  army  are  given: 

And  in  pe  thyrd  ward  was  theis  lordes:  lames  Steward  of  Golden 
Aleyn  Steward  William  Habraham  William  Morne  [Morice  B]  and 
many  oJ)er  with  vij^  men  of  armes  and  xvijM'  of  commons  so  |)at  per 
was  iij  bataiUes  wele  arrayed  in  armes  to  mete  oure  l^^ng  conteynyng 
in  J)e  nowmbre  bdijM'  &  Iv  grete  lordes  lede  per  [this  B]  men  so 
arrayed  in  thre  [iiij  B]  bataiUes.  [Glasgow  Hunterian  83,  collated  with 
Bodl.  Digby  185  (B)] 


T/}e  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419: 
Group  A,  Subgroup  (b)  (AV-1419:A[b]) 
Subgroup  (b)  designates  the  text  of  BL  MS.  Royal  18.B.iv. 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 209 

126.  BL  MS.  Royal  18.B.iv 

Begins  imperfectly:  of  him  had  skorne  and  dispite  and  wolle  not  doo  his  wille 

[Brie  2/7-8] 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  than  the  cite  of  Roan  was  byseged  bothe  be  land  and 

be  water  and  whenn  all  this  was  done  the  shipes  come  vp  than  come  the 

erle  of  Warwik  [Brie  389/4-6] 


Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:A(b) 

The  single  text  of  this  subgroup  stands  apart  from  the  texts  of  the  preceding 
subgroup  of  the  AV-1419:A  in  several  respects  and  it  may  reflect  an  earlier 
stage  of  the  AV-1419:A(a).  However,  the  texts  of  that  subgroup  cannot  be 
directly  derived  from  it,  for  they  often  preserve  details  that  are  closer  to  the 
ultimate  CV  source  (see,  for  example,  the  passage  on  Engist's  heptarchy). 
The  evidence  for  including  it  as  a  subgroup  of  the  AV-1419:A  consists  of: 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

of  the  whiche  men  called  one  Gogmagog  chief  king  of  hem  all  and  he 
was  xl  foote  in  lenghe  and  xij  in  breede  and  all  that  othre  was  called 
diuers  names  and  duelled  in  high  hilles  &  montains.  And  in  this  man- 
ere  thei  come  furthe  and  were  borne  horrible  giaunts  in  Albion  and 
duelled  some  of  hem  in  caves  and  in  hilles  at  there  luste  and  had  the 
lande  of  Albion  vnto  the  tyme  that  Brute  come  and  ariyved  at  Totnes 
in  the  He  of  Albion.  And  there  this  Brute  conquered  and  scomfit  thes 
giants  abouesaide  and  slogh  the  moste  parte  of  hem  as  bookes  openly 
declareth. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

Also  the  giauntes  lyven  be  diuers  frutes  grewing  there  and  by  wilde 
foule  &  tame  and  othre  grete  bestes  and  in  especiall  by  flesshe  of  shepe 
grete  as  hors  whiche  weren  wolle  as  heire  of  gotes  wherof  thei  maken 
hem  slavyns.  And  that  lande  to  you  is  ordeyned  by  desteyne  and  to 
your  peple. 

(c)  Lud  passage: 

This  Lud  loved  more  to  duell  at  Troie  than  at  eny  othre  place  of  the 
lande.  Wherefore  he  commaunded  that  citee  no  lenger  be  called  the 
Newe  Troie  bot  Ludentoun  or  Luddestoune  as  sume  bokes  sayn  aftre 
his  name  Lud  for  in  that  citee  he  made  moste  coste  of  byggyng.  And 


210 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

there  he  made  a  gate  all  oute  of  the  grounde  and  called  it  Ludgate  aftre 
his  owne  name.  And  he  made  walle  the  toune  and  diche  it  also  hot 
aftrewarde  the  name  of  cite  was  chaunged  by  Saxuns  tonge  and 
variance  of  lettres  and  was  called  Londoun.  And  yete  is  hot  Normans 
and  othre  aliens  callen  it  Loundres  and  clerkes  callen  it  Ciuitas 
Londoun. 

(d)  33  kings  passage: 

Aftre  the  dethe  of  Esydoure  reigned  xxxiij  kynges  in  Britaine  ichon 
aftre  othre  in  peace.  And  the  laste  of  hem  was  called  Ely  and  he 
reigned  hot  vij  monethes  and  had  iij  sonz  Lud  Cassibilan  and  Enem- 
ioun. 

(e)  Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

And  Engeste  seised  all  the  lande  into  his  hande.  And  in  euery  place 
where  he  come  he  lete  caste  doune  churches  and  houses  of  religioun. 
And  distroied  Cristendome  thrughoute  the  lande  and  made  chaunge 
the  name  [the  name  repeated]  of  the  lande  that  noman  of  his  were  so 
herdy  aftre  that  tyme  to  calle  this  lande  Britoun  hot  calle  it  Eng- 
lyslonde.  And  nowe  by  corrupcioun  of  tong  it  is  called  Englonde.  And 
he  departed  all  his  lande  to  his  men.  And  made  therin  vij  l^oiges  for  to 
strength  the  lande  that  the  Britonis  therafter  shulde  neuir  come  therin: 
the  furste  kyngdome  was  Kent  ther  that  Engest  hymself  reigned  and 
was  lorde  and  maister  of  all  that  other.  And  one  othre  kyng  had  Sussex 
where  nowe  is  Chichestre;  the  iij  had  Westsex;  the  iiij  had  Essex;  the 
V  kyng  had  Estangle  nowe  called  Norffolk  and  Suffolk;  the  vj  had 
Leycestre-shir  Northampton-shir  Hertfordshir  and  Huntyndoun;  the  vij 
had  Oxenford  Gloucestre  Wynchestre  Warwyk  and  Davenshir. 

In  the  33  kings  passage  the  AV-1419:A(b)  retains  the  length  of  Ely's 
reign,  whereas  in  the  Lud  passage  the  AV-1419:A(a)  preserves  details  that 
are  closer  to  the  ultimate  CV  source. 

As  in  the  AV-1419:A(a),  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are  omitted. 

In  some  important  features,  however,  the  text  does  not  agree  with  the 
texts  of  other  AV-1419:A  subgroups: 

(a)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Than  saide  Brute  to  Coryn  "yf  Erneburgh  thin  paramoure  might  wit 
that  one  man  onely  ferde  thus  foull  with  the  she  wolde  neuir  love  the." 

(b)  Halidon  Hill  passage: 

the  full  array  of  the  Scottish  army,  that  is,  all  five  wards,  including  the 
"5w"  heading,  is  given.^ 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION  211 


*  The  leaves  have  been  bound  out  of  order  around  this  part  of  the  text. 


The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419 y 
Group  A,  Subgroup  fcj  (AV-1419:A[c]) 
This  subgroup  consists  of  two  manuscripts,  BL  Royal  IS.A.ix  and  Hunting- 
ton HM  131.  Although  their  texts  are  not  very  close,  they  have  been 
grouped  together  because  they  both  contain  resemblances  to  the  EV-1419:A 
and  include  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  the 
two  texts  are  independently  derived  from  a  form  of  text  that  underlies  both 
them  and  the  AV-1419:D;  if  so,  then  they  should  be  assigned  to  separate 
groups. 

The  two  texts  share  a  common  chapter,  based  on  Geoffrey  of  Mon- 
mouth's Historian  on  Arthur's  successor  Constantine  (similar  to  that  found 
in  the  AV-1419:D).  This  chapter  occurs  at  a  point  where  four  chapters  ap- 
pear in  the  CV  and  EV.  Significantly,  these  chapters  are  omitted  in  the 
AV-1419:A(a),  the  AV-1419:A(b),  the  AV-1419:B,  and  the  AV-1419:C, 
suggesting  that  an  acute  scribe  recognized  the  lacuna  and  turned  to  Geoffrey 
to  supply  the  omission. 

127.  BL  MS.  Royal  I8.A.IX 

Heading  onfol.  8:  Here  begynneth  the  kalendre  of  Brute  in  Englesshe. 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynneth  a  booke  in  Englesshe  tung  called  Brute  of 

Englonde  the  whiche  dedareth  of  the  flirste  begynnyng  of  the  lande 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  this  boke  declareth  howe  the  lande 

was  called  Albion  after  the  eldest  suster  [sic\  of  the  roiall  king  Dioclician 

of  Surre 
Text  begins:  Svme  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surre 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  "Sw"  heading  (see  below) 
Contains:  substitute  chapter  after  Arthur,  Cad,  QIL 
Ends  imperfectly,  ther  was  noumbre  in  the  citte  by  haraldes  [Brie  390/22-23] 

Remarks:  The  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are  given. 

The  four  chapters  after  the  death  of  Arthur  are  replaced  by  a  single 
chapter  on  Constantine,  after  whom  reigns  Conan  (see  the  following  text). 

The  text  is  not  directly  related  to  the  other  AV-1419:A  subgroups;  in 
general,  it  seems  to  be  most  closely  related  to  the  EV-1419:A,  although  (as 


212 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

in  the  preceding  group)  the  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred  is  not  found  in  the 
thirty-three  kings  passage. 

The  heading  is  paralleled  in  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030  and  the 
extra  giants  of  the  EV-1419:A  appear  (see  below). 

The  Engist  passage,  although  extensively  abbreviated,  has  similarities  to 
that  found  in  the  EV-1419:A;  the  confusion  of  Worcester  with  Winchester 
found  in  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030  (but  not  in  Rylands  Eng.  105, 
Harvard  Richardson  35,  and  the  other  texts  of  the  EV-1419:A)  is  not  made, 
that  is,  the  text  reads  "Wynchestre  Warwyk  and  Darbyshire." 

In  the  Halidon  Hill  passage  there  is  a  partial  agreement  with  Rylands 
Eng.  105  rather  than  BL  Harley  24  in  that  the  Scottish  army  is  divided  into 
four  divisions:  "and  in  the  laste  parte  of  the  bataill  of  Scotlande  wer  thes 
lordes:  the  erle  of  Dunbar  keper  of  the  castel  of  Berwyk " 

Selected  textual  features  that  agree  with  the  EV-1419:A  are: 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

grete  gyauntes  wherof  one  was  called  Gogmagog  the  king  of  theym  all 
the  whiche  was  xl  fote  of  lenght  xij  of  breed;  and  one  was  called  Wydy 
the  whiche  duelled  vpon  an  highe  hille  in  Shropshire  called  the  Wrek- 
en;  one  othre  was  called  Oneweine  le  fort;  one  othre  Bounde;  and 
othre  ther  weren  called  diuers  names.  And  thus  was  the  gyauntes 
brought  forthe  in  thys  lande  and  duelled  in  caves  and  hylles  and  mon- 
tanes  and  inhabitte  the  lande  vnto  Brute  come  and  conquered  theym 
and  sloughe  of  theym  and  drove  many  of  theym  owte  of  the  lande. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

And  the  giauntes  that  been  ther  lyve  with  rotes  and  grete  bestes  and 
ffowles  and  myghti  shepe  wherof  they  maken  theym  slavyns  and 
clothes. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Thanne  saide  Brute  in  scorne  vnto  Coryne  '^yi  Erneborowe  thine  para- 
mour knewe  that  one  man  fared  thus  by  {)e  she  wolde  neuer  loue  the 
after  this." 

The  Brut  text  is  prefaced  by  a  geographical  survey  abstracted  into  English 
from  Higden's  Polychronicon^  beginning  on  fol.  2,  "Primus  Liber  Cronico- 
rum.  Ivlius  Cesar  a  wyse  manne,"  and  ending  incompletely  on  fol.  7v,  "in 
the  whiche  regioune  was  fiirste  the  people  of  Gotelande  whos "^ 


*  The  abstract  corresponds  to  Churchill  Babington,  ed.,  Polychronicon  Ranulphi  Higden 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION  213 


Monachi  Cestrensis,  vol.  1,  Rolls  Series  41  (London,  1865),  pp.  41-151. 


128.  Huntington  MS.  HM  131^ 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynneth  Brute  in  Englysshe  the  whiche  dedareth 
and  treteth  of  all  the  kinges  and  of  all  the  notable  actes  and  dedes  the 
whiche  hathe  bene  done  in  this  lande  sithe  the  furste  begynnyng  of  this 
lande 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prolog  of  this  boke  dedareth  howe  this  lande 
was  flirste  called  Albioun  after  the  eldest  doughter 

Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  &  roialme  of  Surre 

Omits:  Latin  tag,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Contains:  substitute  chapter  after  Arthur,  Cad,  Qlh 

Ends:  in  gouemaunce  and  rule. 

Remarks:  The  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are  given. 

As  noted  above,  this  text  has  been  grouped  with  that  found  in  BL  Royal 
IS.A.ix  since  they  share  (though  with  a  number  of  verbal  differences)  a 
common  chapter  on  the  reign  of  Constantine.  This  chapter  parallels  closely 
the  corresponding  account  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia^  suggesting 
that  there  may  have  been  some  gap  in  the  text  (reflected  in  the  omission  of 
four  chapters  in  several  other  AV  groups).  The  substitute  text  is  here  printed 
from  Huntington  HM  131,  with  selected  substantive  variant  readings  from 
BL  Royal  18.A.ix  (R): 

Howe  Constantyne  cosyn  to  Arthure  reigned  and  was  werred  opon  by 
Mordrede  two  sones.  Capitulo  lxxix°  [boodx  R]. 

Aitir  Arthur  reigned  hys  cosynne  Constantine.  Thanne  come  Mor- 
dred  two  sonnes  wyth  a  grete  multitude  of  Saxouns  and  werred  agains 
this  Constantine  and  oftetymes  dide  him  meche  herme  and  hurte. 
But  he  prevayled  vpon  theym  6c  drove  J)at  one  vnto  London  and  {)at 
othir  vnto  Winchestir;  and  in  this  same  tyme  deide  Daniell  the  bys- 
shop  of  Bangoure  an  religious  manne;  and  in  this  same  tyme  was  the 
bysshop  of  London  [Gloucestre  R]  made  erchebysshop  of  Caunter- 
bury.  And  thys  Constantine  pursewed  thes  two  brethre  and  come 
vnto  Wynchestre  6c  besegid  it  and  Mordred  sonne  that  was  Jjer 
fledde  into  J)e  churche  of  Seint  Amphibale  and  atte  the  high  altier  he 
was  take  and  slaine;  and  that  othir  fledde  into  an  hous  of  ffreres  atte 
London  and  was  take  and  slaine  also;  6c  thanne  this  Constantine 


214 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

reigned  iiij  yere  and  was  slaine  of  Conan  and  hys  felyship  and  buried 
atte  Stonehenge  besyde  Vter  Pendragoune. 

Of  king  Conan  howe  he  reigned  wele  and  worthely  and  welbeloued. 
Capitulo  \xxx°  [boocx"  R]. 

In  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter,  the  Scottish  army  is  divided  into  three  "bat- 
tles," the  last  of  which  is  subdivided  into  two  wings;  the  "5w"  heading  is  re- 
placed by  the  words  "and  in  |)at  o|)re  wyng  was  \>e  erle  of  Dunbar."  The 
subsequent  text  on  the  battle  is  abbreviated: 

and  J)is  was  done  vpon  Seint  Margarettes  even  the  yere  of  our  lorde 
M'  CCC  xxxij.  And  thanne  {)es  two  kinges  torned  unto  the  sege  of 
Barwyk  and  J)ei  yelde  vp  J)e  toune  and  J)e  castell 

As  in  the  previous  text,  the  Huntington  text  must  be  derived  from  an 
earlier  stage  of  the  EV-1419:A  than  is  represented  by  the  extant  manu- 
scripts of  that  group,  for  it  shows  a  number  of  similarities  to  other  EV  and 
AV  groups. 

Selected  textual  features  are: 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

by  straunge  meanes  spirites  of  J)e  ayer  diuersely  hadde  forto  done  with 
theym  and  procreate  vpon  theim  grete  giauntes  the  whiche  inhabetted 
the  lande  after  theim  wherof  one  was  called  Gogmagog  king  of  |)em  all 
the  whiche  was  xl  fott  of  lengthe  and  xij  in  brede  and  one  o|)er  was 
called  Wydy  the  whiche  duelled  vpon  an  highe  hylle  in  Shropshire 
called  the  Wreken  and  one  othir  Onewenne  le  Fort  and  one  oJ)er 
Bounde  and  thus  \>ti  were  called  diuers  names  and  they  duelled  in 
caues  and  mountains  and  inhabited  J)e  lande  vnto  J)e  tyme  that  Brute 
come  and  sloughe  many  of  Ipem  the  whiche  arryved  atte  Totenesse. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

and  J)at  lande  ys  wyldiernesse  and  |5er  be  inne  grete  gyauntes  and  many 
wylde  bestes  and  thes  gyauntes  maken  theym  slavyns  of  Jjer  skynnes 
and  lyven  with  ther  fflesshe. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

and  thanne  said  Brute  vnto  Corynne  in  skorne  "and  Erneborough  thy 
paramour  knewe  that  one  manne  dide  so  to  the  she  woulde  neuer  love 
J)e  after  |)is." 

(d)  Lud  passage: 

And  after  J)e  dethe  of  J)is  Ely  reigned  Ludde  hys  sonne  and  well  gou- 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 215 

erned  pe  roialme  and  welbeloued  of  hys  people  and  this  Ludde  loued 
well  to  abyde  atte  New  Troie  &  he  commaunded  it  shulde  nomor  be 
called  Newe  Troie  bot  Luddentoune  or  Luddestoun  and  J)er  he  made 
grete  coste  for  he  made  Ludgate  and  lete  call  it  after  hys  ovne  name 
Ludde  and  he  made  the  toune  to  be  diched  and  afterwarde  was  the 
name  of  London  changed  and  called  Londoun  and  after  Normans  it  ys 
called  Loundres  and  in  Latynne  Londonie. 
(e)     Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

and  than  Engest  seised  all  the  lande  into  hys  hande  and  caste  dovne 
churches  and  houses  of  religioune  and  distroied  Cristendome  and 
chaunged  the  name  of  J)e  lande  and  called  it  Engesdond  or  Engyslonde 
and  charged  |)at  noman  shulde  calle  it  Britaine  and  after  {)at  by  correp- 
cion  and  brieve  tonge  it  is  called  Englonde.  And  thanne  he  made  ther- 
in  vij  kinges:  the  fiirste  was  Kent  J)er  himself  was  king;  the  secounde 
Sussex;  the  thyrde  Westsex;  the  iiij  Essex;  the  v  Northfolk  &,  Suffolke 
Marcheneryche  nowe  Lyncoln;  the  yj  Leycestre  Northampshire  Herte- 
fordshire  Huntyngdon;  the  vij  Oxefordshire  Gloucestre  Wynchestre 
Warwyk  and  Derbyshire. 


^  See  Dutschke,  Guide,  1:  174-75;  Hanna,  Handlist,  p.  13. 
^  See  Wright,  ed.,  'Historia  Regum  Britannie,'  p.  132. 


The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  B  (AV-1419:B) 

This  large  group  consists  of  MSS.  Glasgow  Hunterian  443;  BL  Harley 
1337;  Bodl.  Hatton  50;  BL  Harley  6251;  BL  Stowe  71;  Jesus  CoU.,  Oxford, 
5;  Bodl.  Tanner  11;  Michigan  225;  Alnwick  457A;  NLW  Peniarth 
396D(2);  Bodl.  RawHnson  C.901;  and  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.190.  The  second 
section  of  the  PV-1419(r&g):D  (MSS.  TCD  5895  and  BL  Harley  7333)  is 
also  taken  from  a  text  of  this  group  (see  pp.  268-71). 

Although  this  group  possesses  a  number  of  distinctive  features,  the  most 
obvious  are  the  B-recension  of  the  exordium,  shared  with  the  EV-1419:B 
(see  Introduction,  Appendix  3),  and  a  major  loss  of  narrative  material 
around  the  batde  of  Halidon  Hill  in  all  but  one  text,  which  has  probably 
switched  to  a  second  exemplar  by  that  point. 


216 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

129.  University  of  Glasgow^,  MS.  Hunterian  443 

Heading:  Her  begynnyth  a  boke  wyche  that  ys  callyd  Brute  of  the  Croneclis 

of  Engelonde. 
Exordium  begins:  [T]J)e  wych  booke  tretyth  8c  lellyth  \^sic\  of  J)e  kyngys  and 

princypall  lordys 
Prologue  heading  begins:  Here  begynnyth  a  prolog.  [Here . . .  prolog  in  red\ 

[T]the  prolog  of  J)is  boke  dedaryth  how  {)is  lond  was  callyd  Albione  aftyr 

\ie,  heldest  dou3ter 
71?^;/  begins:  Some  tyme  in  J)e  nobyll  lond  of  Surre 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Ends  imperfectly:  the  capetayn  come  out  and  delyueryd  f)e  kayis  and  the  cas- 

tell  to  our  kyng  8c  Bawayis  8c  ^e  othyr  [Brie  384/21-22;  the  rest  of  the 

line  and  a  partially  decipherable  catchword  have  been  erased] 

Remarks:  As  in  the  other  texts  of  this  group,  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children 
are  given. 

Several  kings  are  omitted  in  the  thirty-three  kings  passage,  and  the  omis- 
sion of  the  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred  in  this  text  is  probably  not  significant. 

The  chapters  around  the  reign  of  King  John  are  heavily  abbreviated  (see 
pp.  241-42  below). 

The  omission  of  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter  is  part  of  a  longer  omission. 
The  text  breaks  off  in  mid-sentence  near  the  foot  of  fol.  133  in  the  chapter 
recounting  the  downfall  and  execution  of  Roger  Mortimer.  Fol.  133v  was 
left  blank  and  the  text  resumes  at  the  top  of  fol.  134  with  the  chapter  on  the 
naval  battle  at  Winchelsea  (Brie  303/25).  Such  a  physical  break  in  the 
manuscript  raises  the  possibility  that  a  change  of  exemplar  occurred  at  this 
point.^ 

The  dialect  is  that  of  Central  Surrey  and  there  are  orthographic  similari- 
ties to  manuscripts  written  in  religious  houses  south  of  London.^ 


^  A  second  physical  and  textual  lacuna  occurs  between  fols.  165v  (Brie  368/14)  and  168 
(Brie  373/1:  the  beginning  of  Henry  Vs  reign). 

2  LALME,  1:  89,  3:  495-96.  See  M.  L.  Samuels,  "Kent  and  the  Low  Countries,"  in 
Edinburgh  Studies  in  English  and  Scots,  ed.  A.  J.  Aitken,  Angus  Mcintosh,  and  Hermann 
Palsson  (London,  1971),  p.  13. 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 217 

130.  BL  MS.  Harley  1337 

Headings.    Here   begynnyth   a   book  callyd   the   Croniculis   of  Englond. 

Exordium  begins:  This  book  tretith  &  tellith  of  all  J)e  l^oigis  &  principall 

lordis 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologg  of  this  booke  [written  as  a  beading]  con- 

teynethe  [C  decorated  initial]  xxxv  chaptirs;  {)e  first  declarithe  howe  J)is 

londe  was  callyd  Albioun  aftir  the  eldest  dou3ter 
Text  begins:  Som  tyme  in  the  nobill  londe  of  Surre 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 
Ends:  in  rewle  and  governaunce. 
Colophon:  Here  endith  a  book  callyd  the  Croniclis  of  Englonde  made  8c 

compilid  by  notabil  clerkis  of  aventuris  of  kyngis  J)at  were  in  J)is  londe 

and  howe  {)ey  died. 


131.  Bodleian  MS.  Hatton  50 

Heading.  Here  begynnyth  a  book  callyd  Brute  of  J)e  Croniculys  of  Englonde. 
Exordium  begins:  This  book  tretith  &  tellith  of  all  J)e  kyngis  &  principall 

lordis 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologg.  The  prologg  of  this  book  declarith 

how  ^is  londe  was  callid  Albyon  aftir  the  eldest  dou3ter 
Text  heading.  Here  begynnyth  the  first  chaptir  of  this  book  of  Croniculis. 
Text  begins:  Som  tyme  in  the  nobill  londe  of  Surre 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 
Ends:  in  rewle  and  governaunce. 
Colophon:  Here  endith  a  book  callyd  Brute  of  the  Croniculis  of  Englonde 

made  &  compiled  by  notabill  clerkis  of  all  the  actis  8c  dedis  of  Igoigis  J)at 

evir  wer  in  this  londe  to  take  exsaumpill  what  fil  tofore  our  dayes. 


132.  BL  MS.  Harley  6251 

Heading  on  damaged fol  1:  Here  begynnyth  a  book  call[.]d  Brute  [ . . .  ] 

Exordium  begins  illegibly. 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologg.  The  prologg  of  f)is  book  declarithe 

howe  |)is  londe  was  callid  Albion  aftir  J)e  eldist  dou3tir  of  J)e  riall  kynge 

Dyoclysiane 


218 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

Text  heading.  Here  begynnyth  the  first  chaptir  of  this  booke. 
Text  begins:  Som  tyme  in  the  nobill  lond  of  Surre 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 

Ends  on  damaged  and  stained  folio:  castell  tyll  [ . . .  Jernaunce. 
Colophon:  Here  endithe  the  Croniculis  of  Englonde  made  and  compilid  be 
notabill  clerkis  to  men  to  rede  &  to  see  what  fill  tofore  in  hire  dayes. 

Remarks:  The  signature  of  Bartholomew  Towers,  dated  1614,  appears  on  fol. 

57. 


133.  BL  MS.  Stowe  71 

Heading  on  fol.  3:  Assit  principio  sancta  Maria  meo.  Here  bigynneth  the 

Boke  of  the  Cronyculez  of  the  kinges  of  Englond. 
Exordium  begins:  [TJhis  boke  tretith  and  telleth  of  all  kynges  and  principall 

lordis 
Prologue  heading  (within  exordium)  begins:  The  prologge  of  this  boke  deda- 

reth  how  this  londe  was  called  Albyon  after  the  eldest  dowter  of  the  riaall 

emperour  Dioclisian  of  Surre  the  whiche  dowter  called  Albyon 
Text  heading.  The  furst  chapeter  of  maide  Albyon  and  of  hir  xxxij"  susters. 
Text  begins:  [S]vmtyme  in  the  nobyll  londe  of  Surre 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL 
Ends  impefectly:  north  side  of  the  host  whiche  was  byfore  the  forest  of 

Leonez  [cf  Brie  390/2-3] 

Remarks:  The  text  offers  some  secondary  readings,  as  in  the  text  heading 
above  and  in  the  following  selected  passages: 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

And  they  conseyved  and  brought  furth  horribyll  geauntes  off  the 
whiche  one  was  called  Gogmagog  and  he  was  xl  fote  of  length  and  xij 
fote  in  brede.  And  theise  geauntez  dwelled  in  diuerse  placez  in  this 
londe  and  in  othir  londys  in  cavys  and  in  mounteynez  vnto  the  tyme 
that  Brute  come  and  arryved  at  Tottenesse  that  was  in  the  He  of 
Albyon.  And  this  Brute  slowe  hem  icheone. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

And  in  that  londe  was  wonte  to  be  many  geauntez  but  nowe  J)er  be  but 
fewe  and  J)at  londe  is  but  wyldernesse  and  the  geauntez  leven  by  herbys 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 219 

and  by  rotys  and  with  flessh  as  of  shepe  als  moche  as  an  hors.  And  J)at 
londe  is  ordeyned  for  yow  6c  your  pepyll. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

And  thanne  seid  Brute  to  Coryn  "if  Embron  thi  paramour  wist  J)at  one 
man  had  done  the  suche  a  velanye  she  wolde  neuer  loue  the." 

(d)  Lud  passage: 

[AJfftyr  the  deth  of  Ely  reigned  Ludde  his  sone  and  gouerned  the 
londe  well  and  worthely  and  honoured  his  God  and  hated  his  wickid 

puple And  than  was  the  name  of  the  cite  chaunged  hi  writinge  of 

clerkes  and  called  it  Villa  Londonias  and  so  the  name  was  called  Lon- 
don and  Frengshmen  calle  it  Londris.  And  this  king  lete  walle  and 
diche  the  toun  abowte. 

(e)  Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

And  Engeste  went  throwe  the  londe  &  sesed  all  the  lond  into  his 
honde.  And  in  euery  place  J)er  he  come  he  threwe  doun  chirchez  and 
howses  of  religioun  and  distroyed  Cristendome  throwe-oute  the  lond 
and  chaunged  the  name  of  this  londe  that  noman  of  his  were  so  hardy 
to  calle  it  Breteyn  but  called  it  Engestes  londe  and  departed  all  this 
lond  to  his  men  and  made  ^erinne  vij  kynges  forto  strength  the  londe 
that  the  Bretonys  J)erafter  shuld  neuer  come  therinne.  The  fErst  ^^g- 
dome  Jjerof  was  Kent  ther  as  Engest  hymselff  reigned  Scwas  lorde  and 
maister  of  all  that  othir.  Anothir  king  hadde  Sussex  where  now  is 
Chester.  The  third  had  Westsex;  the  iiij  hadde  Essex.  The  v  hadde 
Estangyll  that  now  is  called  Northfolk  and  Suthfolk  Marche  that  now 
is  to  say  the  erledom  of  Nicholl;  the  sixt  had  Leycetershier  North- 
hampton Hertford  and  Huntingdonshir.  And  the  vij  hadde  Oxinford 
Glowcester  Wynchester  Warwik  &  Derbyshir. 

Remarks:  The  name  of  Thomas  Bromley(e),  dated  1576,  occurs  on  the  front 
flyleaves. 


134.  Jesus  College,  Oxford,  MS.  5^ 

Heading:  Here  begynneth  the  boke  called  Brute  of  the  Cronicle  of  Englond. 

Exordium  begins:  The  whiche  boke  tretith  and  tellith  of  all  the  kynges  & 
principall  lordis 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  Prologe.  The  prologe  of  this  booke  declarith 
howe  this  londe  was  called  Albioun  aftir  the  eldest  doughter  of  this  riall 
king  Dioclisiane  of  Surre  the  whiche  doughter  was  called  Albyne 


220 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

Text  heading:  Here  begynnith  the  first  chapiter  of  this  boke  called  the  Cro- 

niclis  of  England. 
Text  begins:  Svm  tyme  in  the  nobill  londe  of  Surre 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad  (see  below),  QIL 
Ends:  in  reule  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  number  of  chapters  contained  in  the  text  is  mentioned  neither 
in  the  exordium  nor  at  the  end  of  the  text,  where  no  colophon  occurs. 

The  Cadwallader  episode  is  included,  but  the  king  is  mistakenly  called 
Cadwalyn,  son  of  Oswyn,  and  the  real  Cadwalyn  is  omitted. 


^  See  Ogilvie-Thomson,  Handlist,  p.  38.  The  story  of  Vortiger  and  Merlin  is  printed  in 
E.  O.  Powell,  "From  The  Brute  of  the  Chronicle  of  England,"  Folklore  48  (1937):  91-93. 


135.  Bodleian  MS.  Tanner  11 

Headings.  Here  begynnyth  a  book  callyd  the  Croniclis  of  Englond. 
Exordium  begins:  Thes  book  tretithe  of  all  J)e  kyngis  8c  pryncypall  lordis  Jjat 

evir  weer  in  this  lond  &  of  aventurs  8c  wondirfull  thyngis  8c  batayllis  8c 

o|)ir  notabill  actis  werris  conquests 
Prologue  heading  (within  exordium)  begins:  And  this  book  declarith  howe  this 

londe  was  callid  Albioune  aftir  the  eldest  dou3ter  of  J)e  riall  kynge  Dyo- 

clysiane  of  Surre  J)e  wich  dou3ter  was  callid  Albeyn 
Text  heading:  Here  begynnyth  J)e  first  chaptir. 
Text  begins:  Som  [ . . .  ]  J)e  nobill  londe  of  Surre  J)er  was  a  man  of  grete 

renown  callid  Dyoclisiane 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 
Ends:  in  rewle  8c  gouernaunce. 
Colophon:  Explicit  Cronicucle  \^sic\  Anglie. 

Remarks:  The  text,  although  clearly  an  AV-1419:B,  appears  to  combine  fea- 
tures reflecting  both  an  earUer  and  a  later  stage  of  the  group  than  the  other 
manuscripts  present.  The  wording  of  the  exordium  is  textually  later  than 
that  of  the  EV-1419:B  or  of  Glasgow  Hunterian  443,  and  the  prologue 
heading  is  absorbed  into  the  text.  The  number  of  chapters  in  the  work  is 
mentioned  neither  in  the  exordium  nor  in  the  brief  colophon. 

Further  passages  also  show  that  the  text  contains  wording  later  than  that 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 221 

of  Other  AV-1419:B  texts,  for  example: 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

And  they  conseyvid  horribill  geauntis  of  J)e  wich  oon  of  hem  was  callid 
Gogmagog  and  he  was  xl  foot  of  lengith  8cxij  foot  of  brede.  And  these 
geauntis  dwellid  in  diuers  placis  in  this  londe  8c  in  othir  londis  in  cavis 
and  in  mownteynys  onto  J)e  tyme  J)at  Brute  come  &  aryvid  at  Tottenes 
J)at  was  in  the  He  of  Albioun  and  ther  J)is  Brute  scomfitid  these  geaun- 
tis echon  &  sclou3e  hem  all. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

And  in  J)at  londe  was  wont  to  be  meny  geauntis  but  nowe  ther  been 
but  fewe  &  J)at  londe  is  all  wildirnes.  And  J)e  geauntis  lyvyn  with 
herbis  and  with  rotis  8c  with  flessh  of  shepe  as  grete  as  an  hors  and  {)at 
londe  is  ordeyned  for  yeur  pepill. 

(d)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Than  seyd  Brute  to  Coryn  "yf  Emberoun  J)y  paramoure  wist  herof  she 
wold  nevir  love  the  ^at  o  man  had  the  so  defouUd." 

(e)  Lud  passage: 

This  kyng  Lud  lovid  more  to  dwell  at  Troy  Jjan  in  eny  oJ)ere  plase  of 
the  londe.  Wherfore  he  comaundit  J)at  J)e  cete  shuld  no  lenger  be  callid 
Newe  Troy  but  Ludstoun  and  ther  he  made  a  feir  gate  callid  Ludgate. 
And  after  |)e  name  of  {)is  town  was  chaungit  by  variaunce  of  lettris  8c 
callid  London. 

As  in  the  other  texts  of  the  group,  considerable  material  is  lost  around  the 
battle  of  Halidon  Hill.  Unlike  the  other  texts,  however,  a  short  bridging 
passage  appears,  possibly  supplied  to  ameliorate  the  narrative  dislocation  in 
the  text: 

And  jjan  l^^nge  Edward  of  Scotlond  toke  his  leve  of  l^Tige  Edward 
and  went  to  his  own  londe. 

Howe  kynge  Edward  was  crowned  kyng  of  Scotlonde. 

Aftir  it  fill  JDat  J)is  Edward  Bailloll  governed  hym  so  evill  among  his 
lordis  f)at  had  doon  for  hym  that  they  set  no  price  by  hym.  Wherfor 
atte  laste  he  was  feyn  to  flee  Jje  londe.  And  |)an  l^Tige  Edward  sawe 
J)e  grete  stryfe  {)at  was  in  Scotlonde  8c  come  to  \)t  castell  of  Berewik. 
And  J)an  ser  lohn  Bailloll  J)at  was  ^at  tyme  l^^ng  of  Scotlond  con- 
siderynge  howe  J)at  God  did  meny  myraclis  for  kynge  Edward  of 
Englonde  [etc.]  [cf  Brie  280/27-28,  306/30,  307/4-6] 


222 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

The  fifteenth-century  name  "William  CardynaU"  on  p.  212  may  be  that 
of  the  scribe. 


136.  University  of  Michigan  MS.  225^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  And  that  same  nyghte  they  cut  hir  husbondis  throtis  [cf. 

Brie  3/27-30] 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 
Ends:  in  rewle  8c  governaunce. 
Colophon:  Here  endithe  a  boke  callid  Brute  of  the  Croniculis  of  Englond 

made  8c  compilid  by  notabill  clerkis  of  al  the  actis  of  all  J)e  I^^ngis  that 

evir  was  in  this  londe  sithens  Brute  first  conquerid  it. 


^  See  Lister  M.  Matheson,  "A  Fragment  of  Sir  Eglamour  of  Artois"  English  Language 
Notes  17  (1980):  165-68. 


137.  Alnwick  Castle  MS.  457A 

Begins  imperfectly  onfol.  48  (see  below):  calle  them  kyngis  and  oon  of  them 

men  called  [ . . .  ]land  and  a  nothir  men  called  Davyller  [cf  Brie  22/32- 

23/1-2] 
Omits:  Cad  (see  below),  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  QIL 
Ends  impefectly  onfol  47v  (see  below):  sir  Aliaundir  Nevelle  archibisshop  of 

York  and  sir  Roberte  Vere  marquys  of  Develyn  and  the  [erle  of  Oxinford 

catchwords]  [Brie  342/13-14] 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  consists  of  two  long  sections  of  text  (fols.  l-47v, 
48-69)  written  by  a  single  scribe.  As  presently  bound,  these  sections  have 
been  reversed  in  order,  the  later  section  of  text  appearing  before  the  earUer 
section. 

As  it  stands,  the  manuscript  begins  with  a  fragment  on  the  murder  of 
Alured  by  Earl  Godwin,  and  the  present  fol.  1  begins  during  the  reign  of 
King  Harold,  "of  Englond  and  falslie  brake  his  couenaunt  J)at  he  hadde 
made  afor  vnto  duke  William"  (Brie  135/23-24).  This  section  continues  to 
the  now  imperfect  end  of  the  text  given  above  (fol.  47v). 

The  second  section  begins  on  fol.  48  as  above,  and  ends  imperfectly  on 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 223 

fol.  69v,  "|)aie  were  discomfited  and  slayn  and  while  thaie  faught  and  \>e 
bataille  endured  pe  kyng  went  prevely  vnto  Walis"  (cf.  Brie  94/29-31).  The 
intervening  material  originally  between  the  second  and  first  sections,  in- 
cluding the  CadwaUader  episode,  is  now  lost,  apart  from  the  fragment  on 
Alured. 

Other  than  the  combination  of  features  noted  above,  additional  evidence 
for  placing  the  text  in  the  AV-1419:B  includes  the  passage  recounting  Lud's 
renaming  of  New  Troy: 

This  Ludde  loued  more  to  dwell  at  Troy  thanne  in  any  othir  place  of 
J)e  lond  wherfor  he  comaunded  the  citee  to  be  called  no  lenger  New 
Troy  but  Ludstrun  [sic]  and  withinne  that  citee  he  made  muche 
bildyng  and  ther  he  made  a  gatte  and  lette  call  it  Ludgatte  after  his 
name  and  he  made  wall  the  toun  and  diche  it.  And  after  \>e  name  of 
the  towne  was  chaunged  by  Saxons  tonge  and  varyeng  of  letters  and 
called  Londoun  and  alions  and  Normans  callith  it  Loundris  and 
clerkes  caUith  it  Ciuitas  Londoun  and  he  regned  xj  yere  and  died  and 
lith  at  Londoun  withinne  |)e  same  gatte  that  he  lette  make. 

Early  names  that  appear  in  the  manuscript  include  "Wyllyam  Shelley" 
(fol.  63v),  "Thomas  Denny"  (fol.  59v),  "John  Dennye  of  Burnewoode"  (fol. 
62v). 


138.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  3960(2)^ 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol  3:  And  Brute  and  his  men  hem  manly  defendid 

[Brie  7/15-16] 
Omits:  (see  below) 
Contains:  Latin  tag.  Cad,  QIL 
Ends  imperfectly:  J)e  erle  of  Marche  J)at  {)e  kynge  sent  to  skeme  J)e  se  costes 

J)er  rose  soche  [cf  Brie  385/11-12] 

Remarks:  The  folio  is  missing  that  would  tell  who  reigned  after  Arthur;  the 
folios  containing  the  Halidon  Hill  material  are  also  lost.  The  evidence  for 
including  the  text  here  is: 

(a)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

Than  seid  Brute  to  Coryn  "if  Emboron  J)i  paramour  my3t  wete  J)at  o 
man  ferd  so  foule  with  the  she  wold  neuer  love  J)e." 

(b)  33  kings  passage:  "after  him"  linkage  and  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred. 

(c)  Lud  passage: 


224 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

This  Lud  loved  more  to  dwell  at  Troye  Jian  at  any  oJ)er  place  of  \>e 
londe  ffor  he  commaundid  Jjat  q^e  no  lenger  be  called  Newe  Troye 
but  London  Ludston  as  som  bookes  seye  after  his  name  Lud  for  in  Jiat 
cyte  he  made  most  byldynge.  And  per  he  made  a  gate  owt  of  \>e 
grounde  and  callid  it  Ludgate  after  his  owne  name.  And  he  made  wall 
J)e  towne  and  diche  it  also  but  afterward  J)e  name  of  J)e  towne  was 
chaungid  be  Saxonye  tonge  and  varyaunce  of  letters  and  callid  London 
and  3it  is  but  Normans  and  oJ)er  alyons  call  it  Londris  and  clerkes  call 
it  Civitas  London, 
(d)    Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

And  Jje  fyrst  l^ngdom  J)erof  was  Kent  J)er  Engest  hymself  regned  and 
he  was  kynge  and  lord  of  all  ^e  tother.  Anojser  l^nige  had  Sussex  where 
now  is  Chester.  And  J)e  thyrd  had  Westsexe  [etc.] 


^  For  (1),  see  item  199.  See  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  362-64,  for  a 
description  and  an  analysis  of  the  contents  (Marx  mistakenly  assigns  the  text  to  my 
"Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions"). 


139.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  C.901 

Begins  imperfectly,  powere  and  first  conquered  all  the  londe  of  Lygers.  And 
after  he  wold  have  conqueryd  all  Scotlonde  and  Wales.  But  Scatere  came 
with  his  mene  and  gafe  hym  grete  bataill.  [Brie  23/19-21] 

Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 

Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QIL 

Ends:  in  reule  and  governaunce. 

Remarks:  In  typical  AV-1419:B  fashion,  material  is  omitted  around  the  bat- 
tle of  Halidon  Hill  (Brie  271/23-303/24).  The  highly  cursive  hand  is  also 
similar  to  that  found  in  many  of  the  other  texts  of  this  group. 


140.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.190 

Begins  imperfectly:  shamyd  and  abassyd  and  sayde  al  theis  conducyons  should 

be  amendid  in  all  thyng  to  ther  fader  [cf  Brie  3/10-11] 
Omits:  four  chapters  after  Arthur 
Contains:  Latin  tag,  Cad,  QVL 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  and  whilis  this  doyng  enduryd  the  Englisshmen 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 225 

knavis  token  ther  palfreys  and  went  ther  way  whedir  they  wolde.  And 
after  this  victory  the  kyng  turnyd  hym  agayne  to  the  sege  of  Berwik  [cf. 
Brie  286/6-9,  291/1-2] 
Ends:  And  than  the  kyng  enterid  into  the  towne  and  restid  hym  in  the  castel 
into  the  tyme  that  he  hade  see  the  towne  in  rewle  and  gouernauns. 

Remarks:  Ebcceptionally  for  this  group,  there  is  no  omission  of  material 
around  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill.  The  text  must,  however,  be  included  in 
the  AV-1419:B  on  the  evidence  of: 

(a)  Jirst  giants  passage: 

and  they  conseywide  and  browt  forth  orrybill  giauntis  of  the  whiche  on 
was  callid  Gogmagog  and  he  was  xl  fote  of  lengith  and  xij  fote  of  brede 
and  theis  geauntis  dwellid  in  diuerys  placys  in  this  londe  6c  in  odyr 
londys  in  cauys  in  mountaynys  oonto  the  tyme  that  Brwte  com  arywyd 
at  Tottenes  that  was  in  the  He  of  Albyon  and  this  Brut  slou3e  hem 
echon. 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

and  in  J)at  londe  was  wont  to  be  many  gyaunttes  but  now  ther  be  but 
fewe  &  that  londe  ys  but  wildernes  and  the  gyauntis  lewyn  by  erbis  6c 
be  rotes  and  with  flesshe  as  of  shepe  as  moche  as  an  hors  and  that 
londe  ys  ordaynid  for  3owe  6c  30wre  pepill. 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

And  then  seide  Brute  to  Coryn  "yf  Embron  thi  paramowr  wist  that 
oon  man  had  do  the  soche  a  welony  she  wolde  neuer  loue  the." 

(d)  33  kings  passage:  "after  him"  linkage  and  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred. 

(e)  Lud  passage: 

And  this  l^nig  Ludd  lowyd  more  to  dwell  at  London  then  in  any  oder 
place  in  the  londe  and  therfore  he  wolde  that  cete  shulde  no  more  be 
callid  Newe  Troy  but  Ludston  and  then  he  mad  most  byldyng  in  that 
towne.  And  ther  he  let  make  a  gate  owte  of  the  grounde  and  let  cal  hit 
Ludgate  after  his  name  and  then  was  the  name  of  the  cete  changid  be 
writyng  of  clerkys  and  cald  it  Villa  Londoniarum  and  so  Jje  name  was 
callid  London  and  Frenchemen  call  it  Loundrys  and  this  Igoig  Ludd  let 
wall  and  deche  the  towne  all  abowth. 

The  incomplete  beginning  has  been  supplied  by  a  modern  transcript  from 
a  manuscript  in  the  Cambridge  University  Library,  other  missing  material 
has  been  supplied  by  Thomas  Hearne  from  Bodl.  Ashmole  793.  The 
original  hand  is  very  similar  to  that  of  Glasgow  Hunterian  443. 


226 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


It  is  possible  that  this  text  represents  a  blend  of  an  AV-1419:B  text  with 
a  CV  text  (see  Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:B  below)  and  that  it  should  be 
considered  under  the  texts  of  the  Peculiar  Versions. 


Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:B 

With  the  exception  of  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.190,  the  manuscripts  of  the  AV- 
1419:B  form  a  relatively  homogeneous  group.  Although  they  appear  closely 
connected,  textual  comparison  shows  that  a  number  of  intervening  texts  have 
been  lost.  Certain  conclusions  can,  however,  be  drawn  about  the  likely  de- 
velopment of  the  text. 

Since  the  other  EV  and  AV  groups  state  in  the  exordium  the  number  of 
chapters  contained,  we  can  infer  that  Glasgow  Hunterian  443,  which  does 
likewise,  represents  a  more  original  state  of  the  text  at  this  point  than  the 
remaining  (complete)  manuscripts  do,  for  they  either  extract  this  small  piece 
of  information  and  use  it  as  a  colophon  or  they  omit  it  entirely. 

The  omissions  around  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  are  suggestive  of  the  de- 
velopment of  the  group,  and  are  presented  below: 


MS. 

Hunterian  443 
Hatton  50 
Harley  1337 
Harley  6251 
Stowe  71 
Jesus  Coll.  5 
Tanner  11 


Michigan  225 
Alnwick  457A 
Peniarth  396D(2) 
Rawlinson  C.901 
[Harley  7333, 
TCD  5895 


breaks  off 
Brie  271/30 
Brie  280/26 
Brie  280/31 
Brie  280/13 
Brie  280/26 
Brie  280/26 
Brie  280/28 


Brie  280/26 
Brie  280/26 
[fols.  missing] 
Brie  271/23 

Brie  280/26 


restarts 

Brie  303/25 

Brie  304/13 

Brie  304/22 

Brie  304/22 

Brie  304/7 

Brie  304/7 

Brie    306/30    (plus    a 

short  bridging  passage, 

then  Brie  307/4) 

Brie  306/30 

Brie  306/30 

Brie  303/25 

Brie  305/11] 


Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.190,  of  course,  omits  no  material  at  this  point  and 
could  therefore  represent  the  earliest  stage  of  the  internal  development  of 
the  AV-1419:B  group.  In  textual  details,  however,  this  text  is  further 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 227 

removed  from  the  CV  or  the  EV-1419:B  than  is,  for  example,  Glasgow 
Hunterian  443.  Accordingly,  it  cannot  be  the  precursor  of  the  group,  from 
which  the  other  texts  have  derived. 

It  is  possible  that  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.  190  is  a  witness  of  an  early  exemplar 
closer  to  the  original  CV  and  EV  wording,  but  it  is  equally  possible,  if  the 
medial  omission  is  an  original  feature  of  the  AV-1419:B,  that  the  scribe  of 
Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.190,  finding  a  gap  in  his  AV-1419:B  exemplar,  changed 
to  a  CV  exemplar  for  the  remainder  of  his  text.  It  may  be  significant  that 
chapter  headings  are  not  inserted  for  several  chapters  from  the  start  of  the 
reign  of  Edward  II,  though  the  hand  of  the  text  remains  the  same. 

The  extent  of  the  omissions  suggests  that  BL  Stowe  71  and  Jesus  Coll., 
Oxford,  5  represent  an  earlier  stage  in  the  group  than  the  other  texts  since 
they  omit  the  least  amount  of  material,  and  the  omissions  found  in  the  other 
manuscripts  (with  the  exceptions  of  Glasgow  Hunterian  443  and  Bodl. 
Rawlinson  C.901)  can  be  contained  within  the  scope  of  their  omissions. 
However,  as  suggested  above,  Glasgow  Hunterian  443  may  be  based  on 
exemplars  from  two  groups,  and  since  it  contains  the  phrase  noting  the 
number  of  chapters  contained  in  the  work,  it  can  therefore  be  considered  as 
indicative  of  (though  not  identical  with)  the  earliest  development  of  the 
group. 

Except  for  Glasgow  Hunterian  443,  none  of  the  other  extant  manuscripts 
tells  in  the  exordium  how  many  chapters  were  in  the  original  text,  but  BL 
Harley  1337  and  Bodl.  Hatton  50  append  a  short  colophon  based  on 
phrases  taken  from  the  exordium.  This  seems  to  represent  a  stage  following 
on  that  represented  by  Glasgow  Hunterian  443.  The  lack  of  colophon  in 
Jesus  Coll.,  Oxford,  5  may  be  an  individual  peculiarity,  since  in  respect  of 
the  medial  omission  the  text  appears  earlier  than  that  of  Bodl.  Hatton  50. 
In  this  regard,  BL  Harley  1337  must  represent  an  earlier  stage  insofar  as  it 
continues  the  text  farther  than  the  other  manuscripts  at  the  onset  of  the 
omission,  but  at  the  same  time  it  does  not  restart  the  text  until  a  later  point 
than  the  other  manuscripts. 

One  possibility  is  to  suppose  an  original  text  that  broke  off  at  the  same 
point  as  BL  Harley  1337  and  Harley  6251  (Brie  280/31),  recommenced  at 
the  same  point  as  BL  Stowe  71  and  Jesus  Coll.,  Oxford,  5  (Brie  304/7),  and 
contained  the  fiill  exordium  of  Glasgow  Hunterian  443,  that  is,  that  did  not 
append  the  colophon. 

The  extant  manuscripts  divide  into  the  following  subgroups: 

a.      Glasgow  Hunterian  443; 


228  THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

b.  Bodl.  Rawlinson  C.901  (restarts  at  same  point  as  a); 

c.  BL  Harley  1337  and  Harley  6251  (break  off  before  Halidon  Hill  at  the 
same  point  as  e  and  f;  restart  at  the  same  point); 

d.  Stowe  71;  Jesus  Coll.,  Oxford,  5;  and  Michigan  225  (break  off  at  the 
same  point  as  e,  f,  and  g;  restart  at  the  same  point); 

e.  Bodl.  Hatton  50  (breaks  off  at  the  same  point  as  d,  f,  and  g); 

f.  the  AV-1419:B  text  that  underHes  TCD  5895  and  BL  Harley  7333  of 
the  PV-1419(r&g):D  (breaks  off  at  the  same  point  as  d,  e,  and  g); 

g.  Alnwick  45 7A  (breaks  off  at  the  same  point  as  d,  e,  and  £); 
h.      Bodl.  Tanner  11. 

There  are  similarities  among  the  hands  in  which  a  number  of  the  manu- 
scripts of  this  group  are  written.  Glasgow  Hunterian  443,  BL  Harley  1337, 
BL  Harley  6251,  and  NLW  Peniarth  396D  are  all  written  in  extremely 
similar  cursive  hands  with  similar  chapter  rubrication  and  decoration  and 
coloring  of  chapter  initials.  Jesus  Coll.,  Oxford,  5  is  written  in  a  hand 
similar  to  those  of  the  corrector  and  rubricator  in  Glasgow  Hunterian  443. 
Bodl.  Hatton  50  and  Rawlinson  B.190  are  written  in  similar  hands  which 
have  some  likeness  in  style  to  the  hands  of  the  other  manuscripts  of  the 
group. 

It  is  possible  that  these  manuscripts  are  the  product  of  one  scriptorium  or 
"school"  of  writing,  perhaps  in  the  London  area,  and  are  in  fact  representa- 
tives of  a  primitive  type  of  "mass-production"  of  cheap,  quickly  executed 
texts  to  meet  public  demand  for  what  was  an  extremely  popular  work.  That 
a  number  of  Brut  manuscripts  were  produced  in  such  a  manner  could  ac- 
count in  part  for  composite  texts  or  texts  that  appear  to  have  anomalous  fea- 
tures within  a  particular  group. 


The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  C  (AV-1419:C) 

Group  C,  which  begins  similarly  to  the  EV-1419:C,  consists  of  MSS.  Bodl. 
Ashmole  793  and  Illinois  82(1). 


141.  Bodleian  MS.  Ashmole  793 

Exordium  begins:  Here  begynneth  a  booke  in  Englishe  tong  callid  Brute  of 
Englond  or  the  Cronycles  of  Englond  compilyng  and  tretyng  of  the  said 
land 

Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologge  of  this  booke  declareth  and  telleth 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 229 

howe  this  land  was  furste  called  Albioun  aftre  the  eldeste  doughtir  of  the 

roiall  I^Tig  Dioclician  of  Surre  called  Albyne 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surre 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  "Sw"  heading 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Ends:  and  manfully  countred  with  our  Englisshe  men. 
Colophon:  Heere  endeth  the  Booke  of  Cronycules. 


142.  University  of  Illinois  MS.  82(1)^ 

Exordium  begins  in  first  handonfol.  8:  [H]ere  begynneth  a  boke  of  Englisch 

tong  callid  Brute  of  Englond  or  the  Croniclez  of  Englond  compilyng  & 

tretyng  of  the  seid  lond 
Prologue  heading  begins:  [T]he  prolog  of  Jjis  boke  dedareth  &,  telleth  how  {)is 

land  was  first  called  Albyoun  after  |)e  eldest  doughter  of  Jie  roial  l^Tig 

Dioclician  of  Surre  called  Albyne 
Text  begins:  [S]ome  tyme  in  the  noble  land  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  &  a 

worthi  man  callid  Dioclician  a  grete  conquerour  &  a  myghty  man 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
First  hand  ends  onfol.  164:  8c  grete  luffe  betwene  J)e  l^Tig  8c  his  lordes  [Brie 

248/12-13] 

Remarks:  A  second  (and  then  a  third)  hand  takes  up  the  narrative  at  the  end 
of  the  AV-1419:C  text  just  before  the  batde  of  Halidon  Hill,  copying  from 
a  new  exemplar,  a  text  of  the  PV-1437.  There  is  a  narrative  dislocation  in 
the  text  at  the  point  of  change  to  the  new  exemplar. 

Fols.  1-7  contain  various  historical  memoranda  in  at  least  two  hands,  in- 
cluding lists  based  on  the  Brut  text  of  significant  dates  and  events  from  1042 
to  1461.  The  hand  that  adds  the  Latin  headings  at  the  beginnings  of  the 
reigns  of  Henry  IV,  Henry  V,  and  Henry  VI  writes  a  similar  note  on  the 
coronation  of  Edward  IV  and  a  short  account  (fols.  6-7)  of  Edward's  vic- 
tories in  \A7\} 


^  For  (2),  see  item  166.  The  manuscript  is  misbound  throughout;  a  typewritten  chart 
gives  the  correspondences  between  the  (correct)  medieval  foliation  and  the  (incorrect) 
modern  foliation  of  the  volume  as  now  bound. 
2  See  p.  285. 


230 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:C 

The  names  of  the  extra  giants  found  in  the  EV-1419:A  and  the  EV-1419:C 

occur. 

Unlike  the  EV-1419:C,  the  name  of  Coryn's  paramour  is  given,  as  in  other 
EV  and  AV  groups.  She  is  called  his  "leman,"  as  in  the  EV-1419:C;  both 
name  and  designation  are  paralleled  in  the  AV-1419:A(a)  and  the  AV- 
1419:D:  "Than  said  Brute  'if  Erneborowe  thi  lemman  wiste  that  one  man  had 
putte  the  to  such  a  rebuke  she  wolde  neuer  love  the' "  (Bodl.  Ashmole  793). 

Unlike  the  EV-1419:C,  the  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are  listed. 

The  1419(men)  conclusion  to  Bodl.  Ashmole  793  is  unparalleled  among 
other  complete  EV  and  AV  texts  and  may  indicate  that  an  AV  was  origin- 
ally made  from  the  hypothetical  EV-1377,  to  which  the  continuation  to 
1419(men)  was  first  added.  (However,  it  is  possible  that  the  scribe's  exem- 
plar was  incomplete  and  that  he  changed  at  some  point  to  another  text  con- 
taining the  1419[men]  continuation.) 


The  Abbreviated  Version  to  1419,  Group  D  (AV-1419:D) 

This  group,  which  contains  a  new  exordium  that  is  not  paralleled  in  a  cor- 
responding EV  group,  consists  of  MSS.  BL  Stowe  70,  University  Coll.,  Ox- 
ford, 154,  and  CUL  Hh.6.9(l). 


143.  BL  MS.  Stov^  70 

Exordium  begins:  [T]he  first  inhabityng  of  J)is  lande  hou  women  first  inhabit 

it  and  aftir  J)at  Brute  inhabit  it  &  conquered  jje  gyauntes 
Prologue  heading  begins:  [T]he  prologe  of  J)is  boke  declareth  hou  this  lande 

was  callid  Albyon  aftir  J)e  eldest  dou3tre  of  |De  roiall  Ig^ng  Dioclician 

whiche  was  callid  Albyne 
Text  begins:  [S]ome  tyme  in  J)e  lande  of  Surre 

Omits:  Latin  tag,  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:D  below) 
Contains:  substitute  chapter  after  Arthur,  Cad,  QIL 
Ends:  in  gouernaunce  and  reule  and  cried  his  peace  amonges  the  citezeins 

&c. 


144.  University  College,  Oxford,  MS.  154^ 

Exordium  begins:  The  furste  inhabityng  of  this  lande  howe  women  furste  in- 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 231 

habit  it  and  after  that  Brute  inhabit  it  and  conquerid  the  gyauntes 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologge  of  this  boke  declareth  howe  this  lande 

was  called  Albioun  aftir  the  eldest  doughter  of  the  royall  king  Dioclician 

the  whiche  was  called  Albine 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  lande  of  Surre 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  QIL  (but  see  below),  "Sw"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the 

AV-1419:D  below) 
Contains:  substitute  chapter  after  Arthur,  Cad 
Ends:  in  gouernaunce  and  rule  and  cried  hys  peace  amonges  J)e  citezeins  6cc. 

Ejcplicit. 

Remarks:  The  folios  are  missing  that  would  have  contained  Queen  Isabella's 
letter. 


^  See  Ogilvie-Thomson,  Handlist,  p.  121. 


145.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Hh.6.9(1)* 

Exordium  begins:  The  first  inhabytynge  of  |)is  lande  how  women  first  inhabit 

it  and  after  that  Brute  inhabit  it  and  conquered  the  geauntes 
Prologue  heading  begins:  The  prologe  of  this  booke  declareth  hou  J)is  lande 

was  callid  Albion  after  the  eldest  doughter  of  the  royall  l^nig  Dioclician 

the  which  was  callid  Albyn 
Text  begins:  Some  tyme  in  the  lande  of  Surre  J)er  was  a  myghty  &  a  roial 

l^^ng  callid  Dioclisian 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  "Sw"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:D  below) 
Contains:  substitute  chapter  after  Arthur,  Cad,  C^L 
Ends  onfoL  158:  in  gouernaunce  and  reule  and  cried  his  peace  amonges  the 

citezeins  &c. 

Remarks:  The  AV-1419:D  text  is  followed  by  a  JP:C  continuation,  written 
in  the  same  hand  (item  82). 


*  For  (2),  see  item  82. 


Remarks  on  the  AV-1419:D 

Details  of  the  AV-1419:D  are  as  follows: 


232 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

(a)  first  giants  passage: 

Of  |)e  which  oon  was  callid  Gogmagog  |)e  which  was  maister  of  theme 
all.  And  he  was  fourty  foote  of  lengh  &  xij  of  brede.  And  an  other  was 
callid  Widy  8c  thes  geauntes  duelleden  in  diuers  contreis  8c  montayns 
8c  hilles  8c  lyued  of  rutes  and  with  herbes  8c  wilde  bestys  8c  wild 
foules.  And  thei  regned  in  Jjis  lande  vnto  |)e  tyme  jjat  Brute  come  and 
conquered  them  8c  inhabit  it  and  made  townes  8c  cites.  [CUL  Hh.6.9] 

(b)  second  giants  passage: 

J)ou  shalt  fynd  an  ile  callid  Albion  compassid  with  ^e  see  so  ^at  no 
maner  thyng  may  com  vnto  it  bot  foules  })e  which  is  wildirnes  8c  in- 
habited with  grete  geauntes  the  which  lyven  dyuersly  with  herbis  8c 
rutes  8c  flesh  of  grete  shepe  8c  J)is  land  is  ordenyd  for  the  8c  thi  mene. 
[CUL  Hh.6.9] 

(c)  Coryn  's  paramour  passage: 

and  \)0  saide  Brute  in  skorne  of  him  "if  Erneburgh  thy  lemman  wiste 
{)at  oon  man  dide  so  vnto  thee  Coryne  she  wolde  neuere  loue  J)ee." 
[BL  Stowe  70] 

The  names  of  Ebrak's  children  are  given. 

As  in  the  AV-1419:A(b),  though  in  slightly  more  confused  form,  the  four 
chapters  after  Arthur  are  replaced  by  one  chapter  on  Constantine,  after 
whom  reigns  Conan: 

Howe  kyng  Arthur  delyuerde  the  roialme  vnto  Constantyne  his 
cosynne  |)at  was  Cadors  sonne. 

And  after  this  Arthur  reigned  his  cosyn  Constantyne.  Than  come 
Mordredis  two  sonnes  with  a  grete  multitude  of  people  of  Saxouns 
ageyns  Constantyne  8c  faught  with  hym  bot  Constantyne  ouercome 
theme  8c  drove  theme  vnto  London.  And  J)at  one  flede  |)er  and  |)at 
other  vnto  Wynchestre.  And  in  this  same  tyme  died  J)e  bishoppe  of 
Baungor  8c  that  tyme  J)e  bishoppe  of  Baungour  was  made  bishoppe 
of  London.  And  than  this  Constantyne  pursued  Mordrede  sonnes  8c 
found  theme  J)at  [read  at]  Wynchestre  8c  besegid  it.  And  oon  of 
theme  fled  into  a  chirch  8c  J)er  he  was  taken  in  the  chirche  of  Seinct 
Amphybale  at  high  awter  8c  slayn  8c  f)at  other  fled  into  [a  chirch 
del.]  an  house  of  religione  of  freres  8c  their  he  was  take  8c  slayne. 
And  this  Constantyne  was  aftirward  slayn  at  Conan  Meredok  8c  his 
felishippe  8c  buiyed  at  Stonheng  beside  Vter  Pendragoune. 

How  Ig^ng  Constantyne  was  werred  vpon  by  Mordredis  two  sonnes. 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 233 

And  than  reigned  [repeateii]  Conan  a  wondre  proude  manne  8c  a  wickid 
[CUL  Hh.6.9] 

In  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter,  much  of  the  text  is  abbreviated.  The  battle 
itself  is  highly  abbreviated  and  the  nobles  comprising  the  wards  of  the 
Scottish  army  are  not  named,  the  relevant  sections  being  totally  omitted: 

And  than  vpon  Seint  Margaretes  even  \>e  yere  of  our  lorde  M'  iij^ 
xxxij  the  Scottes  come  fersely  in  thre  batailles  welle  arraied  in  here 
wynges  at  evensongtyme  and  at  |)at  tyme  was  floode  at  Berewike  J)at 
no  man  myght  wende  ouer  neither  on  hors  ne  vpon  foote.  And  pe 
water  was  betwixe  J)e  two  kynges  8c  Englande  so  J)at  they  must  nedes 
fight  or  be  drownede.  And  than  kyng  Edwarde  of  Englande  8c  l^Tig 
Edwarde  of  Scotlande  maid  f)ere  batailles  redy  8c  J)er  wynges  of  \>e 
prisest  8c  J)e  best  archers  that  J)ei  myght  fynd  in  all  pe  hooste.  And 
\>t  Scottes  were  nombrede  vij'"  thousandes  and  whanne  the  English- 
men met  pe  Scottes  our  archers  shot  sharply  8c  sore  vnto  pe  Scottes 
and  ouerthrewe  thousandes  of  theme  8cshote  so  faste  that  the  Scottes 
myght  nott  helpe  themeself  so  J)at  many  of  theme  were  killid  8c  slayn 
there.  And  oure  Englishmen  pages  toke  pe  Scottes  mennes  hors  whan 
their  maisteres  weren  dede.  And  J)an  kyng  Edwarde  of  Englande  8c 
kyng  Edwarde  of  Scotlande  J)ankede  allmyghty  God  of  J)at  glorious 
victorie  ffor  J)e  Scottes  hadden  no  more  strength  agains  pe  English- 
men than  fyue  shepe  agains  a  woulfe.  And  |)is  bataill  was  doon  vpon 
Hollydoune  Hille  wher  were  slayn  xxxvM'  v^  8c  xx  Scottes  and  of 
Englishmen  but  vij.  [CUL  Hh.6.9;  cf  Brie  283/14-286/4;  286/4-9 
are  omitted] 

The  three  texts  correspond  well  in  content,  but  cannot  be  directly  derived 
one  from  another,  as,  on  a  simple  level,  the  respective  headings  of  the  chap- 
ter following  that  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  show: 

Hou  kinge  Edwarde  made  a  duchie  of  pe  erledome  of  Cornewaill. 

[BL  Stowe  70] 

How  that  kyng  Edward  made  meny  lordis  and  how  he  was  mevid  off 

the  title  off  Fraunce.  [CUL  Hh.6.9] 

Howe  king  Edwarde  made  one  erle  duchie  of  pe  erledome  of  Corne- 

wayll  and  of  J)e  flirste  chalange  of  Fraunce.  [University  Coll.,  Oxford, 

154] 

Each  preserves  something  of  the  wording  of  the  original  CV  heading: 


234 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

Hov  King  Edwarde  made  a  Duchye  of  J)e  Erldom  of  Cor[n]waile;  8c 
also  of  vj.  ojjere  erles  |)at  were  newe  made;  8cof  jje  ferste  Chalangyng 
of  J)e  reaume  of  Fraunce.  [CCCC  174:  Brie  292/26-28] 

The  three  texts  are  very  close,  however,  and  could  easily  have  derived 
from  a  common  original. 

Remarks  on  the  Extended  and  Abbreviated  Versions 

Brie  assumed  a  simple  relationship  between  the  groups  of  the  EV:  that  the 
EV-1419:A  as  typified  by  BL  Harley  24  was  the  earliest  stage  after  the  EV- 
1377,  the  probable  erstwhile  existence  of  which  Brie  recognized;  that  the 
EV-1419:B  was  derived  directly  from  the  EV-1419:A;  and  that  the  EV- 
1419:C  was  very  close  to  the  EV-1419  A.  He  further  assumed  a  simple  one- 
to-one  relationship  between  the  EV  and  AV  texts:  that  the  AV-1419:A  was 
derived  from  the  EV-1419:A;  the  AV-1419:B  from  the  EV-1419:B;  the 
AV-1419:C  from  the  EV-1419:C;  and  the  AV-1419:D  from  a  supposedly 
lost  group,  the  EV-1419:D.^ 

However,  a  comparison  of  texts  from  different  groups  shows  that  the  rela- 
tionships are  far  more  complex  on  account  of  discrepancies  between  the 
"corresponding"  EV  and  AV  groups  and  similarities  between  supposedly  un- 
related groups.  As  a  standard  of  comparison  we  can  use  the  CV-1333  and 
other  CV  texts  containing  later  continuations.  The  relationships  between  the 
groups  are  difficult,  and  the  evidence  is  often  capable  of  more  than  one  in- 
terpretation, but  the  following  discussion  represents  the  development  that 
seems  most  plausible. 

The  Exordia  of  the  Extended  Version  and  the  Abbreviated  Version 
The  exordium  of  the  hypothetical  EV-1377  was  partly  based  on  the  expan- 
sion of  two  short  passages  in  the  body  of  the  CV  text  that  describe  chroni- 
cles written  in  English  during  the  reign  of  King  Ossa  (i.e.,  Offa)  and  a 
chronicle  made  by  (or  at  the  instigation  of)  King  Alfred.  The  details  from 
the  CV  and  the  corresponding  passages  in  the  EV  and  AV  exordia  are  laid 
out  in  Tables  1  and  2,  which  appear  on  pages  235  and  236. 

Comparison  of  the  passages  in  Tables  1  and  2  suggests  that  there  is  a 
highly  complex  textual  history  underlying  the  extant  manuscripts  and  groups. 
The  erstwhile  existence  of  a  number  of  lost  groups  or  complicated  crossing 
between  groups  must  be  posited  to  account  for  the  readings  of  the  extant 
groups. 


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THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 237 

Thus  in  the  first  detail  the  EV-1419:A  and  the  EV-1419:B  keep  the 
words  "adventures,  things  [surely  a  corruption  of  "kings"  in  the  CV],  battles" 
in  the  same  order  as  the  CV,  but  the  EV-1419:C  has  the  phrase  "J)at  haue 
been  doon  in  the  same  lande,"  which  is  found  in  the  CV,  There  is  a  cross- 
group  correspondence  between  the  EV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:B  on  one 
hand  and  the  AV-1419:A(a)  on  the  other  in  the  use  of  the  words  "won- 
derfiil"  and  "notable."  The  AV-1419:D  retains  the  phrase  "J)at  were  doon 
wij)  in  |)e  lande,"  as  does  also  the  AV-1419:C,  and  the  former  group  also 
adds  a  phrase  taken  from  the  second  detail  in  the  CV,  "hou  longe  pei 
regned." 

Indeed,  in  the  second  detail  the  AV-1419:D  preserves  best  the  wording 
of  the  original  CV  source,  which  must  indicate  the  one-time  existence  of 
earlier  groups  since  the  AV-1419:D  cannot  underlie  the  EV  texts.  Yet — ad- 
mittedly a  minor  and  perhaps  coincidental  point — the  EV-1419:A  text  of 
Rylands  Eng.  105  retains  the  definite  article  in  the  last  phrase,  "and  lete 
calle  hem  the  Cronicles." 


Tbe  Extended  Version  Groups 
Brie  does  not  explicitly  state  that  the  EV-1419:C  is  based  on  the  EV- 
1419:A,  but  he  implies  this  when  he  says  of  the  former  that  "Diese  Gruppe 
steht  A  sehr  nahe.  Der  Hauptunterschied  besteht  in  einer  grossen  Reihe  ab- 
weichender  Lesarten,  die  sich  durch  den  ganzen  Text  verstreut  finden. 
Ausserdem  sind  die  lateinischen  Worte  in  Kap.  34  fortgefallen"  ("This  group 
stands  very  close  to  A.  The  main  difference  consists  of  a  great  series  of  vari- 
ant readings  that  are  found  scattered  throughout  the  whole  text.  Moreover, 
the  Latin  phrase  in  chapter  34  has  been  omitted.")^  It  is,  however,  clear  that 
the  A  and  C  groups  must  have  developed  separately  out  of  the  EV-1377 
and  that  they  cannot  be  directly  connected,  as  the  following  comparisons 
suggest. 

Of  the  three  extant  EV  groups,  only  the  A  group  contains  the  original 
CV  giants,  although  it  is  possible  that  lost  texts  of  A  (and  possibly  Rylands 
Eng.  105)  contained  a  list  of  giants  more  like  that  surviving  in  the  C  group 
and  that  the  extra  details  of  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030  are  secondary 
and  peculiar  additions: 

CV  Gogmagog . . .  Laugherigan . . .  &so  J)ei  were  nompned  by  diuers  names 
[Brie  4/27-29] 


238 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

EV-1419:A  EV-1419:B 

Gogmagog   chef  l^^ng   of  Jjem  Gogmagog  [BL  Harley  4827] 

alle . . .  Wydy . . .  Onewen  le  fort 

. . .  Bonde    at    the    bmgge    ende  EV-1419:C 

. . .  Laugherygo . . .  grete  multitude  Gogmagog  chief  of  hem  all . . . 

moo    of    giauntes    that    weren  Wydy . . .  Oneven  . . .  Bounde  . . . 

callede  many  dyuers  names  [BL  And  many  other  ther  were  and 

Harley  24]  called  dyuers  names  [TCC  0.9.1] 

Similarly,  in  the  addition  of  details  from  the  Short  English  Metrical 
Chronicle,  the  A  texts  have  clearly  preserved  the  wording  of  the  original  verse 
text  in  the  Chronicle  more  closely. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  C  group  preserves  more  closely  the  wording  of 
the  CV  in  a  number  of  instances,  for  example,  the  account  of  the  epony- 
mous naming  of  London  by  Lud.  The  CV-1333  text  reads: 

This  Lud  louede  more  to  duelle  at  Troye  J)an  at  eny  ojjere  place  of  {)e 
lande;  Wherfore  J)e  name  of  Troye  was  lafte,  and  J)o  was  callede  {)e 
citee  of  Ludstan;  but  now  J)at  name  is  chaungede  {)rou3  variance  of 
lettres,  and  now  is  callede  London,  and  J)is  kyng  made  in  the  citee  a 
faire  gate,  and  callede  it  Ludgate,  after  his  name;  and  \>t  folc  of  J)e 
citee  lete  hight  Loundres.  [Brie  31/18-24] 

The  C  group,  although  it  presents  some  changes,  mainly  of  a  minor 
nature,  is  close  to  this  and  is  certainly  much  closer  to  it  than  the  corres- 
ponding section  in  the  A  group.  The  reading  of  the  C  group  is  given  first: 

This  Lud  loued  more  to  dwell  at  Troye  then  in  any  other  place  of  the 
lande.  Wherfore  the  name  of  Newe  Troye  was  loste  and  then  was  the 
cite  called  Luscan  \^sic\.  And  that  name  is  chaunged  thurgh  variance 
of  letter  and  now  is  callid  London.  And  this  ^ng  made  in  the  cite  a 
feyre  gate  and  called  it  Ludgate  after  his  name.  And  folk  of  the  cite 
let  calle  hit  Loundiys.  [TCC  0.9.1] 

This  kyng  Lud  loved  more  to  dwell  at  Newe  Troye  Jien  in  any  o|)er 
place  of  J)e  land;  wherefor  he  commaundid  that  J)at  cite  shuld  not  no 
lenger  be  called  Newe  Troy  but  Ludentoun  or  Ludestoun  as  sum 
bokes  seyen  after  his  name  Lud  for  in  J)at  cite  he  mad  most  cost  of 
byldyng.  And  ther  he  mad  a  gate  al  oute  of  J)e  ground  and  lat  hit  to 
be  called  Ludgate  after  his  name  and  he  lat  walle  |)e  toune  and  dike 
hit  also  but  afterwardis  \)t  name  of  J)is  cite  was  chaunged  with  Saxons 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 239 

tonge  and  by  variaunce  of  lettres  and  was  called  London  and 
Normandis  and  Frenchemen  and  oJ)er  alyauntes  call  it  Loundris  and 
these  clerkes  call  it  in  Latyn  Ciuitas  Londinarum.  [Bodl.  Rawlinson 
B.187;  in  Bodl.  Tanner  188  the  last  words  {these  clerkes  . . .  Londi- 
narum) are  omitted] 

Also,  the  Latin  tag  associated  with  King  Blegabred  is  not  found  in  the  C 
group,  as  it  is  not  found  in  Rylands  Eng.  105,  which  may  represent  an  ear- 
lier form  of  the  A  group  than  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030,  and  this 
correspondence  may  suggest  that  the  tag  was  not  found  in  the  EV-1377. 
Similarly,  the  name  of  Coryn's  paramour  is  omitted  in  both  Rylands  Eng. 
105  and  in  the  C  group. 

The  EV-1419:B,  however,  does  appear  to  have  been  based  on  some  early 
form  of  the  A  text  rather  than  on  some  form  of  the  C  text,  although  it  can- 
not be  directly  derived  from  any  of  the  extant  A  manuscripts.  In  general,  as 
illustrated  in  Tables  1  and  2  above,  the  exordium  of  the  B  group  is  closer  to 
that  of  the  A  group  than  to  that  of  the  C  group.  However,  the  additional 
details  given  below  show,  first,  a  parallel  (perhaps  fortuitous)  between  B  and 
C  rather  than  between  B  and  A;  second,  an  instance  of  independent  omis- 
sion in  B;  and  third,  a  further  instance  in  which  B  is  closer  to  A  than  it  is 
toC: 

(a)  A:        Here  begynneth  a  boke  in  Englysshe  tunge  called  Brute  [Rylands 

Eng.  105] 

B:  Here  bigynneth  a  book  whiche  is  callid  Brute  the  Cronicles  of 
Englond  [BL  Harley  4827] 

C:  Here  begynneth  a  booke  in  Englissh  tonge  called  Brute  of  Eng- 
lond or  the  Cronicles  of  Englond  [TCC  0,9.1] 

(b)  A:        howe  it  was  first  wildernesse  [Rylands  Eng.  105] 
B:  [omitted] 

C:  how  it  was  first  a  wilderness  and  forletten  [TCC  0.9.1] 

(c)  yl:        And  this  boke  is  called  Brute  afi:er  hym  that  made  the  boke  and 

inhabite  this  lond  whos  name  was  Brute  the  which  lete  calle  the 

lond  Bretayne  after  his  owne  name  [Rylands  Eng.  105] 
B:         And  this  lande  is  callid  Bretaigne  aftir  him  J)at  first  enhabited  it 

whos  name  was  callid  Brute  [BL  Harley  4827] 
C:         This  booke  is  called  Brute  after  Brute  J)at  first  conquered  this 

lande  and  let  calle  this  lande  Bretayn  after  his  name  [TCC  0.9.1] 


240 THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

The  Lud  passage  again  shows  that  the  B  group  is  closer  to  the  A  text 
than  to  the  C  text  (see  the  parallel  A  and  C  passages  quoted  above): 

this  king  Lud  lovede  more  forto  dwelle  at  Newe  Troye  ^ane  at  any 
o^er  place  of  J)e  londe  wherfore  he  commaundid  J)at  the  cite  of  Newe 
Troye  be  callid  noo  more  |)at  name  but  calle  it  Ludston  &,  somme 
bookes  sey  aftir  his  name  Lud  for  in  [)at  cite  he  made  most  byeldynge 
8c  Jjere  he  made  a  gate  out  of  ^e  grounde  8c  callid  it  Luddis  gate  aftir 
his  owne  name  8c  he  dede  doo  make  cite  wallid  8c  dyke  it  al  aboute. 
But  aftirwarde  the  name  of  this  cite  was  chaungid  by  sownyng  of 
tungis  8c  by  varyaunce  of  lettris  and  callid  it  London  8c  3it  oJ)ir 
naciouns  callith  it  3it  into  this  day  London  8c  clerkes  callith  it  Ciuitas 
London.  [Glasgow  Hunterian  230] 


Further  points  supporting  a  close  connection  between  the  A  and  B  groups 


are: 


1.  Except  for  Bodl.  Rawlinson  poet.  32,  the  B  group  texts  give  the  name 
of  Coryn's  paramour,  as  do  the  majority  of  the  A  texts. 

2.  Similarly,  the  B  texts  contain  the  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred,  as  do  the 
majority  of  the  A  texts. 

3.  Like  BL  Harley  24,  an  A  text,  most  (though  not  all)  of  the  B  texts 
insert  ^0(9<a?  into  the  phrase  ending  the  text  to  1419,  and  sometimes  add 
Deo  gracias,  for  example: 

in  ruele  and  good  gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias.  [BL  Harley  24] 
in  good  rule  8c  gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias.  [Glasgow  Hunterian 

230] 
in  reule  and  in  gode  gouernaunce.  [BL  Harley  2182] 

The  B  group  contains  a  number  of  details  that  show  that  it  is  derivative 
and  not  the  direct  line  from  the  EV-1377  through  which  the  other  EV 
groups  are  connected  to  the  original  EV  group.  The  enumerations  of  the 
British  kings  and  of  the  kingdoms  of  Engist's  heptarchy  are  both  further 
from  the  original  CV  text  than  the  corresponding  A  and  C  texts.  In  addi- 
tion, there  are  numerous  verbal  differences  and  alterations,  some  of  which 
are  illustrated  below  in  the  discussion  of  the  relationship  of  the  EV-1419:B 
and  the  AV-1419:B  (see  pp.  243-46). 


T/je  Abbreviated  Version  Groups 
The  single  text  of  the  AV-1419:A(b),  that  of  BL  Royal  IS.A.bc,  can  be  de- 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 241 

rived  from  a  text  of  the  EV-1419:A,  although  once  more  we  must  assume 
one  or  more  lost  texts  that  united  features  now  found  only  in  separate  texts 
of  the  A  group.  Thus  we  note  the  following  correspondences  between  BL 
Royal  IS.A.ix  and  features  contained  in  the  A-group  texts: 

1.  The  heading  of  the  text  is  paralleled  in  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit. 
12030,  the  only  EV  texts  to  have  this  heading. 

2.  The  exordium  is  that  of  the  A  group. 

3.  The  extra  giants  resemble  those  in  the  EV-1419:C  and  to  some  extent 
those  in  BL  Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030,  and  possibly  approximate 
more  closely  to  those  that  were  once  contained  in  Rylands  Eng.  105, 
although  "Laugherigan,"  one  of  the  original  CV  giants,  is  not  found. 

4.  The  name  of  Coryn's  paramour  is  paralleled  exactly  in  Bodl.  Rawlinson 
B.187  (although  it  is  also  paralleled  in  the  EV-1419:B). 

5.  The  lack  of  the  Latin  tag  on  Blegabred  is  paralleled  in  Rylands  Eng. 
105. 

6.  The  chapter  on  the  kings  of  Britain  is  not  abbreviated  as  it  is  in  the 
AV-1419:A(a)  and  therefore  corresponds  to  the  normal  text  found  in 
the  EV-1419:A. 

This  group  has  been  treated  first  among  the  AV  groups  because  it  does 
not  partake  of  the  striking  agreements  between  the  rest  of  the  AV  groups 
that  lead  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  a  far  more  complex  relationship  be- 
tween them  than  a  simple  one-to-one  relationship  with  the  EV  groups. 

The  formal  textual  feature  that  is  most  immediately  striking  is  the  omis- 
sion of  four  chapters  after  the  death  of  King  Arthur  so  that  Conan  succeeds 
to  the  throne  instead  of  Constantine  (see  ftirther  below).  This  feature  occurs 
in  the  AV-1419:A(a),  the  AV-1419:B,  and  the  AV-1419:C,  but  is  not 
paralleled  in  the  EV.  It  is  not  found  in  the  AV-1419:A(c)  and  the  AV- 
1419:D,  which  resemble  one  another  at  this  point. 

Equally  significant  is  the  close  verbal  agreement  between  the  AV- 
1419:A(a)  and  the  AV-1419:B  in  those  chapters  that  occur  after  the  open- 
ing sections  of  the  text.  This  agreement  is  well  illustrated  in  the  narrative 
recounting  the  reign  of  King  John,  where  the  texts  of  both  AV  groups  agree 
against  the  texts  of  the  EV  and  C V  and  must  therefore  be  related.  The  fol- 
lowing extract  from  Glasgow  Hunterian  83,  a  text  of  the  AV-1419:A(a),  is 
collated  with  Michigan  225  (M),  a  text  of  the  AV-1419:B,  and  should  be 
compared  with  the  CV  as  printed  by  Brie  (155/9-156/22): 

How  king  lohn  was  rebell  agans  \>t  pope. 


242  THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

[A]nd  att  ^e  [atte  M]  last  J)e  pope  sentt  by  hys  autorite  8c  enioyned 
two  bischops  of  England  |)at  yff  king  lohn  wold  nott  cesse  of  his  [the 
M]  persecucioun  J)at  he  did  to  [vnto  M]  holy  chirch  ne  vnderfong 
maister  Steven  Langtoun  ne  the  prioure  8c  his  monkes  |)at  thei  suld 
do  \>e  generale  enterdyting  yff  it  wer  nede  [om.  M]  and  enionede  iiij 
bischopes  to  flilfill  itt.  I*e  first  was  \>t  bischop  of  London;  J)e  [and  the 
M]  ij'=  J)e  bischop  of  Ely;  \)t  nf  [the  add.  M]  bischop  [of  add.  M] 
Wauter;  and  J)e  iiij^  bischop  Giles.  And  J)es  foure  come  to  pe  king 
knelyng  vpon  there  kneys  full  sore  wepyng  besechyng  J)e  king  to  doon 
J)e  popes  commandementes  [commaundement  M]  and  schewed  him 
J)e  bulles  of  \)t  enterdyting  bott  for  no  prayer  pt  king  wald  nott  [om. 
M]  consent  J)erto.  And  than  thes  iiij  bischopes  seyng  this  on  pt 
morow  [on . . .  morow  om.  M]  after  pe  annunciacioun  of  oure  lady 
pronounsed  |3e  enterdyting  throughoute  England  so  J)at  all  [the  M] 
chirch  dores  wer  schut  8c  closid  through  [thurughoute  M]  England. 
And  king  lohn  seyng  this  toke  [he  toke  M]  into  his  handes  [honde 
M]  all  pt  possessiouns  of  holy  chirche  throute  pe  realm  and  ordenyd 
men  for  to  kepe  hem.  And  than  pe.  bischopes  accursed  [cursid  M]  all 
hem  J)at  medeled  with  holy  chirch  goodes  ayenst  pe  will  of  hem.  And 
when  ^e  [om.  M]  king  wold  nott  cess  of  his  malace  pe  iiij  bischopes 
went  hem  oure  pe  see  to  J^e  archebischop  of  Canterbury  and  take 
[tolde  M]  hym  all  pe  doing.  And  pe  archebischop  heryng  hereof  bad 
tham  goo  agayn  to  Canterbury  and  he  wold  come  theder  to  Jjam 
[thider  hemselfe  M]  or  send  suche  as  suld  do  as  [so  M]  muche  as 
himself  there.  And  thei  come  agayn  to  Canterbury.  And  than  come 
thithinges  to  pe  king  that  pe  [om.  M]  iiij  bischopes  wer  comen  agayn 
and  for-as-mich  as  he  micht  nott  come  himself  he  sentt  theder  lordes 
both  temperell  and  spirituell  [spirituell  and  temporall  M].  And  so  the 
king  was  entrered  [sic;  entretid  with  M]  to  vnderfong  the  arche- 
bischop [bisshoppe  M]  and  pe  prioure  also  and  his  monkes  and  that 
he  suld  neuer  after  that  tyme  tak  [do  M]  no  thing  of  [ayenst  M]  holy 
chirch  ayenst  the  will  of  hem  |)at  awed  pe  [om.  M]  goodes.  And  also 
that  pe  king  suld  mak  full  amendes  to  hem  of  whom  he  had  take  any 
goodes.  And  J)at  holy  chirch  suld  have  all  ffraunches  [hir  ffraunchisis 
M]  in  likewis  as  itt  was  [he  had  M]  in  king  Edwardes  tyme  pe  con- 
fessour.  [Glasgow  Hunterian  83] 

Despite  this  correspondence,  however,  one  cannot  simply  assume  that  the 
AV-1419:A(a)  and  the  AV-1419:B  are  the  same  text  to  which  the  exordia 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 243 

of  different  EV  groups  have  been  added.  The  earlier  portions  of  the  AV- 
1419:B  are  inextricably  linked  to  the  EV-1419:B,  not  only  on  account  of 
the  exordium  but  also  on  the  verbal  level.  The  composition  of  the  opening 
chapters  of  the  AV-1419:B  is  demonstrated  by  the  following  analysis  of  the 
text  in  which  the  EV-1419:B  group  is  represented  by  BL  Harley  4827  and 
the  AV  group  by  Glasgow  Hunterian  443.  References  are  given  to  the  cor- 
responding text  in  the  CV  printed  by  Brie.  The  evidence  for  connecting  the 
EV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:B  consists  of: 

1.         Similar  omissions  in  the  EV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:B  of  CV- 

1333  phrases  or  sentences,  such  as  the  following  examples  quoted 

from  Brie: 
(i)        so  J)at  he  conquered  alle  Jje  landes  abowte  hym  [Brie  1/8-9] 
(ii)       &  pert  pey  lyved  in  ioy  and  merthe  y-now,  that  it  was  wonder  to 

wete  [Brie  1/21-22] 
(iii)      p2it  it  was  wonder  to  wete  [Brie  2/10-11] 
(iv)      8c  byhestes,  &  also  for  siftes,  and  warnyd  hem  in  fayr  maner  vpon  all 

loue  and  frenschipe  J)at  pei  scholde  Amende  hir  lithir  condicions 

[Brie  2/13-16] 
(v)       wherfore  \>o  xxxiij  kynges,  vpon  A  tyme,  and  often-tymes,  beten  here 

wyfes,  for  \>ey  wende  that  |5ei  wolde  haue  Amended  here  tacches  and 

here  wykkyd  thewes;  but  of  such  condicions  J)ei  were  Jjat,  for  fayr 

speche  &,  warnyng,  J)ei  deden  the  wors,  8c  for  betynges  eft-sone  mych 

wors.  [Brie  2/17-22] 
(vi)      8c  {)o  made  voide  al  f)at  were  J)erin,  so  {)at  no  lyf  was  among  hem  but 

sche  8c  here  sustres  y-fere  [Brie  3/13-14] 
(vii)     seth  \>zt  I  am  come  of  a  more  hyere  kynges  blod  |)an  my  housband  is 

[Brie  3/18-19] 
(viii)    fill  wel  y  wot,  fayr  sustres,  J)at  oure  housbandes  haue  playned  vnto 

owre  fadir  vpon  vs,  wherfore  he  hath  pus  vs  foul  reproued  8c  dispised 

[Brie  3/20-23] 
(ix)      J)at  was  here  fadir  [Brie  3/36-4/1] 

(x)       8c  be-toke  alle  her  frendes  to  Appolyn,  {)at  was  her  god  [Brie  4/3-4] 
(xi)      with  al  his  mayn  [Brie  5/8] 
(xii)     and  hym  withhelde  [Brie  5/14] 
(xiii)    8c  a  worthy  of  body  and  of  his  dedes  [Brie  5/15-16] 
(xiv)    in  his  werre;  8c  schortly  for-to  telle,  so  weel  8c  worthyly  he  ded,  {)at 

he  [Brie  5/17-18;  both  groups  replace  this  by  the  one  word  anci\ 
(xv)     all  here  lyvys  tyme  [Brie  5/22] 


244 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


(xvi)     as  God  wolde  [Brie  5/23] 

(xvdi)   vnwetyng  his  fadir,  8c  a3ens  his  wyl  [Brie  5/28] 

(xviii)  whan  god  wolde  [Brie  6/4-5] 

(xix)     |)at  was  Sylveynes  sone  [Brie  6/7] 

(xx)     8c  [so]  schul  men  of  {)at  Cuntre  be  called  for  euermore  [Brie  11/20] 

2.  Similar  readings  in  the  EV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:B  that  disagree 
with  the  CV-1333  reading  (the  last  three  examples  are  taken  from  a 
later  point  in  the  texts): 


CV-n33 

A  noble  l^^ng  and 
myghty,  8c  a  man 
of  grete  renoun,  J)at 
me  called  Dyocli- 
cian  [Brie  1/5-7] 


EV-1419:B 
a  man  of  grete  re- 
noun  callid  Diocli- 


sian 


AV-1419:B 
a  mane  of  gret  re- 
noun  callyd  Diocli- 
ciane 


almoste  all  |)e 
kynges  of  jje  world 
to  hym  were  enten- 
daunt  [Brie  1/9- 
10] 

at  A  certayn  day,  as 
in  his  lettres  was 
conteyned,  to  make 
A  ryal  feste  [Brie 
1/17-18] 


almooste  all  J)e 
l^^nges  not  Cristen 
to  him  weren  con- 
tributours  and  obe- 
dient 

at  a  certeyn  day  at 
which  day  he  wolde 
make  a  riall  ffeste 


all  most  all  |)e 
kyngys  Crystyne 
wher  to  hyme  con- 
tributours  and  to 
hym  obbedyente 

att  a  sertyn  day  at 
wyche  day  he  wyD 
make  a  ryall  fest 


And  hit  byfelle  |)us 
aftyrward  [Dat  [Brie 
2/5-6] 


And  aftirward 


And  aftyrward 


Wherefore  J)e  l<yng 
J)at  hadde  wedded 
Albyne,  wrote  |)e 
tacches  8c  [je  con- 
dicions  of  his  wyf 
Albyne,  8c  {)e  lettre 


wherfore  |)ese  xxxiij 
kynges  bi  her  com- 
on  assent  wrote  Jje 
euel  tacches  of  her 
wyues  vnto  her 
fadre  Dioclisian  bi- 


wherfor  J)es  xxxij 
[sic\  kyngis  by  her 
comen  asente  vrote 
the  evyll  techys  of 
her  viuis  vnto  her 
fader       Dyoclisian 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


245 


sent  to  Dioclician, 
her  fader.  And 
whenne  J)e  other 
kynges  herde  that 
Albynes  lord  had 
sent  lettre  to  Dio- 
clician, anon  pey 
sente  lettres  enseled 
with  here  seeles 
[of]  J5e  condicions 
and  {)e  tacches  of 
here  wyfes.  [Brie 
2/22-27] 


sekyng  hym  to  sett 
a  remedye  in  J)is 
matere 


beseken  so  [sic]  sett 
remedy  in  thes  ma- 
ters 


he  was  sore  a-scha- 
med,  8c  bycome 
wonder  Angry  8c 
wroth  toward  his 
doughters  [Brie 
2/29-30] 


he  was  wondre 
wroth  toward  his 
dou3tres 


he  was  wondyr 
wrote  toward  hys 
dou3tors 


Jjer    was    a    noble 

knyght  8c  a  my- 
ghty,  8c  a  man  of 
gret  power,  {)at  me 
callyd  Eneas  [Brie 
5/5-6] 


J)er  was  a  mi3ti  8c  a 
manly  kny3t  y- 
callid  Eneas 


was  a  my3ty  and  a 
manly  kny3the 
called  Eneas 


lost    8c    dystroyed 
[Brie  5/7] 


destroied 


dystroid 


he  had  herd  of 
hym,  and  wyst  wel 
{)at  he  was  a  noble 
knyght  [Brie  5/14- 
15] 


he  herde  muche 
worship  of  him  and 
pat  he  was  a  noble 
kny3t 


he  herd  muche  wor- 
scip  of  hyme  and 
J)at  he  was  a  nobyll 
kny3th 


in  beryng  of  hym 
[Brie  5/35-6/1] 


in  childyng  of  hym 


in  chyldyng  of  hym 


246 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


his  Arwe  mys- 
happed  8c  glacede; 
And  so  there  Brut 
quelled  his  fader. 
[Brie  6/9-10] 

an  hauene  of  Tot- 
nesse  [Brie  10/29- 
30] 

\>e  sawte  of  Gog- 
magog  [Brie  11/17] 


and  clymede  vnto 
J)e  mount;  but 
when  J)ai  saw  [Brie 
61/31-32] 

and  come  a3eyn  in- 
to {)is  lande  [Brie 
62/3] 

for  euermore  [Brie 
62/8] 


his  arowe  glaunsid 
aside  and  killid  his 
fadre  J)er  for|)-ri3t 


an  hauen  |)at  is 
now  callid  Tote- 
nesse 

\>e  mounte  of  Gog- 
magog  or  elles  it  is 
callid  Gogmagoges 
lepe 

a-whanne  Jjey  came 
vp  to  pt  toppe  of 
J)e  mounte  J)ei 
seigh 

and  so  \>ei  brou3t 
hem  into  Ip'is  londe 


and  so  it  is  callid 
3itte  into  |)is  day 


his  harrow  clenchyd 
and  l^^llyd  his  fadyr 
J)er  forth-rythe 


ane  hawyne  jjat  ys 
now  callyd  Toten- 
nas 

the  monte  of  Gog- 
magog  or  ells  Gog- 
magoges lepe 


And  when  J)ay  com 
vppon  J)e  topp  of 
J)e  monte  J)ay  sey 


and  so  \>ey  brouth 
heme  into  this  lond 


and  so  yt  ys  into 
J)is  day 


These  selected  examples  show  that  the  EV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:B 
are  closely  connected,  for  they  agree  in  making  the  same  omissions  from  the 
CV-1333  text,  and  they  further  agree  in  possessing  similar  readings  which 
disagree  with  the  CV-1333  text.  However,  a  further  set  of  readings,  taken 
from  the  same  early  and  later  extracts  as  the  above  examples,  show  that  the 
two  groups  cannot  be  directly  related,  that  is,  the  AV-1419:B  cannot  be 
derived  simply  from  the  EV-1419:B  because  the  readings  of  the  AV-1419:B 
correspond  to  or  are  closer  to  the  readings  of  the  CV-1333. 

3.  Dissimilar  readings  in  the  EV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:B,  where  the 
AV-1419:B  reading  corresponds  to  or  is  closer  to  the  CV-1333  read- 
ing in  some  respects  (in  a  number  of  instances  the  AV-1419:B  presents 
a  blend  of  CV  and  EV-1419:B  readings): 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


247 


CV-1333 

At  which  day,  |)edir 
pey  comyn,  & 
brought  with  hem 
Amyralles,  Piynces 
&  Dukes,  &.  noble 
Chiualrye  [Brie 
1/19-20] 


EV-1419:B 
and  ^ei  came  at  his 
comaundement  and 
also  dukes  &  erles 
and  ojjer  peple 
wi{)oute  nombre 


AV-1419:B 

At  wyche  day  J)ey 

comen      bo  the 

kyngis    dukys    and 

erllys     and     much 

o])yr  pepyU  out  of 

nombyr 


among  all  ^o 
knyghtys  [t;r. 
l^ges]  J)at  tho 
were  at  that  so- 
lempnite  [Brie 
1/24] 


vnto  all  J)ese  kynges 
assembled  at  J)is 
grete  solempnite 


amongis  all  {)es 
kyngis  assembeledd 
at  J)is  solemnite 


And  all  her  other 
sustres,  eche  on 
here  hem  so  euel  a- 
yens  here  lordes 
[Brie  2/9-10] 

And  for-as-mych  as 
hem  thought  J)at 
here  housebondes 
were  not  of  so  hye 
parage  comen  as 
here  fadyr  [Brie 
2/11-12] 


8c  alle  her  oJ)er 
sustres  deden  in  J)e 
same  manere 


and  for-also-muche 
as  her  lordes  weren 
of  lower  degree  ^an 
J)ei  were  [)ei  were 
J)e  more  stoute 


and  all  f)e  o{)ir 
sustyrs  bare  heme 
in  J)e  same  maner 


and  for  theyr  lordys 
wer  of  lowere  par- 
age J)ane  Jjey  wer 
J)ey  wer  {)e  stouter 


&  whan  sche  had 
so  seyd,  all  here 
sustres  seyd  J)e 
same  [Brie  3/19- 
20] 


and  J)anne  all  Jje 
sustres  promysed  ^e 
same 


And  all  her  sustyrs 
sayd  J)e  same 


so  {)at  {)ei  neuere 
schulde  come  a3en; 
&  so  he  dede  [Brie 
3/35-36] 


and  so  he  exilid 
hem  oute  of  his 
lande 


And  so  he  dede 


248 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


\>ei  fedde  hem  with 
erbes  8c  frutes  in 
seson  of  pe  3eer 
[Brie  4/17] 

and  bycomen  won- 
dir  fatte  [Brie  4/19] 


J)ei  fedden  hem  all 
wi^  herbes  8c 
fruytes  |)at  J)ei 
founden  many  daies 

and  so  \>ei  wexid 
wondre  fatte  8c 
rank 


\>cy  feddyne  hym 
opon  herbys  8c 
frutys  in  J)e  seson 
of  J)e  3er 

and  wondyr  fat 
wexen  [ins.  alcove] 


Whanne  J)e  Deuyll 
that  perceyued 
[Brie  4/24] 


kyng  Latyme  3af  al 
J)at  land  ^at  was 
Turocelyns,  8c  3af 
it  to  Eneas  in  man- 
age with  Lamane, 
his  doughter,  the 
moost  fayr  creature 
put  eny  manne 
wiste  [Brie  5/19- 
21] 

in  ioy  8c  myrthe 
[Brie  5/22] 

And  whan  Asqua- 
nius  his  fader  yt 
wyste  [vr.  wist  J)er- 
of],  anon  he  lete 
enquere  [Brie 
5/31-32] 

he  went  vpon  A 
day  with  his  fadir 
to  pley  8c  solace 
[Brie  6/7-8] 


And  whanne  pe 
feend  conceyued  pe 
corragiouste  of  J)ese 
wymmen 

kyng  Latym  gaf  all 
J)at  londe  to  Eneas 
and  maried  his 
dou3ter  Lema  vnto 
him  whiche  was  a 
faire  creature 


in  ioie  8c  blisse 


And  his  fadir  As- 
quanius  herde  here- 
of and  leete  en- 
quere 


he  went  vpon  a  day 
wij)  his  fadre  to 
wodde  forto  hunte 
and  disporte  him 


And  when  pe  [ins. 
above]  develis  J)is 
consayuyd 


l^^ng  Latyme  gaflf 
al  pe.  lond  to  Eneas 
in  maryage  with 
Leman  hys  dou3tyr 
a  fayr  creaturr 


in  ioy  and  myrth 


And  when  hys  fad- 
yr  Asquanius  wyst 
Jjerof  he  lett  enquer 


he  wente  oppon  a 
day  with  hys  fadyr 
to  wood  forto  play 
and  solas 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


249 


&,  therfore  he 
nome  all  his  men, 
&  went  vnto  \»e 
See,  8c  hadde  wynd 
&.  wedir  at  wille 
[Brie  10/27-29] 


wherfore  anoon  he 
ordeyned  all  his 
men  to  pe  shippes 
and  sailed  forjje  in 
J)e  see  and  |3ei  had 
wynde  and  wedre 
at  her  wille 


and  Jjerfor  he  toke 
all  his  men  and 
went  into  J)e  see 
and  had  wynd  and 
weddyr  at  wyll 


&c  |>er  \>cy  founde 
neij)er  man  ne  wo- 
man [Brie  10/30- 
31] 

J)o      was      Brut 

wonder  glad  [Brie 
10/34] 

When  \>e  Britons 
hade  herde  of  J)is 
J)ing,  |)ai  went  and 
sworen  ifere 
amonges  ham,  J)at 
J)ai  wolde  gone  to 
seche  \>e  stones 
[Brie  61/23-25] 


and  J)ei  founden 
nei{)er  man  woman 
nor  childe 


f)anne  was  Brute 
wondre  gladde  &, 
ioyflil  of  hert 

And  whanne  \>e 
Bretons  herden 
telle  of  [)ese  mer- 
veilous  stones  pei 
saiden  amonges 
hem  J)at  Jjei  wolde 
goo  in  to  Yrlonde 
8c  sechen  pese 
stones 


and  pti  pey  fonden 
ne[)yr  man  ne  vom- 
mane 


Thane  was  he  [ins. 
alcove]  wondyr  glad 


When  the  Brutons 
herd  of  this  tyd- 
ynges  J)ei  went  and 
swore  amonges 
hem  p2it  J)ey  wold 
see  and  serch  the 
stonys 


and  toke  wijj  ham 
Vter,  pe  kynges 
bro{)er,  to  bene 
here  cheueteyne,  8c 
XV  M'  men;  and 
Merlyn  conseilede 
ham  forto  gone 
into  Irlande  and  so 
J)ai  deden.  [Brie 
61/25-27] 


and  toke  wij)  hem 
Vter  pe  l^Tiges 
bro{)er  8c  Merlyn 
to  ben  her  chieften 
and  her  counseilour 
and  toke  also  wij) 
hem  XV  M'  of  men 
and  wenten  Jjidre. 


8c  toke  with  hym 
Vter  pt  kynges 
brother  to  be  her 
cheveten  and  xv  M' 
men  with  hem  and 
Merlyn  conceilyd 
hym  to  gone  to  Ir- 
lond  and  so  pay  did 


J)ai  saw  pe  stones, 


[)ei  seigh  pe  stones 


pay  sey  pe  stonys 


250 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


and  J)e  maner  how 
J)ai  stoden,  J)ai  had- 
den  grete  mervail 
[Brie  61/32-33] 

and  saide  bituene 
ham  J)at  noman 
shulde  ham  remeve, 
for  no  strenghe  ne 
engyne,  so  huge  |)ai 
weren,  and  so  long 
[Brie  61/33-62/2] 


and  when  J)e  l^^ng 
saw  {)at  it  was 
made,  he  J)ankede 
Merlyn  [Brie  62/5- 
6] 


stonde      merveil- 
lously 


and  saide  amonges 
hem  J)at  no  man 
shulde  remeve  hem 
J)ei  were  6c  huge 
and  so  longe 


and  whanne  \>e 
kyng  saugh  jjat  it 
was  doo  aftir  his 
entent  he  {)anked 
Merlyne 


and  pe  maner  how 
J)at  [sic]  stonden 
and  merweyll  grett- 
ly  therof 

and  sayd  bytwene 
heme  J)at  noman 
shull  remeve  hym 
of  \>t  place  neythyr 
be  strynth  eiethir 
be  engyne  so  hug 
and  so  long 

and  whene  J)e  kyng 
saw  J)at  yt  was  mad 
he  thanl^^d  Mer- 
lyne hugely 


Although  in  the  examples  cited  the  AV-1419:B  has  details  that  are  closer 
to  the  CV,  there  are  also  many  cases  where  the  AV-1419:B  reading  appears 
to  partake  of  both  the  CV  and  EV-1419:B  readings.  That  it  agrees  with  the 
CV  indicates  that  the  AV-1419:B  cannot  simply  have  passed  through  the 
EV-1419:B  stage.  It  could  quite  easily,  however,  be  a  compilation  made 
from  both  the  CV  and  the  EV-1419:B  texts.  We  have  already  seen  the 
agreement  between  the  AV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:A(a)  in  the  King 
John  chapters,  but  in  many  of  the  examples  in  (3)  above  the  AV-1419:A(a) 
has  readings  which  are  dissimilar  from  those  of  the  AV-1419:B  and  are  also 
further  from  the  CV  readings.  Accordingly,  it  cannot  be  assumed  that  the 
AV-1419:B  is  a  compilation  formed  from  the  EV-1419:B  and  the  AV- 
1419:A(a).  The  same  can  be  said  of  the  AV-1419:C,  in  which  verbal  differ- 
ences from  the  above  AV-1419:B  readings  are  again  found. 

The  AV-1419:A(a)  cannot  be  derived  purely  from  the  text  of  BL  Harley 
24  and  Addit.  12030,  primarily  because  it  does  not  show  any  traces  of  any 
of  the  peculiar  features  associated  with  these  texts.  Whether  it  was  taken 
from  one  of  the  other  EV-1419:A  texts  is  more  difficult  to  decide  as  these 
texts  are  incomplete,  and  in  any  case  it  has  already  been  suggested  that  some 
texts  of  this  EV  group  have  been  lost,  texts  that  once  exhibited  a  slightly 
different  form  of  certain  features  from  that  contained  in  the  extant  manu- 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 251 

scripts.  Verbally,  the  AV-1419:A(a)  would  seem  within  the  limits  of  textual 
variance  for  the  EV-1419:A,  but  there  has  clearly  been  contact  with  some 
other  AV  group,  as  the  common  omission  of  chapters  after  Arthur  and  the 
verbal  agreements  with  the  AV-1419:B  described  above  attest.  The  question 
is,  in  which  dire».tion  were  the  AV  texts  influenced,  and  which  group  first 
made  these  omissions  and  verbal  changes?  Further  questions  occur,  whether 
there  was  an  AV  made  from  the  EV-1377,  and  whether  the  common  fea- 
tures of  the  AV  groups  should  be  attributed  to  this. 

The  unusual  point  at  which  the  AV-1419:C  ends  (see  p.  230)  might  sug- 
gest that  this  text  was  derived  from  an  original  AV  ending  in  1377  to  which 
a  1419(men)  continuation  was  added.  If  this  is  so,  however,  then  the  AV 
ending  in  1377  must  have  differed  considerably  from  the  AV-1419:C,  for  in 
its  present  state  it  could  not  have  been  the  basis  of  the  AV-1419:A(a)  or 
AV-1419:B,  both  of  which  have  readings  that  are  closer  to  the  CV  source. 
Once  more,  the  AV  group  cannot  be  simply  an  abbreviation  of  the  EV 
group,  as  there  are  a  number  of  correspondences  with  other  AV  and  EV 
texts  in  features  that  are  not  contained  in  the  EV-1419:C,  for  example: 

1.  Lud's  naming  of  London  has  affinities  with  the  EV-1419:A  (see  pp. 
238-39)  and  the  AV-1419:B  (see  p.  240): 

This  Lud  loued  to  abide  atte  Troie  more  than  at  any  othre  place  of  the 
land.  Wherfore  he  commaunded  it  shulde  no  lengir  be  called  Newe 
Troie  but  Lodentoun  or  Ludestoun  as  some  bokes  sayn  aftre  his  name 
Lud  for  in  that  cite  he  made  moste  costes.  And  ther  he  made  a  gate 
oute  of  the  grounde  and  called  it  Ludgate.  And  he  made  walle  the 
town  and  dich  it.  And  aftre  this  the  name  of  the  cite  was  chaunged  by 
Saxons  tong  and  variaunce  of  lettres  and  was  called  London  and  yit  is 
but  Normandes  callen  it  Loundres  and  Frenshmen  and  clerkes  Ciuitas 
London.  [Bodl.  Ashmole  793] 

2.  Coryn's  paramour's  name  is  given. 

3.  Conan  reigns  after  King  Arthur. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  King  John  chapters  do  not  correspond  to  the 
AV-1419:A(a)  and  the  AV-1419:B,  which  suggests  that  if  these  groups  are 
to  be  closely  connected,  then  the  AV-1419:C  would  have  to  precede  the 
others,  for  in  these  chapters  it  corresponds  closely  to  the  CV  text.  In  its 
present  form  the  AV-1419:C  text  cannot  underlie  the  other  AV  groups,  as 
a  number  of  its  readings  are  at  a  further  remove  from  the  ultimate  CV 
source  than  those  preserved  in  other  AV  groups,  but  this  may  point  to  an 


252 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


earlier  stage  of  the  EV  or  AV  texts  than  those  preserved  in  the  extant 
manuscripts. 

Further  evidence  for  the  existence  of  an  EV  or  AV  "Ur-text"  is  provided 
by  the  AV-1419:A(c)  and  the  AV-1419:D.  These  groups  are  related 
through  a  common  chapter  on  Constantine  (based  on  Geoffrey  of  Mon- 
mouth's Historia),  who  is  succeeded  by  Conan,  thus  omitting  Adelbright, 
Edelf,  and  the  Havelok  story.  That  this  occurs  where  other  AV  groups  omit 
four  chapters  suggests  that  some  ancestral  text  was  defective  around  this 
point. 

Brie  assumed  that  the  texts  of  the  AV-1419:D  were  derived  from  a  now 
lost  group  D  of  EV  texts,  that  is,  an  EV  group  with  the  D  exordium,  but 
there  is  no  evidence  to  support  this,  and  the  apparent  symmetry  between  the 
EV  and  AV  groups  has  been  shown  above  to  be  false.  Certainly  the  group 
appears  to  have  been  based  on  some  lost  form  of  EV  or  AV  text,  for  unlike 
in  the  other  AV  groups — apart  from  the  AV-1419:A(c) — Constantine  fol- 
lows Arthur  and  the  King  John  chapters,  although  abbreviated  and  altered 
verbally,  are  not  the  same  text  as  that  of  the  AV-1419:A(a)  or  the  AV- 
1419:B. 

It  seems  most  probable  that  the  AV-1419:D  is  based  on  some  precursory 
form  of  the  EV,  for  it  shows  a  number  of  features  now  found  separately  in 
other  EV  texts  and  in  AV  groups  that  are  apparently  related  either  to  this 
lost  group  or  to  the  extant  AV-1419:D.  The  following  similarities  and 
points  of  contact  occur: 

1.  The  exact  wording  of  the  present  form  of  the  D  exordium  may  be  an 
original  feature  of  the  AV-1419:D,  but  it  is  clearly  based  on  an  early 
EV  exordium  and  retains  reminiscences  and  verbal  variations  of  phrases 
in  extant  EV  groups,  in,  for  example,  the  details  in  Tables  1  and  2 
above  and  the  following  additional  details: 


AV-1419:D 
And  {)is  Brute  bi- 
ganne  first  J)e  citee 
of  London  and 
callid  hit  Troye  in 
remembraunce  of 
grete  Troye  fro  J)e 
whiche  he  and  his 
lynage  come 


EV-1419:A 
And  this  Brute 
bigan  first  the  cite 
of  London  the 
whiche  he  leete  be 
called  Newe  Troye 
in  remembraunce 
of  grete  Troy  from 
whens  he  and  alle 


EV-1419:B 
8c  J)is  same  Brute 
biganne  first  |)e 
citee  of  London  {)e 
whiche  he  lete  calle 
|)at  tyme  Newe 
Troye  in  J)e  re- 
membraunce of  J)e 
olde    Troye    ffrom 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 


253 


and  arryued  vp  into 
^is  lande  and  in- 
habited it  and  lyued 
straungely  where- 
inne  weren  no  crea- 
tures but  wilde 
beestes  and  briddes 
and  fowles  a  lande 
desolate.  And  aftir- 
ward  it  was  inha- 
bited with  giauntes 
til  J)e  tyme  J5at 
Brute  come  [BL 
Stowe  70] 


whens  he  &  his 
lynage  weren  come 

and  arrived  in  this 
londe  casuelly 
where  in  was  no 
lyuyng  creature  but 
wilde  beestes.  And 
hou  vnclene  spirites 
lay  hi  hem  and  \>ei 
brou3t  forth  horri- 
ble geauntez  and 
Brute  killid  hem 
[BL  Harley  4827] 


his  lynage  were 
comen 

And  they  arryved 
in  this  lond  casuelly 
where  none  lyvyng 
creature  was  at  that 
tyme  but  wilde 
bestes  and  alle  wil- 
dernesse.  And 
houghe  thay  lyved 
by  herbes  and  rotes 
and  other  manere 
frutes.  And  houghe 
the  spirites  ley  by 
hem  in  mannes  lik- 
nesse  and  gate  vp- 
pon  hem  horrible 
giauntes  the  whiche 
reigned  here  in  this 
lond  to  Brute  cam 
and  drove  hem 
owte  and  sloughe 
of  hem  many  oon 
[Rylands  Eng.  105] 

The  phraseology  used  to  describe  and  name  Coryn's  paramour — 

Emeb(o)urgh  thine/thy  lemman — resembles  that  employed  in  the  AV- 

1419:C  and  parallels  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle. 

As  in  some  texts  of  the  EV-1419:A  and  in  the  EV-1419:C,  the  Latin 

tag  on  Blegabred  is  not  found. 

There  are  suggestions  of  the  EV-1419:A  text  in  the  passage  describing 

the  naming  of  London  by  King  Lud: 

Aftir  the  dethe  of  Ely  reigned  hys  sonne  Ludde  the  whiche  gouerned 
the  lande  wele  and  worthely  and  was  welbeloued  and  he  made  in  Newe 
Troie  an  gate  called  Ludgate  and  for  he  loued  that  cite  of  London  so 
moche  and  abode  ther  he  made  it  be  called  Luddentoune  or  Luddes- 
toune  aftir  hys  name  Ludde  and  he  made  moche  werke  aboute  London 
and  diched  it  and  dide  called  it  London  by  Saxouns  tung  and  Nor- 


254  THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 

mandes  calle  it  Loundres.  [University  Coll.,  Oxford,  154;  c£  the  A  text 
given  on  pp.  238-39  above,  especially  that  of  Bodl.  Tanner  188]. 

5.  There  is  a  slight  hint  of  the  EV-1419:B  in  the  passage  naming  the 
kingdoms  of  Engist's  heptarchy,  where  the  AV-1419:D  reads: 

and  this  Engest  made  many  kinges  in  the  lande  as  was  afore  tyme:  the 
furste  was  Kent  there  he  reigned  himself  The  secounde  was  Chiches- 
tre;  the  threde  Westsexe;  the  fourte  Estsexe;  the  v  Norffolk  and  Suffolk 
and  Lyncolne;  the  vj  Leycestir  Northampshire  Hertford  and  Hunting- 
dounshire;  the  vij  Oxenforde  Gloucestir  Wynchestir  Warrewyk  and 
Derbyshire.  [University  Coll.,  Oxford,  154] 

The  ellipsis  of  the  subject  after  the  furste  is  reminiscent  of  the  EV- 
1419:A,  for  logically  the  subject  must  be  "kingdom"  and  not  "king," 
but  the  subsequent  use  of  was  and  not  had  is  closer  to  the  type  of  con- 
struction used  in  the  EV-1419:B  (see  the  EV-1419:A  and  EV-1419:B 
texts  on  pp.  182,  183-84,  193  above). 

6.  There  are  similarities  in  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter  to  texts  of  various 
groups.  Like  Bodl.  Rawlinson  poet.  32  and  all  but  one  of  the  AV- 
1419:B  texts,  material  is  omitted  around  the  battle.  However,  like  the 
AV-1419:A(a),  only  three  wards  of  the  Scottish  army  are  listed,  al- 
though the  phraseology  is  different,  and  the  AV-1419:D  simply  says 
that  "the  Scottes  come  fersely  in  thre  batailles  welle  arraied  in  here 
wynges,"  whereas  the  AV-1419:A(a)  lists  the  wards  and  the  lords 
contained  in  each. 

The  verbal  affiliations  of  the  AV  texts  to  the  corresponding  EV  texts,  that 
is,  those  that  contain  a  similar  exordium,  show  that  the  inception  of  the  AV 
texts  must  have  been  a  complex  compilation  system  in  many  instances, 
crossing  texts  of  different  groups  and  using  such  texts  for  purposes  of  col- 
lation. The  best  example  of  this  is  the  complexity  of  the  relationships  be- 
tween the  earlier  parts  of  the  AV-1419:B  and  the  AV-1419:A(a)  texts  and 
their  EV  counterparts. 

In  view  of  the  "poor"  nature  of  the  final  texts  in  terms  of  fidelity  to  the 
basic  CV  text,  it  is  perhaps  surprising  that  such  great  effort  has  gone  into 
the  blending  of  different  groups,  for  not  only  complete  sections  of  text  have 
been  extracted  and  fitted  together,  but  there  also  seems  to  have  been  an 
attempt  to  blend  texts  on  the  verbal  level.  Nevertheless,  codices  such  as 
Bodl.  Ashmole  793  and  Digby  185  show  that  well-executed  manuscripts 
were  being  prepared  of  AV  texts. 


THE  ABBREVIATED  VERSION 255 

The  evidence  presented  above  suggests  strongly  that  a  number  of  texts 
have  been  lost,  and  whether  the  exact  interrelationships  of  the  EV  and  AV 
groups  can  now  be  established  is  difficult  to  predict.  It  is  quite  possible  that 
the  skill  shown  in  crossing  and  collating  texts,  together  with  the  loss  of 
manuscripts,  has  obscured  the  precise  lines  of  relationship  to  such  an  extent 
that  complete  disentanglement  is  impossible.  There  is  some  evidence  of  cen- 
ters of  production  for  Brut  manuscripts  (for  example,  the  manuscripts  and 
texts  of  the  AV-1419:B),  and  within  these  there  was  undoubtedly  a  circula- 
tion of  both  texts  and  ideas  in  an  apparently  professional  setting  which  could 
produce,  if  required,  high-quality  manuscripts,  probably  in  response  to  speci- 
fic orders. 


^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  82-85. 
^  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  84. 


IV.  Peculiar  Texts  and  Versions 


This  general  grouping  covers  manuscripts  that  contain  individual  or  peculiar 
texts,  including  several  groups  that  are  related  to  the  textually  complicated 
nexus  of  Latin  Brut  texts. ^  Also  included  here  within  the  extended  family  of 
Middle  English  Brut  texts  are  several  works  that  were  translated  back  into 
EngUsh  from  the  Latin  Brut%  and  short  works,  often  no  more  than  king- 
lists,  based  on  Brut  texts.  These  texts  can  be  roughly  divided  into  the 
following  categories: 

1.  Reworked  texts  and  versions  of  all  or  part  of  a  Brut  text,  sometimes 
abbreviated  or  expanded  by  interpolations  from  other  works.  Such  texts 
often  include  added  materials  of  historical  or  literary  interest  and  occa- 
sionally include  continuations  beyond  the  1419  ending  that  is  common 
among  CV  texts. 

2.  Material  of  an  individual  nature  forming  a  section  of  a  longer  Brut  text 
that  belongs  to  an  otherwise  distinct  group.  (Where  such  sections 
themselves  belong  to  distinct  groups,  as,  for  example,  when  a  recog- 
nizable change  of  exemplar  has  occurred,  then  they  have  been  treated 
under  the  appropriate  group.) 

3.  Appendages  to  some  work  other  than  the  Brut. 

4.  Very  brief  works  that  have  used  the  Brut  as  a  primary  source. 

5.  The  second  translation  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut,  attributed  to  John 
Mandeville. 

In  the  case  of  individually  reworked  texts,  it  is  likely  that  there  was  only 
one  copy  of  many  of  such  versions,  that  is,  the  text  we  now  possess.  It  is 
also  quite  likely  that  other  similarly  individual  texts  once  existed  but  are  now 
lost.  Where  related  groups  of  texts  occur,  their  textual  affiliations  often  re- 
quire the  assumption  of  lost  groups  or  texts  that  would  explain  the  relation- 
ships of  those  that  survive. 

The  texts  are  organized  below  according  to  the  categories  noted  above. 
Identifiable  groups  and  individual  texts  are  distinguished  as  PV-[date],  that 
is,  Peculiar  Version,  ending  in  [a  specified  year];  texts  to  1419  that  reached 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 257 

the  (men)  or  the  (r&g)  endings  are  so  denoted  when  such  can  be  deter- 
mined. Unrelated  groups  or  individual  texts  that  end  (or  originally  ended  or 
may  have  ended)  at  the  same  point  are  further  distinguished  by  the  addition 
of  A,  B,  C,  etc.  They  are  generally  ordered  here  within  the  general  cate- 
gories outlined  above  by  their  actual  or  presumed  ending  date,  unless  they 
are  closely  associated  with  a  distinct  version  that  ends  in  an  earher  year. 


^  Kennedy  has  treated  some  of  these  works  under  headings  separate  from  the  Brut,  see 
Manual,  pp.  2636-40. 

Reworked  Texts  and  Versions 

T^e  Peculiar  Version  to  1377, 

with  a  continuation  to  1419  ending  "in  rule  and  governance" 

(PV-1377/1419fr&gJJ 

146.  fiARVARD  UNIVERSITY  MS.  ENG.  530(1)^ 

Heading  onfol.  59:  Loo  heer  my  lordes  maystres  and  felawes  may  yee  see  a 
truwe  and  brief  abstracte  of  J)e  Cronycles  of  J)is  reaume  of  England  frome 
pt  tyme  J)at  euer  ma[n]kynde  enhabited  hit  into  pe  tyme  of  J)e  laste  Ed- 
warde:  reede{)e  or  heerej)e  \>t  so|)e  here  filowing. 

Text  begins:  [I]n  J)e  noble  land  of  Sirye  |)er  was  a  worJ)y  kyng  and  mighty 
and  a  man  of  huge  renoumee  |)at  men  cleped  Dyoclycyan 

Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  P>is  bataylle  and  descounfiture  byfell  vpon  Saynt 
Magretes  even  in  J)e  yeere  of  oure  lorde  M'  CCC  xxxij.  Ne  doutejje  it  not 
but  amonges  alle  f)oo  men  |)at  were  lefft  deed  in  pt  feelde  of  J)e  Skottis 
{)e  pillours  ande  |5e  poure  men  of  Jj'Englishe  partye  gate  gret  goode. 
Whane  p\s  descounfiture  was  {)us  doone  and  eonded  J)e  l^mge  of  Eng- 
lande  retourned  ageyne  vnto  J)e  seegge  of  Berewyk  [cf  Brie  286/4-9, 
291/1-2] 

Text  to  1377  ends  onfol.  180v:  pc  whiche  l^nige  Edward  whane  he  had  J)us 
nobuly  regned  and  possessed  J)e  coroune  with  muche  knightly  labour  and 
lytell  rest  lyche  as  yee  haue  herde  J)is  cronyde  more  pleynly  declare  and 
specefye  oon  and  ffyffty  yeeres  and  more  J)e  xj  kalendes  of  luyn  he  dyed 
in  his  manoyre  at  Sheene  worshipfully  entered  and  buryed  in  J)'abbay  of 
Westmynstre  vpon  whos  soule  Ihesu  lorde  haue  mercy  for  thyn  greuous 
gret  and  pytous  passyoun. 


258 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Subheading  on  fol.  180v:  Nowe  my  gracyous  lordes  and  feyre  ladyes  my 
maystres  ande  specyall  ffreendes  and  goode  fFelawes  vouchesauf  here  now 
I  beseche  yowe  to  here  J)e  cronycle  of  |)is  sayde  Richarde  J)e  Secounde 
sone  and  heyre  to  prynce  Edward  and  heyre  to  J)is  same  I^nge  Edward; 
J)e  whiche  Richard  of  his  nobley  and  prouidence  had  ferme  pees  ande 
loue  with  alle  J)e  Crysten  prynces;  howe  riche  he  was  howe  noble  howe 
loued  and  howe  dredde  thoroughe  alle  J)e  reaumes  &  provynces  and  howe 
J)at  ffame  8c  ffortune  by  f)eyre  cruwell  werre  subuerted  al  his  estate  royall 
into  mysery  to  |)e  lamentacioun  and  pytous  compleynt  of  euery  gentill 
herte;  f)e  whiche  cronycle  was  lamentabuly  compylled  at  Parys  by  hem  of 
Fraunce  in  J)eyre  wolgare  langage  and  nowe  translated  by  daun  Johan 
Lydegate  J)e  munk  of  Bury. 

Chapter  headings.  And  aftir  kynge  Edwarde  the  iij*^'  that  was  borne  at 
Wyndesore  regned  Richard  of  Burdeux  that  was  prynce  Edwardes  sone  of 
Wales  whiche  prynce  Edward  was  sone  and  heyre  of  kynge  Edward  of 
Wyndsore. 

Text  to  1419  begins:  [A]nd  affter  J)is  kynge  Edward  the  iij'^*  {)at  was  borne 
at  Wyndsor  regned  Richard  J)e  secunde  J)at  was  prince  Edwardes  sone  of 
Walls 

Text  to  1419  ends  on  fol.  204:  And  thane  the  l^nige  entrid  the  towne  8c 
rested  hym  in  the  castell  til  the  towne  was  sette  in  goode  rule  and  goode 
gouernaunce.  Deo  gracias. 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  is  associated  with  John  Shirley  (died  1456)  and 
also  contains  The  Complaint  of  Christ,  Lydgate's  Guy  of  Warwick,  The  Three 
Kings  of  Cologne,  The  Governance  of  Princes,  and  Lydgate's  Serpent  of 
Division? 

The  first  part  of  the  Brut  text  has  been  copied  from  a  CV  text  ending  in 
1377,  supplemented  by  the  1377  to  1419  continuation  from  a  text  that 
ended  in  1419(r8cg),  here  attributed  by  Shirley,  at  least  in  part,  to  John 
Lydgate.  The  reference  to  "J)e  laste  Edwarde"  in  the  heading  is  to  Edward 
III  and  not  Edward  IV. 

At  some  point  after  1480  material  copied  from  Caxton's  1419  to  1461 
continuation  in  his  Chronicles  of  England  (item  85)  has  also  been  added. 

The  wording  of  the  Brut  text  has  been  altered  throughout,  usually  slightly 
though  sometimes  more  extensively,  by  the  use  of  what  Shirley  must  have 
thought  more  colorful  language  and  by  the  addition  of  reflexive  references 
to  the  work  (as  in  the  short  prologue  and  the  end  of  the  1377  text  quoted 
above). 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 259 

The  battles  and  wards  of  the  Scottish  army  at  Halidon  Hill  are  renamed; 
the  fifth  ward  becomes  "J>e  skurage"  (fol.  165,  margin)  and  the  "5w''  heading 
is  replaced  by  the  following:  "Pis  is  {)'arraye  of  J)e  skuroures  ande  J)e  renners 
for  J)e  sauegarde  of  {)eos  bataylles." 

The  1377  to  1419  continuation  is  written  in  the  same  hand  as  the  text 
preceding  it;  the  form  of  that  text  and  the  added  subheading,  however,  in- 
dicate that  a  change  of  exemplar  has  taken  place.  The  attribution  to  John 
Lydgate  may  be  Shirley's  genuine  error,  but  it  could  also  be  a  deliberate  pro- 
motional ploy.^ 


'  For  (2),  see  item  93. 

^  On  Shirley,  see  Doyle,  "More  Light  on  John  Shirley,"  pp.  93-101.  For  a  fuller  account 
of  the  contents,  see  Voigts,  "Handlist,"  pp.  17-22. 

^  See  Henry  N.  MacCracken,  ed.  The  Minor  Poems  of  John  Lydgate,  Part  I,  EETS  e.s.  107 
(1911),  p.  xii;  Walter  F.  Schirmer, /o>&n  Lydgate:  A  Study  in  the  Culture  of  the  XVth  Cen- 
tury, trans.  Ann  E.  Keep  (London,  1961),  p.  82  n.  1. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  A  (PV-1419:A) 
The  Peculiar  Version  to  1451/1460  (PV-145 1/1460) 
Cleveland  Public  Library  MS.  White  W  q091.92-C468  and  TCD  MS.  489 
contain  the  same  PV  text  up  to  1333,  after  which  point  the  Cleveland  text 
continues  to  1419  while  the  Dublin  text  continues  its  narrative  to  1451  and 
then  adds  a  document  of  1460. 

147.  Cleveland  Public  Library  MS.  John  G.  White  Collection 

W  a091.92-C468^ 

Heading  by  first  scribe  on  fol.  13v  (first  oftwofols.  numbered  13):  Here  folow- 

ith  the  Cronicles  of  Englond  shortly  abreggid. 
Text  begins  on  fol.  13  (second  of  two  fols.  numbered  13):  Dioclisian  sumtime 

the  mighti  king  of  Surry 
Contains:  Cad 

Omits:  QIL  (see  below),  "5w''  heading  (see  below). 
First  scribe  ends  on  fol.  75v:  And  eche  of  thees  capteins  had  vM'  men  of 

armis  which  proued  manfiill  men  when  thei  issuid  [u  by  corr.  above]  out 

of  the  cite  both  on  hors  bak  and  on  fote.  [cf  Brie  390/21-26] 
Second  scribe  begins  on  fol.  75v:  &  at  J)e  fyrste  cominge  of  oure  kinge  ther 

wer  nombred  to  be  within  Jje  citie  of  menn  women  8c  children  by  her- 


260 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

audes  CCC  Ml  And  this  sege  of  Roone  endurid  xx"  weekes.  [cf.  Brie 
390/22-30] 
Second  scribe  ends  onfol.  75v\  in  goode  rule  &  governance.  Deo  gratias. 

Remarks:  An  introductory  text  begins  on  fol.  1,  "losephus  of  lewis  the  noble 
was  the  first  auctour  of  the  book  of  Policronica,"  and  ends  on  fol.  13v  (the 
first  of  two  folios  numbered  13)  "whos  names  beth  in  the  begynnyng  of  the 
first  book  of  Policronicon  more  pleinly  rehercid  and  the  scriptur  and  chapi- 
ters accordyng  to  the  same."  This  piece  is  "more  shortly  drawen  out  of  PoUi- 
cronicon,"  and,  after  briefly  indicating  the  contents  of  the  seven  books  of 
Higden's  Polychronicon,  it  gives  a  general  geographical  survey  of  the  world, 
especially  of  the  biblical  lands,  culled  from  that  work. 


^  For  a  description,  see  Phyllis  Moe,  ed.,  The  ME  Prose  Translation  of  Roger  d'Argenteuil's 
Bible  en  Franfois,  Middle  English  Texts  6  (Heidelberg,  1977),  pp.  9-13. 


148.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  489^ 

Brut  texl  begins  imperfectly.  [ . . .  ]euer.  These  women  londid  in  Devenshyre. 
And  [ . . .  ]  Englond  Jjat  tyme  was  wyldernes  and  woodes  full  [ . . .  ]  wylde 
bestis  and  venemous  serpentes 

Contains'.  Cad,  QIL 

Omits'.  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Changeover,  1419  to  1451:  And  with  hem  cam  a  kny3t  of  Fraunce.  He 
brou3t  J)e  keyes  to  J)e  kynge  and  3ilde  vp  J)e  towne  vn  Seynt  Wolstons 
day  in  lenyver  |)e  yere  of  owre  lorde  M'  CCCC°  xviij".  And  J)at  seege  en- 
durid XXV  weekes  saf  a  day.  And  whan  J)e  kynge  leide  fyrst  seege  to  Rone 
J)er  was  within  CCC  M'  people  of  men  women  and  chyldren  but  f)er 
dyed  for  hunger  J)e  iiij'*^  parte  beside  hem  were  slayne.  Tho  was  Jie  cyte- 
zens  raunsom  at  fyfty  M'  li.  to  pay  at  serteyn  dayes.  I>e  duke  of  Excestyr 
was  made  capitayne  of  Rone.  And  so  J)e  kynge  restid  hym  J)er  awhile  and 
all  his  oost.  And  whan  he  had  conquerde  aU  Normandye  tho  wente  he  vp 
in  to  Fraunce  and  conquerd  grete  parte  of  the  londe  for  all  J)e  townes  and 
holde  he  cam  by  J)e  Frenshmen  3ilde  it  vp  and  Mewes  Embry  and  Parise 

Narrative  text  ends  on  p.  206:  Anno  M'  CCCC  Ij"  l^^nge  Herry  Jse  yj  fel  in 
mervellous  infyrmyte  whiche  endurid  xviij  monythis  in  so  moch  Jiat  he 
my3t  not  helpe  hymself  ne  know  ^e  peple  abowt  hym.  Anno  M'  CCCC 
lij"  Edward  ^e  son  of  Herry  |)e  yj'*'  was  born  at  Westmynster  in  J)e  ffeste 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 261 

of  Seynt  Edward  pe  Confessour.  Anno  M'  CCCC  liij"  The  batayle  of 
Seynt  Albones  where  ^at  a  grete  parte  of  pe  kynges  people  were  slayne 
|)at  is  to  sey  Edmonde  duke  of  Somerset  Herry  erle  of  Northhumberlonde 
lord  Chfford  &c.  Anno  domini  Millo.  CCCC  W  At  Bloreheth  was  slayn 
lord  Audeley  and  xxiiij^'  kny3tis  with  hym. 

Accord  (1460)  between  Henry  VI  and  Richard,  duke  of  York,  begins  on  p.  207: 
Blyssid  be  Ihesu  in  whos  hande  and  bounte  restith  and  is  f)e  pees  and 
vnyte  betwix  princes  and  J)e  wele  in  euery  reame 

Accord  ends  on  fragmentary  p.  213:  And  that  no  lettyrs  patent  riallex  of  record 
nor  act  iudiciall  made  or  done  afore  this  tyme  not  repellid  nor  reveocid  ne 
oJ)er  wise  voyde  by  the  lawe  by  {)e  preiudiciall  or  hurt  by  J)e  present  act. 
[cf.  Rotuli  Parliamentoruniy  vol.  5,  pp.  378-79] 

Remarks:  The  Brut  is  prefaced  by  a  copy,  imperfect  at  both  beginning  and 
end,  of  the  same  introductory  text  found  in  the  previous  manuscript.  It  be- 
gins, "Exherses  J)e  kynge  made  a  bridge  be  crafte  of  J)e  devils  to  werre  vpon 
Greece,"  and  ends,  "In  Rome  was  [ . . .  ]age  syttynge  vn  an  hors  of  iren  {)e 
ima[ . . .  ]e  hors  weyed  xv  M^  li.  and  be  crafte  wa[ . . .  ]de." 


^  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2820,  dates  the  manuscript  to  the  sixteenth  century,  I  date  it  to 
the  late  fifteenth  century. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1419:A  and  the  PV-1451/1460 

In  both  manuscripts,  the  Brut  text  is  preceded  by  a  short  geographical  text 

that  was  intended  as  a  loosely  connected  introduction. 

After  the  Albina  story  at  the  beginning  of  the  Brut  occurs  a  chapter,  en- 
titled "The  genologie  of  Adam"  in  the  Cleveland  text,  which  traces  the  de- 
scendants of  Adam  through  (amongst  others)  Noah,  Saturn,  Jove,  Trogens, 
his  son  Ilus  (founder  of  Ilea,  later  changed  to  Trogea  "Troy"),  Achilles,  his 
son  Eneas,  his  son  Ascanius,  his  son  Siluis,  to  his  son  Brutus.^  This  chapter 
may  also  be  based  on  the  Polychronicon,  Book  2? 

The  Brut  text  is  almost  entirely  changed  verbally  and  is  often  much  ab- 
breviated in  favor  of  augmentations  from  other  sources.  In  the  early  chapters 
proper  names  are  given  in  Latinized  forms  and  many  legendary  details  are 
added  to  the  already  legendary  narrative  of  early  kings  from  another  source 
that  occasionally  resembles  material  found  in  the  PV-1422:A  or  the  PV- 
1437:A.  Several  details  apparently  taken  from  romance  sources  appear  in  the 


262 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Dublin  text's  narrative  of  Arthur,  and  both  texts  contain  a  short  version  of 
the  romance  story  of  Havelok. 

The  verbal  differences  and  textual  alterations  continue  in  the  later  parts  of 
the  text  also,  as  seen  in  the  articles  of  treason  brought  against  Thomas  of 
Lancaster,  which  are  given  point  by  point. 

Queen  Isabella's  letter  to  the  citizens  of  London  occurs  in  the  Dublin  text 
but  does  not  appear  in  the  Cleveland  text.  However,  the  wording  of  the 
chapter  in  which  it  would  have  occurred  in  the  latter  suggests  that  it  was 
present  in  the  text  that  was  the  ultimate  basis  of  this  version;  its  omission  is, 
therefore,  a  secondary  development. 

The  texts  of  the  two  manuscripts  correspond  up  to  1333  but  diverge 
widely  thereafter.  The  starting  point  of  this  divergence  occurs  just  before 
the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill,  and  the  relevant  passages  in  the  two  texts  are  as 
follows: 

At  midsomer  then  aftir  Englishmen  toke  up  alle  the  ffeyre  of  Had- 
ington  in  Scotlond  and  toke  and  slou3  a  [ins.  above\  grete  nombre  of 
Scottes.  This  werre  was  in  Scotlond  in  the  viij  yere  of  [the  del.]  kyng 
Edward  aftir  the  conquest  of  Englond  J)e  {)ird.  Then  king  Edward 
ordeyned  a  gret  counseil  at  London  and  purueid  him  a  gret  host  & 
com  to  Berwik  upon  Twede  and  leid  his  sege  therto.  And  to  him 
come  sir  Edward  Bailol  king  of  Scottis  with  anothir  power  of  Scottes 
to  strength  the  king  and  then  shotte  thei  her  gunnes  and  engines  into 
the  toun  and  destrued  many  housis  and  slue  much  peple  which  long- 
tyme  continued  til  at  last  com  the  Scottes  out  of  Scotlond  in  iiij  ba- 
teils  wel  arraied  in  armes.  Then  l^ng  Edward  of  Englond  and  Ed- 
ward king  of  Scottes  appareild  her  peple  in  oJ)ir  iiij  bateils.  And  on 
Halidon  Hille  beside  the  toun  of  Berwik  metten  thees  two  hostis  to- 
gider.  King  E.  discumfitid  the  Scottes  and  slue  of  them  xxxvM*  8c 
vijC.  This  victorie  done  the  king  retourned  to  his  sege  of  Berwik  and 
thei  yildid  the  toun  and  |)e  castell  vnto  the  king.  [Cleveland  White 
W  q09L92-C468] 

At  the  missomer  than  aftyr  Englissh  toke  vp  all  the  feyre  of  Hund- 
yngton  in  Scodonde  and  toke  and  slewh  grete  nombre  of  Scottes.  This 
warre  was  in  Scodonde  in  J)e  xiij  3ere  of  kynge  Edward  J)e  iij''^  after  \>t 
conquest  of  Englonde.  And  after  in  his  tyme  he  had  grete  werre  with 
Fraunce  and  Scodonde.  And  ser  Edward  his  fyrst  begoten  son  toke  J)e 
kynge  of  Fraunce  in  batayle.  And  J)is  ser  Edward  dyed  prince  and  lyeth 
at  Caunterburye.  He  had  a  son  callid  Richard  [TCD  489] 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 263 

This  and  the  succeeding  narrative  in  the  Cleveland  text  almost  certainly 
represents  the  original  reworking  of  the  Brut,  whereas  the  immense  abbrevi- 
ation of  the  rest  of  Edward  Ill's  long  reign  is  secondary  and  possibly  even 
unique  to  the  Dublin  manuscript,  which  also  seems  to  change  exemplar  at 
this  point. 

The  ending-point  of  the  first  scribe  in  the  Cleveland  text  suggests 
strongly  that  the  ultimate  CV  base  was  a  text  of  the  CV-1419(men):A;  to 
this  the  second,  later  scribe  added  from  a  text  ending  in  1419(r&g),  abbre- 
viating slighdy  and  omitting  a  sentence  already  covered  in  the  first  scribe's 
work,  as  can  be  seen  from  the  changeover  lines  given  above. 

After  the  sudden  abbreviation  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III,  the  account  of 
Richard  II  in  the  Dublin  manuscript  is  much  closer  to  the  CV  text,  though 
some  abbreviation  continues  to  occur.  Details  in  the  siege  of  Rouen  narrative 
suggest  that  the  basis  for  this  section  of  the  text  was  the  CV-1430  con- 
taining John  Page's  poem.  The  material  that  follows  the  end  of  the  siege, 
though  heavily  abridged,  has  verbal  agreements  with  both  the  1430  and 
1461  continuations  but  agrees  entirely  with  neither:  it  is  based  on  a  London 
civic  chronicle  similar  to  that  found  in  BL  Cotton  Cleopatra  Civ,  as  a 
number  of  common  entries  with  identical  wording  show,  and  the  material 
was  converted  into  narrative  Brut  format.-'  The  documentary  material  from 
the  Rolls  of  Parliament  that  concludes  the  manuscript  was  probably  intended 
as  a  suitable  ending  to  the  increasingly  sketchy  notices  of  batties  in  the  Wars 
of  the  Roses. 


^  Cf.  a  similar  interpolated  chapter  in  Lambeth  84  (item  178). 

^  See  Churchill  Babington,  ed.,  Polychronicon  Ranulphi  Higden  Monach't  Cestrensis,  vol.  2, 

Rolls  Series  41  (London,  1866),  pp.  219-445. 

^  Printed  in  Kingsford,  ed.,  Cbrons.  London,  pp.  117-52. 


Tbe  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  B  (PV-1419:B) 

149.  Rylands  MS.  Eng.  207^ 

First  scribe  begins  imperfectly,  heir  vnto  the  roialme  hot  he  was  not  of 

strengthe.  Bot  nevirthelesse  this  Donebande  [cf  Brie  23/16-18] 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "Sw"  heading  (see  below) 
First  scribe  ends  imperfectly  onfol.  lOJv:  lyke  vnto  tourmentours  more  thanne 


264 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

vnto  Crystenmen  and  heaven  [cf.  Brie  297/4-5] 
Second  scribe  begins  on  fol.  105:  Englond.  The  xx  yer  off  Icymg  Edward  he 

wente  ouer  in  to  Bretayn  &.  in  to  Gascoyn  [Brie  297/11-13] 
Second  scribe  ends  imperfectly:  J)er  wer  not  dede  not  passed  xxxvj  bodies 

thonket  be  Ihesu.  Anone  J)e  kynge  [cf.  Brie  379/26-29] 

Remarks:  The  change  of  scribes  is  marked  by  a  change  from  vellum  to  paper, 
the  intervening  blank  leaf  being  of  the  latter.  As  it  stands,  the  manuscript 
was  patched  together  some  time  before  1749  from  two  originally  discrete, 
though  perhaps  both  incomplete,  manuscripts. 

The  first  part  of  the  text,  written  by  the  first  scribe,  is  much  changed  ver- 
bally from  the  CV-1419  from  which  it  is  probably  derived,  and  there  are 
some  similarities  to  EV  texts,  though  the  Latin  tag  associated  with  King 
Blegabred  is  not  found. 

In  the  chapter  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  only  four  divisions  of  the 
Scottish  army  are  found  (see  below),  and  a  substitute  for  the  "5w"  heading 
occurs  in  the  text:  "And  of  J)e  iiij  bataille  was  thes  captains " 

Examples  of  verbal  changes  and  abbreviation  are: 

(i)     33  kings  passage: 

The  fiirst  was  called  Gorbodian  and  he  reigned  xij  yere.  Aftir  him 
Morgan  ij  yere.  Aftir  him  Eighnaus  vj  yere.  Aftir  him  Idwalier  viij  yere. 
[etc.] 

(ii)    Engist's  heptarchy  passage: 

The  fiirste  was  Kent  wher  himself  was  king  and  maistir.  The  secounde 
was  Sussexe  and  Chichestir.  The  thrid  Westsex.  The  iiij  Essex.  \etc^ 

(iii)  Halidon  Hill  passage,  with  the  end  of  the  1333  text  and  the  beginning  of 
the  1377  continuation: 

And  thanne  king  Edwarde  of  Englonde  &  king  Edwarde  of  Scotlande 
apparayled  ther  people  into  four  batailles  and  euery  bataill  of  Englesshe 
hadde  two  wynges  of  price  archiers  the  whiche  provid  themself  goode- 
men  that  daye  ffor  thei  shotte  so  that  J)e  Scottes  myght  not  helpe 
themself  and  ther  was  slaine  of  the  Scottes  partie  xxxvM'  v^  6c  xij  and 
of  Englysshemenne  hot  vij  and  at  this  bataill  the  Englysshe  pages  pur- 
sewed  the  Scottes  as  they  wolde  haue  fledde.  And  whenne  thei  of  the 
toune  of  Berwyk  sawe  the  scomfayture  of  the  Scottes  Jjei  yolde  vp  Jje 
tovne  wyth  the  castell  wherof  the  king  ordeyned  &  made  to  be  kepers 
the  same  sir  Edwarde  Ballol  with  othyr  worshipfiill  menne  ffor  himself 
come  into  Englonde  wyth  a  glorious  victorie.  And  in  the  yj''"'  yere  of 
hys  reigne  he  wente  into  Scotland  againe  in  the  wynter  tyme  and  the 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 265 

Scottes  come  dovne  and  obeyed  him  in  all  thing,  [cf.  Brie  285/7- 
291/14] 


^  See  Lester,  Handlist,  pp.  51-53;  Tyson,  "Hand-List,"  p.  186. 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  C  (PV-1419:C) 

150.  BL  MS.  Additional  70514 

Begins  imperfectly:  [A]nd  in  the  reialme  of  Fraunce  aftir  the  desese  of  Seint 
Lewes  and  Philipp  le  bele  his  sonne 

Chapter  ends  and  Brut  text  begins:  One  Philippe  the  sonne  of  Charles  count 
of  Waloys  and  the  3onger  brof)er  of  kynge  Philipp  le  bele  by  vsurpacon 
withoute  title  of  right  toke  vppon  hym  the  croune  of  Fraunce  ffrome 
whome  ben  descendid  all  the  Frenche  kynges  sen  J)at  tyme. 

Of  kynge  Edwarde  the  thride  aftre  the  conqueste.  Capitulo  CC  xij**. 

And  aftre  this  kynge  Edwarde  of  Carnervan  reigned  ser  Edwarde  of 

Wyndesoure  his  sonne  [cf.  Brie  247/20-23] 
Contains:  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  withoute  eny  chalange  of  eny  man.  Deo  gracias. 

And  so  aftre  |?is  gracious  victorie  the  kyng  turnede  hym  a3ane  to  the 

same  sege  of  Berwike 
Ends  imperfectly  with  catchwords  (last  page  extremely  rubbed):  cause  [ . . .  ]  he 

shuld  make  [Brie  352/6] 

Remarks:  In  this  fragment  of  a  longer  compilation  the  Brut  text  is  aug- 
mented from  another  source  with  material  on  French  history  at  the  imper- 
fect beginning  of  the  text  (cited  above). 

Fourteen  lines  of  additional  material  praising  Edward  III  is  appended 
after  his  death  (after  Brie  332/19),  though  the  text  is  not  that  of  the  "De- 
scription of  Edward  III"  (Brie  333-34). 

From  the  foot  of  fol.  29v  to  fol.  32  appears  a  genealogical  narrative  vnth 
roundels  of  Edward  Ill's  descendants.  The  set  of  roundels  that  concludes  the 
pedigree  of  Edmund,  earl  of  March,  was  originally  only  partially  filled  in, 
ending  with  the  children  of  Richard,  duke  of  York  (died  1460):  King  Ed- 
ward, Edmund,  and  George,  duke  of  Clarence  (so  created  in  1461),  but  pos- 
sibly not  including  Richard,  created  duke  of  Gloucester  towards  the  end  of 


266 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

1461,  who  may  have  been  added  later  along  with  Ann,  Elizabeth,  and  Mar- 
garet. 

After  two  and  a  half  folios  of  pedigrees,  the  narrative  returns  to  the  Brut 
on  fol.  32v  with  the  accession  of  Richard  II,  numbered  chapter  239  (Brie 
335/1),  finally  ending  incompletely  during  the  reign  of  Richard  II  in  chapter 
241. 

On  fol.  32  occurs  an  obit  for  Sir  Robert  Hill:  "Robertus  Hill  armiger  pa- 
ter subscripti  Egidij  Hill  obijt  in  anno  domini  millesimo  quadrugentesimo 
octuagesimo  et  tercio  decimo.  M*'  CCCC°  bcxxxiij°."  Further  obits  then  ap- 
pear for  Egidius  (died  1546)  and  his  wife  Agatha  (died  1552),  who  were 
buried  at  Nettlecombe  in  Somersetshire. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  governance": 
Group  A  (PV-1419[r^gl:A) 

151.  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  733 

Begins  on  fol  18:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surrie  ther  was  a  noble  king  and  also 

a  myghty  and  of  grete  renoune  that  men  called  Dioclician 
Contains:  Cad,  "5w"  heading 
Omits:  QIL 
Ends:  in  rule  and  gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  text  must  be  the  result  of  the  crossing  of  texts  of  at  least  two 
groups.  The  introductory  chapters  show  the  lexical  alterations  of  the  CV- 
1419  (Leyle),  but  since  Lear  is  correctly  named,  the  exemplar  must  have 
changed  by  that  point.  The  combination  of  the  inclusion  of  the  Cadwallader 
episode  and  the  omission  of  Queen  Isabella's  letter  is  unusual  (though  not 
completely  unknown)  and  may  indicate  that  a  second  change  of  exemplar 
has  occurred,  possibly  after  the  1333  ending  "withoute  ony  chalenge  of  ony 
man.  Deo  gracias."  The  manuscript  is  well-written  and  handsomely  illus- 
trated with  miniatures,  and  this  may  be  indicative  of  a  desire  to  produce  a 
"presentation"  copy  with  a  carefully  selected  text. 

The  Brut  text  is  preceded  on  fols.  1-1 7v  by  an  illustrated  treatise  on  arms 
written  by  the  same  scribe.^ 

The  name  "Elizabett  Dawbne"  (possibly  fifteenth-century)  occurs  on  the 
first  flyleaf,  that  of  "George  lord  Bergevenny"  on  the  second.  It  is  noted  on 
fol.  17v  that  the  volume  belonged  to  W.  Woods,  clerk  of  the  Privy  Council, 
in  1586. 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS  267 


1  This  work  also  occurs  in  BL  Addit.  34648,  fols.  3v-8v,  and  BL  Harley  6097,  fols.  1-10 
and  12-49v,  all  three  texts  are  printed  in  Evan  John  Jones,  ed.,  Medieval  Heraldry:  Some 
Fourteenth-Century  Heraldic  Works  (CardifF,  1943),  pp.  213-20. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  governance': 
Group  B  {PV-1419[r&gJ:B) 

152.  Bodleian  MS.  e  Musaeo  39 

Heading:  Here  may  men  here  and  knowe  how  England  ferst  beegan  and  was 

klepid  Albioun  &,  by  whom  it  resseyuede  that  name. 
Begins:  In  thee  noble  land  of  Svrrye  theer  was  a  worthy  kyng  myghtty  and 

ryght  riche  and  of  greet  renown  that  heyghtte  Diadisian 
Omits:  Cad,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Contains:  QIL 
Ends:  in  rule  and  in  governavnce. 

Remarks:  Although  the  combination  of  the  omission  of  Cad  and  the  inclu- 
sion of  QIL  can  be  paralleled  in  the  CV-1419(men):B  and  the  CV-1419 
(Leyle),  the  text  is  much  altered  verbally  and  probably  represents  an  indi- 
vidual reworking  of  a  CV-1419  text.  Thus,  for  example,  the  chapter  on  the 
thirty- three  kings  begins  with  the  standard  CV  "after  him"  type  of  linkage 
(cf  Brie  30/23-27),  but  quickly  shifts  to  a  simpler  listing: 

Thee  ferste  l^^ng  of  thee  xxxiij  his  name  was  hoten  Gorbodian  and 
hee  regnede  xij  yeer.  And  after  hym  regnede  Morgan  ij  yeer.  And 
thanne  Eighnaus  yj  yeer.  Idwalan  viij  yeer.  Rohugo  xj  yeer.  [etc.] 

There  are  only  four  divisions  of  the  Scottish  army  at  Halidon  Hill  and  a 
rubricated  substitute  heading  appears:  "And  in  thee  fourthe  batatayle  [sic]  of 
Scotlonde  in  that  warde  theeroffe  weren  thus  manye  of  lordys  ore  more." 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  governance": 
Group  C  (PV-1419[r&gJ:C) 

153.  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  MS.  Lat.  I5l^ 

Heading:  Here  may  a  man  here  how  Englond  was  first  called  Albioun  and 
thurgh  whom  it  had  the  name. 


268 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Begins:  In  the  noble  lond  of  Sirrie  there  was  a  noble  kyng  and  a  myghty  and 

a  man  of  grete  renowne  that  men  called  Dioclisian 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends  on  rubbed  leaf,  and  rested  hym  in  the  castell  till  J)e  [ . . .  ]  was  sette  in 

reste  and  in  governaunce. 

Remarks:  The  text  is  written  in  two  hands.  Although  the  point  of  change- 
over (on  fol.  78;  Brie  161/18,  "And  when")  is  of  no  textual  significance, 
there  may  have  been  a  change  of  exemplar  to  a  text  that  contained  a  defec- 
tive continuation  from  1333  to  1377.  Chapter  headings  and  numbering  are 
sporadic  after  the  change  of  scribe. 

There  are  considerable  omissions  of  material,  including  complete  chapters, 
from  the  narrative  on  the  reign  of  Edward  III,  including  the  chapter  on  the 
battle  of  Halidon  Hill.  The  omissions  occur  at  the  end  of  the  text  to  1333 
and  in  the  continuation  from  1333  to  1377  (but  they  do  not  belong  to  the 
short  continuation  to  1377  [see  pp.  90-92]). 


^  See  Ogilvie-Thomson,  Handlist,  p.  42.  The  manuscript  is  also  described,  with  an  ac- 
count of  the  omissions,  in  Ker,  MMBL  III,  p.  642.  Ker  notes  the  presence  of  a  possessive 
on  fol.  175v  in  the  description  of  the  retinues  camped  before  Rouen — "my  mayster  Nevell 
J)e  erlis  sone  of  Westmerlonde"  (cf  Brie  388/13-14) — but  this  reading  occurs  in  other 
texts. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419,  ending  "in  rule  and  governance": 
Group  D  (PV-1419[r^g]:D) 
Two  manuscripts,  TCD  5895  and  BL  Harley  7333,  contain  a  text  that  is  a 
blend  of  a  CV  text  with  one  of  the  AV-1419:B. 

154.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  5895 

Begins  imperfectly  on  fol  3:  him  in  his  chambre.  And  whan  thei  were  come 

he  spak  to  hem  of  her  wickidnes  [Brie  3/5-6] 
Omits:  Latin  tag,  four  chapters  after  Arthur,  Halidon  Hill  material 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 
Ends:  And  than  the  l^Tig  entrid  into  the  towne  and  restid  him  in  the  castell 

til  the  towne  was  sette  in  rule  and  gouernaunce  agayne. 
Colophon:  Expliciunt  Cronicul. 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 269 

155.  BL  MS.  Harley  7333^ 

Begins  imperfectly,  him  prevelyche  vnto  Southamptoun  to  mete  {)ere  J)e  too 
bretherin  [Brie  126/26-27] 

Omits:  Halidon  Hill  material 

Contains:  QIL 

Ends  imperfectly  on  fol  24v:  in  |)e  yer  of  the  incarnacioun  of  oure  lorde 
Ihesus  Criste  a  M^  iijC  iiij'"  xj  wherof  J)e  peple  wer  sor  agaste  [6c  dred  J)at 
wengeans  shold  com  sone  catchwords]  [cf.  Brie  338/8-10] 

Remarks:  The  scribe  who  wrote  the  Brut  was  one  of  (at  least)  sbc  scribes  re- 
sponsible for  writing  the  manuscript,  which  is  an  anthology  of  verse  and 
prose  works  compiled  over  some  period  of  time.  His  work  accounts  for  over 
half  the  surviving  text.  A  number  of  the  works  have  textual  or  spelling  simi- 
larities to  texts  associated  with  John  Shirley,  and  the  manuscript  may  have 
been  owned  by  the  Augustinian  abbey  of  St.  Mary  de  Pratis  in  Leicester."^ 
The  dialect  of  the  scribe  who  wrote  the  Brut  (and  also  fols.  94-97,  analysed 
by  the  editors  of  LALME)  is  that  of  the  northern  part  of  Hampshire.^ 


^  See  Seymour,  "The  Manuscripts  of  Hocdeve's  Regiment  of  Princes"  pp.  269-71,  and 
John  M.  Manly  and  Edith  Rickert,  eds.,  The  Text  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  8  vols.  (Chi- 
cago, 1940),  1:  207-18,  for  descriptions,  the  Leicester  associations,  and  detailed  Usts  of 
the  contents,  which  include  works  by  Chaucer,  Lydgate,  Burgh,  Hoccleve,  and  Gower 
and  the  Gesta  Romanorum.  Manly  and  Rickert  call  the  manuscript  "[a]  hbrary  of  secular 
literature,  in  7  'books' "  (p.  207).  See  also  BofFey,  Manuscripts  of  English  Courtly  Love  Ly- 
rics, p.  17,  where  it  is  suggested  that  this  "enormous  library  of  material . . .  probably  served 
the  needs  of  a  rehgious  community." 

^  See  Manly  and  Rickert,  Canterbury  Tales,  1:  212-13;  Seymour,  "Manuscripts  of  Hoc- 
deve's Regiment  of  Princes"  p.  271. 

^  LALME,  1:  113  (first  entry  on  BL  Harley  7333),  3:  161.  The  dialects  of  other  scribes 
are  also  assigned  to  northern  Hampshire;  see  LALME,  1:  113  (second  and  third  entries 
on  BL  Harley  7333),  3:  159-^0. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1419{r&g):D 

Although  the  imperfect  text  of  BL  Harley  7333  begins  past  the  point  of 
changeover  from  a  CV  to  an  AV-1419:B  text,  it  can  be  grouped  with  TCD 
5895  on  the  basis  of  distinctive  correspondences  with  the  later  text  (see 
below).  Textual  comparisons  show,  in  fact,  that  BL  Harley  7333  preserves 
the  wording  of  the  group  more  accurately  than  TCD  5895. 

The  text  of  this  group  is  an  amalgamation  of  a  CV  text  with  a  text  of  the 


270 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

AV-1419:B,  within  which  additional  omissions  of  material  have  occurred. 

The  added  details  about  the  giants  do  not  occur  in  TCD  5895,  and  the 
passage  concerning  Lud's  naming  of  London  corresponds  to  the  text  of  the 
CV.  In  the  chapter  recounting  Arthur's  return  to  England  to  meet  the  threat 
of  Mordred,  however,  the  text  begins  to  correspond  to  that  of  the  AV- 
1419:B  (around  Brie  89/12).  Arthur  is  succeeded  by  Conan,  who  is  suc- 
ceeded in  turn  by  his  son  "Crofte"  (CV  and  AV-1419:B  "Certif,"  Conan's 
cousin). 

A  considerable  omission,  typical  of  the  AV-1419:B,  occurs  in  the  texts  of 
both  manuscripts  around  the  chapters  that  include  the  battle  of  Halidon 
Hill: 

And  Jjat  same  tyme  it  fille  J)at  Ipe  kyng  of  Englond  helde  his 
parlement  atte  Castel  vpon  Tyne.  And  ser  Edwarde  kyng  of  Scotlond 
come  J)ider  and  did  to  him  feaute  6c  homage  for  \>t  reame  of  Scot- 
lond the  which  quene  Isabel  and  Mortemer  toke  awey  |)orou3  her  fals 
counsail. 

And  in  J)e  xxx^  yere  of  his  reigne  about  Witsontide  he  ordeyned  a  par- 
lement at  Westmynster.  And  J)ere  it  was  certified  J)at  Philip  J)e  l^Tig  of 
Fraunce  was  dede.  [TCD  5895;  cf  Brie  280/17-26,  305/11-13] 

Following  a  process  already  begun  in  the  AV-1419:B,  there  are  further 
omissions  of  text,  often  of  narrative  that  relates  overseas  events,  as,  for 
example,  in  the  chapter  that  begins  with  the  great  windstorm  of  1362: 

Off  \>e  grete  wynd. 

And  aboute  Seint  Mawrus  day  aboute  evynsong  tyme  Ipere  rose  suche 
a  wynde  oute  of  the  south  with  sich  a  fersnes  |)at  it  blewe  downe 
howsis  8c  chirchis  8c  towres  to  the  grounde  8c  stepelis  8c  othir  strong 
[J)inges  add.  TCD].  And  all  olpert  workes  that  stode  still  were  soo  i- 
shake  J)at  ben  yit  sene  that  shall  euermore  be  febeler  and  this  wynde 
lastid  vij  dayes  withoute  sesynge.  And  aftir  there  folowed  suche 
wateres  in  hey  tyme  in  harveste  J)at  all  felde  werkes  were  much  lefte 
on-don.  And  than  prince  Edward  toke  the  lordshipe  of  Guyen  8c  did 
to  his  ffadir  fealte  8c  homage  8c  went  ouer  the  see  into  Gascoyn  [wij) 
add.  CV]  his  wyf  and  his  childerin  [wyf . . .  childerin  om.  TCD].  And 
anon  aftir  the  kyng  made  his  sone  sir  Leonell  duke  of  Clarens  8c  sir 
Edmond  his  othir  sone  erle  of  Cambrigge.  And  than  come  into  Eng- 
londe  iij  kynges  f)at  is  to  sey  pe  kyng  of  Fraunce  the  kyng  of  Cipris 
8c  the  kyng  of  Scotlonde  to  speke  with  the  Ig'^ng  of  Englonde  and 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 271 

thei  had  gret  worshipe.  And  when  \>ty  had  ben  here  longe  tyme  ij  of 
hem  went  home  ageyne.  But  the  kyng  of  Fraunce  thorow  grete  seke- 
nesse  was  lefte  in  Englonde.  And  in  the  xxxix  yere  of  his  reigne  was 
an  huge  froste  and  hit  lasted  from  Seint  Andrewis-tide  till  xiiij 
calendours  of  Aperill  and  Jjan  they  telled  &  sewe.  &  in  the  xl  yere  of 
kynge  Edwarde  was  borne  Edward  prince  Edwardes  sone.  And  in  the 
xlj  yeere  of  kyng  Edwarde  was  borne  at  Burdewx  Richard  the  seconde 
son  of  prince  Edward  whiche  Richarde  was  kynge  of  Englonde 
aftirwarde  as  ye  shaull  here. 

Of  the  batell  of  Spayne  betwene  prince  Edward  8c  Harry  the  bastarde 
of  Spayne.  [BL  Harley  7333;  cf  Brie  314/32-320/2  (315/15-18,  315/ 
31-316/8,  316/  10-24,  316/29-319/34  are  omitted)] 


Tbe  Peculiar  Version  to  1422:  Group  A  (PV-1422:A) 
The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437:  Group  A  (PV-1437:A) 
The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437, 
with  a  continuation  to  1461  fPV-143  7/1461) 
These  three  groups  are  closely  related  one  to  another  and  to  the  Latin  Brut 
texts.  However,  several  texts  present  considerable  difficulties  of  affiliation, 
both  within  the  individual  groups  and  in  the  relationships  between  the 
groups  themselves  and  to  other  groups  of  texts.  The  degrees  of  their  related- 
ness  differ  greatly,  and  there  may  well  have  occurred  some  collation  and 
combining  of  texts.  Alternatively,  it  is  possible  that  fuller  forms  of  the  text, 
now  lost,  ended  in  1422  and  (as  suggested  by  the  Latin  Brut)  in  1437,  and 
that  the  surviving  texts  are  offshoots  of  these  and  of  subsequent  subgroups. 
Speaking  of  certain  representatives  from  these  groups,  Kingsford  rightly  re- 
marks that  "[t]he  overlapping  and  interlacing  of  these  Chronicles  makes  the 
history  of  their  development  a  difficult  problem."^  In  this  respect  they  are 
similar  to  the  various  chronicles  of  London.^ 


^  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  128. 

^  See  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  II,  pp.  228-230;  Thomas  and  Thornley,  eds.,  Great 

Chronicle,  pp.  xxv^-xxix;  McLaren,  "Textual  Transmission,"  pp.  55-56. 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1422:  Group  A  (PV-1422:A) 

The  group  contains  MSS.  Bodl.  Laud  Misc.  550,  Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel  8, 


272 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

TCD  506,  and  BL  Sloane  2027.  The  central  section  of  the  composite  text 
in  Bodl.  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32  also  belongs  to  this  group. 

156.  Bodleian  MS.  Laud  Misc.  550 

Heading:  How  this  land  was  first  callid  Albion  and  of  whom  it  had  that 
name  ye  shal  here  as  foloweth  aftirward. 

Begins:  In  the  yeer  fro  J)e  begynnyng  of  Jje  worlde  M^M'M'  booodx^  Jjer  was 
in  J)e  noble  lond  of  Grece 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV- 
1422:A  below),  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  following) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  Aftir  this  king  Edward  wente  into  Scotland  and 
besegid  jje  toun  of  Berewic  and  hadde  a  gret  bataille  with  [)e  Scottis  on 
HaHdoun  Hil  beside  J)e  toun  of  Berewic  at  whiche  bataille  were  slayn  of 
J)e  Scottis  xxxvM'  vij^  xij  and  this  was  on  Saint  Margaretis  eve  in  the  yeer 
of  our  lord  M*  CCC  xxxij  and  in  ^e  morow  aftir  the  bataille  was  don  J)e 
Scottis  dehuerid  J)e  toun  of  Berewic  to  king  Edward.  And  J)e  xj  yeer  of 
his  regne  was  seen  and  apperid  in  J)e  firmament  a  lemyng  sterre  that  was 
calHd  Stella  Comata  [cf  Brie  272/3-286/9,  291/1-292/18] 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Whanne  the  king  hadde  entrid  J)e  toun  and  restid 
hym  in  {)e  castel  til  J)e  toun  were  set  in  rewle  and  gouernaunce  thanne 
Cawdbeek  and  othir  garisons  Jjere  nygh  were  yolden  vnder  the  same  ap- 
pointement.  t>anne  J)e  dolfmes  ambassiatours  as  it  was  before  accorded 
with  fill  power  to  do  al  thing  as  he  were  there  himself  cam  to  J)e  king  to 
Roon  [cf  "Davies's"  Chronic/e,  p.  48] 

Ends  on  damaged  fo/.  120v:  and  thanne  a  sore  6c  [ . . .  ]uent  malady  him 
assailid  and  fro  day  [ . . .  ]y  him  vexid  til  he  deide  in  pt  castel  of  Boys 
Vincent  J)e  laste  day  of  August  whanne  he  hadde  regned  ix  yeer  v 
monthes  iij  wokes  and  iij  dales  and  is  buried  at  Westmynstre.  On  whos 
soule  Ihesus  Cr[ . . .  ]  haue  mercy.  Amen.  [cf.  "Davies's"  Chronic/e,  p.  52] 

Remarks:  From  William  Rous  on,  each  succeeding  reign  generally  begins  on 
a  new  page. 

In  1605  the  manuscript  belonged  to  Richard  St.  George,  Norroy  Herald, 
as  a  note  of  ownership  attests. 


157.  College  of  Arms  MS.  Arundel  8 

Heading.  How  thys  londe  was  forste  calde  Albyon  8c  of  whom  hit  had  that 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 273 

name  ye  shall  here  as  hit  ffoUowyth  afterward. 

Begins:  In  the  yere  from  the  begynyng  of  the  worde  M'M^M'  DCCCC  there 
was  yn  the  noble  londe  of  Grece  a  worthi  kyng  &  a  myghty  and  a  man  of 
grete  renowne  that  was  calde  Dyoclusyan 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV- 
1422:A  below),  QIL 

Omits:  "Sw"  heading  (see  following) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  and  for  his  treson  he  wasse  drawen  &  honged 
and  on  Seint  Andrwes  day  nexte  after  the  kinge  wente  into  Scottlonde  & 
besegid  the  towne  of  Berwyke  8c  had  a  grete  batell  with  the  Scottes  at 
Halydoune  Hyll  besides  the  towne  of  Berwyke  at  {)e  whiche  batell  weren 
slayne  of  the  Scottes  xxxvM'  DCCxij  and  this  wasse  on  Seinte  Margaretes 
even  the  yere  of  oure  lorde  Ihesu  Criste  M'  CCCxxxij  and  on  the  mor- 
rowe  aftre  that  the  batell  wasse  don  the  Scottes  delyuered  the  towne  of 
Berwyke  to  kinge  Edwarde.  The  xj  yere  of  his  regne  wasse  sene  8c  ap- 
pered  in  the  firmament  a  lemyng  sterre  Jjat  wasse  calde  Stella  Comata  [cf. 
Brie  272/3-286/9,  291/1-292/18] 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  8c  when  jje  kinge  had  entred  the  cite  he  rested 
hym  in  {)e  castell  tyll  hit  wasse  sette  in  rwle  8c  gouernance.  Then  Cavde- 
becke  8c  oder  garnysons  there  ny3e  weren  yolden  vndre  J)e  same  appointe- 
ment.  Then  the  dolfyns  embassettours  with  ftill  power  as  he  wer  himselfe 
presente  comen  to  the  kinge  to  Rouen  [cf  "Davies's"  Chronicle,  p.  48] 

Ends  on  fol.  68:  but  thenne  a  sore  8c  a  fteruent  malladye  hym  assayled  8c 
dayle  hym  vexed  till  he  deyd  yn  the  castell  of  Boyse  Vyncente  the  laste 
day  of  Auguste  the  ix  yere  v  monythes  iij  wokes  and  iij  dayes  of  his  regne 
8c  ys  buryed  at  Westmynstre.  [cf  "Davies's"  Chronicle,  p.  52] 

Remarks:  The  text  is  written  by  two  scribes,  but  the  point  of  changeover  is 
of  no  textual  significance. 

The  reigns  of  Henry  IV  and  Henry  V  begin  on  new  pages. 


158.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  506 

Begins  imperfectly:  regned  alone  in  Englond  Walis  and  Scotland  as  right  heir 
and  he  was  the  firste  that  euyr  werid  croune  in  this  lond.  He  made  also 
a  statute  and  a  lawe  [cf  Brie  23/27-31] 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV- 
1422:A  below),  QIL 

Omits:  "Sw"  heading  (see  following) 


274 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  and  for  his  treson  he  was  drawe  and  hangid  on 
Saint  Andrewes  day.  Aftir  this  king  Edward  wente  in  to  Scotland  and  be- 
side \^sic\  the  toun  of  Berwic  and  hadde  a  greet  bataille  with  {)e  Scottis  on 
Halidoun  Hil  beside  f)e  toune  of  Berwic.  Atte  whiche  bataille  were  slayn 
of  J)e  Scottis  xxxvM*  vij^  xij  and  this  was  on  Saint  Margaretis  eve  in  jje 
yeer  of  our  lord  M'  CCC  xxxij.  And  in  J)e  morow  aftir  ^e  bataille  was 
don  J)e  Scottes  deliuered  the  toun  of  Berewic  to  king  Edward.  And  J)e  xj 
yeer  of  his  regne  was  seen  and  apperid  in  |)e  firmament  a  lemyng  sterre 
that  was  callid  Stella  Comata 

Ends  imperfectly:  And  |5e  said  ser  Harri  Percy  leet  ciye  openly  and  saide  jjat 
he  was  chief  cause  that  king  Richard  was  deposid  and  most  helper  to  king 
Harry  for  to  brynge  him  in  wenyng  f)at  he  wolde  haue  amendid  J)e  gou- 
ernaunce  and  J)e  rewle  of  the  reme  and  now  king  Harri  rewlith  worse  [cf. 
"Davies's"  Cbronic/e,  p.  28] 

Remarks:  Each  section  in  the  heptarchy  material  that  follows  the  Cadwalla- 
der  episode  is  given  a  separate  chapter  number. 

The  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Richard  11  is  accorded  a  new  page,  as  is 
also  true  of  the  reigns  of  several  kings  after  William  the  Conqueror. 

The  text  ends  in  a  passage  based  on  the  continuation  to  the  Eulogium 
Historiarum  that  describes  incidents  preceding  the  battle  of  Shrewsbury. 

159.  BL  MS.  Sloane  2027 

Begins  onfol.  96v:  In  the  yer  ffro  the  begynnyng  off  the  world  M'M'M'  ixC 

Ixxxx*^  ther  was  yn  the  noble  land  of  Grece  a  wurthy  kyng  and  a  myghty 

8c  a  man  of  grete  renoune 
Prologue  ends  onfol  97 v,  mid:  and  callid  this  land  Bretayn  as  ytt  shal  be 

seide  her  afftirwarde. 
Text  resumes  onfol  170:  Whan  kyng  lohn  had  don  hys  curage  the  enterdyt- 

yng  was  relesyd  thurgwh  all  Englond  the  vij'*^  day  of  lull  [cf  Brie  166/4, 

16-18] 
Ends  imperfectly  on  fol.  188v:  the  erle  of  Dunbarre  become  ys  man  &  the 

kyng  yaff  ym  the  [cf  "Davies's"  Chronicle,  p.  22] 

Remarks:  The  Brut  is  used  to  frame  the  B  version  of  Robert  of  Gloucester's 
rhymed  Chronicle,  which  ends  on  fol.  169v  with  the  ascent  to  the  throne  of 
Henry  III.^  The  dialect  of  the  Robert  of  Gloucester  text  is  that  of  Warwick- 
shire, while  the  language  of  the  Brut,  written  by  the  same  scribe,  is  "slightly 
more  northerly."^  On  fol.  96  appears  the  early  ownership  signature  of  "W)d- 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 275 

liam  Braundon  of  Knoll  [Knowle,  south-east  of  Birmingham]  in  the  counte 
of  Waruyke"  (repeated  elsewhere).''  The  name  and  date  "lohn  Osbvrn  1546" 
occur  in  the  margin  of  fol.  97. 

Other  works  in  the  manuscript  are  the  1408  English  translation  of  Vege- 
tius's  De  Re  Militari  (fols.  l-36v),  John  Russell's  Boke  of  Nurture  (fols.  37- 
52v),  and  Lydgate  and  Burgh's  Secrees  of  Old  Philosoffres  (fols.  53-92v).'* 


'  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2617-21,  2798. 
2  LALME,  1:  116,  3:  526-27. 

^  See  Meale,  "Patrons,  Buyers  and  Owners,"  pp.  216,  233-34  n.  88. 
■*  Listed  in  Charles  R.  Shrader,  "A  Handlist  of  Ebctant  Manuscripts  Containing  the  De  Re 
Militari  of  Flavius  Vegetius  Renatus,"  Scriptorium  33  (1979):  303;  described  in  Geoffrey 
A.  Lester,  ed..  The  Earliest  English  Translation  of  Vegetius'  'De  Re  Militari',  Middle  Eng- 
lish Texts  21  (Heidelberg,  1988),  p.  19.  See  also  Frederick  J.  Furnivall,  ed..  Early  English 
Meals  and  Manners,  EETS  o.s.  32  (1868),  pp.  117-99  (John  Russell);  Robert  Steele,  ed., 
Lydgate  and  Burgh's  'Secrees  ofOldPhilisoffres,  EETS  e.s.  66  (1894). 


160.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  poet.  32(2)^ 

PV-1422:A  text  begins  on  fol.  116-}  How  William  Bastard  duk  of  Normandy 
came  into  this  land  &  slow  king  Harold. 

Contains:  QIL 

Omits:  "5w''  heading  (see  following) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  And  for  his  tresoun  he  was  drawe  and  honged. 
And  on  Seint  Andrew  dey  after  this  kyng  Edward  went  into  Scotland  and 
besegid  J)e  toune  of  Berwik  and  had  a  gret  batell  with  the  Scottes  on 
Halydom  [jzV]  Hull  besides  {)e  toun  of  Berwik  at  wich  batell  were  slayn  of 
\)t  Scottes  xxxvM'  vij^  xij  and  this  was  on  Seint  Mergeretes  eve  in  the  yer 
of  our  lord  M'  CCC  xxxiij.  And  in  the  morwe  after  the  batell  was  don 
the  Scottes  deHuered  the  toune  of  Berwik  to  king  Edward.  And  in  the  xj 
yer  of  his  reign  was  sen  &,  apered  in  the  firmament  a  lemyng  stere  J)at 
was  called  Stella  Comata 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  When  J)e  king  had  entred  in  J)e  town  &  rested 
him  in  J)e  castell  til  |)e  castell  were  sett  in  rewle  and  gouernance  then 
Caudebek  8c  o|3er  garisons  J)er  negh  were  yelden  vnder  J)e  same  apoynt- 
ment.  Then  |)e  dolffen  inbasitours  as  it  was  afore  acorded  with  full  power 
as  he  wer  J)er  himselff  came  to  |)e  king  to  Roon 

PV-1422:A  text  ends  on  fol  151:  and  then  a  sore  a  feruient  malady  hym 


276 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

asoiled  and  from  dey  to  dey  hym  vexed  till  he  died  in  the  castell  of  Boys 
Vincent  the  last  dey  of  August  when  he  had  reyngned  ix  yere  v  monythes 
and  iij  wekes  and  iij  deys  and  is  buried  at  Westminster. 

Remarks:  The  changeover  from  an  EV-1419:B  exemplar  to  one  of  the  PV- 
1422:A  has  resulted  in  some  small  overlap  of  narrative  material  concerning 
the  arrival  of  William  the  Conqueror  and  the  death  of  Harold. 

Almost  all  of  the  continuation  to  1422  is  the  work  of  one  scribe.  A 
change  of  hand  occurs  at  the  top  of  fol.  151,  and  a  new  scribe  completes  the 
text  to  1422  before  proceeding  with  the  CV-1461  continuation,  copied  from 
Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England.  At  least  this  last  section  of  the  composite 
Brut  text  must,  therefore,  have  been  written  after  the  publication  of  Caxton's 
edition  in  1480. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  115;  for  (3),  see  item  90. 

^  Fol.  116  also  has  the  heading  "Willielmus  Conquestor  Raigne." 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1422:A 

The  text  of  this  group  exhibits  both  abbreviation  of  the  basic  Brut  text 
throughout  and  the  addition  of  material  from  other  sources.  Examples  of 
each  kind  that  characterize  the  group  are  as  follows: 

(a)  Dioclician  is  identified  as  king  of  Greece  rather  than  of  Syria,  though 
the  version  of  the  Albina  story  is  of  the  "Syrian"  kind  in  which  the  sis- 
ters' plot  succeeds. 

(b)  The  thirty-three  British  kings  are  listed  mainly  by  name  and  length  of 
reign: 

The  firste  king  of  tho  xxxiij  kinges  me  callid  Garbodia  and  he 
regned  xij  yeer.  Morgan  regned  ij  yeer.  Eighanus  yj  yeer.  Idwalan 
viij  yeere.  [etc.]  [TCD  506] 

(c)  The  short  account  of  Engist's  naming  of  the  land  and  of  his  heptarchy 
is  omitted  in  the  abbreviated  narrative  of  Vortiger  (see  Brie  55/6-14; 
see  also  [g]  below). 

(d)  The  dealings  between  Vortiger  and  Merlin  are  reduced  to  one  chapter. 

(e)  Constantine  reigns  after  Arthur,  but  the  two  CV  chapters  are  reduced 
to  one. 

(f)  Constantine    is    succeeded    by   "Aureli    Conand,"    "Vortiperi,"    and 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 277 

"Malgon"  before  returning  to  "CortiP;  the  two  CV  chapters  relating 
the  reigns  of  Adelbright  and  Edelf  are  omitted. 

(g)  After  Cadwallader  occurs  an  expanded  account,  based  on  a  short  refer- 
ence in  the  Cadwallader  narrative,  entitled  "Of  pe  departing  of  the  vij 
kyngdomes"  (Bodl.  Laud  Misc.  550),  which  treats  the  lines  of  kings  in 
each  of  the  seven  kingdoms  of  Engist's  heptarchy.  This  account  is  fol- 
lowed by  king  "Alfray"  (that  is,  Alfred);  the  five  intervening  CV 
chapters  are  omitted. 

(h)  A  number  of  details  and  minor  stories,  often  of  a  religious  character, 
are  added  to  the  reigns  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  and  Danish  kings  (for 
example,  to  Athelstan,  Eldred,  Edwin,  Edgar,  Edward  the  Confessor, 
Edmund  Ironside,  Harthaknut).^  Unlike  the  CV,  Athelstan,  Edmund, 
Eldred,  and  Edwin  receive  separate  chapters. 

(i)  The  foundation  of  the  New  Forest  is  transferred  from  William  Rous  to 
his  father,  William  the  Conqueror,  with  an  added  comment:  "Pe 
comyn  English  Cronide  saith  that  William  Rows  made  this  forest  but 
it  is  vntrewe"  (Bodl.  Laud  Misc.  550).  Additional  material  after  the 
,  death  of  William  the  Conqueror  includes  the  story  of  his  father's 
meeting  with  his  mother  and  the  latter's  dream  while  pregnant. 

(j)  St.  Anselm  sees  William  Rous's  death  in  a  vision  of  all  the  English 
saints,  including  St.  Alban,  who  flings  an  arrow  of  fire  to  earth. 

(k)  Henry  II  has  a  miraculous  encounter  at  Cardiff"  with  an  old  man  who 
warns  him  to  ban  Sunday  markets.  Rosamond  and  the  finding  of  the 
bones  of  Arthur  and  Guinevere  at  Glastonbury  are  also  noted  under 
Henry  II. 

(1)  The  reigns  of  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  Edward  II,  and,  to  a  lesser  extent, 
Edward  III  are  abbreviated. 

(m)  The  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  is  abbreviated,  as  given  above. 

(n)  Merlin's  prophecies  regarding  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  and  Edward  II  are 
omitted. 

(o)  Details  from  the  continuation  to  the  Eulogium  Historiarum  (such  as  a 
mention  of  the  ampulla  containing  the  coronation  oil  and  Richard's 
resignation  speech)  occur  in  the  reigns  of  Richard  II  and  Henry  IV. 
The  cause  of  Richard's  death  is  not  given. 

(p)  For  the  majority  of  kings  after  William  the  Conqueror,  detailed  notes 
of  their  marriages  and  issue  are  made  at  the  end  of  their  reigns. 


^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  93-94. 


278 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437:  Group  A  (PV-1437:A) 
The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437,  with  a  continuation  to  1461  (PV-1437/1461) 
The  PV-1437:A,  which  shows  considerable  internal  crossing  of  texts,  con- 
tains MSS.  Nottingham  County  Council  DDFS  3/1,  TCC  O.ll.ll,  Taka- 
miya  18,  Harvard  Eng.  750  (both  texts),  Illinois  82(2),  and  TCD  505.  The 
texts  of  the  PV-1437/1461  (Bodl.  MS.  Lyell  34  [known  from  its  editor  and 
former  owner  as  "Davies's"  Chronicle]  and  the  composite  NLW  MS. 
21608D)  should  also  be  considered  here,  since  all  of  the  former  and  part  of 
the  latter  are  based  on  a  text  ending  in  1437  to  which  a  continuation  from 
1440  to  1461  has  been  added. 

In  a  number  of  instances,  text  from  an  exemplar  ending  in  1437  with  the 
murder  of  James  I  of  Scotland  has  been  grafted  on  to  or  into  a  text  copied 
from  an  exemplar  that  belongs  to  some  other  recognized  group  (see  the 
remarks  on  individual  manuscripts  and  on  the  PV-1437:A  below).  Material 
from  the  PV-1437:A  is  used  in  the  final  section  of  the  PV-1436:A  (see  pp. 
296-301). 


161.  Nottingham  County  Council  MS.  DDFS  3/1 

Heading  on  fol  4:  Of  the  first  enhabityng  of  the  He  o  Albion  and  of  whom 
hit  had  that  name. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  kynge  and  a  myghti  a 
man  of  grete  renowyn  called  Diaclusian 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  following) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  And  for  his  tresoun  he  was  drawyn  and  honged 
and  on  Seint  Andrews  day  aftir  kynge  Edward  went  ynto  Scotlond  and 
bisegid  the  towne  of  Barwik  and  had  a  grete  bataille  with  the  Scottes  at 
Halydoune  Hill  besyde  the  towne  of  Barwyk  at  the  whiche  bataille  weren 
slayn  of  the  Scottes  xxxvM'  DCCxij  and  this  was  yn  Seint  Margaretis  day 
evyn  the  yere  of  oure  lord  M'  CCCxxxij.  And  yn  the  morowe  aftir  the  ba- 
tell  was  done  the  Scottes  delyuerd  the  towne  of  Barwik  to  kynge  Edward. 
And  {)e  {ins.  above]  xxj  yere  of  his  reigne  was  sene  and  appered  yn  the 
firmament  a  lemynge  sterre  that  was  callid  Stella  Comata 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Whan  the  l9nige  hadde  entred  the  citee  and 
rested  him  yn  the  castell  tyll  it  were  sette  yn  reuUe  and  gouernaunce. 
Than  Cawdebecke  and  oder  garresons  there  nyghe  were  yolden  vnder  the 
same  appoyntement.  Than  the  dolfyns  embassatoures  with  full  power  as 
he  were  there  himselfe  came  to  the  kynge  to  Roone 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 279 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  And  than  a  sore  and  a  feruent  maledy  him  as- 
sayled  and  dayly  him  vexsed  till  he  deyd  yn  the  castell  of  Boys  Vyncent 
the  last  day  of  August  the  ix  yere  v  monythes  iij  wekys  and  iij  daies  of  his 
reigne  and  ys  buryd  at  the  chirch  of  Westmynster. 

Of  ^Tige  Harry  the  sixt  the  son  of  kynge  Harry  [ins.  above]  the  \^  after 
the  conquest. 

After  the  noble  and  victorious  prince  l^Tige  Harry  the  v*  reigned  his  son 
l^Tig  Harry  the  yj'''  [cf.  "Davies's"  Chronicle,  pp.  52-53] 
Ends:  the  seid  James  kynge  of  Scottis  goynge  toward  his  bedde  havyng  no 
more  clothes  on  him  but  his  shurte  cruelly  was  slayn  and  as  it  was  seid  he 
hade  xxx  woundes  of  the  which  viij  [sic\  were  dedely  &c.  And  [cf. 
"Davies's"  Chronicky  p.  56] 

Remarks:  Despite  the  concluding  "And,"  the  rest  of  the  final  folio  is  left 
blank  and  the  text  is  complete  as  it  stands. 

In  a  number  of  important  ways  the  Nottingham  text  stands  apart.  The 
beginning  of  the  text  is  unique  among  PV-1422:A  and  PV-1437:A  texts  in 
the  wording  of  its  heading,  the  lack  of  an  introductory  date,  and  the  desig- 
nation of  Dioclisian  as  king  of  Syria  rather  than  of  Greece. 

Further  differences  from  the  PV-1422:A  and  other  PV-1437:A  texts,  in 
which  the  Nottingham  text  agrees  more  closely  with  the  ultimate  CV 
source,  are  that  the  short  account  of  Engist's  heptarchy  appears  and  that 
Constantine's  reign  is  recounted  in  two  chapters. 

Given  the  generally  derivative  relationship  among  the  other  texts  of  the 
PV-1437:A  and  the  PV-1422:A,  these  differences  presumably  mark  a  sec- 
ondary development  peculiar  to  the  Nottingham  text.  It  is  possible  that  it 
represents  a  combination  of  texts  in  which  the  point  of  changeover  occurs 
after  Constantine,  since  the  subsequent  text  agrees  with  that  of  the  other 
members  of  the  group. 

The  Brut  is  prefaced  (fols.  1-4)  by  a  brief  Latin  account  of  world  history 
from  the  Creation  to  Brutus  and  subsequent  English  history  to  Henry  II, 
followed  by  two  short  accounts,  also  in  Latin,  of  the  spread  of  Christiamty 
and  religious  sites. 


162.  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  MS.  O.ll.ll^ 

Heading.  How  this  lond  was  first  callid  Albion  and  of  whom  it  hadde  that 
name  ye  shall  here  as  foloweth  aftirward. 


280 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Begins:  In  \>e  yeer  fro  ^e  begynnyng  of  J)e  worlde  M'M'M'  ix^  Ixxxx  ther  was 
in  the  noble  lond  of  Grece  a  worthi  l<yng  and  a  myghty  6c  a  man  of  greet 
renoun  that  was  callid  Dioclician 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  following) 

ChangeoveVy  1333  to  1377:  and  for  his  fals  treson  he  was  drawe  and  honged 
on  Saynt  Andreux  day.  Anno  vij.  [marg.]  Aftir  this  kyng  Edward  wente 
into  Scotland  and  besegid  J)e  toun  of  Berewic  and  hadde  a  greet  bataille 
with  the  Scottis  on  Halidoun  Hill  beside  J)e  toun  of  Berewic  at  whiche 
bataille  were  slayn  of  Ipe  Scottis  xxxvM'  vij^  xij.  And  this  was  on  Saynt 
Margaretis  eve  in  ye  yeer  of  our  lord  M'  CCC  xxxij.  And  on  the  morow 
aftir  the  bataille  \>t  Scottis  delyuerid  the  town  of  Berewic  to  kyng 
Edward.  Anno  xj°.  [marg.]  The  xj  yeer  of  kyng  Edward  was  seen  and  ap- 
pend in  the  firmament  a  lemyng  sterre  that  was  callid  Stella  Comata 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Whanne  J)e  kyng  hadde  entrid  the  toun  and 
restid  him  in  |)e  castell  til  J)e  toun  were  set  in  rewle  and  gouernaunce 
thanne  Cawdebek  and  othir  garisons  there  nygh  were  yolden  vnder  the 
same  appoyntement.  Thanne  |)e  dolfinez  ambassiatours  as  it  was  before 
accorded  with  full  power  to  do  all  thyng  as  he  were  there  himselff  cam  to 
J)e  I^oig  to  Roon. 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  and  thanne  a  soor  and  a  feruent  malady  him  as- 
saillid  and  fro  day  to  day  him  vexid  til  he  deide  in  f)e  castel  of  Boys  Vyn- 
cent  J)e  laste  day  of  August  whanne  he  hadde  regned  ix  yeer  v  monethis 
iij  wolds  and  iij  daiez  and  is  buried  at  Westmynstre.  [fol.  128v;  fol.  129r 
left  blank] 

[AJftir  the  noble  and  victorious  prince  l^^ng  Harri  J)e  v  regned  his  sone 
kyng  Harri  |)e  vj  that  was  bore  at  Wyndesore 

Ends:  J)e  said  kyng  of  Scottis  as  he  was  goyng  toward  his  bed  hauyng  no 
more  on  him  but  his  shirte  cruelly  and  vnmanly  was  slayn  and  as  it  was 
told  he  hadde  on  him  xxx"  woundis  wherof  vij  were  dedly  &c. 

Remarks:  From  the  accession  of  William  the  Conqueror  each  reign  begins 
on  a  new  page,  and  after  each  of  the  reigns  of  Arthur  and  of  Henry  V  a 
page  is  also  left  blank. 

In  the  left  margin  at  the  end  of  the  text  occurs  an  addition  in  a  different 
hand:  "Y  dar  say  no  more."^ 


^  See  Ker,  MMBL  II,  pp.  261-62;  Mooney,  Handlist,  p.  150  (Mooney  ascribes  the  final, 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS  281 


marginal  addition  to  "the  hand  of  the  main  scribe"). 

^  A  later,  sixteenth-century  addition  is  attributed  to  "John  Ardyns  sunns"  writing;  see  Ker, 

MMBL  U,  p.  261. 


163.  Takamiya  MS.  18 

Heading  onfol.  2:  Cronica  Bruti  in  Anglicis  D[ . . .  Jcianus  Rex.  Prima.  How 
this  londe  was  first  callyd  Albyon  and  of  whom  hit  hadde  that  name  ye 
schal  here  as  fFolwith  aftyrwarde. 

Begins:  In  the  yere  flfrom  the  bygynnynge  off  the  worlde  iijM'  ix^  iiij*  x  there 
was  in  the  noble  lorde  [sic\  off  Grece  a  worthy  kynge  and  a  myghty  and 
a  man  of  gret  renoun  |)at  was  callyd  Dioclisian 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "Sw"  heading  (see  following) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  And  for  his  false  treson  he  was  drawe  and  hangid 
on  Seynt  Andrewis  day.  Aityr  f)is  kynge  Edwarde  wente  into  Scotlonde 
and  beseghid  the  towne  of  Berwic  and  hadde  a  gret  bataile  with  {)e 
Scottes  on  Halydounhill  beside  the  towne  of  Berwic.  Atte  wiche  bataile 
were  slayne  of  |5e  Scottes  xxxvM^  vij^  &xij.  And  J)is  was  on  Sent  Marga- 
retis  eve  in  J)e  yere  of  oure  lorde  M'  iij^  xxxij.  And  on  J)e  morwe  after  J)e 
bataile  f)e  Scottes  delyueryd  J)e  towne  off  Berwic  to  Ignige  Edwarde.  The 
xij  yere  off  kynge  Edwarde  was  seen  and  apperid  in  J)e  firmament  a  lem- 
ynge  sterre  J3at  was  callid  Stella  Comata 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  And  whanne  |)e  kynge  hadde  entryd  the  towne 
and  restyd  hym  in  |)e  castell  tyll  {)e  towne  were  set  in  rule  and  gouer- 
naunce.  Thanne  Cawdebek  a[nd]  oJ)ere  garysons  {)ere  nygh  were  yoldyn 
vndir  the  same  appoyntement.  Thanne  |)e  dolfynez  enbassatours  as  hit 
was  bifore  acordid  with  ffiill  powere  to  do  all  thynge  as  he  were  there 
hymselffe  cam  to  {)e  l^nige  to  Roon 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  And  |)anne  a  sore  and  a  fervent  maladye  hym 
assaylid  and  fro  day  to  day  hym  vexid  tyll  he  deyde  in  the  castell  off  [By 
del^  Boys  Vincent  the  laste  day  off  August  whanne  he  hadde  regnyd  ix 
yere  v  monthis  iij  wyks  and  iij  dayez  and  is  buryed  at  Westmynster. 

Off  kynge  Harry  |)e  sexte  afiir  the  conquest. 

Aftir  the  noble  and  victorious  prynce  kynge  Harry  J)e  v**  regnyd  his  sone 
kynge  Harry  the  sexte  J)at  was  bore  at  Wyndssore 
Ends:  And  aftirwarde  abowte  |)e  monthe  off  Marche  be  exitacion  off  jj'erle 


282 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

off  Athell  and  othir  the  seyde  l^^nge  of  Scottes  as  he  was  goynge  towarde 
his  bed  hauynge  no  more  on  hym  but  his  scherte  cruelly  and  onmanly  was 
slayne;  as  hit  was  tolde  he  hadde  on  hym  xxx  woundis  where-ofFvij  were 
dedly.  Y  dar  say  [ . . .  ]ore.  [Y . . .  ore  marg.] 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  is  written  in  a  late,  unprofessional  hand.  Fol.  1 
contains  an  astrological  item  on  the  distance  between  the  earth  and  the 
moon.  The  name  of  Francis  Welles  appears  at  the  foot  of  fol.  3. 

The  final,  marginal  comment  should  be  compared  with  the  final,  marginal 
comment  added  to  the  preceding  manuscript. 


164.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  750  (nRST  text) 

Heading  on  fol.  8:  How  thys  lond  was  first  callyd  Albion  and  of  whome  yt 
hadde  yat  name  ye  shall  heare  as  folowyth  afterward. 

Begins:  In  the  yere  from  the  begynnyng  of  the  world  3990  there  was  in  the 
noble  lond  of  Grece  a  worthy  kyng  and  a  myghty  and  a  man  of  great  re- 
noun  that  was  called  Dioclycian 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  following) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  for  his  treson  he  was  drawne  and  hangyd  on 
Saynt  Andrewys  day.  After  thys  kyng  Edward  went  ynto  Scotland  and  be- 
segyd  the  towne  of  Berewic  and  had  a  great  bataylle  with  the  Scottes  on 
Halidoune  Hyll  bysyd[ . .  ]  the  towne  of  Barwic  [and  had  . . .  Barwic  ins. 
in  top  marg.]  at  which  bataylle  were  slayne  of  the  Scottes  [of  the  Scottes 
ins.  in  marg.]  xxxvM'  vijC  xij  and  thys  was  on  Saynt  Margaret[ . .  ]  eve  in 
the  year  of  ower  lorde  M'  iij*^  xxxij  and  on  the  mor[ . .  ]  after  the  batayll 
was  done  the  Scottes  deliueryd  the  towne  of  Berewic  to  the  kyng  Edward; 
and  the  xj  year  of  kyng  Edward  was  seyn  and  apieryd  yn  the  firmament 
a  lemyng  sterre  that  was  caullyd  Stella  Cometa 

Changeover,  1419  to  1437:  Whan  the  kyng  had  entryd  the  town  and  restyd 
hym  yn  the  castell  tyll  the  towne  were  set  yn  ordre  and  gouernaunce  than 
Cawdebeec  and  other  garisounes  there  nygh  wer  yeldyd  vnder  the  same 
apoyntmen(?)  \badly  written];  thanne  the  dolfynes  ambassiatours  as  yt  was 
befor  accordyd  wyth  full  power  to  all  thyng  as  he  were  thear  hymself 
came  to  the  kyng  to  Roone 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  and  than  a  soore  and  a  fervent  maladie  hym  as- 
sailled  and  from  daye  to  daye  hym  vexid  tyll  he  died  yn  the  castell  of  Bois 
Vincent  the  last  daye  of  August  whan  he  had  reignyd  ix  yeares  v  moneths 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 283 

iij  wekes  and  iij  dayes  and  ys  buried  at  Westmynster  on  whose  soule  Ihesu 
Crist  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

Of  kyng  Harry  the  yj* 

After  the  noble  and  victorious  prince  kyng  Harry  the  v*  reigned  his  sonne 
kyng  Harry  the  yj'*^  that  was  borne  at  Wyndsore 
Ends  onfol  69v.  the  sayd  kyng  of  Scottes  as  he  was  goyng  to  hys  bede  hav- 
yng  no  more  on  hym  but  hys  shirte  cruelly  and  vnmanflilly  was  slayne  and 
so  as  yt  was  told  he  hadde  on  hym  xxx  woundes  which  vij  were  dedly. 

Remarks:  After  the  Cadwallader  episode  occurs  the  additional  heptarchy  ma- 
terial, here  entitled  "Of  the  departyng  and  boundyng  of  the  vij  kyngdomes," 
separated  into  sections  on  each  kingdom.  The  other  additional  details  found 
in  Bodl.  Lyell  34 — for  example,  the  remark  on  the  New  Forest  and  the  story 
of  William  the  Conqueror's  conception — also  occur.  The  reigns  of  Henry 
III,  Edward  I,  and,  to  a  lesser  extent,  Edward  II  and  Edward  III  are  abbre- 
viated. 

The  hand  of  the  text  belongs  to  the  very  late  fifteenth  or,  more  probably, 
sixteenth  century.  The  first  folios  of  the  manuscript  contain  various  his- 
torical notations  and  chronologies;  after  this  first  Brut  text  occur  fiirther 
historical  notes  and  extracts,  a  second  Brut  text  (see  below),  Roger  of 
Wendover's  Flores  Historiarum,  a  short  account  in  English  of  the  retinue  of 
Edward  III  at  the  siege  of  Calais,  and  Nicholas  Trevet's  Chronicle. 

165.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  750  (second  text) 

Heading  on  fol.  82:  How  William  Basterd  duk  off  Normandy  cam  in  to 

England  and  kylyd  king  Harold. 
Begins:  Whane  duke  Wylliam  off  Normandy  herede  yt  Harold  was  crowned 
Contains:  QIL 
Ends  onfol.  lOlv.  they  were  clepyed  a  people  without  a  heade  the  which  did 

muche  harme  in  the  parties  of  Fraunce  [Brie  314/24-25] 

Remarks:  This  second,  excerpted  Brut  text  is  written  in  a  hasty  sixteenth- 
century  hand  and  agrees  textually  with  the  first  text  in  the  manuscript,  from 
which  it  was  presumably  copied. 

166.  University  of  Ilunois  MS.  82(2)^ 

Second  hand  begins  onfol  164v:  And  sone  after  was  the  olde  kyng  Edward 
his  fader  translated  fro  Jje  castel  of  Kyllyngworth  into  the  castell  of 


284 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Berkley  &  {)er  thoro  treasoun  of  ser  Roger  Mortimer  he  was  sleyn  with  a 
sprite  of  copir  brenyng  put  in  at  his  fondement 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  wherfor  he  was  drawe  8c  hangyd  on  Seynt  An- 
drews day. 

Anno  vij°.  [marg.]  After  this  kyng  Edward  went  into  Scotland  8c 
beseg[ . .  ]  the  toun  of  Berwic  8c  had  a  grete  batel  with  Ipe  Scottes  on 
Halidoun  Hille  beside  \>e  toune  of  Berwic  at  which  batell  wer  slayn  of  the 
Scottes  xxxvM^  vijC  [ . . .  ]  8c  f)is  was  on  Seint  Margaretes  evyn  in  the  yer 
of  our  lord  M'  CCC  xxxij.  And  on  the  morowe  after  Ipe  batell  the  Scottes 
delyuerd  the  toun  of  Berwic  to  kyng  Edward.  Anno  xij°.  [marg.]  The  xj 
3er  of  kyng  Edward  was  [ . . .  ]  8c  apperid  in  the  firmament  a  lemyng 
sterre  J)at  was  callede  Stella  Comata 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422'.  Whan  J)e  l^nig  had  entrid  J)e  toun  8c  restid  hym 
in  J)e  castill  tyll  the  toun  were  sette  in  rewle  8c  gouernaunz  than  Cawd- 
beke  8c  oJ)er  garisones  {)er  negh  aboute  wer  yolden  vnder  J)e  same  compo- 
sicioun.  Than  {)e  dolffyns  ambassetores  as  it  was  befor  accorded  with  fiill 
poar  to  do  all  thing  as  he  wer  ther  himselff  cam  to  J)e  l^nig  to  Roon 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  And  J)an  a  sore  8c  a  feruent  malady  hym  assaylid 
and  ffrom  day  to  day  hym  vexid  tyl  he  deid  in  the  castill  off  Bois  Vincent 
the  last  day  of  August  safe  oon  the  ix*^^  yer  v  monethis  iij  wekys  8c  iij 
dayes  of  his  rayn  and  is  buried  at  Westmynster.  On  whos  soule  Ihesu 
Crist  haue  mercie.  Amen. 

Sequitur  de  Henrico  sexto.  Henricus  sextus  incipiebat  regnare  vltimo  die 
Augusti  anno  domini  millesimo  quadrugentesimo  vicesimo  secunda  8c 
regnabat  triginta  8c  octo  annis  8c  dimidio  anno  8c  tribus  diebus  videlicet 
usque  quartum  diem  Marcij  anno  domini  millesimo  quadrugentesimo 
sexagesimo. 

[0]ff  I^Tig  Harry  the  vj^^  the  sone  of  kyng  Harry  the  v*''.  Affter  the  nobil 
8c  victorios  prynce  kyng  Harry  the  v*^*^  reigned  his  sonne  kyng  Harry  the 
vj**^^  Jjat  was  bore  at  Wyndesore 
Third  hand  ends:  the  said  kyng  of  Scottes  as  he  was  goyng  to  his  bed  hafyng 
no  mor  vpon  hym  but  oonly  his  shyrt  cruelly  8c  vnmanly  was  slayn  and  as 
it  was  saide  he  had  on  hym  xxx  woundes  wheroff  vij  wer  dedely.  I  dar 
write  no  fferther.  [I . . .  fferther  marg.] 

Remarks:  This  section  of  text  is  written  by  two  scribes,  but  the  point  of 
changeover  has  no  significance  and  there  has  been  no  change  of  exemplar. 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 285 

The  PV-1437:A  text  has  been  added  to  a  text  of  the  AV-1419:C,  with 
some  narrative  dislocation  at  the  point  where  the  change  of  exemplars 
occurred.  The  final  comment  of  the  text  suggests  that  it  is  connected  with 
that  of  TCC  O.ll.ll  (see  above). 

The  reigns  of  Henry  IV  and  Henry  V  are  prefaced  by  headings  in  Latin 
similar  to  that  before  Henry  VI's  (for  which,  see  above);  these  headings  are 
later  additions  in  the  same  hand  that  writes  several  of  the  historical  memo- 
randa at  the  beginning  of  the  manuscript.^ 


*  For  (1),  see  item  142. 
2  See  p.  229. 


167.  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  MS.  505^ 

Heading  on  p.  87:  How  thys  lond  was  fyrst  callyd  Albyon  and  of  whom  hyt 
had  that  name  he  [5/V]  schal  here  as  folowthe  afiyrward. 

Begins:  In  the  here  [sic]  fro  the  begynnyng  of  the  world  M'M'M'  ix^  J)er  was 
in  J)e  nobull  lond  of  Grece  a  worthy  kyng  and  a  myghty  and  a  man  of 
grete  renwne  that  was  callyd  Diclycyan 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  below) 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  And  euery  man  toke  whatt  he  myght  and  with- 
oute  chalenge  of  ony  man.  With  Deo  gracias.  [With . . .  gracias  in  red] 
And  also  aftyr  this  gracious  victorye  the  l^Tig  turned  hym  ayein  vnto  the 
sege  of  Berewyk 

Changeover,  1419  to  1437:  And  att  euery  gate  iij  or  iiij  M'  of  gud  mennes 
bodies  well  armyd  and  manfully  countred  with  owre  Englissmen.  And  in 
|)e  vij  yere  of  this  same  kyng  Herry  he  lay  att  the  segge  of  Roan.  And  the 
xvij  day  of  lanue  1  \sic\  hitt  was  yolden  to  owre  kyng.  And  thys  sege 
lasted  xxj  wel^^.  And  then  cam  J)e  capitaines  and  browght  J)e  keys  to 
owre  kyng  and  delyuered  hym  the  toune.  And  all  the  Frensch  sodyers 
where  voyd  owte  of  the  toune  with  heyre  horse  and  hemes.  And  the  co- 
mynnes  of  the  toune  abode  styll  payng  yerely  vnto  the  kyng  for  all  maner 
costommes  fermes  and  quatrimes  xxM'  marke.  And  when  the  kyng  had 
enterid  the  toune  and  rested  hym  in  the  castell  tyll  the  toune  where  sett 
in  rewle  and  gouernaunce.  And  then  \ins.  above]  tythingis  cam  to  London 
the  yj  da  \sic]  of  Feuer.  And  then  the  duke  of  Bedford  with  a  fayre  mayne 
of  Englond 


286  PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Text  to  1422  breaks  off  imperfectly  on  p.  284  during  "Coronation  of  Queen 

Katherine":  The  kyng  of  Scotlond  in  his  astate  on  the  liffte  side  of  the 

quene  wych  att  euery  course  was  serued  aftyr  J)at  the  quene  and  the 
Text  to  1437  begins  on  p.  285:  Aftyr  the  nobull  and  victorious  prince  kyng 

Herry  the  v*^  regned  his  sonne  l^ng  Herry  the  vj^^  that  was  borne  att 

Wyndesore 
Text  to  1437  ends:  The  seid  kyng  of  Scottis  as  he  was  goyng  to  his  bede 

hauyng  no  more  on  hym  bott  his  schert  cruelly  and  vnmanly  was  slayne. 

And  as  hitt  was  tolde  he  had  oon  hym  xxx  wondes  where-of  vij  where 

dedely. 

Remarks:  This  text  is  a  careful  blend  of  texts  from  two  groups,  evidently  in 
order  to  produce  as  full  a  version  as  possible.  Up  to  the  reign  of  Henry  III, 
the  text  follows  that  of  the  usual  PV-1437:A.  Accordingly,  the  narrative 
contains  the  text  on  the  heptarchy  after  the  Cadwallader  episode,  followed 
by  the  chapter  on  King  "Alfray"  and  other  additional  details  found  in,  for 
example,  Bodl.  Laud  Misc.  550. 

However,  since  the  reigns  of  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  Edward  II,  and  Ed- 
ward III  are  abbreviated  in  the  PV-1437:A,  at  or  about  the  accession  of 
Henry  III  the  scribe  switched  to  a  CV  text  similar  to  (but  somewhat  fuller 
than)  that  found  in  Pennsylvania  State  MS.  PS.  V-3A,  including  the  con- 
tinuation beyond  1419  found  therein  (items  32  and  181).  Thus  the  abbre- 
viation found  in  the  later  chapters  of  the  PV-1437:A  is  not  found  and  Mer- 
lin's prophecies  regarding  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  and  Edward  II  appear.  The 
full  text  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III  is  given  and  the  array  of  the  Scottish 
battles  at  Halidon  Hill  is  included.  Instead  of  the  normal  "5w"  heading 
occurs  the  heading  "How  the  erle  of  Dumbar  holped  the  Scottes  at  {)is 
bataill,"  which  is  also  found  in  the  CV-1419(men):A(b).^ 

The  scribe  continued  to  use  this  second,  CV  text  into  the  narrative  of 
Richard  II's  reign  but  clearly  had  his  PV-1437:A  text  available  for  consulta- 
tion, for  on  p.  256  he  adds  a  minor  detail  in  the  margin  from  the  PV- 
1437:A,  that  Queen  Anne  knelt  before  the  lords  appellant  in  a  vain  effort  to 
save  the  life  of  Sir  Simon  "Beuerle"  (i.e.,  Burley).  Pages  257-58  are  a  stub 
containing  narrative  from  the  PV-1437:A  that  is  not  present  in  the  main 
text.  Deficiencies  in  the  CV  exemplar  must  have  become  apparent,  for  the 
scribe  continued  with  the  PV-1437:A  text  for  the  end  of  Richard's  reign  (in- 
cluding the  ampulla  reference  and  a  full  account  of  Richard's  resignation  of 
the  crown). 

For  the  reigns  of  Henry  IV  and  Henry  V  the  scribe  combined  what  he 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 287 

considered  the  fullest  or  most  accurate  material  from  his  two  exemplars.  The 
account  of  the  siege  of  Rouen  is  primarily  from  the  CV  exemplar,  followed 
by  an  imperfect  copy  of  the  continuation  to  1422  found  in  Pennsylvania 
State  PS.  V-3A.  A  page  is  missing  after  the  beginning  of  the  chapter  on 
Queen  Katherine's  coronation,  and  the  text  resumes  with  the  accession  of 
Henry  VI,  taken  from  the  PV-1437:A. 

The  manuscript  also  contains  Latin  genealogical  chronicles  from  Noah  to 
Edward  IV  (with  drawings,  roundels,  and  commentary  to  Edward  I;  pages 
6-56),  from  Adam  through  Old  Testament  figures  and  Roman  rulers  (pages 
59-62),  emperors  and  popes  (pages  63-78),  and  archbishops  of  Canterbury 
(with  roundels  and  commentary,  pages  79-83).  The  first  of  these  genealo- 
gical works  notes  Edmund,  son  of  Queen  Elizabeth  Woodville,  as  earl  of 
Huntington,  a  title  he  held  from  1471  to  1475.  In  the  last  work,  the  entry 
on  Thomas  Bourghier,  archbishop  of  Canterbury  from  1454  to  1486,  has 
been  erased. 

The  Brut  is  immediately  prefaced  by  a  full-page  drawing,  with  informa- 
tional roundels,  of  buildings  and  rural  scenes  representing  England  (page  86). 

The  manuscript  has  sixteenth-century  Welsh  associations:  on  page  1  occur 
Welsh  verses  on  the  zodiac,  dated  1593,  attributed  to  and  in  the  hand  of 
Lewys  Dwnn,  a  deputy  herald.-'  Page  2  contains  early-seventeenth-century 
notes  on  the  Chicester  family. 


^  See  Marvin  L.  Colker,  Trinity  College  Library  Dublin:  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  Medi- 
aeval and  Renaissance  Luitin  Manuscripts,  2  vols.  (Aldershot  and  Brookfield,  1991),  2:  935- 
38. 

^  See  pp.  100-104. 
^  See  Colker,  Descriptive  Catalogue,  2:  938. 


168.  Bodleian  MS.  Lyell  34  {'Davies's"  ChronicleY 

Heading:  How  this  land  was  first  callid  Albion  and  of  whom  it  hadde  |)at 

name  and  how  j^e  geauntez  were  ygote  ye  shul  here  as  foloweth  afterward. 

Capitulum  primum. 
Begins:  In  pe  yeer  fro  pe  begynnyng  of  {)e  worlde  M'M'M'  bc*=  per  was  in  pt 

noble  lond  of  Grece  a  worthi  kyng  and  a  my3ti  and  a  man  of  gret  renoun 

{)at  was  callid  Dioclician 
Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad,  QIL 
Omits:  "Sw"  heading  (see  following) 


288 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  Thanne  wente  kyng  Edward  in  to  Scotland  forto 
helpe  J)e  said  Edward  and  besegid  J)e  toun  of  Berewic  and  J)e  Scottes  cam 
doun  and  faught  with  J)e  kyng  at  a  place  callid  Halidoun  Hill  beside 
Berewic  and  at  J)at  bataille  were  slayn  of  ^e  Scottes  vij  erlis  M'ccc  hors- 
men  and  of  oJ)er  peple  xxxvM*  vij^  xij.  And  of  Englishmen  |)at  marvail  is 
to  wite  were  ded  a  kny3t  a  squyer  and  xij  foot  men  and  nomo  and  this 
was  on  Saint  Margaretis  eve  in  J)e  yeer  of  our  lord  M'  CCC  xxxij  and  J)us 
was  J)e  toun  of  Berewic  yolden  to  J)e  l^oig  and  J)e  castel  also.  And  aftir- 
ward  J)e  said  ser  Edward  Bayloll  as  right  here  of  Scotland  dede  his  hom- 
age too  kyng  Edward  of  Englond  at  New  Castel  vpon  Tyne.  And  aftir  J)is 
J)e  Scottis  rebellid  ayens  kyng  Edward  wherfore  in  Jje  hard  frosty  wynter 
he  wente  in  to  Galoway  and  wastid  all  J)e  cuntre  vnto  J)e  Scottissh  Se  and 
abood  in  J)e  castell  of  Rokesburgh  all  the  wyntertyme.  t>e  xj  yeer  of  l^ng 
Edward  in  J)e  moneth  of  luyn  was  seen  and  apperid  in  J)e  firmament  a 
lemyng  sterre  J)e  whiche  clerckis  callid  Stella  Comata  and  J)at  sterre  was 
seen  in  dyuers  partiez  of  J)e  firmament,  [cf  Brie  281/21-286/9,  291/1- 
292/19] 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Whanne  the  king  hadde  entrid  the  toune,  and 
restid  him  in  the  castel  til  the  toun  were  set  in  rewle  and  gouernaunce, 
thanne  Cawdebeek  and  othir  garisons  there  nyghe  were  yolden  vndir  the 
same  appoyntement.  Thanne  the  dolfynees  ambassiatours,  as  it  was  before 
acordid,  with  fill  power  to  do  all  thyng  as  he  were  there  himself,  cam  to 
the  king  to  Roon  ["Davies's"  Chronicle,  p.  48] 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437'.  and  thanne  a  sore  and  a  feruent  maladie  him  as- 
saillid,  and  fro  day  to  day  him  greuousli  vexid;  til  he  deide  in  the  castelle 
of  Boys  Vincent,  the  laste  day  of  August,  whanne  he  hadde  regned  ix  yeer 
V  monethis,  iij  wikis,  and  iij  daie3,  and  is  buried  at  Westminstre:  on  who3 
soule  Almyghti  God  haue  mercy.  Amen. 

Of  kyng  Harry  the  vj"  aftir  the  conqueste,  sone  of  kyng  Hard  the  v'***, 
and  of  the  bataille  of  VernuUe,  Sec. 

Aftir  the  noble  and  victorious  prince  kyng  Harri  the  V,  regned  his  sone 
l^^ng  Harri  the  yj^^,  that  was  bore  at  Wyndesore  ["Davies's"  Chronicle,  pp. 
52-53] 
Continuation  to  1437  ends:  the  said  kyng  of  Scottis,  as  he  was  goyng  toward 
his  bed,  hauyng  no  more  vn  him  but  onli  his  shirte,  cruelli  and  vnmanli 
was  slayne;  and  as  it  was  said  he  hadde  on  him  xxx  woundis,  wherof  vij 
were  dedly.  ["Davies's"  Chronicle,  p.  56] 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 289 

Continuation  from  1440  to  1461  begins:  The  xix  yeer  of  kyng  Hani,  the 
Friday  before  midsomer,  a  prest  callid  ser  Richard  Wyche,  that  was  a 
vicary  in  Estsexe,  was  brend  on  the  Tourhille  for  heresie  ['DaviesY 
Chronicle,  p.  56] 

Continuation  to  1461  ends:  and  the  Wennesday  next  after,  vppon  the  morow, 
Edwarde  the  noble  erle  of  Marche  was  chosen  Igmg  in  the  cyte  of  Lon- 
doun,  and  began  for  to  reygne,  Sec.  ["Davies's"  Cbronicle,  p.  110] 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  is  written  by  two  scribes,  but  the  point  of  change- 
over, on  fol.  189v,  in  the  year  1450,  does  not  seem  to  indicate  a  change  of 
exemplar  at  that  point.  The  death  of  James  I  of  Scodand  in  1437  does, 
however,  mark  a  break  in  the  text  and  probably  a  change  of  exemplar  since 
the  ensuing  narrative  continues  with  the  year  1440. 

The  text  to  1437  is  closely  related  to  those  of  the  PV-1422:A  and  the 
PV-1437:A  and  contains  many  of  the  distinguishing  features  and  details 
noted  above  under  the  PV-1422:A.  Thus  the  extended  heptarchy  material 
occurs  after  the  Cadwallader  episode  and  the  additional  anecdotes  appear 
under  the  reigns  of  Athelstan,  Edmund,  Eldred,  and  Edwin,  who  each  re- 
ceive a  separate  chapter. 

Some  differences  in  the  arrangement  of  materials  occur,  for  example,  in 
the  narrative  on  William  the  Conqueror.  The  foundation  of  New  Forest  is 
credited  to  William  the  Conqueror,  but  the  comment  concerning  the  "com- 
mon English  Chronicle"  does  not  appear;  William's  conception  and  his 
mother's  dream  are  present,  though  at  a  different  point  in  the  chapter  than 
in  the  related  texts. 

The  text  cannot,  however,  be  directiy  derived  from  the  PV-1422:A  or  the 
PV-1437:A,  for  in  a  number  of  features  it  is  closer  to  the  original  CV. 
Thus,  the  short  account  of  the  establishment  of  Engist's  heptarchy  appears; 
Merlin's  dealings  with  Vortiger  are  recounted  in  several  chapters  (rather  than 
one  conflated  chapter);  the  reign  of  Constantine  is  accorded  two  chapters; 
and  Constantine  is  followed  by  the  CV  succession  of  Adelbright  and  Edelf. 

Compared  to  texts  of  the  PV-1422:A  and  PV-1437:A,  the  text  of  Bodl. 
Lyell  34  is  consistendy  expanded  throughout  from  sources  such  as  the  Po/y- 
chronicon  and  saints'  legends,  as  the  following  examples  show. 

The  second  chapter  is  headed  "How  |)e  iij  sones  of  Noe  departid  al  J)e 
worlde  betuene  thaym  and  how  Brut  was  gote  and  bore  and  how  he  slow  his 
moder  and  afrirward  his  fader  and  how  he  cam  in  to  this  lond."  The  narra- 
tive begins  "Hit  is  ywrite  in  J)e  cronidez  of  {)e  Grekis  J)at  J)e  iij  sones  of  Noe 
aftir  Noez  flood . . ."  and  ends  "Anchisez  gat  Eneas  J)at  was  a  worthy  knyght 


290 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

and  a  man  of  greet  power  and  duelde  in  \>e  cite  of  Troie." 

Similar  additions  include  an  account  of  the  visit  to  Britain  of  Joseph  of 
Arimathea  under  the  reign  of  Cymbeline,  an  account  of  the  destruction  of 
Jerusalem  during  the  reign  of  Westmer  (called  "Marms"  in  this  text),  and  an 
account  of  tlie  death  and  assumption  of  the  Virgin  attributed  to  St.  Eliza- 
beth (that  is,  Elizabeth  of  Schonau). 

Unlike  the  PV-1422:A,  the  text  is  not  heavily  abbreviated  for  the  reigns 
of  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  and  Edward  11.  Similarly,  the  reign  of  Edward  III 
is  abbreviated  but  not  as  heavily  as  in  the  PV-1422:A,  as  is  shown  by  the 
Hahdon  Hill  passage  cited  above  where  several  verbal  details  are  closer  to 
the  CV. 

Although  a  number  of  leaves  are  now  missing,  the  reign  of  Richard  II 
contains  the  added  details  from  the  continuation  to  the  Eulogium  Histori- 
arum  in  addition  to  material  that  is  unique.^  The  continuation  from  1440  to 
1461,  found  in  full  in  this  manuscript  and  in  part  in  the  next,  has  no  direct 
relationship  to  the  corresponding  text  in  Caxton's  Chronicles  of  England. 

Like  Bodl.  Laud  Misc.  550,  Bodl.  Lyell  34  allows  a  new  leaf  for  the  be- 
ginning of  each  king's  reign  after  Richard  II. 

The  dialect  of  the  text  is  that  of  Surrey.^ 


^  See  de  la  Mare,  Catalogue,  pp.  85-87.  The  text  from  1377  to  1461  (from  the  accession 

of  Richard  II  to  the  accession  of  Edward  IV)  is  printed  in  John  Silvester  Davies,  ed.,  An 

English  Chronicle  of  the  Reigns  of  Richard  II,  Henry  IV,  Henry  V,  and  Henry  VI  Written 

Before  the  Year  1471,  Camden  Society  o.s.  64  (1856);  quotations  are,  where  possible,  taken 

from  this  edition. 

^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  122-24,  127-29. 

3  LALME,  1:  150,  3:  499. 


169.  National  Library  of  Wales  MS.  216080^ 

Table  begins  on  fol.  1:  Tabula  huius  libri  &c.  How  this  londe  wasse  firste 
called  Albioun  and  after  whan  yt  hadde  that  name  and  howe  the  gyaunte 
wasse  geton  ye  shall  here  as  folowethe  after.  Capitulum  primum. 

Table  ends  on  damaged  fol  8:  Off  kynge  Harry  |)e  sexte  [of  del.]  after  |)e 
co[n]quest  the  sonne  off  l^nge  Harry  the  v'^  and  off  f)e  bataille  &c.  and 
of  many  oJ)er  thynges. 

Heading  on  fragmentary  foL  11:  Assit  principio  sancta  Maria  meo. 

How  this  lond  was  first  called  Albio[ . . .  ]  had  J)at  name  and  how  the 

giau[ . . .  ]  here  as  folowthe  after. 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 291 

Text  begins  on  fragmentary  fol.  11:  In  the  [ . . .  ] 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Omits:  heptarchy  material  after  Cad 

Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  and  this  victory  fell  to  the  Englissh  men  opon 
Seynt  Margretes  eve  in  the  yere  off  our  lorde  Ihesu  Criste  M°  CCC  xxxij 
and  whilis  this  wasse  doynge  the  Englissh  knavez  toke  the  pelage  off^  the 
Scottes  that  were  killed  eueryman  that  he  myght  take  withoute  knawelage 
off  eny  men.  Deo  gracias.  And  so  after  this  gracius  victory  the  kynge 
retourned  agayne  vnto  the  same  seege  off  Berwicke 

Changeover,  1377  to  1419:  And  when  this  noble  kynge  Eduuarde  hadde 
regned  Ij  yere  and  more  the  xj  kalend  off  luyn  he  died  in  his  maner  off 
Shene  and  ys  worshupfliUy  buried  atte  Westmynstre  on  whosse  soulle  all- 
myghty  Godde  haue  mercye.  Amen. 

And  after  kyng  Edward  J)e  iij'*^  J)at  was  born  at  Wyndesore  rengned  [sic\ 
Richard  of  Burdeux  J)at  was  prince  Edwardes  sonne  and  of  the  debate  |)at 
was  betwen  ij  esquierez  and  |)e  lord  Latymer  for  J)e  erle  of  Dene  the 
bisshop  of  Northwdche  wente  vnto  Flaundres  and  how  kyng  Richard  was 
wedded  and  how  he  wente  vnto  Scotlond  and  how  he  made  nve  dukes 
and  erles  and  of  oJ)er  thynges  &c. 

After  kynge  Eduuard  the  iij  that  wasse  born  atte  Wyndesor  regned  Ri- 
charde  the  secunde 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422  continuation:  Then  the  kynge  entered  the  tovn  and 
rested  hym  in  the  castell  till  the  tovn  were  sette  in  rule  and  gouernaunce. 
And  anon  Cawdebec  and  o{)er  garisons  ther  nygh  were  yolden  vndir  the 
same  appoyntemente.  And  then  the  dolfynes  ambassitoures  as  yt  wasse  ac- 
corded befor  with  full  power  to  do  all  thynge  as  he  were  hymselfe  ther 
came  vnto  the  kynge  to  Roon 

Continuation  to  1422  ends  and  "Coronation  of  Queen  Katherine"  begins:  and 
{)en  a  soore  and  a  fervente  malady  hym  assaylled  and  fro  day  to  day  grev- 
osly  hym  vexed  till  he  died  in  the  castell  off  Boys  Vyncente  the  laste  day 
of  Auguste  when  he  hadde  regned  ix  yere  v  monethes  iij  wekes  and  iij 
dayes  and  ys  buried  atte  Westmynstre  on  whose  soulle  allmyghty  Godde 
haue  mercy.  Amen. 

Off  {)e  coronacyoun  of  queyn  Kateryn. 

The  yj"  day  of  Feueryere  J)at  fell  opon  a  Sonday  in  Lent  dame  Kateryn 
wasse  crovned  quene  atte  Westmynster 


292 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

"Coronation  of  Queen  Katherine"  ends  on  fol.  181'.  z.  tigre  and  Seynt  George 
ledyng  yt  &c. 

Continuation  to  1437  begins  on  fol.  182:  Of  kyng  Henry  the  yj"  after  jje  con- 
queste  J)e  sonne  of  kyng  Henry  J)e  v'^  and  of  the  bataill  of  Vernull  and  of 
{)e  sege  of  Caleyse  and  of  J)e  sege  of  Rokesburgh  and  of  \)t  deth  of  |)e 
Ignig  of  Scottes  and  of  Alynour  Cobham  6cof  maister  Roger  Bolyngbroke 
and  of  lacke  Cade  of  Kente  and  of  the  deth  of  the  duke  of  Suthfolke  and 
mony  other  thynges. 

After  the  noble  and  victorius  prince  kynge  Herry  the  v*^  regned  his  sonne 
kynge  Henry  the  yj^'  J)at  wasse  borne  atte  Wyndesore 

Continuation  to  1437  ends:  J)e  forseide  Igoige  as  he  wasse  goynge  towarde  his 
bedde  havynge  nomore  on  hym  but  only  his  shirte  cruelly  and  vnmanly 
[out(?)  del.^^  by  William  Grame  wasse  slayn  and  as  yt  wasse  seide  8c  tolde 
he  hadde  on  him  xxx"  wondes  wherof  vij  were  dedly.  ["Davies's"  Cbron., 
p.  56] 

Continuation  from  1440  to  1461  begins:  Anno  ix"°  [marg.]  The  ix  yere  of  |)is 
kynge  Herry  the  Sonday  before  mydsomer  a  preest  called  ser  Richarde 
Wyche  {)at  wasse  vicar  in  Essex  wasse  brente  opon  the  Toure  Hyll  for 
heresy  ["Davies's"  Chron.,  p.  56] 

Ends  imperfectly:  the  duke  off  Southefolke  William  de  la  Poolle  and  oJ)er  of 
his  assente  hadde  made  delyueraunce  of  Angeo  and  [cf.  "Davies's"  Chro- 
nicle, p.  68] 

Remarks:  Internal  features  in  the  earlier  and  later  portions  of  the  text 
generally  agree  with  those  of  the  preceding  text  in  Bodl.  Lyell  34.  The  cen- 
tral part  of  the  text,  however,  does  not  agree  with  the  Lyell  text,  since  it 
omits  the  additional  account  of  the  heptarchy  and  also  contains  the  "5w'' 
heading.  The  wording  of  the  changeover  from  1333  to  1377  suggests  that 
this  central  portion  has  been  taken  from  a  CV  text  ending  in  1377,  after 
which  the  compiler  returned  to  a  text  of  the  type  of  Bodl.  Lyell  34.  The 
account  of  the  coronation  of  Queen  Katherine  seems  to  be  an  independent 
interpolation  (though  cf  item  166).  The  text  for  the  reign  of  Richard  II  is 
complete  and  can  thus  supply  the  defective  text  found  in  the  preceding 
manuscript.  In  its  complete  state  the  text  probably  ended  at  the  same  point 
as  Bodl.  Lyell  34,  in  1461. 

Fol.  181v  contains  an  epitaph  on  Matthew  Gogh,  whose  death  in  1450  is 
noted  in  the  text  on  fol.  189.^ 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS  293 


'  See  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  373-76,  for  a  description  and  an  analysis 

of  the  contents. 

^  See  Maix,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  p.  382  n.  42. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1437:A  and  the  PV-1437/1461 

As  noted  above,  it  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  text  of  Nottingham  County 
Council  DDFS  3/1,  which  may  be  the  result  of  a  combination  of  texts.  The 
full  texts  of  the  PV-1437:A  found  in  TCC  O.ll.ll,  Takamiya  18,  and 
Harvard  Eng.  750  could  be  derived  from  the  PV-1422:A,  with  which  they 
share  a  set  of  common  features  and  additions  (see  pp.  276-77),  to  which  has 
been  added  a  continuation  from  the  accession  of  Henry  VI  (1422)  to  the 
murder  of  James  I  of  Scotland  (1437). 

An  alternative  possibility  should,  however,  be  noted:  that  the  PV-1437:A 
might  have  been  the  source  of  the  PV-1422:A,  which  deliberately  omitted 
the  narrative  on  Henry  VI  (perhaps  because  it  was  compiled  at  a  politically 
uncertain  time  in  the  late  1450s  or  early  1460s).  If  this  were  the  case,  then 
the  presumed  precedence  of  the  English  PV-1437:A  over  the  second  version 
of  the  Latin  Brut  would  need  to  be  re-examined. 

In  addition  to  independently  interpolated  material,  the  PV-1437/1461,  as 
represented  by  Bodl.  MS.  Lyell  34,  shares  a  number  of  augmentations  with 
the  PV-1422:A  and  the  PV-1437:A:  for  example,  the  extensive  narrative  on 
the  kingdoms  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  heptarchy  that  occurs  after  the  Cadwalla- 
der  episode  (with  the  omission  of  five  chapters  found  in  the  CV);  the  anec- 
dotes in  the  reigns  of  Athelstan,  Edmund,  Eldred,  and  Edvnn,  to  each  of 
whom  is  devoted  a  separate  chapter,  additional  material  on  William  the 
Conqueror  (though  reordered);  Anselm's  vision;  and  the  Rosamond  story. 

Yet  in  other  respects,  the  PV-1437/1461  is  closer  to  the  CV:  for  example, 
the  inclusion  of  the  short  account  of  Engist's  heptarchy,  two  chapters  on 
Constantine  and  the  normal  CV  succession  thereafter;  and  additions  in  the 
reigns  of  Richard  II  and  Henry  IV.  The  text  of  the  PV-1437/1461  is  not 
heavily  abbreviated  for  the  reigns  of  Henry  III,  Edward  I,  and  Edward  II. 
Although  the  Halidon  Hill  narrative  is  considerably  shortened,  it  is  not  as 
truncated  as  that  found  in  the  PV-1422:A  and  the  PV-1437:A,  and  in  a 
number  of  verbal  details  the  passage  is  closer  to  the  CV  original. 

The  CV-1437/1461  in  Bodl.  Lyell  34  cannot,  therefore,  be  directly  de- 
rived from  the  PV-1422:A  or  the  PV-1437:A.  Its  basis  is  either  a  combina- 


294 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

tion  of  texts  of  the  PV-1437:A  and  the  CV,  or  (less  probably)  it  reflects  in 
its  narrative  to  1422  an  earlier,  more  expanded  version  of  the  PV-1422:A 
than  that  contained  in  the  surviving  manuscripts  of  that  group,  to  which  the 
continuation  to  1437  was  appended.  (Under  the  alternative  possibility,  that 
the  PV-1437:A  precedes  the  PV-1422:A,  then  one  could  perhaps  view  the 
PV-1437/1461  as  an  offshoot  of  an  early  stage  of  the  PV-1437:A.)  What- 
ever the  immediate  source  or  sources,  the  basic  text  was  then  augmented  by 
some  reordering  in  the  narrative,  by  further  interpolations,  and  by  the  con- 
tinuation from  1440  to  1461. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1422:  Group  B  (PV-1422:B) 
This  small  group,  which  has  no  direct  connection  with  the  PV-1422:A, 
consists  of  MSS.  NLW  Peniarth  397C  and  Bodley  754. 

170.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  3970^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  north  countre  and  wolde  ben  avenge  of  his  fadres  deth 
Vortiger  [Brie  62/15-16] 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Changeover,  1419  text  to  1422  continuation:  And  there  he  made  for  hym  a 
riall  and  a  solempne  ternement  and  beried  hym  by  quene  Anne  his  wyfF 
as  his  owne  desir  was  on  the  further  side  of  Seynt  Edwardes  shrine  in  the 
abbey  of  Seynt  Petris  of  Westmynster.  In  this  same  yere  the  lorde  Cob- 
ham  that  is  to  saye  sir  lohn  Oldecastell  was  idampnyd  for  a  loller  [cf  Brie 
373/13-16,  Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons.  London,  p.  69] 

Ends:  Also  the  laste  day  of  Auste  in  the  x  yere  of  his  reigne  the  forsaide 
noble  kyng  Henrye  the  v  endid  his  lyf  at  Boys  Seint  Vincent  beside 
Paryse.  Also  in  the  vij  day  of  Novembre  he  was  nobly  enterid  at  West- 
mynster on  whos  soule  Ihesu  haue  mercy,  [cf  Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons. 
London,  p.  74] 


^  See  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  364-69,  for  a  description  and  an  analysis 
of  the  contents. 


171.  Bodleian  MS.  Bodley  754 

Begins  imperfectly  on  foL  2:  And  to  her  fFadir  said  thay  wold  make  all 
amendis  [Brie  3/10-11] 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 295 

Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Changeover,  1419  text  to  1422  continuation:  And  there  he  made  for  him  a 
solempne  terment  and  byryed  him  by  quene  Anne  hys  wyfe  as  his  own 
wyll  was  on  the  souf)e  syd  of  Seynt  Edwardes  shryne  in  the  abbey  of 
Seynt  Petrus  at  Westminster.  In  J)is  same  yere  the  lord  Cobham  that  is  to 
say  ser  lohn  Oldcastell  was  dampned  for  a  loller  [cf  Brie  373/13-16, 
Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons.  London,  p.  69] 

Ends  on  damaged  fol.  154:  [ . .  ]rry  the  fyfte  dyed  [ins.  above]  at  Boys  Seint 
Vincent  by  side  Pares  als[ . . .  ]  Novembre  he  was  noble  entyred  at  West- 
minster on  whose  soule  [ . . .  ]  Amen.  Explicit,  [cf.  Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons. 
London,  p.  74] 

Remarks:  The  missing  first  folio  and  other  missing  text  have  been  supplied 
at  a  later  date. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1422:B 

The  basis  for  the  text  to  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Henry  V  is  a  CV- 
1419.  The  narrative  for  the  reigns  of  the  kings  from  Edward  the  Confessor 
to  Henry  III  has  been  much  expanded  by  the  interpolation  of  secular  and 
religious  anecdotes,  Latin  verses,  visions,  physical  descriptions  of  the  kings, 
and  so  on,  occasionally  attributed  to  Marianus  Scotus  but  in  fact  taken  from 
the  Chronicon  ex  chronicis  attributed  to  Florence  of  Worcester  and  from 
Eadmer's  Historia  Novorum  in  Anglia.^  The  compiler  may  also  have  used  the 
Poly  chronicon.  A  typical  addition  is  that  of  the  story  of  Rosamond,  the 
mistress  of  Henry  11:^ 

Tho  he  grewe  opon  and  boldely  mysvsid  a  damysell  called  Rosa- 
mounde  for  whom  he  made  a  bovr  at  Wodstoke  in  the  parke  of  a 
mervellous  werkyng  lyke  to  Dydalis  bovr  that  the  quene  shulde  not 
welle  fynde  hir  but  she  dyed  withinne  a  while  and  was  buried  in  the 
nonery  of  Godstow.  And  hathe  wreton  vppon  hir  toumbe  these 
verses — 

Hie  iacet  in  tumba  Rosamundy  non  rosa  munda 

Ron  redolet  set  olet  quod  redolere  solet — 
That  is  as  moche  to  say  in  Englisshe  "here  lythe  in  the  tumbe  nat  the 
clene  rose  but  Rosamunde;  she  stynkith  and  not  smellith  soote  that 
somtyme  smellid  withovte  goostly  boote." 

From  the  reign  of  King  John  to  Richard  II  the  normal  CV-1419  text  is 


296 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

followed;  Henry  IVs  reign,  however,  is  heavily  abbreviated.  The  account  of 
the  final  imprisonment  and  death  of  Richard  II  (Brie  360/8-26)  is  moved 
forward  to  the  end  of  his  reign,  thus  allowing  the  reign  of  Henry  IV  to 
begin  neatly  on  a  new  leaf. 

Soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Henry  V,  the  compiler  changed 
to  a  text  based  on  a  London  chronicle  very  similar  to  that  found  in  BL  Cot- 
ton Julius  B.ii  (see  changeover  above),  though  not  identical  v^dth  it,  as  shown 
by  minor  additional  entries  in  the  continuation.^ 


^  See  Antonia  Gransden,  Historical  Writing  in  England  c.  550-c.  1307  (Ithaca,  1974),  p. 
145;  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  364-66.  Marx  suggests  that  the  conflation 
of  Florence  and  Eadmer  may  have  taken  place  in  the  compilation  of  a  Latin  monastic 
chronicle,  which  was  then  used  by  the  compiler  of  the  CV-1422:B. 
^  The  popularity  of  this  and  similar  stories  is  evinced  by  its  inclusion  in  several  Brut  texts, 
such  as  the  PV-1422,  PV-1437:A,  and  Bodl.  Lyell  34  (where  a  truncated  form  of  the 
story  appears)  and  twice  in  Lambeth  84  (as  a  marginal  addition  to  the  reign  of  Henry  11 
and,  by  error,  as  part  of  the  account  of  Edward  III,  although  the  compiler  has  then 
stroked  out  the  story).  These  texts  vary  in  detail  and  in  general  moral  viewpoint. 
^  Printed  in  Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons.  London,  pp.  1-116.  With  reference  to  NLW  Peniarth 
397C,  Marx  ("Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  366-68)  argues  that  the  later  part  of  the 
text  is  derived  from  Caxton's  printed  edition  of  the  Polychronicon  (1482);  however,  the 
compiler  of  the  PV-1422:B  and  Caxton  have  independently  used  a  common  London 
chronicle  source. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1436:  Group  A  (PV-1436:A) 
MSS.  BL  Harley  53  and  Lambeth  6  form  a  small  group  that  has  used  either 
two  Brut  texts,  probably  an  EV-1419  text  and  a  PV-1437:A  text,  or  an 
exemplar  that  already  combined  two  such  texts,  as  the  basic  framework  into 
which  many  passages  have  been  inserted  from  a  number  of  sources. 


172.  BL  MS.  Harley  53^ 

Latin  heading  on  fol.  14  (followed  by  16  Latin  verses):  Liber  de  Cronicis 

Anglorum  primo  de  Albina. 
Heading  (folio  damaged):  Here  begynne  the  cronicles  of  kynges  of  Eng- 

lo[ . . .  ]  tyme  that  it  was  first  inhabit  and  of  theire  [ . . .  ]  be  dyuers 

auctores  is  declaret  6c  [ . . .  ] 
Begins:  After  the  begynnyng  of  this  worlde  M*  [ . . .  ]  yere.  In  the  noble 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 297 

lande  of  Surry  wa[ . . .  ]  and  a  strong  man  of  body  and  of  g[ . . .  ]  was  clep- 

it  Diodusian 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL  (underlined  in  red) 
Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV-1436:A  below) 
Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  And  then  J)e  l^oig  entert  into  {)e  toune  of  Roane 

and  hym  restit  in  J)e  castell  till  J)e  toune  was  sette  in  ruyle  and  in  gouer- 

naunce.  And  aftur  J)at  was  Caudebek  and  oJ)er  garisons  {)er  negh  yolden 

to  J)e  kyng  vnder  the  same  appoyntement. 

Of  the  trety  of  pees  |)at  was  betwene  I^nig  Henry  of  Englond  and  kyng 
Charles  of  Fraunce  and  of  {)e  mariage  of  kyng  Henry  |)e  v''^  and  dame 
Kateryn  J)e  kynges  doughter  of  Fraunce  and  so  J)e  pees  made  and  fyn- 
ysshit. 

When  kyng  Henry  of  Englond  had  goton  Roane  as  before  is  said  the  dol- 
fyns  enbassatures  as  it  was  accordit  before  with  fiill  power  to  do  al  thyn- 
ges  as  he  were  J)ere  hymself  present  comen  to  f)e  l^nig  to  J)e  said  cite  of 
Roane  [Brie  559/16-27] 
End  of  text  to  1422,  and  narrative  from  1437  continuation:  And  J)en  a  sore 
and  a  fervent  malady  hym  toke  and  fro  day  to  day  hym  vexit  til  he  deyed 
in  {)e  castell  of  Bois  de  Vincent  the  last  day  of  August  when  J)at  he  had 
regnet  ix  yere  v  monithis  iij  wekes  and  iij  days  and  aftirward  he  was 
brought  into  Englond  riolly  and  enterid  at  Westemynster. 

After  the  noble  victoriose  prynce  l^nig  Henry  the  v"  regnet  his  sone 
Henry  the  yj^'  that  was  bore  at  Wyndesore  in  the  fest  of  Saint  Nycolace 
the  Confessoure  and  began  to  regne  in  |)e  age  of  ix  monithes  and  xv 
dayes.  [Brie  563/27-35;  cf  'DaviesY  Chronicle,  pp.  52-53] 

Continuation  to  1436  begins:  And  to  Richard  erle  of  Warrewik  was  com- 
myttit  J)e  kepyng  of  hym  [Brie  563/35-564/1] 

Continuation  to  1436  ends  imperfectly:  And  when  J)is  bullewerk  was  |)us 
wonne  vppon  hem  of  Gaunt  they  of  Brugges  were  glad  and  logh  hem  of 
Gaunt  [Brie  580/30-31] 

Remarks:  A  genealogy  from  Adam  to  Henry  VI  (fols.  2-1  Iv)  contains  Rich- 
ard of  Gloucester  (born  October  1452)  but  not  Edward,  Prince  of  Wales 
(born  October  1453),  suggesting  that  the  manuscript  may  have  been  written 
between  those  dates.  A  coat  of  arms  and  motto  on  fol.  13v  has  been 
ascribed  to  the  Stokes  family.^ 


298  PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 


^  Ejctracts  are  printed  in  Brie  534-80,  collated  with  Lambeth  6,  to  which  references  are 
here  made. 

^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  125  n.  4:  "  'Silver,  a  chevron  azure  with 
three  trefoils  silver,  within  a  border  gules  bezanty';  and  the  motto,  'Laus  Deo  honor  et 
gloria'."  Kingsford  does  not,  however,  give  a  source  for  his  ascription  to  the  Stokes  family. 

173.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  6^ 

Heading:  Here  begynne  the  cronicles  of  kynges  of  Englond  sith  the  tyme 

that  it  was  first  inhabit  and  of  their  actes  as  be  dyuers  auctores  is  declared 

and  testyfyed. 
Begins:  After  the  begynnyng  of  this  worlde  iij^'  CCC  8c  Ix  yere.  In  the 

noble  lande  of  Surry  was  a  myghty  kyng  and  a  strong  man  of  body  and  of 

gret  fame  which  was  clepid  Dyoclesian 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV-1436:A  below) 
Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  And  [jen  the  king  entird  into  the  toune  of  Roan 

&  hym  rested  in  the  castel  till  the  towne  was  sette  in  ruyle  &  in  gouer- 

naunce.  And  aftir  J)at  was  Caudebek  8c  oJ)er  garisons  J)ere  negh  yolden  to 

the  l^nig. 

Of  the  trety  of  pees  that  was  betwene  kyng  Henry  of  Englond  and  kyng 
Charles  of  Fraunce  and  of  the  mariage  of  l^^ng  Henry  the  v"  and  dame 
Katheryn  the  l^^ngis  doughtir  of  Fraunce  and  so  the  pees  was  made  8c 
fynysshid. 

When  king  Henry  of  Englond  had  geton  Roan  as  before  is  said  the  dol- 
fyns  ambassatours  as  it  was  accorded  before  with  full  power  to  do  al  thin- 
gis  as  he  were  J)er  hymself  present  comen  to  the  king  to  the  said  cite  of 
Roane 
End  of  text  to  1422,  and  narrative  from  1437  continuation:  And  J)en  a  sore  8c 
a  feruent  malady  hym  toke  8c  fro  day  to  day  hym  vexid  til  he  dyed  in  |)e 
castel  of  Bois  de  Vycene  J)e  last  day  of  August  when  J)at  he  had  regned  ix 
yere  v  moneth  iij  wekes  8c  iij  dayes  and  aftirward  he  was  brought  into 
Englond  ryally  8c  enteryd  at  Westmynster. 

Afftir  J)e  noble  8c  victoriose  prynce  king  Henry  the  v"  regned  his  son 
Henry  the  yj^^  and  began  to  regne  in  J)e  age  of  ix  monethes  8c  xv  dayes. 
[Brie  563/27-35;  cf.  "Davies's"  Chronicle,  pp.  52-53] 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 299 

Continuation  to  1436  begins:  And  to  Richard  erle  of  Warrewik  was  comittid 

J)e  kipyng  of  hym  [Brie  563/35-564/1] 
Continuation  to  1436  ends:  &  to  shippe  at  Sandwich  wher-as  lay  redy  in  J)e 

hauen  iij*-"  sailes  to  abyde  his  comyng.  [Brie  584/16-17] 

Remarks:  This  text  is  often  given  the  name  the  "St.  Albans  Chronicle"  (the 
text  is  headed  "The  Cronicle  of  St  Albans"  in  a  sixteenth-century  hand),  but 
there  is  no  apparent  connection  with  either  that  abbey  or  the  town. 

The  manuscript  is  illustrated  throughout  with  magnificent  paintings, 
probably  by  a  Flemish  artist  (though  James  suspects  two  artists).  A  number 
of  notes  survive,  written  in  English  in  the  lower  margins,  that  give  directions 
to  the  illustrator  concerning  the  subjects  to  be  illustrated. 

The  arms  in  a  shield  incorporated  into  the  bottom  border  on  fol.  1  have 
been  associated  with  those  of  the  descendants  of  William  Purchas,  mercer, 
city  chamberlain  of  London  from  1484  to  1492,  alderman  from  1492  to 
1502,  sheriff  in  1492-93,  and  mayor  in  1497-98;  he  died  in  1503.^ 


*  See  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue. .  .  Lambeth  Palace,  pp.  15-18;  Eric  G.  Millar,  "Les 
principaux  manuscrits  a  peintures  du  Lambeth  Palace  a  Londres,"  Bulletin  de  la  socie'ti 
Jranfaise  de  reproductions  des  manuscrits  a  peintures  9  (1925):  15-19  and  plate  44.  TTie  end 
of  the  continuation  to  1436,  missing  in  the  previous  text,  is  printed  in  Brie  581-84. 
^  See  Millar,  "Les  principaux  manuscrits,"  p.  16  n.  1.  See  also  John  W.  Papworth,  An 
Alphabetical  Dictionary  of  Coats  of  Arms .  .  .  Forming  an  Extensive  Ordinary  of  British  Armo- 
rials (1874;  rpt.  London,  1961),  p.  795  ("Arg.  a  lion  ramp.  sa.  over  all  on  a  fess  az.  three 
bezants.  PURCHAS,  co.  York.";  and  Meale,  "Patrons,  Buyers  and  Owners,"  pp.  206, 
226-27  n.  38.  On  Purchas,  see  Alfred  B.  Beaven,  The  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  London 
Temp.  Henry  UI-1908/1912,  2  vols.  (London,  1908,  1913),  1:  101,  138;  2:  bd,  bdv,  18. 
A  selection  of  the  illustrations  has  been  made  available  separately  as  a  slide  set  in  the 
series  "Masterpieces  of  Mediaeval  Art"  (London:  World  Microfilms). 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1436:A 

The  PV-1436:A  is  an  elaborate,  well-executed  compilation  that  uses  two 
types  of  Brut  text  derived  from  either  independent  manuscripts  or  a  manu- 
script in  which  the  two  types  were  already  combined,  as  well  as  a  number  of 
supplementary  sources.^  Almost  uniquely  among  the  English  texts  (cf  the 
PV-1437:B),  it  begins  with  the  version  of  the  Albina  narrative  found  in  the 
Anglo-Norman  Des  Grantz  Geanz  and  the  Latin  Brut,  although  details  and 
language  from  the  Middle  English  Brut  text  are  introduced.  As  in  the  latter. 


300 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Dioclisian  is  named  king  of  Syria  rather  than  Greece,  and  he  is  said  to  have 
thirty-three  daughters.  However,  in  accordance  with  the  Anglo-Norman  ver- 
sion, the  youngest  daughter  reveals  her  sisters'  murderous  plot  against  their 
husbands,  who  thus  survive.  The  thirty-two  unrepentant  sisters  are  exiled 
and  arrive  in  Albion,  where  the  details  of  their  modus  vivendi  are  described. 
The  devil  impregnates  the  women,  whose  children  then  lie  with  their  moth- 
ers and  beget  sons  and  daughters  of  great  stature.  These  and,  in  turn,  their 
incestuous  offspring  constitute  the  race  of  giants  whom  Brutus  will  destroy.^ 
Details  are  also  introduced  from  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle  that 
correspond  to  details  in  the  EV  groups  borrowed  from  the  same  source, 
though  the  first  of  these  occurs  at  a  different  point.  The  giants'  mode  of 
existence  is  described  (after  the  account  of  their  generation  in  the  Albina 
story)  as  follows: 

This  geauntes  lyued  on  wilde  dere  and  on  herbes  and  rotes  and  drank 
watir  and  mylk  of  rugh  shep  and  gete  and  of  theire  here  they  made 
hem  sclaueyns  as  pelgrymes  vsen.  [Lambeth  6;  cf  pp.  184-85  above] 

A  second  detail  occurs  later,  at  the  same  point  as  in  the  EV,  when  Brutus 
mocks  Coryn's  initial  lack  of  success  in  wrestling  Gogmagog: 

Then  Brut  said  to  Corineus  thes  wordes:  "Corineus  and  J)e  worde 
spryng  of  the  how  you  ert  thus  put  to  the  wurse  al  thy  worship  is  lost 
for  that  day  was  neuer  seyne  that  thou  was  thus  put  to  |)e  wurse  as 
thou  ert  now  here  and  yf  Heruburgh  thy  loue  it  wist  she  wolde  neuer 
loue  the  aftir  this  tyme."  [Lambeth  6;  cf  Zettl,  ed.,  Metrical  Chron., 
p.  3,  line  65-p.  4,  line  79  (see  pp.  186-87  above),  and  the  readings  in 
the  EV  groups  on  pp.  186,  191,  193-94  above] 

The  blend  of  wording  in  this  passage  suggests  that  the  compiler  was  using 
both  an  EV  text  and  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle. 

The  subsequent  text  continues  to  use  the  Brut  as  its  primary  framework, 
combined  with  material  adapted  from  Langtoft's  Chronicle,  Geoffrey  of 
Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britannie  (for  example,  Latin  verses,  the  thirty- 
three  kings  chapter.  Merlin's  Latin  prophecies  to  Vortiger),  the  Short  English 
Metrical  Chronicle  (for  example,  the  building  of  the  hot  baths  at  Bath),  and 
other  subsidiary  sources.^  A  number  of  Latin  verses  occur  in  Harley  53  only 
(for  example,  at  the  start  of  the  text,  before  the  accession  of  Lucy,  after 
Gurmond's  expedition  to  France,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  section  on 
Anglo-Saxon  history). 

At  the  end  of  the  Cadwallader  episode  the  compiler  comments  on 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 301 

sources,  noting  William  of  Malmesbury,  Henry  of  Huntingdon,  Peter  Lang- 
toft,  and  "the  bok  of  Latyn"  (Geoffrey's  Historia). 

The  subsequent  text  to  the  death  of  Edward  I  in  1307  is  a  combination, 
to  varying  degrees  in  different  sections,  of  the  Brut  and  material  adapted 
from  some  version  of  Langtoft's  Chronicle  (which  ends  in  1307),  with  the 
addition  of  numerous  interpolations.^  Henceforth  the  Brut  forms  the  frame- 
work for  the  narrative,  but  with  many  interesting  additions  and  alterations 
in  every  reign. 

The  text  from  1419  to  a  point  just  after  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of 
Henry  VI  is  based  on  the  PV-1437:A,  though  the  compiler  may  also  have 
borrowed  some  details  for  the  text  before  1419.^  However,  after  the  first 
sentence  of  the  continuation  from  1422  to  1437  the  compiler  switches  to  a 
continuation  that  seems  to  be  original,  though  its  general  shape  may  have 
been  influenced  by  the  1422  to  1437  continuation.  It  concentrates  heavily  on 
events  in  Flanders  and  may,  therefore,  reflect  personal  involvement  in  those 
events.  Lambeth  6,  which  carries  the  narrative  beyond  the  imperfect  conclu- 
sion of  BL  Harley  53,  contains  a  long  mocking  song  against  the  Flemings 
(Brie  582/18-584/10). 

It  is  possible  that  Lambeth  6  was  directly  based  on  BL  Harley  53  or  that 
both  manuscripts  were  derived  from  a  common  exemplar.  A  number  of  the 
Latin  verses  found  in  the  latter  are  omitted  from  the  Lambeth  text;  similarly 
some  mocking  lines  of  verse  in  the  Halidon  Hill  chapter  have  been  left  out, 
though  a  space  has  been  left  for  them  for  a  later  insertion,  probably  in  red, 
that  was  not  executed.  In  general,  the  text  of  Harley  53  preserves  better  the 
wording  of  the  identifiable  sources  than  does  that  of  Lambeth  6, 


^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  104-109,  for  an  analysis  based  on  BL  Harley  53. 

Sections  from  the  post-Conquest  narrative,  including  several  of  the  interpolations,  are 

printed  in  Brie  534-84. 

^  Cf.  the  abbreviated  Anglo-Norman  text  in  Brereton,  ed.,  Des  Grantz  Geanz,  reproduced 

in  Carley  and  Crick,  "Constructing  Albion's  Past,"  pp.  92-112  (even  pages). 

^  Cf.  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2632. 

*  Some  of  the  material  for  the  extended  account  of  Thomas  Becket  may  have  been  based 

on  "pc  bok  of  his  lyf  which  is  not  littill"  (Lambeth  6)  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for 

fiirther  information. 

'  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  123-24. 


302  PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1437:  Group  B  (PV-1437:B) 
This  group  is  most  immediately  associated  with  texts  of  the  Latin  Brut  and 
is  related  to,  though  not  directly  associated  with,  the  PV-1437:A.  There  has 
been  some  uncertainty  whether  this  group  should  in  fact  be  truly  considered 
a  Bruty  since  it  is  not  directly  derived  from  the  other  English  texts,  and  it  is 
included  here  under  the  "extended  family"  concept  (see  the  remarks  on  the 
group  below). ^  The  group  is  formed  of  MSS.  Columbia  Plimpton  261, 
Holkham  669,  and  Bodl.  Ashmole  791. 


^  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  p.  100,  describes  Holkham  669  as  a  translation  from  a 
Latin  chronicle,  of  which  BL  Lansdowne  212  is  an  example,  that  is  not  directly  con- 
nected to  the  Brut.  Later,  discussing  other  Latin  manuscripts  similar  in  type  to  Lans- 
downe 212  (though  he  does  not  note  the  connection).  Brie  mistakenly  asserts  that  their 
Albina  text  "has  nothing  to  do  with  our  Bruf  (p.  128).  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2638-40, 
classifies  the  manuscripts  of  the  English  group  as  a  separate  chronicle  firom  the  main 
Brut,  though  he  remarks,  correctly,  that  "Matheson  . . .  would  presumably  classify  these  in 
his  fourth  category  of  miscellaneous  versions  of  the  Bru^  (p.  2639). 


174.  Columbia  University  Library  MS.  Plimpton  261 
Heading:  Here  begynnyth  {)e  New  Croniclis  compendiusli  ydrawe  of  jje 
gestis  of  kyngis  of  Ingelond  wij)  oJ)ir  notable  and  meruelose  |)yngis  J)at 
happed  6c  fortuned  in  ther  tymes  from  J)e  firste  l^nig  Brute  J)at  cam  in  to 
|)is  land  in  J)e  yere  from  J)e  begynnyng  of  {)e  world  ijM'  CCC  Ixxxx  to  J)e 
xiiij  [x  rubbed  or  partially  erased]  yere  of  kyng  Harry  Jje  sbcte  anno  [domini 
1426  add.  in  marg.  by  another  hand] 
Begins:  The  reme  of  Brytan  J)at  now  is  ycallid  Inglond  at  J)e  firste  namynge 
J)erof  was  ycalled  Albion.  But  for  what  cause  and  whi  hit  was  so  ycalled 
almoost  no  cronicle  maketh  mencyoun.  Neuer-J)e-lasse  hitt  is  founde  in 
a  certayn  story  J)ow  hit  be  not  of  greet  auctorite  J)at  aboute  J)e  yere  from 
pt  makyng  of  the  worlde  M'M'  ix^  iiij'"  xviij  in  Greke-land  ptr  was  a 
my3ti  kyng  hauyng  J)e  lordschipp  aboue  all  oJ)ir  kyngis  a  man  of  greet 
stature  hauyng  a  wiffe  of  \>e  same  makyng  of  \>e  whiche  he  begate  xxx 
dou3ters  of  pe  same  stature  of  J)e  whiche  \>e  eldist  was  ycallid  Albyna 
Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad 

Omits:  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV-1437:B  below) 
Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Then  after  long  hongre  |5e  cytezens  dredyng  to 
dye  for  hongre  and  hauyng  noon  hope  of  socour  putt  them  in  |)e  l^^ngys 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 303 

grace  and  yelded  vp  J)e  town;  |)is  seege  endured  from  \>e  begynnyng  of 
August  to  J)e  begynnyng  of  lanuar.  And  after  J3at  \>ey  had  Roon  Jjey  had 
soon  J)e  castell  of  Cawdebeke  8c  as  meny  as  were  in  Roon.  Then  Charlis 
and  J)e  dolphyns  messangers  com  to  Roon  to  J)e  kyng 
Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  grete  sikenes  toke  hym  and  euery  day  encresyd 
vnto  {)e  tyme  J)at  he  was  brou3te  to  his  deth.  And  so  he  yelded  his  sowle 
to  God  J)e  laste  day  of  August  in  |)e  castell  of  Boys  Vyncent  besyde 
Paryse  when  he  had  regnyd  ix  yere  v  monthes  iij  wekys  and  iij  days.  And 
he  is  yberyed  att  Westmyster  att  whoos  deth  was  kyng  Charlys  and  J)e  ij 
quenys  of  Ingelond  8c  o  Fraunce. 

Harry  J)e  yj  J)e  sone  of  J)e  noble  kyng  Harry  J)e  v  ybore  att  Wyndesore  in 
|)e  feeste  of  Seynt  Nycholas  beyng  of  ix  monthis  and  xv  days  of  age  on 
Seynt  Leonarde-is  day  toke  |)e  gouernaunce  of  J)e  reme. 

Ends:  as  he  splaide  hymself  to  bedward  and  for  noyse  of  traytors  J)at  he 
herde  talkyng  in  a  corner  fled  in  to  an  howse  of  esement  hauyng  on  but 
oonly  hys  scherte  and  his  breche  he  was  yslayn  of  a  Scotte  ycalled  Wyl- 
-  liam  Grame.  And  as  hitt  was  seide  he  had  vnto  xxx  woundes  in  his  body 
where-of  vij  were  deth  woundes.  And  for  the  playn  euydence  here-of  a 
legate  of  Jje  popis  beyng  J)at  tyme  in  Scotlond  as  hit  was  seyde  bare  {)e 
kyngis  scherte  wyth  hym  and  schewed  hitt  to  J)e  pope.  Sec. 

Colophon:  Explicit  liber  Cronicorum.  Quod  Ricardus  Rede. 

Remarks:  The  attribution  in  the  colophon  to  "Ricardus  Rede"  corresponds  to 
a  similar  attribution  in  Bodl.  MS.  Rawlinson  C.398,  a  copy  of  the  Latin 
Brut  from  which  the  PV-1437:B  was  translated  (see  p.  46). 


175.  HOLKHAM  Hall  MS.  669 

Heading:  Here  begynnythe  the  Newe  Cronudys  compendyusly  idrawe  of  the 
gestys  of  kynges  of  Ynglond  with  meny  other  notable  8c  meruelowse 
Jjyngys  J)at  happyd  and  fortunyd  in  Jjer  tymys  from  |)e  first  kyng  Brute  J)at 
cam  ynto  J)is  land  {)e  yere  from  J)e  begynnynge  of  J)e  worlde  ijM'  CCC 
iiij'™  X  to  J)e  xiiij  yere  of  kyng  Harry  {)e  sexte. 

Begins:  The  reme  of  Bretayne  J)at  nowe  ys  callyd  Ynglond  at  J)e  first  namyng 
Jaerof  was  callyd  Albyon 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad 

Omits:  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV-1437:B  below) 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Than  after  long  hunger  J)e  cytezens  dredyng  to 


304 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

dye  for  hunger  8c  hauyng  noon  hope  of  socor  put  Jjem  yn  J)e  kyngys  grace 
Scyelded  vpp  f)e  town.  Thys  sege  enduryd  from  J)e  begynnyng  of  Auguste 
[pey  de/.]  to  \>c  begynnyng  of  January  &  after  J)at  J)ey  had  Roon  |)ey  had 
soon  Ipe  castell  of  Cawdebeke  8c  as  meny  as  wer  ny  Roon.  Than  Charlys 
8c  \>e  dolphyns  massangers  com  to  Roon  to  pt  kyng 
Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  grete  sykenesse  toke  hym  and  euery  day  encresyd 
vnto  J)e  tyme  |)at  he  was  y-[brw3  del.]hrow2,th.  to  hys  deth.  And  so  he 
yeldyd  hys  sowle  to  God  {)e  laste  day  of  August  yn  f)e  castell  of  Boys 
Vyncent  besyde  Parys  whan  he  had  reynyd  ix  yer  v  monthys  iij  wekys  iij 
dayes.  And  he  ys  yberyed  att  Westemester  att  whoys  dej)  was  kyng 
Charlys  Jje  ij  quenys  of  Inglond  8c  of  Fraunce. 

Herry  |)e  yj  J)e  son  of  |)e  nobyll  kyng  Herry  Jje  v  ybore  att  Wyndesore  yn 
J)e  feste  of  Seynt  Nycholas  beyng  of  ix  monthys  8c  xv  dayes  of  age  on 
Seynt  Leonardes  day  toke  J)e  gouernaunce  of  J)e  reme. 
Ends:  as  he  splayed  hymselfe  to  bedde-warde  and  for  noyse  of  traytors  J)at 
he  herd  talkyng  yn  a  corner  fled  ynto  an  howse  of  esement  hauyng  on  but 
onely  hys  scherte  and  his  breche  he  was  yslayn  of  a  Scotte  ycalled  Wil- 
lyam  Grame.  And  as  hit  was  seyde  he  had  onto  a  xxx  woundys  yn  hys 
body  where-of  vij  were  deJ)  woundys.  And  for  a  playn  euydence  herof  a 
legate  of  J)e  popys  beyng  Jjat  tyme  yn  Scottelond  as  hit  was  seyde  bare  J)e 
l^^ngys  scherte  wij)  hym  and  schewyd  hyt  to  the  pope. 


176.  Bodleian  MS.  Ashmole  791^ 

Begins  imperfectly  during  genealogy  of  Brutus  (see  below):  Qujpiteres  sone 
ybegetene  of  Electra  pt  whiche  Dardanus  by  strengj)e  of  armys  gate  J)at 
regioun  and  reynyde  fyrste  J)ere-in. 

Contains:  Cad,  heptarchy  material  after  Cad 

Omits:  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV-1437:B  below) 

Changeover,  1419  to  1422:  Then  after  longe  hungure  |)e  cytezens  dredynge 
to  dye  for  hungure  8c  hauynge  noo  hope  of  socoure  putt  {)em  in  |)e 
l^^ngys  grace  and  yeldyd  vppe  J)e  towne.  t>ys  sege  enduryd  from  J)e  begyn- 
nynge  of  Auguste  to  {)e  begynnynge  of  lanuarye.  And  after  J)at  J)ey  had 
Roon  J)ey  had  soone  J)e  castelle  of  Cawdebeke  8c  as  mony  as  were  ny3e 
Roon.  Pan  Charelys  8c  J)e  dolphyns  messengeres  come  to  Roone  to  |)e 
kynge 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  grete  sykenes  toke  him  8c  euery  daye  encresyd 
vnto  {)e  tyme  J)at  he  was  brou3te  to  his  dej)e.  And  so  he  yeldyd  his  soule 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 305 

to  God  J)e  last  daye  of  Auguste  in  pe  castelle  of  Boyes  Vyncente  besyde 
Paryse  when  he  had  reynyd  ix  yere  v  mone{)ys  iij  wekys  &,  iij  dayes  &  he 
ys  beryed  atte  Westemynster.  Atte  whose  dej)e  was  l^nige  Charelys  and 
J)e  ij  quenes  of  Inglond  and  of  Fraunce. 

Herry  |)e  vj  pe  son  of  \>e  noble  kynge  Herry  pe  v  bore  atte  Wyndesoure 
in  J)e  feste  of  Seynte  Nicholas  beynge  of  ix  moneJ)ys  &  xv  dayes  of  age 
and  on  Seynte  Leonardys  daye  toke  pe  gouernaunce  of  pe  reme. 
Ends  onfol.  59 v\  as  he  spayde  hymselfe  to  bedde-warde  and  for  J)e  noyse  of 
traytoures  p2X  he  herde  tall^^nge  in  a  corner  fledde  into  an  house  of  ese- 
mente  havyng  on  hym  but  onely  hys  scherte  6c  hys  breche  he  was  sleyne 
of  a  Scotte  callyd  Wyllyam  Grame.  And  as  it  was  seyde  he  hadde  vnto  a 
XXX  woundys  in  his  body  wherof  vij  were  dejje  woundes.  And  for  J)e  pleyn 
euydence  herof  a  legate  of  pt  poopys  beynge  p2X  tyme  in  Scottelande  as 
it  was  seyde  bare  pt  l^gys  scherte  wyj)  hym  &,  schewyd  it  to  pt,  poope. 

Remarks:  The  Brut  text  is  followed  on  fols.  60-84v  by  the  English  trans- 
lation of  Martinus  Polonus's  Chronicle  of  Popes  and  Emperors? 


^  Brief  extracts  from  this  manuscript,  transcribed  in  1672,  are  found  in  Bodleian  Ashmole 
1139.iv.2,  fol.  80r-80v. 

^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2663-64,  2879-80;  Embree,  ed.,  The  Chronicles  of  Rome 
(forthcoming).  This  work  is  also  found  in  conjunction  with  a  Brut  text  in  CUL  Ee.4.31 
(see  item  77). 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1437:B 

The  PV-1437:B,  entitled  the  "New  Croniclis,"  is  a  fairly  close  and  accurate 
translation  of  a  text  of  the  longer  class  of  the  second  version  of  the  Latin 
Brut,  some  texts  of  which  use  the  title  "Nova  Cronica,"  and  thus  shares  the 
features  found  in  the  Latin  compilation  (see  pp.  44-46).  The  basis  for  the 
English  text  must  have  resembled  closely  the  texts  in  MSS.  Corpus  Christi 
College,  Cambridge,  311;  Bodleian  Rawlinson  B.169;  and  St.  John's  Col- 
lege, Oxford,  78. 

Since  the  Latin  text  may  have  been  partially  modeled  on  the  PV-1437:A 
in  its  narrative  to  1377  and  was  based  on  that  group  for  its  narrative  from 
1377  to  1437,  there  are  many  points  of  similarity  between  the  PV-1437:B 
and  the  PV-1437:A,  although  the  two  groups  are  not  directly  related. 

As  in  the  Latin  text  and  the  PV-1437:A,  the  narrative  for  the  reign  of 


306  PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Edward  III  is  abbreviated.  The  "5w"  heading  does  not  occur;  the  battle  of 
Halidon  Hill  and  the  changeover  from  1333  to  1377  appear  as  follows: 

The  vij  yere  ky^ng  Edward  beseged  and  toke  J)e  town  of  Berwyke  a 
greet  batayle  flirste  ydon  bytwyxte  hym  and  J)e  Scottis  on  Halydon 
Hylle  wher  of  J)e  Scottis  were  yslayn  viij  erls  M'  and  CCC  horsemen 
and  of  pe  comynte  xxxv  M^  And  ^at  hitt  is  mervayle  to  sey  on  the 
Englisch  party  were  slayn  but  oon  kny3th  oon  squyer  and  xij  fotemen. 
The  xij  yere  l^^ng  Edward  went  into  Flaunders  and  associatyd  to  hym 
Bauarrus  pe  emperoure. 


Tbe  Peculiar  Version  to  1437:  Group  C  (PV-1437:C) 

111.  Inner  Temple  Library,  Petyt  MS.  511,  Vol.  XI^ 

Heading  onfol.  66:  Here  men  mowe  knowe  how  Engelonde  firste  was  callid 

Albion  and  thorowe  whom  it  hadde  the  name  of  Albion. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  lof  [sic]  Surrye 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Changeover,  1333  to  1377:  without  eny  calangynge  of  any  man.  Deo  Gracias. 

How  kinge  Edwarde  chalangid  firste  J)e  kingdome  of  Fraunce  and  how  he 
made  vij  duchies  of  vij  erldomes. 

In  the  yere  of  our  lord  M'  CCC  xxxvij  and  J)e  xij  yere  of  kinge  Edwardes 
regne  [cf  Brie  286/8-9  and  292/26-31] 
Changeover,  1419  exemplar  to  Latin  Brut  exemplar.  And  whan  this  kinge 
Herry  J)e  iiij^*^  had  regned  xiij  yere  and  more  he  deied  at  Westmyster  and 
is  buried  at  Criste  Churche  in  Caunturbury. 

How  kinge  Herry  the  v  regned  the  whiche  was  a  noble  conquerour  and 
a  victorious  knyght  in  bataile  to  whom  ffortune  was  euer  frendely  and 
gate  his  righful  enherytaunce  in  Fraunce  with  dynte  of  swerde  J)at  alle  his 
enmyes  of  him  had  drede  and  fere.  Alas  for  his  deth  for  he  regned  but  ix 
yere  and  an  halfe. 

And  aftir  the  deth  of  kinge  Herry  the  iiij'**  regned  his  sone  Herry  the  v'*' 
prince  of  Walls  duke  of  Cornewale  and  erle  of  Chester  |)at  was  bore  at 
Monmothe  in  Walys.  And  in  the  xx  day  of  J)e  moneth  of  Marche  he  was 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 307 

crowned  at  Westmyster.  And  in  J)e  firste  yere  of  his  regne  ther  aros  here- 
tikes  and  lollardes  purposynge  to  sle  the  kinge  and  to  destroie  the  clergye 
of  Engelonde.  [cf.  Brie  372/16-33,  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Lit- 
erature, p.  315,  and  Brie  373/1-6,  18-21,  Kingsford,  English  Historical 
Literature,  p.  316] 

Changeover,  1419  to  1437:  And  {)ere  were  nombred  in  J)e  cite  at  the  firste 
comynge  of  |)e  sege  of  men  women  and  children  CCCCM'  of  the  whiche 
durynge  the  sege  the[r]  deied  in  f)e  same  cite  for  hungur  IM'.  And  J)e 
sege  dured  from  the  bigynnynge  of  Auguste  til  lanuar  next  folowynge  and 
tho  it  was  yolde  to  the  Icjmge.  And  aftir  he  gate  Gisours  with  the  castell 
and  {)e  towne  of  Seynt  Denyse 

Changeover,  1422  to  1437:  This  gloriouse  kinge  and  conquerour  Herry  the 
v'*'  in  alle  batailles  and  iorneyes  that  he  had  to  done  God  shewid  hym  gret 
grace  for  in  alle  he  had  the  victory.  And  whanne  he  had  regned  ix  yere  v 
monthes  iij  wekis  and  iij  dales  a  gret  infirmyte  fille  vpon  him  with  whiche 
he  deied  at  Boyez  de  Vyncent  in  Fraunce  byside  Paris  ^e  last  day  saf  oon 
of  August  and  from  thens  he  was  caried  and  is  wurshipflilly  buried  at 
Westmynster.  On  whos  soule  God  haue  mercye. 

How  kinge  Herry  the  yj  biganne  to  regne.  Alas  J)e  sorow  J)at  fille  in  his 
dales  in  the  reme  of  Engelonde  for  so  moche  shedynge  of  blood  and 
slaughter  of  lordis  was  neuer  seyne  in  this  londes  bi  no  kinges  regne  sith 
Brute  come  firste  into  f)is  londe  of  Albion  and  callid  it  Breteyne  aftir  his 
owne  name. 

And  aftir  the  deth  of  kinge  Herry  the  v**^  regned  his  sone  Herry  the  yj" 
whiche  was  bore  at  Wyndesore  in  J)e  feste  of  Seynte  Nicholas  the  bisshop. 
And  whanne  he  was  viij  monthis  iij  wokis  and  iij  dales  of  age  he  bigan  to 
regne. 
Ends:  As  J)e  kinge  was  goynge  to  his  bed  beynge  in  his  sherte  J)e  said  Wil- 
liam Grame  and  oJ)erhauynge  in  her  handis  spadis  and  fille  vppon  her 
kinge.  And  he  for  socoure  fled  out  of  his  chambur  for  socour  into  a  priuy 
sege  and  J)er  thei  cursidly  slowe  him.  And  as  it  was  seid  the  kinge  had 
XXX  woundes  vpon  him  where-offe  were  vij  dedly.  In  witnesse  of  J)e  which 
J)e  popis  legate  beynge  in  Scotlonde  J)at  tyme  bare  J)e  kinges  shirte  with 
hym  to  Rome  to  ^e  pope.  And  so  Englishmen  ben  moch  bounde  to  yelde 
presynge  laude  and  wurship  to  almyghty  God  the  whiche  of  his  infynyte 
godenesse  fiill  ofte  tymes  tho  enemyes  and  peple  that  ar  euell  disposid  he 
puttith  hem  vndir  fote.  [infynyte . . .  fote  repeated,  with  spelling  variations, 
by  another  hand] 


308 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Remarks:  The  text  is  a  fusion  of  texts  from  two  separate  groups  of  the  Eng- 
lish Brut  (which  appears  at  the  same  time  to  have  been  influenced  by  texts 
from  other  groups),  the  ending  of  which  is  a  translation  from  one  type  of 
the  Latin  Brut  ending  in  1437. 

There  are  no  EV/AV  details  in  the  prologue,  but  the  chapter  normally 
listing  the  kings  of  Britain  may  have  been  influenced  by  a  text  of  the  AV- 
1419:A(a)  (cf  p.  208): 

How  xxxiij  kingis  regned  in  pees  eche  aftir  other  aftir  the  deth  of 
Hesidour.  Capitulo  xxxiij°. 

Aftir  the  deth  of  Hesidour  regned  xxxiij  kinges  eche  aftir  othir  whos 
names  ben  expressid  opinly  in  oJ)er  places  but  the  last  of  them  alle 
was  callyd  Ely  J)e  whiche  regned  but  vij  monthis.  And  this  Ely  had  iij 
sones  Lud  Cassibulanne  &  Gemyoun. 

The  end  of  the  passage  on  Engist's  heptarchy  is  reminiscent  of  MSS.  BL 
Harley  24  and  Addit.  12030  of  the  EV-1419:A  (see  p.  187):  "the  vij  kinge 
had  Oxfordshire  Gloucestre-shire  Wurcestire-shire  and  Warwike-shire." 

There  is  a  curious  break  in  the  text  after  the  death  of  Arthur  that  is 
probably  of  no  greater  significance  than  a  missing  leaf  or  two  but  which 
happens  to  resemble  the  majority  of  AV  texts  at  this  point,  for  instead  of 
Constantine  following  Arthur,  there  seems  to  have  been  the  loss  of  a  few 
chapters  and,  as  it  stands,  Conan  follows: 

[fol.  93,  foot]  but  certis  this  is  the  prophicie  of  Merleyn  he  sayd  that 
his  deth  schulld  be  douteus  and  he  said  soth  for  men  wete  not 
wheder  he  lyueth  or  dede.  Arthur  [fol.  94]  moche  honour  and  so- 
lempnite. 

Hou  kyng  [Arthur  del.]  Conan  regnid  in  grete  pride  and  slowe  his 
vncles  ij  sonnes. 

After  this  Curan  regnyd  Conan  [cf  Brie  90/22-26  and  92/29-31] 

The  combination  of  features,  the  end  of  the  narrative  to  1333,  and  the 
break  in  the  narrative  at  the  beginning  of  the  continuation  to  1377  suggest 
that  the  first  part  of  the  text  has  been  based  on  a  CV-1333  text  and 
shortened  to  some  extent  by  the  compiler. 

After  1333,  the  text  has  been  taken  from  a  text  ending  in  1419,  although 
abbreviation  continues  throughout,  especially  from  the  beginning  of  Richard 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 309 

II's  reign  on  fol.  159v.  This  section  of  the  narrative  ends  with  the  death  of 
Henry  IV  (quoted  above). 

From  the  accession  of  Henry  V  (1413)  to  the  murder  of  James  I  of  Scot- 
land (1437),  the  narrative  corresponds  to  that  found  in  those  manuscripts  of 
the  Latin  Brut  ending  in  1437  that  contain  the  brief  account  of  the  reign  of 
Henry  Y}  It  is  particularly,  though  not  exclusively,  close  to  the  text  of  BL 
Cotton  Domitian  iv.  The  compiler  appears  to  have  translated  his  account 
from  Latin,  though  the  converse  possibility  should  not  be  discounted  that  he 
took  it  from  an  English  text  that  formed  the  basis  for  the  Latin  text  (see 
further  pp.  43,  46,  293).  The  chapter  headings  and  their  editorial  apos- 
trophes seem  to  be  the  compiler's  personal  contributions;  that  for  Henry  VI 
(quoted  above)  must  date  the  compilation  to  the  reign  of  Edward  IV. 


^  See  J.  Conway  Davies,  Catalogue  of  Manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  the  Inner  Temple,  2 
vols.  (Oxford,  1972),  1:  222-24.  The  manuscript  has  mid-sixteenth-century  connections 
with  Carnarvonshire,  as  marginal  notes  attest. 
^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  pp.  310-23. 


Tbe  Peculiar  Version  to  1479/82  (PV-1479/82) 

178.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  84^ 

Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Surre  ther  was  a  noble  l^ng  and  myhty  and  a 

worthy  lord  of  name  and  a  man  of  gret  renoun 
Contains:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading 
Text  to  1419  ends:  And  than  J)e  kyng  entryd  ynto  J)e  cite  &,  restyd  hym  in 

|)e  castell  tyl  J)e  cite  was  sette  in  rewle  6c  good  gouernaunce. 
Text  from  1419  to  ?1422  begins:  And  aftyr  J)at  Roan  was  wonne  Deepe  &. 

many  oJ)er  tounes  in  Baas  Normandy  gaf  them  ouer  withoute  strooke  or 

syege  [cf  Caxton,  Liber  ultimus,  leaf  cccix  verso] 
Text  to  ?1422  breaks  off  on  fol.  200v:  ffor  euyr  whan  they  of  Syon  rest  they 

of  J)e  Chartrehous  begyn  theyr  servyce.  And  in  lyke  [wyse  whanne  catch- 

words] 
Continuation  to  1479/82  begins  on  fol.  201:  [A]nd  yn  J)e  yer  of  our  lorde  M' 

CCCC  8c  xxiij  on  \>t  last  day  of  August  Herry  of  Wyndelysore  J)e  sone 

of  Herry  |)e  fyfthe  began  to  reyne  whan  he  was  but  be  monthis  of  age 

[Brie  598/32-599/1] 
Continuation  ends:  8c  aftyr  J)at  cam  a  gret  dethe  of  pestilence  |)at  lastyd  iij 


310 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

yer  &-  peple  dyed  myhtely  in  euery  p[l]ace  man  woman  8c  chylde  on 
whois  soulys  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  [Brie  604/9-12] 

Remarks:  This  elaborate  expanded  version  of  the  Brut  is  the  anonymous 
compiler's  holograph  copy,  as  the  physical  condition  of  the  manuscript 
shows.  The  text  fills  not  only  the  normal  page,  but  is  found  written  between 
the  normal  lines,  in  the  margins,  and  in  small  notes  written  in  the  same 
hand  that  are  inserted  between  the  pages. 

The  manuscript  was  written  in  two  stages  at  different  times.  The  first 
stage  was  based  on  a  Brut  text  ending  in  1419,  much  expanded  by  the  com- 
piler by  the  insertion  of  material  from  a  variety  of  historical  and  literary 
works.  He  seems  also  to  have  used  a  PV-1422  text,  since  a  number  of  inter- 
polated stories  occur  at  points  similar  to  where  they  occur  in  that  group. 
Historical  interpolations  come  from  the  compiler's  own  translation  of  sec- 
tions of  Higden's  Polychronicon  and  William  of  Malmesbury's  Historia  Reg- 
um  Anglorum;  literary  adaptations  are  based  on  the  Havelok  and  Arthur  and 
Merlin  romances,  Chaucer  and  Gower's  versions  of  the  Constance  story, 
saints'  lives  such  as  Osbert's  life  of  Dunstan,  Lydgate's  "Legend  of  St, 
Austin  at  Compton,"  and  other  literary  works.  A  number  of  stories  appear 
to  be  taken  from  works  now  lost. 

At  some  point  soon  after  the  pubHcation  of  Caxton's  edition  of  the  Poly- 
chronicon in  1482,  the  compiler  thoroughly  revised  his  book  by  using  the 
printed  edition  as  the  source  for  further  interpolations,  added  in  the  margins 
or  on  interleaved  slips  or  written  over  original  text  that  he  washed  out. 

The  original  text  may  have  ended  on  fol.  199  with  the  (r8cg)  ending, 
though  the  compiler  may  have  added  a  few  lines  to  the  bottom  of  the  page. 
Text  at  the  foot  of  fol.  199  seems  to  have  been  erased,  and  as  it  stands  the 
text  continues  with  material  copied  from  Caxton's  Liber  ultimus  to  the  Poly- 
chronicon. This  material  breaks  off  with  catchwords  at  the  foot  of  fol.  200v, 
before  the  death  of  Henry  V,  and  is  now  immediately  followed  by  an  appar- 
ently unique  continuation  that  begins  with  the  accession  of  Henry  VI  (see 
above).  The  Caxton  continuation  is  written  in  a  smaller  hand  than  what  pre- 
cedes and  follows  it. 

The  unique  continuation,  which  contains  a  ballad  mocking  the  Flemish, 
takes  the  narrative  first  to  Edward  IVs  French  expedition  of  1475  and  then 
to  what  must  be  the  plague  of  1479.^  Since  the  text  notes  that  this  "pesti- 
lence" lasted  for  three  years,  at  least  the  final  entries  must  have  been  written 
in  or  after  1482.  However,  a  Ust  of  Edward  IVs  children  (Brie  603/16-18) 
within  the  narrative  on  fol.  202v,  the  last  page  of  the  text,  suggests  that  the 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 311 

date  of  writing  of  that  section  of  the  text  was  1478-79.^  A  possible  explana- 
tion for  this  apparently  contradictory  chronological  evidence  is  that  the  con- 
tinuation originally  ended  after  Edward  IVs  French  expedition  and  that  the 
concluding  entries,  rather  vague  in  content,  were  added  when  the  compiler 
revised  the  volume  in  or  soon  after  1482. 


*  Sec  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  pp.  607-609,  and  Lister  M.  Matheson,  The 
Arthurian  Stories  of  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS  M"  Arthurian  Literature  V,  ed.  Richard 
Barber  (Cambridge,  1985),  pp.  70-91;  for  full  details  of  the  compilation  process  and  the 
interpolated  material,  see  my  Literature  and  History  in  Late  Medieval  England-  The 
Evidence  of  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  84  (in  progress).  Extracts  from  both  stages  of 
composition  are  printed  in  Brie  585-604,  although  he  did  not  realize  that  the  Polychro- 
nicon  additions  represented  a  later  stage;  for  the  Havelok  narrative,  see  also  Brie,  "Zum 
Fortleben  der  Havelok-Sage,"  pp.  366-71. 

^  See  Robert  S.  Gottfried,  Epidemic  Disease  in  Fifteenth-Century  England  (New  Bruns- 
wick, 1978),  pp.  44-45,  49-50. 

^  See  Kingsford,  English  Historical  Literature,  p.  125;  the  list  includes  George  (born  in 
1478,  died  in  March  1479)  but  not  Catherine  (born  towards  the  end  of  1479)  or  Bridget 
(born  in  1480);  Richard  is  called  duke  of  York  and  Norfolk,  having  received  the  latter 
title  in  February  1478. 


Sections  of  Longer  Brut  Texts 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1431  (PV-1431) 
The  Peculiar  Version  to  1422:  Group  C  (PV-1422:C) 
The  PV-1431  consists  of  closely  related  continuations,  set  down  in  civic 
chronicle  form,  to  otherwise  different  Brut  texts  that  are  found  in  MSS.  BL 
Egerton  650(2)  and  Bodl.  RawUnson  B.173(2);  Bodl.  MS.  RawUnson  B.166, 
now  incomplete,  may  also  have  originally  contained  some  version  of  this 
continuation.  The  continuation  from  1419  to  1422  found  in  Pennsylvania 
State  MS.  PS.  V-3A(2)  is  direcdy  derived  from  the  PV-1431  and  is  thus 
considered  here. 

179.  BL  MS.  Egerton  650(2)^ 

Continuation  begins  onfol  lllv.  In  J)at  same  yere  |)e  Kyng  lay  at  J)e  sege  of 

Roon  [Brie  444/1] 
Ends  on  fol  114v:  And  left  |)er  J)e  Duke  of  Glaucestre,  Leuetenaunte. 

Nicholas  Watton  maior.  M.  cccc.  xxxi.  [Brie  451/38-40] 


312 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Remarks:  A  folio  has  been  lost  between  fols.  113  and  114,  as  comparison 
with  the  next  manuscript  shows  (see  Brie  449/34-35,  452/6-453/38).  A 
final  folio  may  also  have  been  lost  that  would  have  brought  the  text  to  the 
same  ending  point  as  that  found  in  the  following  manuscript. 


^  For  (1),  see  item  29.  The  continuation  is  printed  in  Brie  444-51,  whence  it  is  quoted 
here. 


180.  Bodleian  MS.  Rawlinson  B.173(2)^ 

Continuation  begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  222:  And  in  that  yere  oure  kyng  and 

dame  Katerin  his  quene  [cf.  Brie  445/3] 
Ends:  and  in  that  yere  come  to  London  the  ambassiatours  of  Spayne  to  trete 

of  pees.  [Brie  455/14-15] 

Remarks:  The  continuation,  which  follows  immediately  on  the  incomplete 
1419(men)  text,  begins  imperfectly  since  the  manuscript  has  lost  some  leaves 
that  contained  the  end  of  the  1419  text  and  the  beginning  of  the  continu- 
ation. 

The  manuscript  is  written  in  two  hands  of  similar  dialectal  provenance, 
namely  West  Herefordshire,  from  close  to  the  Welsh  border.^ 


^  For  (1),  see  item  30.  The  text  from  1422  to  1431  is  printed  in  Brie  452-55,  whence  it 
is  quoted  here. 
2  See  p.  102. 


181.  Pennsylvanl\  State  University  MS.  PS.  V-3A(2)^ 

Continuation  beyond  1419  begins  on  fol.  196:  In  the  vij"  yere  of  J)e  same  king 
lay  atte  sege  of  Roan.  And  the  xvij  day  of  lanure  it  was  yolden  to  oure 
king.  And  the  tithinges  come  to  London  the  vj  day  of  Feuerer.  And  then 
J)e  duke  of  Bedford  lieutenaunt  of  Englond  and  the  chaunceler  and  mony 
other  bisshopes  and  the  mayre  and  shiriefes  with  the  aldermen  and  al  the 
comuners  of  the  cite  made  a  general  procession  ffrom  Poules  to  West- 
mynster  [cf  Brie  444/1-6] 

Continuation  to  1422  ends:  And  in  the  same  yere  died  king  Henre  the  v**  in 
Fraunce  vpon  the  euen  of  the  decollacion  of  Seint  lohn  the  Baptist.  And 
than  was  his  sone  Henre  made  king.  [cf.  Brie  448/35-37] 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 


313 


Remarks:  The  continuation  follows  the  1419(men)  ending  without  break  and 
in  the  same  hand. 


*  For  (1),  see  item  32. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1431  and  the  PV-1422:C 

The  continuations  in  BL  Egerton  650  and  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.173  are  very 

closely  related/  as  the  beginning  of  the  entry  for  1429/30  shows: 


The  fi[fl  day  of  Nouember,  |)e 
Kyng,  wyth  hys  lordys,  ryally  rode 
frome  Kyngstone  ouer  London 
Bryge,  And  so  forth  Fenchyrche 
strete,  evyn  vn-to  the  Toure,  to 
hys  mete.  And  {)e  Maire  and  J)e 
Aldermen,  all  in  Scarlete  hodys, 
rode  to  mete  the  Kyng,  And  so 
rode  forth  with  hym  to  J)e  Toure 
The  Seterday  next  aftre;  wher-of 
were  {)e  Erie  of  Denshyre,  f)e 
Lord  Spencer  sone,  the  Erie  of 
Warwyk,  J)e  Lord  Beamounde. 
And  aftre  none,  J)e  Kyng,  in  a 
riall  araye,  with  all  hys  lordys 
Ryally  a-rayed  in  cloth  of  gold  for 
J)e  most  part,  with  the  said  xxiiij 
newe  knyghtes  all  in  blew,  the 
prestes  rode  a-fore  J)e  Kyng  ij  and 
ij,  from  J)e  Toure  to  Westmyn- 
stre.  [BL  Egerton  650:  Brie  450/ 
34-451/7] 


The  Friday,  the  iij***  day  of  No- 
uember, the  King  with  his  lordes, 
Rialli  rode  fro  Kingeston  ouer 
London  Brige,  And  so  forth  Fan- 
chirch  strete,  even  to  the  Toure, 
to  his  mete.  And  the  Maire  and 
the  Aldermen,  all  in  scarlet 
hodes,  Rode  to  mete  the  King, 
and  rode  forth  with  him  to  the 
Toure.  the  Saturday  next  after, 
the  King  made  xxxiij  knightes  of 
the  Bath,  in  the  Toure  of  Lon- 
don; wherof  were  the  Erie  of 
Deuenysshshire,  the  Lorde  Spen- 
cers Sonne,  the  Erie  of  Warre- 
wike,  the  Lorde  Beaumond.  and 
after  none,  the  King,  in  riall  aray, 
with  all  his  lordes  rialli  arayed  in 
clothes  of  golde  for  the  most  par- 
tie,  with  the  saide  xxxiij  knightes 
all  in  blewe  like  prestes,  rode  a- 
fore  the  King  ij  and  ij  fro  the 
Toure  to  Westminster.  [Bodl. 
Rawlinson  B.173:  Brie  454/26- 
36] 


The  annual  entries  are  in  typical  civic  chronicle  "note"  form  in  both 
manuscripts,  and  the  continuations  are  probably  copied  from  the  same 


314 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

exemplar.  This  exemplar  may  have  been  an  independent  London  chronicle, 
or  it  may  have  been  a  continuation  to  the  basic  Brut  text  in  Bodl.  Rawlinson 
B.166,  a  now  imperfect  text  of  the  CV-1419(men):A  that  agrees  very  well 
with  the  first  part  of  the  text  of  BL  Egerton  650.^  The  Egerton  text  pre- 
serves a  number  of  entries  of  local  London  interest  that  have  been  omitted 
from  the  text  of  Bodl.  Rawlinson  B.173. 

The  continuation  from  1419  to  1422  in  Pennsylvania  State  PS.  V-3A(2) 
is  an  adaptation  of  part  of  the  narrative  represented  in  civic  chronicle  format 
in  Egerton  650  and  Rawlinson  B.173  to  the  continuous  narrative  form 
typical  of  the  Brut.  Thus  the  names  of  the  mayors  and  sheriffs  are  omitted. 
The  initial  transition  is,  however,  awkwardly  done  (see  the  text  above).  The 
adaptor  appears  to  have  decided  consciously  to  end  the  narrative  in  1422 
with  the  natural  stopping-point  of  the  death  of  Henry  V  and  the  accession 
of  Henry  VI. 


^  See  McLaren,  "Textual  Transmission,"  p.  60. 

^  See  pp.  102,  104.  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2845,  lists  these  sections  of  texts  under  London 

chronicles. 


Very  Brief  Works  Based  on  the  Brut 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1307  (PV-1307) 

182.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  343Ai 

Heading:  Afore  yat  I  will  speake  of  Brute  yt  shalbe  shewed  how  ye  lond  of 

Inglond  was  first  named  Albion  8c  by  what  encheson  yt  so  was  named. 
Begins:  Off  the  noble  lond  of  Surrye  ther  was  a  royal  kyng  &  mightye  &,  a 

man  of  greate  renome  yat  called  was  Dioclesian 
Contains:  Cad 
Ends  on  p.  58:  Edward  ye  firste  xxxii  yeare  8c  lyethe  at  Westminster. 

Remarks:  This  text  is  a  sixteenth-  or  seventeeth-century  abstract  of  a  Brut 
text  and  is  probably  the  original  compilation.  The  wording  of  the  heading 
suggests  that  the  source  may  have  been  one  of  the  early  printed  editions  to 
1461  (cf  items  85,  204,  206,  207). 

In  the  chapter  on  the  British  kings,  the  entries  are  set  out  in  tabular  form 
and  only  the  name  of  the  appropriate  king  and  the  length  of  his  reign  are 
given,  for  example,  "Eldagan  15  Claten  12." 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 315 

Constantine  reigns  after  Arthur,  and  the  text  finally  ends  up  by  simply 
noting  the  names  of  the  kings,  the  length  of  their  individual  reigns,  and  the 
place  of  their  burial,  as  on  page  45:  "William  Rouse  his  sonne  xiij  yere  &.is 
at  Westminster." 

After  this  reign  follows  an  inserted  passage  on  pages  45-57  entitled  "De 
Natiuitate  Domini  nostri  Ihesu  Cristi"  before  the  truncated  Brut  text  recom- 
mences and  ends  with  Edward  I.  Pages  59-60  contain  a  list  of  popes  from 
Peter  to  Benedict,  with  notes  on  their  reigns. 

On  the  first  page  of  the  manuscript  is  the  signature  of  "William  White," 
who  was  probably  the  scribe,  compiler,  and  owner  of  the  manuscript. 


^  See  Marx,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  361-62. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1400  (PV-1400) 

183.  Lambeth  Palace  Library  MS.  306^ 

Heading.  Cronycullys  of  Englonde. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  off  Surrye  was  some  tyme  a  grete  l^Tige  and  a 

myghty  that  was  named  Diodesyan  and  he  was  the  moste  worthiest  kynge 

than  levinge  on  erthe  as  the  story  seythe.  [Gairdner,  ed..  Chronicles,  p.  1] 
Contains:  Cad  (abbreviated) 

Omits:  QIL  (see  below),  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends  on  fol  1 7v:  And  thes  lordes  wiste  wele  that  they  were  bewrayed  and 

fled  awaye  and  after  they  were  taken  and  put  to  dethe.  [Gairdner,  ed., 

Chronicles,  p.  28;  cf  Brie  361/3-4ff  ] 

Remarks:  The  text,  which  ends  in  the  first  year  of  Henry  IV,  is  extremely 
abbreviated,  and  the  omission  of  Queen  Isabella's  letter  and  the  "5w"  head- 
ing may  not  be  significant.  It  is  based  on  a  CV  text,  probably  ending  in 
1419,  with  the  addition  of  some  chronological  and  other  minor  details. 
Unless  it  is  a  fair  copy,  the  Brut  text  is  not  original  to  this  manuscript,  as 
scribal  errors  show.^ 

The  Brut  text  is  immediately  followed,  in  the  same  hand,  by  Lydgate's 
verses  on  the  kings  of  England,  ending  with  Henry  VI  (who  is  said  to  have 
had  reigned  almost  thirty-nine  years)  and  by  a  chronicle  of  London  from 
1189  to  1465.^ 


316  PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 


^  The  text  of  the  Brut,  the  version  of  Lydgate's  verses  on  the  kings  of  Englond,  the 
London  chronicle,  and  various  historical  memoranda  (many  by  John  Stow)  are  printed  in 
James  Gairdner,  ed.,  Three  Fifteenth-Century  Chronicles,  Camden  Society  n.s.  28  (1880), 
pp.  1-28  {Brut  text),  28-147;  the  first  three  items  form  a  booklet  in  the  same  fifteenth- 
century  hand.  For  a  description  of  the  numerous  other  fifteenth-  and  sixteenth-century 
items  in  the  manuscript,  see  James,  Descriptive  Catalogue . . .  Lambeth  Palace,  pp.  421-26. 
See  also  Maldwyn  Mills,  ed.,  Lybeaus  Desconus,  EETS  o.s.  261  (1969),  pp.  2-3;  Boffey, 
Manuscripts  of  English  Courtly  Love  Lyrics,  p.  21;  and  Mooney,  "Lydgate's  'Kings  of  Eng- 
land'," pp.  256-63,  277-78. 

^  See,  for  example,  the  scribal  correction  in  Gairdner,  ed..  Chronicles,  p.  25  note. 
^  See  McLaren,  "Textual  Transmission,"  pp.  40,  50-52. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1427  (PV-1427) 
This  small  group  consists  of  MSS.  BL  Harley  63,  Edinburgh  184,  and  Bibl. 
Nat.  fonds  anglais  30. 


184.  BL  MS.  HARLEY  63 

Heading:  How  this  lond  was  ffirst  called  Albyon. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Surrey 
Contains:  Cad 

Omits:  QIL  (see  Remarks  on  the  PV-1427  below) 

Ends:  that  was  oon  of  the  wordieste  knyghtes  of  the  world  and  was  buried 
at  Burssham. 


185.  Edinburgh  University  Library  MS.  184 

Heading:  How  this  lande  was  fyrst  called  Albyoun. 

Begins:  In  the  noble  lande  of  Surrey  there  was  a  noble  I^oig  called  Dyocles- 

ian  which  was  a  grete  conquerour 
Contains:  Cad 
Omits:  QIL  (see  below) 
Ends:  And  in  the  yj*'  of  his  regne  was  the  goode  erle  of  Salysbury  slayne  atte 

the  sege  of  Orliaunce  with  a  gonne  that  was  oon  of  the  worthiest 

knyghtes  of  the  world  and  was  beryed  at  Burssham. 

Remarks:  Among  many  others,  the  folios  are  missing  that  might  have  con- 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 317 

tained  Queen  Isabella's  letter  and  would  have  contained  the  Halidon  Hill 
chapter, 

186.  BlBUOTHfeQUE  NATIONALE  MS.  FONDS  ANGLAIS  30^ 

Begins  imperfectly  on  damaged fol  1:  so  he  desyred  of  hur  and  [cf.  Brie  8,  ca. 

line  14] 
Contains:  Cad 
Omits:  QIL 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  he  [hade  del.^  made  euery  archer  to  hafe  a  sharp  stake 

afor  hym  for  J)er  was  [cf.  Brie  378/7-9] 

Remarks:  This  late  fifteenth-century  paper  manuscript  has  early  connections 
with  Derbyshire,  and  the  earliest  known  owner  was  Henry  Lowe  the 
Younger  of  Whittington. 


*  See  James  Simpson,  The  Index  of  Middle  English  Prose,  Handlist  VH:  A  Handlist  of 
Manuscripts  Containing  Middle  English  Prose  in  Parisian  Libraries  (Cambridge,  1989),  p. 
2. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1427 

The  text  to  1419  is  extremely  abbreviated,  but  is  apparently  based  on  a  CV- 
1419  of  some  type,  to  which  some  additional  details  have  been  added.  A 
version  of  the  Guy  of  Warwick  story  is  found  under  the  reign  of  Athelstan, 
and  the  CV  story  of  Curan  is  transferred  to  Havelok  to  correspond  to  the 
popular  legend. 

Typical  of  the  great  shortening  of  the  text  is  the  chapter  on  the  thirty- 
three  British  kings: 

The  first  hight  Gorbodian  &  regned  xij  yere;  Morgan  ij  yere;  Eigh- 
naus  yj  yere;  Idwallon  viij  yere;  Rowghgo  xj  yere  [etc.]  [Edinburgh 
184] 

The  omission  of  Queen  Isabella's  letter  may  not  be  significant  (cf  Lam- 
beth 306)  in  view  of  the  extteme  abbreviation,  which  also  marks  the  Hali- 
don Hill  passage: 

And  they  both  came  8c  lade  sege  to  Berwyke.  And  as  they  lay  at  the 
sege  J)er  come  downe  opon  hom  all  the  chyvalry  of  Scodand  that  is 


318 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

to  say  Ixv  erles  6c  barons  C  Ix  knyghtes  ijM'  men  of  armes  IxM* 
comyners.  And  at  Halydoun  Hyll  be  syde  Benvyke  the  hostes  met  8c 
kyng  Edward  and  Bayloyl  hade  the  feld  for  the  Scottes  hade  no  mor 
fusyoun  Jjat  day  ageyne  the  Englyssh  men  then  hath  xx  shepe  ageyne 
V  wolfes  for  ther  wer  [ins.]  slayne  hot  vij  Englysch  men  and  ther  wer 
[ins.]  slayne  of  the  Scottes  xxxvM^  vij^.  And  then  they  of  Berwyk  did 
3eld  vp  the  towne  to  kyng  Edward.  [Bibl.  Nat.  fonds  anglais  30,  p. 
69;  cf  Brie  281/25-286/9,  291/1-4] 

Some  extra  details  are  added  to  (or  were  in  the  CV  exemplar  for)  the 
account  of  the  siege  of  Rouen,  and  the  end  of  this  section  of  narrative  and 
the  beginning  of  the  short  continuation  to  1427  are  as  follows: 

And  there  men  mowth  see  childerin  soke  ther  moderes  when  thei 
were  deid  and  men  layn  in  the  dikes  gnawyng  grasse  and  eten 
childryn.  And  so  ther  dide  in  the  dikes  many  thowsandes.  And  thei 
of  the  cyte  were  fiill  fayn  to  yelde  vp  the  cite  8c  to  have  ther  lyves 
and  become  the  kyngis  ligge  men  and  of  hym  to  holde  for  euer.  And 
after  in  the  vij  yere  of  his  regne  ther  was  a  trety  taken  bytwene  the 
said  owre  kyng  and  the  kyng  of  Fraunce  and  it  was  so  acorded  that 
owre  kyng  sholde  wedde  dame  Kateryne.  [BL  Harley  63;  cf.  Brie 
391/6ff.] 


Texts  Containing  Brief  King- Lists 

Under  this  heading  are  grouped  MSS.  Bodl.  Digby  196  (two  texts),  CUL 
Ff.1.6  (the  Findern  Manuscript),  and  Folger  Shakespeare  Library  V.a.l98 
(1232.3). 

These  three  related  manuscripts  (and  the  derivative  early  printed  editions) 
contain  brief  lists  of  kings  and  reigning  queens  (primarily  the  monarch's 
name  and  the  length  of  the  reign)  and  other  material  that  could  be  derived, 
at  least  in  part,  from  Brut  texts.  Kennedy,  while  noting  their  possible  debt 
to  the  much  longer  work,  elected  to  treat  these  texts  as  two  chronicles  separ- 
ate from  the  Brut,  given  the  wide  variety  of  treatments,  often  very  abbrevi- 
ated, of  the  Brut,  I  have  chosen  to  include  them  here  within  the  extended 
family  of  Peculiar  Versions  of  the  Brut  since  they  may  be  to  some  degree 
abstracted  from  that  source.^  Such  lists  are  often  useful  in  dating  the  manu- 
scripts in  which  they  occur. 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS  319 


^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2637,  and  cf.  the  present  writer's  review  thereof  in  Studies  in 
the  Age  of  Chaucer  13  (1991):  212. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1396, 
with  a  further  text  to  1422  (PV-139 6/1422) 

187.  Bodleian  MS.  Digby  196^ 

First  text  begins  onfol.  26:  Brute  come  after  the  makyng  of  the  world  to  J)e 
lond  of  Albyon  in  the  tyme  |)at  Hely  J)e  preste  of  {)e  law  was  in  J)e  land 
of  Israel  iiijM  Ixxvij  3 ere. 

Newe  Troye  J)at  now  ys  cleped  London  was  fownded  by  J)e  malgnig  of 
Brute  after  J)e  begynnyng  of  J)e  world  iiijM^  C  xxiiij  3ere. 
Rome  was  fownded  by  Remo  and  Romolo  iiijM'  iiij^  iiij'"  iiij  3ere. 
First  text  ends  onfol  27:  and  fro  J)e  incarnacion  tyl  J)e  fest  of  annunciacion 
of  owre  lady  in  J)e  xx  of  J)e  l^Tige  Ricard  J)e  secounde  M^  CCC  iiij"""  xvj 
3ere:  yjM'  D^  iiij^  xv  3ere. 
Second  text  begins  onfol  156v\ 

i         the  first  3ere  of  kynge  Ricard  ii. 

ii        the  ii  3ere  J)e  lord  Latemer  slow  a  squyer  at  f)e  shryne  of  Seynt 

Edward  for  J)e  erle  of  Dene  wycche  was  prisoner. 
iii       the  iij  3ere  [ins.]  was  J)e  commyng  of  J)e  galeys  robbyng  and  bran- 

nyng  vppe-on  J)e  lande  and  tallage  of  childeren. 
Second  text  ends  onfol  158: 

ix        the  ix  3ere  he  cam  into  Ingeland  and  crowned  hys  quene  and  so 

went  into  France  a3ene  and  so  he  ended  at  Boys  Vyncent  and  as  a 

Cristen  prynce  to  God  passed  owte  of  this  wrecched  world  on 

whose  sowle  God  have  mercy.  Amen. 

Remarks:  The  first  text  is  related  to  the  texts  in  the  two  following  manu- 
scripts and  is  self-dated  to  1396.  The  brief  notices  found  in  the  second  text 
could  have  been  derived  either  from  a  PV  Brut  text  ending  in  1422  or  from 
a  chronicle  of  London. 


^  See  Patrick  J.  Horner,  The  Index  of  Middle  English  Prose,  Handlist  UI:  A  Handlist  of 
Manuscripts  Containing  Middle  English  Prose  in  the  Digby  Collection,  Bodleian  Library, 
Oxford  (Cambridge,  1986),  pp.  59-61;  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2637. 


320 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1436:  Group  B  (PV-1436:B) 
The  Peculiar  Version  to  1475  (PV-1475) 

188.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ff.1.6  (The  Findern 
Manuscript)^ 

Heading  onfol.  110:  The  cronekelys  of  seyntes  &  kynges  of  Yngelond. 
Begins:  Brute  com  after  {)e  makyng  of  |)e  world  into  J)ys  [wo  del.^  londe  of 

Albyoun  nowe  Yngland  iiij^^  Ixxvij  3ere. 
Ends  in  1436  on  fol.  113:  And  fro  J)e  incarnacioun  of  Ihesu  Crist  til  J)e  xx 

\foll.  by  blank  space]  of  kyng  Herre  yj  M'  iiij^  [xl  del.]  xlyj  3ere.  And  J)e 

sum  of  all  aboueseid  vjM*  yj^  xlyj  3ere. 

Remarks:  After  the  introductory  notice  of  Brutus  are  notices  of  the  founda- 
tions of  London  and  Rome  and  the  conception  and  birth  of  Christ,  all  dated 
from  the  creation  of  the  world.  There  follow  notices  of  saints  and  martyrs, 
especially  those  of  England,  and  of  significant  religious  events  in  England 
dated  from  the  incarnation  of  Christ,  ending  with  the  translation  of  Thomas 
Becket  in  1220.  The  text  then  (fol.  Ill)  returns  to  Brutus  and  the  succeed- 
ing kings  of  England,  generally  noting  only  the  relationship  of  each  king  to 
his  predecessor  and  the  length  of  his  reign.  The  CV-1333  order  is  found  for 
kings  "Elfred  &  Kadwalader . . .  Oswold  &  Kadwalyn." 

The  ending  date  suggests  strongly  that  this  section  of  the  manuscript  was 
written  "in  or  immediately  before  1446,  and  could  not  have  been  written 
after  1461."^  The  terminus  ad  quem  is  implied  by  the  omission  of  the  precise 
number  of  years  for  Henry  VI's  reign. 

The  manuscript  was  possibly  compiled  at  the  country  seat  of  the  Findern 
family  in  south  Derbyshire.^  The  dialect  of  the  texts  in  the  manuscript  is 
basically  that  of  Derbyshire,  "but  with  varying  degrees  of  mixture."^ 


^  A  facsimile  of  the  full  manuscript  is  published  in  R,  Beadle  and  A  E.  B.  Owen,  introd., 

The  Findern  Manuscript:  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ff.1.6  (London,  1977);  for  a 

complete  list  of  contents,  see  pp.  xix-^xxx  therein. 

^  L.  F.  Casson,  ed.,  The  Romance  of  Sir  Degrevant,  EETS  o.s.  221  (1949),  p.  xii. 

^  For  an  account  of  several  families  associated  with  the  manuscript,  see  Harris,  "Origins 

and  Make-Up  of  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ff.1.6,"  pp.  302-307;  see  also 

George  R.  Keiser,  "MS  Rawl.  A.393:  Another  Findern  Manuscript,"  Transactions  of  the 

Cambridge  Bibliographical  Society  7  (1980):  445-49. 

"  See  LALME,  1:  67. 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 321 

189.  FoLGER  Shakespeare  Library  MS.  V.a.198  (1232.3) 

Heading  onfol.  1  of  item  2:  Here  begynnythe  the  cronycles  of  sayntes  and  of 

the  l^Tigys  of  Yngelonde. 
Begins:  Brute  come  in  to  thys  londe  of  Albyon  after  callyd  Bruteyne  and 

now  Inglonde  ycallyd  after  the  mal^oig  of  J)e  worlde  iiijM'  Ixxvij  3ere. 
Ends  in  1475  onfol.  3v:  Harry  the  yj"  reygnethe  [d  add.  above  second  -e-] 

xxxix  3ere. 

Kyng  Edward  the  iiij'  raynethe  [xxij  yer  add.  in  a  later  hand;  orig.  left 

blank] 

The  somme  fro  the  begynnyng  of  J)e  worlde  tyll  the  xv  3ere  of  kyng  Ed- 
ward yjM*  viiC  and  Ixxv  [^second  x  over  v]. 

Remarks:  On  the  page  following  this  chronological  list  the  same  scribe  be- 
gins a  series  of  geographical  notes  in  Latin  and  chronological  entries  in 
English  on  bibUcal  and  English  religious  and  historical  affairs.  The  text 
begins:  "[T]res  fihj  Noy  diuuserunt  [sic\  orbem  in  tres  partes  post  diliuium"; 
the  Latin  section  ends:  "Comitatus  sunt  in  Anglia  xxxyj  &  dj."  The  English 
begins:  "Fro  |)e  begynnyng  of  |3e  worlde  yjMl  yjC  xlj  [..  {two  letters,  poss.  the 
start  o/'3e[re])]  Adam  lyued  in  erthe  ixC  xxxij  3ere'';  the  text  ends:  "And  in 
the  same  3ere  was  {)e  batel  of  Agyngkorte  that  ys  to  say  xxv  [the  x  del]  day 
of  the  monethe  of  October  and  A  was  dominicall  letter  that  3ere."  Many  of 
the  entries  that  pertain  to  England  may  have  been  extracted  from  a 
chronicle  of  London. 

The  ending  of  the  king-list  suggests  that  the  text  was  written  in  or  soon 
after  1475. 


Remarks  on  the  PV-1396/1422,  the  PV-1436:B,  and  the  PV-1475 
A  text  of  the  type  of  these  brief  king-lists  formed  the  basis  for  a  series  of 
sixteenth-century  printed  works,  beginning  with  Richard  Pynson's  edition  of 
?1518,  "the  cronycle  of  all  the  kynges  names  that  haue  ben  in  Englande  and 
how  many  yeres  they  reygned  and  how  many  sayntes  &  martyrs  haue  ben  in 
this  lande."^  For  his  text  up  to  the  Norman  Conquest,  Pynson  uses  a  king- 
hst  very  similar  to  those  found  in  the  manuscripts  described  above,  to  which 
is  then  appended  Lydgate's  verse  "Kings  of  England,"  supplemented  to 
Henry  VIL 

Subsequent  editions,  by  a  variety  of  printers,  include  additional  material 
such  as  "the  compass  of  England"  (road  distances)  or  augment  the  historical 
annotations  on  the  monarchs.  The  popularity  of  such  aides-memoires  or  sim- 


322 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

pie  historical  cribs  is  shown  by  their  frequent  (sometimes  annual)  republica- 
tion with  minor  additions  to  bring  them  up  to  date. 


^  For  fourteen  editions  between  ?1518  and  1557  (including  Wynkyn  de  Worde's  "Lytell 
Shorte  Cronycle"  [1530]),  see  STC  9983.3  to  9989.5.  The  "breuiat  cronicle  contaynynge 
aU  the  kinges  from  Brute  to  this  daye,"  published  by  John  Mychell  in  1552,  was  based  in 
part  on  William  Powell's  1552  edition  of  the  preceding  work;  nine  editions  are  listed  as 
STC  9968  to  9976. 


Appendages  to  Other  Works 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1066  (PV-1066) 

190.  Mayor's  Calendar,  City  of  Bristol  Record  OFncE,  no. 

04720(1)1 

Heading  onfol.  3:  Incipit  primum  principale  a  cronicula  Brute. 

Begins  onfol.  3v\  For  asmoche  as  it  is  righte  convenient  and  accordinge  to 
euery  bourgeis  of  the  towne  of  Bristowe  in  especiall  thoo  that  been  men 
of  worship  for  to  knowe  and  vnderstande  the  begynnyng  and  first  founda- 
cion  of  the  saide  worshipflill  toune:  Therfore  let  hym  rede  the  olde  Cron- 
ycles  of  Brute  and  he  shall  fynde  howe  sone  after  that  Brute  had  sette  and 
billed  the  citee  of  Newe  Troie  whiche  nowe  is  London  in  remembrans  of 
the  grete  Troie  that  he  and  all  his  lynage  came  fro  then  Brute  reigned  xx 
winter  and  more  and  was  beried  in  the  newe  Troie.  [cf  Smith,  ed., 
Kalendar,  pp.  6,  8] 

Omits:  Cad 

Ends  on  foL  15:  And  in  this  wise  lost  Harold  the  reame  of  Englonde  and 
reignid  but  fro  the  fest  of  Epiphanye  vnto  the  saide  feste  of  Seynt  Calixt 
that  is  to  say  xl  wekys  and  Heth  buiyed  at  Waltham. 

Colophon:  Expliciunt  Cronicule  ante  Conquestum. 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  contains  the  Bristowe  Chronicle^  begun  in  the  late 
fifteenth  century  by  Robert  Ricart,  the  town  clerk  of  Bristol  from  1479  to 
1503,  as  an  official  town  chronicle  and  document  for  the  use  of  the  civic 
officers.  The  language  is,  as  one  might  expect,  that  of  Gloucestershire.^ 

The  first  part  of  Ricart's  compilation,  from  Brutus  to  the  death  of  King 
Harold,  is  a  much  abbreviated  version  of  a  CV  text,  as  the  beginning  of  the 
text,  quoted  above,  indicates;  the  CV  text  may  have  been  of  an  early  type, 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 323 

since  it  did  not  include  the  Cadwallader  episode.  Ricart's  introduction  to  his 
work,  in  which  he  explains  the  contents  of  the  six  parts  of  his  book,  also  de- 
scribes the  provenance  and  purposes  of  this  first  part: 

The  first  to  shewe  by  cronide  the  begynnyng  and  flirst  foundacioun 
of  this  saide  worshipfiill  toune  of  Bristowe  whiche  was  here  furst  sett 
and  billed  vpon  a  litill  hille  bytwene  iiij  yatis  scilicet  Seinte  Nicholas 
yate  Seint  Johnes  yate  Seint  Leonardes  yate  &  the  newe  yate  bi  that 
noble  prince  Bryneus  brother  vnto  l^Tig  Bellynus  tofore  th'encarna- 
cioun  of  Crist  by  recorde  of  Brutes  Cronicles.  And  of  al  the  l^^ges 
that  were  in  Englonde  affore  the  Conquest  conveied  in  a  bregement 
with  the  yeres  of  theire  reigne  and  howe  many  of  them  were  kinges 
anoynted.  [cf.  Smith,  ed.,  Kalendar^  p.  3] 

True  to  his  stated  intention,  Ricart  inserts  an  account  of  the  founding  of 
Bristol  by  "Brynne"  (see  Smith,  ed.,  Kalendar,  p.  10,  and  the  facsimile  of  the 
town  plan  opposite  p.  10). 


^  See  N.  R.  Ker,  Medieval  Libraries  of  Great  Britain:  A  List  of  Surviving  Books.  Supplement 
to  the  Second  Edition,  ed.  Andrew  G.  Watson  (London,  1987),  p.  4.  The  Brut  section  is 
edited,  with  introduction,  notes,  and  plates,  in  Marcel  Dikstra,  "An  Edition  of  the  Brut 
Chronicle  as  Found  in  Ricart's  Maior's  Kalendar,"  M.A  diss..  University  of  Bristol,  1992 
(I  am  grateflil  to  the  author  for  a  copy  of  his  work).  Short  extracts  from  the  early  text  are 
printed  in  Lucy  Toulmin  Smith,  ed..  The  Maire  of  Bristowe  Is  Kalendar,  by  Robert  Ricart, 
Town  Clerk  of  Bristol,  18  Edward  IV,  Camden  Society  n.s.  5  (1872),  pp.  xv^rxvi  below, 
and  8-10.  Smith  erroneously  describes  the  first  part  of  the  text  as  "taken  from  some  ver- 
sion of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth"  (p.  xiv),  followed  by  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2655-56. 
^  LALME,  1:  62  ("in  local  language  of  a  late  type"). 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  D  (PV-1419:D) 

191.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Ll.2.14 

Continuation  begins  onfol.  143:  And  in  the  meane  tyme  dyede  kyng  Henry 
at  Westmynstre  when  he  had  bene  kynge  Iv  yere  and  xix  wekes  vppon 
Seynt  Edmundes  daye.  [Brie  177/6-8] 

Contains:  QIL 

Omits:  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Ends  imperfectly.  And  aryuede  in  Yorke-shire  at  Ravynsporne  fast  by  Wyd- 
lyngtoun  [sic].  And  there  he  entred  the  londe.  [Brie  357/25-26] 


324 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

Remarks:  The  continuation  follows  an  imperfect  prose  paraphrase  of  Robert 
of  Gloucester's  Chronicle,^  and  is  written  in  the  same  hand;  the  ink,  how- 
ever, is  lighter,  suggesting  that  it  was  added  at  a  later  time  by  the  scribe 
when  a  copy  became  available  for  him  to  use. 

The  continuation  is  a  blend  of  Brut  material  with  material  from  other 
sources.  The  text  begins  with  the  death  of  Henry  III  and  contains  the 
prophecy  of  Merlin  regarding  that  king.  The  narrative  of  the  reign  of  Ed- 
ward I  is  abbreviated,  while  that  of  Edward  II's  reign  follows  the  usual  CV 
Brut. 

The  narrative  on  Edward  III  is  considerably  abridged;  events  are  fre- 
quently rearranged  and  there  are  minor  verbal  correspondences  with  the 
London  chronicles.  The  Halidon  Hill  campaign  is  highly  abbreviated,  as 
foUows: 

And  the  vj  yere  of  his  regne  ky^nge  Edwarde  besegede  the  towne  and 
the  castelle  of  Berwike.  And  vppon  Seynt  Margerettes  evene  the 
Scottes  a  huge  nombre  come  hopynge  to  haue  remevede  the  siege 
withom  the  kynge  faught  vppon  Halydoun  Hille  and  discomfited 
hem.  And  Jjer  were  slayne  of  the  Scottes  viij  erles  a  M'  and  iij  hun- 
dred knyghtes  and  squiers  and  of  fotemen  xxxviijM^.  And  of  Eng- 
lysshmen  there  were  dede  a  knyght  and  a  squier  and  xij  fotemen.  And 
vppon  Seynt  Margerettes  day  the  towne  and  the  castelle  were  yolden 
to  the  kynge  in  the  yere  of  our  lorde  a  M'  CCC  xxxiij. 

The  reign  of  Richard  II  corresponds  well  to  the  normal  Brut  account, 
though  there  are  some  minor  additions. 

Dialectal  analysis  supports  a  reference  in  the  Robert  of  Gloucester  text 
that  suggests  that  the  manuscript  should  be  associated  with  Leicestershire.^ 


^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2621-22,  2807.  The  text  is  edited  in  Andrew  D.  (Lan)  Lips- 
comb, "A  Fifteenth-Century  Prose  Paraphrase  of  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle"  Ph.D. 
diss..  University  of  North  CaroUna  at  Chapel  Hill,  1990. 
^  I  thank  Lan  Lipscomb  for  this  information. 


The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  E  (PV-1419:E) 

192.  Harvard  University  MS.  Eng.  938^ 

Begins  on  fol.  91rb\  Now  speke  we  of  the  dethe  of  kyng  Edwarde  the  sec- 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 325 

unde  the  whyche  was  put  doun  by  the  assent  of  quene  Isabell  [cf.  Brie 

252/21-23] 
Next  chapter  begins:  The  yere  of  grace  M'  CCC  xxyj  Edwarde  of  Wyndesore 

the  son  of  kyng  Edwarde  the  secunde  was  crouned  kyng  and  anoynted  at 

Westmynster  [cf  Brie  247/22-24] 
Ends  imperfectly  on  fol  lOlvb:  And  there  was  dede  on  the  kynges  syde  a 

worthy  man  called  Spryngeys  the  whiche  the  kyng  let  bury  in  the  abbey  of 

Cane  faste  by  Wyllyam  Conquerour.  And  thus  the  l^Tig  by  manhode  gette 

the  toune  of  Cane  and  made  [cf  Brie  384/6-8,  and  probably  line  24] 

Remarks:  The  Brut  text,  probably  based  on  a  CV-1419,  has  been  used  as  a 
continuation  to  the  incomplete  translation  of  Nicholas  Trevet's  Chronicle 
(fols.  9ra-91rb),  which  it  follows  without  break,  beginning  in  the  midst  of 
a  line.^ 

The  Brut  narrative  has  been  reorganized  and  adapted  in  order  to  treat 
each  king  in  a  single  chapter.  Thus  Edward  II's  death  is  treated  before  re- 
verting to  the  coronation  of  Edward  III  and  a  similar  reorganization  occurs 
with  the  death  of  Richard  II;  in  both  instances,  material  is  simply  trans- 
ferred to  an  earlier  position. 

Much  material  is  omitted  in  favor  of  an  outline  of  historical  facts.  Thus 
Edward  Ill's  Scottish  campaign,  including  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  (Brie 
272/7-286/9,  291/1-291/9)  is  replaced  by  a  single  sentence:  "Thys  kyng  Ed- 
warde had  grete  worshyp  in  Scotlonde  by  warre  in  so  moche  that  all  Scottes 
had  grete  fere  of  hym"  (fol.  92ra-rb). 

One  leaf  of  the  last  gathering  is  wanting,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  origi- 
nal text  ended  in  1419. 

An  obit  added  beside  November  18  in  a  calendar  (fol.  8v)  records  the 
death  of  "Alicie  Hungyrforthe,"  perhaps  Alice  Hungerford  of  London,  wid- 
ow, whose  will  dated  1  September  1491,  directs  that  she  be  buried  near  her 
husband  John  in  St.  Michael's,  CornhiU  (BL  Addit.  33412,  fol.  153).  Chris- 
tine Rose  reports  that  Jeremy  J.  Smith  suggests  very  tentatively  that  the 
dialect  might  be  Northwest  Surrey."' 


^  See  Voigts,  "Handlist,"  pp.  39-43;  Christine  M.  Rose,  "The  Provenance  of  the  Trevet 
Chronicle  (fMS  Eng  938),"  Harvard  Library  Bulletin  n.s.  3,  no.  4  (Winter,  1992-93):  38- 
55.  Both  the  translation  of  Trevet  and  the  continuation  are  edited  in  Christine  M.  Rose, 
"An  Edition  of  Houghton  Library  fMS  Eng  938:  The  Fifteenth-Century  Middle  English 
Translation  of  Nicholas  Trevet's  Les  Cronicles  with  Brut  Continuation,"  Ph.D.  diss.,  Tufts 
University,  1985. 


326 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2666-68,  2881-82;  Ruth  J.  Dean,  "The  Manuscripts  of 
Nicholas  Trevet's  Anglo-Norman  Chronicles,"  Medievalia  et  Humanistica  14  (1962):  97, 
99  n.  10. 
^  Rose,  "The  Provenance  of  the  Trevet  Chronicle,"  p.  51  n.  33. 

The  Peculiar  Version  to  1419:  Group  F  (PV-1419:F) 

193.  WoBURN  Abbey  MS.  181^ 

Heading  on  fol.  [lOOv]:  Here  enduth  the  cronycle  of  Ig^ng  Edwarde  the 
furste  aftur  J)e  conqueste  and  begynneth  Jje  cronycle  of  his  sone  Edwarde 
{)e  secounde  borne  at  Carnarvan. 

Brut  text  begins:  And  aftur  {)is  Edwarde  regned  Edwarde  his  sone  J)at  was 
borne  in  Carnariuan  &  J)is  Edwarde  went  into  Fraunce  6c  weddet  Isabell 
J)e  kynges  dou3tur  of  Fraunce  |)e  xxv  day  of  lanyuere  at  J)e  churche  of  our 
lady  at  Boloigne  in  |)e  3ere  of  our  lorde  M'  CCC  &  vij.  [Brie  205/14-18] 

Contains:  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Brut  text  to  1419  ends  on  fol.  [202v]:  And  |)anne  J)e  kyng  entered  into  {)e 
towne  8c  restede  hym  in  J)e  castell  tyl  j)e  towne  was  sette  in  rewle  &  in 
gouernaunce. 

Remarks:  The  Brut  text,  based  on  a  manuscript  ending  in  1419(r&g),  is  used 
as  the  conclusion  of  a  compilation  made  by  Richard  Fox  of  St.  Albans.  Fox 
was  a  literate  layman  who  was  employed  by  the  abbey  of  St.  Albans,  in 
whose  records,  by  John  of  Amundesham,  he  appears  in  1434  and  1435  de- 
scribed as  "litteratus"  and  "Procurator  religiosorum  virorum."^  Fox  was  also 
responsible  for  compiling  CUL  MS.  Kk.1.6,  which  primarily  contains  Mid- 
dle English  devotional  texts  in  verse  and  prose."'  His  will,  dated  1454,  in- 
cludes a  list  of  books,  including  Woburn  181.^ 

A  preliminary  six-page  "table  of  all  \>t  kynges  that  be  comprehended 
withinne  Jjis  boke  with  mony  incidences"  begins  with  Alfred  and  ends  with 
"J)e  wynnyng  of  Roone  in  J)e  yj  3ere  of  |)e  regne  of  l^^g  Harry  of  Mun- 
mouth." 

The  first  part  of  Fox's  chronicle  is  based  on  Pierre  Langtoft's  chronicle 
(possibly  supplemented  by  Robert  Mannyng's  translation  of  Langtoft), 
Robert  of  Gloucester's  chronicle,  and  other  sources  (for  example,  "anoJ)er 
cronyclere . . .")? 

It  would  appear  that  Fox  did  not  obtain  a  copy  of  the  Brut  until  after  he 
had  composed  a  great  part  of  the  earlier  section  of  his  work,  for  immediately 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 327 

after  the  death  of  Edward  III  and  before  the  accession  of  Richard  II,  Mer- 
lin's prophecy  concerning  Edward  I  is  inserted,  with  the  heading: 

Here  endeth  pc  cronycle  of  kyng  Edwarde  off  Wyndesore.  And  be- 
gyneth  Merlynes  prophecyee  |)at  he  prophesyed  of  kyng  Edward  with 
\>e  longe  schankes  wheche  was  graunfader  to  kyng  Edward  of 
Wyndesore  and  ffader  to  l^g  Edwarde  off  Carnarvan.  The  cause  Jjat 
J)is  prophesye  is  set  here  is  J)is  for  at  pe  wiytyng  of  pt  seyd  kyng 
Edward  with  J)e  longe  schankes  J)e  copy  of  {)is  prophecye  was  not 
hade. 

The  account  of  Richard  II  contains  a  number  of  additions:  his  premature 
birth  "as  somme  croneders  wryte,"  after  which  he  was  wrapped  in  animal 
skins;  a  story  of  dishonorable  treatment  accorded  the  daughter  of  John  Tyler 
(the  true  name  of  Jack  Straw,  according  to  Fox)  by  an  officer  of  the  king; 
and  an  account  of  the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  years  of  the  reign  (printed 
in  an  appendix  to  "Davies's"  Chronicle).  Additions  made  to  the  reign  of 
Henry  IV  include  details  on  the  capture  and  deaths  of  the  duke  of  Surrey, 
the  earl  of  Salisbury,  and  Sir  "Raff  Lompney."  To  the  reign  of  Henry  V  are 
added  details  of  a  naval  battle  with  the  French  in  1416. 

An  account  of  the  deposition  of  Richard  II,  based  on  the  "Record  and 
Process"  with  some  additions  and  omissions,  and  of  the  coronation  of  Henry 
IV  (and  subsequent  parliamentary  proceedings)  appears  as  an  appendix  with 
a  marginal  note  and  signe  de  renvoi  in  the  main  Brut  text:^ 

Whoso  liste  to  to  \sic\  loke  on  pt  deposyng  of  k)nig  Rychard  the 
secounde  let  hym  turne  to  pz  laste  ende  of  f)is  booke  &  in  J)e  too 
laste  quayeris  he  schall  fynde  hit  at  J)is  same  signe. 

The  colophon  of  this  account  names  the  author  and  dates  the  writing  to 
1448:  "And  thus  enduth  the  Deposyng  off  I^^g  Rychard  the  secounde  aftre 
the  conqueste.  Quod  Rychard  Fox  off  Seynt  Albones.  Anno  domini  M' 
CCCC  xlviij°."  Fox's  name  appears  throughout  the  manuscript,  often  in  the 
phrase  "Ghenade  Fox  Rychard"  (or  some  variation  thereof). 

The  "Deposing"  is  followed  by  accounts  of  the  parliament  at  Bury  and  the 
death  of  Humphrey,  duke  of  Gloucester  (1446/7;  printed  in  'Davies's"  Chro- 
nic/e);  acts  of  the  parliament  of  27  Henry  VI  (1449);  and,  in  different  hands, 
five  lines  of  alliterative  verse  on  Richard,  duke  of  York,  and  regulations  con- 
cerning cooks'  fees  in  Lx)ndon. 

The  bulk  of  the  main  text  of  the  compilation  is  in  a  distinctive  hand  of 


328 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

unprofessional  appearance,  probably  that  of  Fox  himself  since  the  text  shows 
signs  of  immediate  correction.  In  the  reign  of  King  John  appear  ten  pages 
written  by  other  hands. 

Early  names  that  occur  in  memoranda  at  the  end  of  the  manuscript 
include  those  of  "Thomas  Northlond  grocer,"  possibly  the  sheriff  of  London 
in  1483  who  died  in  1484,^  and  "Elyssabeth  Carpenter"  (possibly  fifteenth 
century);  "John  Ashe  grocer"  (1523);  "Wylliam  Stoddarde,"  son  of  one  of  the 
same  name,  and  "Thomas  Blackewell"  (1543);  Thomas  Cantrell,  William 
Hamyleen,  and  Henry  Cantrell  (sixteenth  century). 


^  The  accounts  of  the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  years  of  Richard  II  and  of  the  parlia- 
ment at  Bury  St.  Edmunds  are  printed  in  an  appendix  to  "Davies's"  Chronicle,  pp.  111-18. 
^  See  Henry  T.  Riley,  ed.,  Annales  Monasterii  S.  Albani,  a  Johanne  Amundesham,  Monacho, 
2  vols.,  Rolls  Series  28  (London,  1870,  1871),  2:  4,  90,  93,  94,  and  97.  For  a  discussion 
of  the  manuscript  and  the  text  of  the  Tyler  story,  see  Lister  M.  Matheson,  "The  Peasants* 
Revolt  through  Five  Centuries  of  Rumor  and  Reporting:  Richard  Fox,  John  Stow,  and 
Their  Successors,"  Studies  in  Philology  95  (1998):  124-28. 

^  See  Alexandra  Barratt,  ed.,  The  Seven  Psalms:  A  Commentary  on  the  Penitential  Psalms 
Translated  from  French  into  English  by  Dame  Eleanor  Hull,  EETS  o.s.  307  (1995),  pp. 
xiii-xl,  especially  pp.  xix-xx  (scribes,  including  Fox),  xxii  (later  history  of  the  manuscript), 
xxxiii^  (dialect  of  South-West  NorfolkAVest  Suffolk  area);  Alexandra  Barratt,  "Dame 
Eleanor  Hull:  A  Fifteenth-Century  Translator,"  in  The  Medieval  Translator:  The  Theory 
and  Practice  of  Translation  in  the  Middle  Ages,  ed.  Roger  Ellis  (Cambridge,  1989),  pp.  87, 
92;  Tarvers,  "English  Women  as  Readers  and  Writers,"  p.  309. 

*  See  G.  R.  Owst,  "Some  Books  and  Book-Owners  of  Fifteenth-Century  St.  Albans," 
Transactions  of  the  St.  Albans  and  Hertfordshire  Architectural  and  Archaeological  Society 
(1929):  179;  Harris,  "Patrons,  Buyers,  and  Owners,"  pp.  164  and  184  n.  5. 
'  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2640-41.  Robert  of  Gloucester  is  noted  by  name  in  the  ac- 
count of  the  sl^^'s  darkening  after  the  battle  of  Evesham  (1265):  "a  good  clerke  {)at  was 
called  sir  Robert  sawe  |)is  sy3t  xxx"  myle  fro  Jje  place  wher  |)e  batajde  was.  And  for  J>is 
merveyle  he  labered  fyrst  J)is  booke." 

^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2714-15,  2939-40.  Cf  Given-Wilson,  trans,  and  ed.,  Chro- 
nicles of  the  Revolution,  pp.  168-89.  A  copy  is  also  found  in  Lambeth  738  (item  33  and 
n.  2). 
^  BL  MS.  Cotton  Vitellius  Ajcvi,  in  Kingsford,  ed.,  Chrons.  London,  pp.  191,  193. 


The  Translation  Attributed  to  John  Mandeville  ( JM-1333) 

Two  medieval  manuscripts  have  survived  that  contain  all  or  part  of  a  second 
translation  into  Enghsh  of  the  Anglo-Norman  Brut  The  fiill  text  is  found 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 32^ 

as  the  first  part  of  BL  MS.  Harley  4690,  while  Coll.  of  Arms  MS.  Arundel 
58  incorporates  three  passages  from  this  translation  in  an  elaborate  historical 
compilation.  A  seventeenth-century  transcript  of  Arundel  58  occurs  in  Mag- 
dalene College,  Cambridge,  Pepys  2833.  The  translation  can  be  attributed 
on  the  basis  of  external  evidence  to  a  John  Mandeville,  rector  of  Bumham 
Thorpe  in  Norfolk,  who  made  it  in  1435. 

194.  BL  MS.  Harley  4690^ 

Heading  onfol.  4:  In  nomine  trino  hoc  opus  incipio. 

Here  a  manne  mey  here  how  Englonde  was  cleped  Albion  and  by  wham 
itte  received  thate  name  and  sine  Britaine  also  8c  bi  wham. 
Begins:  [Y]nne  the  nowble  lond  of  Syrye 
Omits:  Cad,  QIL,  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 

Poem  on  Halidon  Hill  begins:  And  there  men  mighte  see  the  nowbell  king 
Edwarde  off  Englonde  &  his  ffolke  hough  mannefully  J)ei  chaseden  the 
Skottes  were-off  J)is  romance  was  made: 
There  men  mighte  well  see 
Many  a  Skotte  lightely  fflee  [Brie  287/7-12] 
Poem  on  Halidon  Hill  (and  text  to  1333)  ends: 
Butt  Godde  J)atte  is  heven  king 
Sende  vs  pees  and  gode  ending.  [Brie  289/3-4] 
Continuation  to  1377  begins:  Hough  king  Edwarde  made  a  dewke  off  Corin- 
waile.  And  also  of  yj  ojjer  erles  thatte  werren  newe  made.  And  oflf  {)e 
ffirste  chalenge  off  the  realme  off  Fraunce. 

In  J)e  yeere  of  our  lorde  Ihesu  Criste  a  M'  iijC  &  xxxvij  and  off  king 
Edwarde  {je  xij  [Brie  292/26-31] 
Ends  onfol  108:  and  mannefully  counterd  wij)  our  Englischemen. 

Remarks:  Mandeville's  translation  ended  in  1333  with  the  poem  on  Halidon 
Hill,  but  is  supplemented  in  this  manuscript  by  a  1419(men)  continuation 
taken  from  a  CV  text  of  the  first  translation.  The  change  of  exemplar  is 
marked  by  a  chronological  and  textual  gap  in  the  narrative  from  1333  to 
1337  (see  Brie  291/1-292/25). 

Pols.  109-118  contain  a  copy,  by  the  same  scribe,  oi  Richard  Coeur  de 
Lion} 

The  name  of  a  Roger  Newburgh  occurs  on  a  front  flyleaf. 


330  PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 


^  The  end  of  the  prose  text  to  1333  and  the  poem  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  are 
printed  in  Brie  287-89;  also  in  Joseph  Ritson,  ed.,  Poems,  Written  Anno  MCCCUI  by 
Laurence  Minot  (London,  1825),  pp.  55-64. 

^  See  Karl  Brunner,  ed.,  Der  Mittelenglische  Versroman  iiber  Richard  Lowenherz,  Wiener 
Beitrage  zur  englischen  Philologie  42  (Vienna,  1913). 


195.  College  of  Arms  MS.  Arundel  58^ 

Heading  of  first  section  onfol.  5ra  (modern  numbering):  Here  a  man  may  hure 

how  Yngelonde  was  ycleped  Albyon  and  by  wham  hit  receyued  the  name. 

Begins:  In  J)e  noble  londe  of  Syrye  was  a  noble  kynge  myghty  and  of  gret 

renoun 
First  section  ends  at  foot  offol.  6ra  (column  b  is  left  blank):  Brute  aryuede  at 
Totynesse  in  J)e  same  londe  &  J)er  conquered  he  J)e  gyauntis  byfore 
yseyde.  Here  endith  J)e  prologe  of  ^e  yle  of  Albyon. 
Second  section  begins  imperfectly  onfol  76ra:  and  shal  the  dragon  &  he  bynde 
hure  tailis  togedre  and  than  shal  come  a  lyon  out  of  Irlond  [cf.  Brie 
75/33-34] 
Second  section  ends  onfol  76rb:  and  thane  this  lond  shal  be  cleped  the  lond 
of  conquest  and  so  shullen  the  rightfiill  eyris  of  Engelond  end.  [cf.  Brie 
76/17-19] 
Third  section  begins  on  fol  302va:  And  in  that  yere  was  Seynt  Thomas  of 
Cauntelbury  [sic\  itranslated  in  J)e  1  yere  of  his  martirdom  [cf.  Brie  173/9— 
10] 
Omits:  QIL,  "5w"  heading 

Poem  on  Halidon  Hill  begins:  and  so  men  myght  se  J)e  worJ)y  and  noble  kyng 
Edward  of  Engelond  and  his  folk  how  manfully  J)ey  chastyde  jje  Scottes. 
There  J)an  men  myght  se 

Many  a  Scott  swiftly  fie  [Brie  289/5-6  (start  of  poem)] 
Poem  on  Halidon  Hill  (and  text)  ends  (imperfectly?)  onfol  334vb: 
8c  [)e  Englisshmen  pursywid  hem  so 
Fort  |)e  flood  was  al  ago 
And  ^us  J)e  Scottes  discomfytyd  were 
In  lytil  tyme  wij)  gret  fere.  [Brie  287/27-30] 

Remarks:  A  leaf  is  missing  between  fols.  75  and  76  that  would  have  contained 
the  end  of  the  Arthur  narrative  and  the  beginning  of  the  prophecies  of 
Merlin,  taken  from  the  Mandeville  translation  (see  the  second  section  above). 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 331 

The  sections  from  the  Mandeville  translation  of  the  Brut  form  part  of  an 
ambitious  historical  compilation  in  verse  and  prose  finished  in  1448,  a  narra- 
tive prospectus  of  which,  followed  by  a  list  of  contents,  is  given  on  fols.  1- 
Av-} 

Heading.  The  tabile  of  cronycul  offe  Engelonde  fro  quene  Albion  the 
flirste  erthely  creature  that  entriede  into  this  londe  ynto  l^nig  Richard 
the  secunde. 

Begins:  The  fferste  ether  erthely  creature  that  entred  into  this  londe 

Ends  (page  rubbed):  This  tabel  kalender  of  [ . . .  ]  plennarly  knowhch 
ffoluyng  with  a  boke  offe  the  fJul  text.  Allso  a  petegrew  ffro  William 
Conquerour  of  the  crowne  of  Engelonde  lynnyally  descendyng  vnto 
l^^ng  Henre  the  yj  in  the  end  of  thys  boke  lymned  in  ffygurs.  Thys 
boke  with  hys  antecedens  and  consequens  was  fill  ended  the  yj  day  offe 
August  the  3ere  of  oure  lorde  a  M'  CCCC  xlviij  and  the  [blank]  yere 
of  oure  souerayn  lorde  kyng  Harry  the  vj  affter  the  conquest  the  xxyj. 

The  ensuing  list  of  contents  (probably  imperfect  at  the  end)  is  numbered 
by  the  medieval  folio  numbers  and  runs  from  "Albyon  ffolio  j°"  to  "Penda 
fo.  C  iiij"  (a  king  of  Sussex;  a  following  reference  to  the  "lettre  of  Boneface" 
is  expuncted). 

The  basis  of  the  compilation  is  the  first  recension  of  Robert  of  Glouces- 
ter's Metrical  Chronicle,  somewhat  modernised  in  language  and  amplified 
and  supplemented  extensively  by  interpolations  in  prose  and  verse.-' 

These  additions  (indicated  in  the  manuscript  by  being  written  in  double 
columns)  are  translated  or  adapted  from  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  (to  the  end 
of  his  Historia,  including  Geoffrey's  account  of  his  sources  [fol.  87]),  Wil- 
liam of  Malmesbury's  Gesta  Regum  Anglorum,  ]ohn  of  Glastonbury's  Cronica 
sive  Antiquitates  Glastoniensis  Ecclesie  (for  the  story  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea 
and  the  early  history  of  Glastonbury  [fols.  90-91v]),  and  Nicholas  Trevet  (as 
noted  on  fol.  300va),^  among  other,  unidentifiable  sources  that  the  compiler 
has  collated  (for  example,  "here  is  a  fallyng  in  of  another  cronicle  of  the 
same  doyng"  [fol.  240]). 

The  compiler  has  inserted  a  version  of  the  romance  of  Richard  Coeur  de 
Lion  (fols.  252ra-276ra),  a  copy  of  which  is  also  found  in  BL  Harley  4690.^ 

He  has  also  preserved  passim  a  series  of  extracts  from  a  verse  history  simi- 
lar in  style  (and  literary  quality)  to  the  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle. 

Fol.  335  contains  a  list  of  the  burial  places  of  the  kings  from  Arthur  to 
Harold.  Fols.  335v  to  342v  contain  a  copy  of  the  anonymous  verse  "Kings 
of  England"  (from  William  the  Conqueror  to  Henry  VI),  illustrated  with 


332 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

roundels  containing  full-length  portraits  of  the  individual  kings  and  roundels 
with  the  names  of  their  children.^  These  are  linked  to  show  lines  of  succes- 
sion; since  the  manuscript  was  completed  in  1448,  no  issue  is  shown  for 
Henry  VI,  whose  son  Edward  was  born  in  1453. 

The  dialect  of  the  manuscript  is  that  of  Wiltshire/ 

Extracts  transcribed  from  this  manuscript  are  found  in  Magdalene  Col- 
lege, Cambridge,  Pepys  2833,  pages  1-3  and  fols.  485-518.  They  were  made 
ca.  1685  for  Sir  William  Hayward,  after  whose  death  the  manuscript  passed 
to  Samuel  Pepys. 


^  The  poem  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  is  printed  in  Brie  289;  also  in  Thomas  Hearne, 

ed.,  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle,  2  vols.  (Oxford,  1724;  rpt.  as  vols.  3  and  4  of  Works 

[London,  1810]),  1:  Ixxxiii-iv. 

^  The  manuscript  also  contains  at  its  beginning  an  acephalous  treatise  on  hunting  and  a 

list  of  terms  of  association. 

^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2617-21,  2642. 

*  A  notice  of  Thomas  Trevet,  justice  of  the  eyre,  is  followed  by  the  remark  "This 

Treuetes  sone  made  cronicles  icleped  Triuetes  Cronicles  of  whiche  many  thyngus  of  thes 

cronicles  beth  idrawe  oute  of." 

^  See  Brunner,  ed.,  Der  Mittelenglische  Versroman  uber  Richard  Lowenherz. 

^  See  Mooney,  "Lydgate's  'Kings  of  England',"  pp.  263-73,  278-89.  The  Arundel  text  is 

published  in  Hearne,  ed.,  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle,  2:  585-95. 

^  LALME,  1:  117,  3:  547,  where  two  hands,  in  similar  language,  are  distinguished.  It  is 

possible,  though,  that  only  one  scribe  was  involved. 


Remarks  on  the  JM-1333 

In  content  the  full  text  of  BL  Harley  4690  resembles  the  CV-1333,  as 
might  be  expected,  since  both  translations  are  based  on  texts  of  the  Anglo- 
Norman  Long  Version.  Stylistically  and  verbally,  however,  the  versions  differ 
considerably,  and  it  appears  that  the  translation  exemplified  by  BL  Harley 
4690  must  have  been  based  on  an  Anglo-Norman  text  similar  to  that  of 
Bibliotheque  Mazarine  1860,  a  text  as  far  removed  as  possible  from  that 
used  for  the  first  translation.^ 

In  the  Halidon  Hill  passage  in  BL  Harley  4690,  the  layout  of  the  wards 
of  the  Scottish  army  is  different  from  that  found  in  the  CV  in  that  the 
names  of  the  knights  are  given  in  Ust  form;  accordingly,  the  "5w"  heading  is 
not  found.  This  layout  is  similar  to  that  found  in  many  of  the  Anglo-Nor- 
man manuscripts.^  In  Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel  58,  however,  the  wards  and 


PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 333 

the  Scots  in  them  are  presented  as  prose,  in  which  the  "Sw"  heading  does 
not  occur.  Instead  of  the  concluding  prose  description  of  the  battle  found  in 
the  Anglo-Norman  texts  (and  followed  in  the  first  English  translation), 
there  appears  a  poem  in  rhyming  couplets. 

The  translator  of  this  version  is  not  named  in  either  BL  Harley  4690  or 
Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel  58.  The  evidence  for  ascribing  the  translation  to 
John  Mandeville  is  found  in  BL  Harley  2279,  which  probably  belongs  to  the 
CV-1377  f  c.  Stage  1,  but  which  breaks  off  in  1340.^  At  the  end  of  this  text 
a  sixteenth-century  hand  has  added  the  following  lines: 

This  English  booke  that  is  present 
was  made  to  a  good  entent 
fFor  hem  that  Englishe  understonde 
of  the  Chronicles  of  Engelonde 
This  was  translated  by  good  avyse 
owt  of  t^rench  into  Englyse 
By  Sire  lohn  the  Maundeuyle 
that  hath  ben  person  but  a  whyle 
In  Brunham  Thorp  that  little  toun 
God  graunt  him  hise  benysoun 
The  yeer  of  Henry  I  understonde 
the  sexte  kyng  of  Engelonde 
After  the  conqueste  soth  to  seyne 
1435  the  xiij  yeere  of  hise  reygne 

He  that  sitt  in  Trynitee 
one  God  and  persons  three 
Save  the  kyng  from  all  mischaunce 
Bothen  in  Engelond  and  in  Fraunce. 

Beside  these  lines  occur  two  comments.  The  first,  in  the  same  hand  as  the 
verses,  reads  "Thes  verses  written  in  the  end  of  this  mans  translacioun  which 
doth  somwhat  vary  from  this  translacioun  owt  of  ye  first  originall  Frenche." 
The  second,  in  a  later,  seventeenth-  or  eighteenth-century  hand,  reads  "hie 
desunt  13  cap.  que  sunt  in  alio  libro." 

Brie  has  demonstrated  that  there  are  sufficient  contemporary  references  to 
"John  Maundevyle"  to  authenticate  the  existence  of  this  person  and  that 
from  1427/28  to  1441  the  rector  of  Burnham  Thorpe  in  Norfolk  was  indeed 
so  named.'*  The  records  suggest  that  Mandeville  must  have  been  born  ca. 
1380,  and  that  he  lived  most  of  his  life  in  obscure  parishes  in  Norfolk,  Lin- 
colnshire, and  apparently  Worcestershire  for  a  time.  The  series  of  parishes 


334 PECULIAR  TEXTS  AND  VERSIONS 

with  which  Brie  associates  him  is  Quidenham  (Norfolk),  Flegg  (Norfolk), 
Brettenham's  or  Bridgeham's  Manor  (Norfolk),  Hamburg  (Worcester), 
Great  Cressingham  (Norfolk),  Burnham  Thorpe  (Norfolk;  1427-1441), 
Ivenho  (Lincoln),  and  Netherhall  Manor  (Norfolk).  That  he  is  called  "Sir" 
John  Mandeville  is  due  to  his  clerical  status. 

The  lines  in  BL  Harley  2279  must  have  been  copied  from  a  manuscript 
of  Mandeville's  translation;  however,  the  remark  that  thirteen  chapters  are 
missing  that  are  in  the  other  book  shows  that  the  later  annotator  was  refer- 
ring to  a  text  that  included  a  continuation  to  1377,  which  would  fit  the 
number  of  missing  chapters. 

Although  Brie  apparently  did  not  notice  the  later  remark,  he  raises  the 
question  whether  the  evidence  of  BL  Harley  4690  implies  that  the  continu- 
ation to  1419  found  therein  was  supplied  by  John  Mandeville  and  was  there- 
after transferred  to  the  first  translation.  The  second  marginal  remark  raises 
the  question  whether  the  1377  continuation  was  first  supplied  by  Mande- 
ville. However,  Brie's  arguments  for  not  ascribing  the  1419  continuation  to 
him  can  also  be  applied  to  the  1377  continuation: 

1.  Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel  58  probably  contained  no  more  than  the  end  of 
the  poem  on  the  battle  of  Halidon  Hill  in  its  original  full  state. 

2.  There  is  a  gap  in  BL  Harley  4690  between  1333  and  1337,  suggesting 
hesitation  on  the  scribe's  part  for  some  reason.  This  probably  reflects  a 
change  of  exemplar  at  this  point. 

3.  A  number  of  manuscripts  of  the  CV-1377  were  written  before  1435, 
which  is  when  John  Mandeville  apparently  made  his  translation. 

Textual  comparison  shows  that  neither  of  the  surviving  manuscripts  is  the 
original  text  of  the  translation,  which  must,  in  addition,  have  ended  with  the 
verses  of  ascription  that  were  copied  later  into  BL  Harley  2279.^  Nor  can 
either  manuscript  be  a  copy  of  the  other.  Mandeville's  translation  does  not 
seem  to  have  had  much  circulation  or  any  great  popularity,  and  the  extant 
manuscripts  are  probably  close  to  the  original,  especially  given  the  date  of 
the  translation  (1435)  and  the  date  of  compilation  of  Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel 
58  (1448). 


^  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quelletty  pp.  75-77. 

2  See  pp.  86-87. 

•*  See  item  15. 

*  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  78-80. 

'  See  Brie,  Geschichte  und  Quellen,  pp.  76-77. 


V.  Unclassified  Texts 


196.  BiBLIOTHECA  BODMERIANA,  COD.  BODMER  43 

Begins  onfol.  1:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Surrey  there  was  a  noble  kynge  and  a 

myghti  man  and  of  grete  renowne  that  men  callede  Dioclician  that  weUe 

and  wortheli  gouernede  hymself  thrugh  his  noble  chiualry 
Ends  onfol.  2v:  and  thei  conceuede  and  broght  forth  geantes  Gogmagogge 

and  Laugheryan  and  so  dweUede  in  Albyone  to  the  tyme  that  Brute  londe 

at  Totnesse.  [cf.  Brie  4/26-32] 

Remarks:  The  Albina  prologue  of  a  CV  Brut  has  been  used  as  a  preface  to 
a  prose  paraphrase  of  much  of  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle  (fols.  3- 
103v).^ 


^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  pp.  2621-22.  For  an  analogous  use  of  Brut  narrative  (as  a  con- 
tinuation) in  conjunction  with  a  prose  version  of  Robert  of  Gloucester,  one  can  compare 
CUL  Ll.2.14  (see  item  191);  cf.  also  Coll.  of  Arms  Arundel  58,  where  sections  of  John 
Mandeville's  translation  are  interpolated  in  the  verse  form  of  Robert's  Chronicle  (see  item 
195)  and  BL  Sloane  2027,  where  the  Brut  is  used  as  a  frame  for  Robert's  Chronicle  (sec 
item  159). 


197.  Lincoln  Cathedral  MS.  70  (C.5.l2)^ 

Heading  on  damaged  and  rubbed foL  1:  Here  begynneth  |)e  boke  callyd  Brute 

J)[ . . .  ]  tretith  of  |)e  kynges  of  Ingelonde. 
Begins:  In  J)e  noble  londe  of  Surre 
Ends  imperfectly.  How  Gurmonde  drave  kynge  Cartyff  to  Chicester  and 

killed  the  Bretons  and  J)urgh  queyntyse  gate  the  towne.  [Brie  94/15-17] 

Remarks:  Despite  the  heading,  which  is  reminiscent  of  the  heading  and  be- 
ginning of  EV  texts,  there  are  no  distinctive  EV  signs  in,  for  example,  the 
giant  passages  or  the  passages  on  Lud's  naming  of  London  and  on  Engist's 
heptarchy. 


336 UNCLASSIFIED  TEXTS 

The  chapter  on  the  thirty-three  kings  is  slightly  abbreviated:  "|)e  fflirst 
kynge  off  Ipe  xxxiij"  kynges  men  callyd  Gorbodia;  he  reigned  xij  yere;  {)e  ij' 
kynge  Morgan  ij  yere;  Eighnaus  yj  yere  [^/f.]." 

The  text  should  be  assigned  to  the  CV,  and,  given  the  heading,  it  is  pos- 
sible that  it  represents  a  form  of  CV  ending  in  1377  that  underlay  the  EV 
texts. 


^  See  Thompson,  Catalogue,  p.  51,  for  sixteenth-  and  seventeenth-century  names  in  the 
manuscript.  (There  are  several  misreadings  in  Thompson's  description.) 


198.  Cambridge  University  Library  MS.  Kk.1.3 

Begins  imperfectly:  after  jjat  bataill  Vter  tooke  his  weye  toward  Wynchestre 

[Brie  64/29] 
Ends  imperfectly:  And  he  sente  before  in  to  Scotlonde  ser  Aymer  de  Val- 

aunce  erl  of  Pembrook  [Brie  200/14-15] 

Remarks:  The  text  consists  of  ten  unnumbered  folios  inserted  at  the  end  of 
the  manuscript  that  contain  discontiguous  pieces  of  text  between  Uther  and 
Edward  I.  What  remains  corresponds  well  to  the  text  of  the  earlier  CV 
groups,  but  they  could  also  be  part  of  an  EV  text. 


199.  NLW  MS.  Peniarth  396D(1)i 

Heading  on  damaged  p.  i:  [ . . .  ]  may  [.]  m[ . . .  ]s  fyste  called  [ins.^  Albion  & 

thorugh  [ . . .  ]  yt  hadde  that  name.  [Here  may  [.]  man  here  how  Eng- 

lande  was  marg.^ 
Begins:  In  the  noble  londe  of  Surrey 
Ends  imperfectly  on  p.  16:  but  oon  geaunte  \_last  word  a  catchword] 

Remarks:  The  text  has  been  copied  from  a  CV  as  far  as  chapter  four  before 
it  breaks  off  imperfecdy.  The  text  then  goes  back  to  the  third  chapter  and 
is  thereafter  a  copy  of  the  AV-1419:B. 


^  For  (2),  which  is  foliated  rather  than  paginated,  see  item  138.  See  Marx,  "Middle 
EngUsh  Manuscripts,"  p.  362. 


UNCLASSIFIED  TEXTS 337 

200.  Brogyntyn  MS.  8  (Lord  Harlech;  on  deposit  at  NLW)^ 

Begins  imperfectly:  changed  as  the  deuell  wolde  [Brie  70/30] 
Contains:  Cad 

Ends  imperfectly  onfoL  18v:  of  tillers  and  this  myschefe  endured  [Cad  epi- 
sode: see  pp.  58-59] 

Remarks:  The  manuscript  consists  of  one  gathering,  perhaps  preserved  be- 
cause it  contains  the  section  on  King  Arthur,  including  Merlin's  prophecies. 
Constantine  reigns  after  Arthur. 
The  text  could  be  a  CV,  EV,  or  AV. 


*  See  Maix,  "Middle  English  Manuscripts,"  pp.  376-77;  Rosalynn  Voaden,  ed.  and  trans., 
Brogyntyn  Manuscript  No.  8,  introd.  Felicity  Riddy  (Moreton-in-Marsh,  1991). 


201.  BL  MS.  Royal  II.B.dc 

First  fragment  begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  133:  bene  kynge  xvij  yere  [Brie 

142/16] 
First  fragment  ends  imperfectly  in  next  chapter  on  fol.  133  v. 
Second  fragment  begins  imperfectly  on  fol.  134  and  ends  on  fol.  134v. 

Remarks:.  The  two  fragments,  which  are  very  damaged  and  only  partially 
legible,  are  bound  into  the  Regis trum  Cartarum  Prioratus  S.  Andreae  North- 
ampton. The  fragments  are  from  the  reign  of  Heniy  I;  the  second  comes 
from  the  chapter  preceding  the  narrative  of  the  first  fragment  (see  Brie, 
chapter  135,  140/16-142/11).  Kennedy  notes  that  the  manuscript  is  related 
to  BL  Harley  2182  but  gives  no  evidence  for  the  relationship.^ 


^  See  Kennedy,  Manual,  p.  2819. 


202.  Lehigh  University  (3  fragments)^ 

Fragment  A,  recto,  begins:  kyng  of  moche  Britaigne.  Capitulum  liij™.  [Brie 

46/31-32] 
Fragment  A,  verso,  ends:  and  natheles  he  was  somdel  glad  of  his  deth  and 

[Brie  48/29] 
Fragment  B,  recto,  begins:  herde  telle  that  Engist  was  come  a3en  [Brie  54/7- 

8] 


338 UNCLASSIFIED  TEXTS 

Fragment  B,  verso,  ends:  Another  kyng  hadde  Southsex  where  is  now  [Brie 

55/8-9] 
Fragment  C,  recto,  begins:  forto  maken  hym  kyng  [Brie  127/15] 
Fragment  C,  verso,  ends:  &  alle  the  lordes  of  Engelonde  8c  heelde  a  grete 

par[ . . .  ]  [Brie  129/18-19] 

Remarks:  The  three  fragments  come  from  a  double-columned  manuscript 
that  was  probably  dismembered  and  cut  up  for  its  illustrated  and  decorated 
initials  in  the  early  1930s.  Fragments  A  and  B  preserve  full  columns,  while 
Fragment  C  is  the  top  part  of  a  leaf  Fragment  B  has  the  modern  foliation 
number  28  {2S});  Fragment  C  is  numbered  51. 


^  See  John  C.  Hirsh,  Western  Manuscripts  of  the  Twelfth  through  the  Sixteenth  Centuries  in 
Lehigh  University  Libraries:  A  Guide  to  the  Exhibition  (Bethlehem,  Penn.,  1970),  pp.  11- 
14.  Hirsh  prints  the  text  of  Fragment  B  on  pp.  13-14. 


203.  Geelong  Church  of  England  Grammar  School  MS.^ 

Begins  (imperfectly?):  Afftre  |)e  dethe  of  f)is  Eldrede  knoght  J)at  was  a  danoys 

bigan  J)o  forto  regne  but  Edmond  Irensyde  that  was  l^^ng  Eldrede  sonne 

bi  his  ferst  wyf  [Brie  119/5-7] 
Omits:  QIL  (see  below),  "5w"  heading  (see  below) 
Ends  imperfectly:  Rebelles  {)at  afore  had  done  moche  harme  to  oure  Enghsh 

men  marchauntes  and  to  many  Toynes  [izV]  and  Poortes  in  Englonde 

upon  t)e  [Brie  365/17-19  and  cf.  note  9] 

Remarks:  Sinclair's  description  indicates  that,  among  many  others,  the  folios 
are  missing  that  might  have  contained  QIL,  the  "5w''  heading,  and  the 
changeover  passages  between  1333  and  1377  and  1377  and  1419.  The  infor- 
mation given  in  the  published  description  concerning  the  contents  of  the  re- 
maining leaves  suggests  that  the  text  was  a  CV,  or  possibly  an  EV,  ending 
in  1419. 


*  The  manuscript  has  been  missing  since  the  late  1960s.  The  present  description  is  based 
on  Sinclair,  Descriptive  Catalogue,  pp.  306-307,  from  which  quotations  are  taken  and  on 
which  the  Remarks  are  based. 


VI.  The  Early  Printed  Editions 


Thirteen  printed  editions  of  the  English  Brut  appeared  between  1480  and 
1528  under  the  title  The  Chronicles  of  England  ox  some  variant  thereof.  Wil- 
liam Caxton's  editio  princeps  of  1480  was  based  on  a  manuscript  text  similar 
to  that  found  in  Huntington  MS.  HM  136(1),  with  the  addition  of  a  short 
prologue,  a  table  of  contents,  and  a  continuation  from  1419  to  1461  that 
was  probably  compiled  by  Caxton  himself.  The  printed  editions  fall  into  two 
groups,  here  designated  Types  1  and  2.  Type  1  follows  Caxton's  text,  while 
Type  2  follows  the  expanded  edition  published  at  St.  Albans  by  the  School- 
master-Printer. Both  types  end  in  1461. 


[85.]  "The  Cronicles  of  Englond."  William  Caxton,  Westmin- 
ster, June  10, 1480  (STC  9991).^  Type  1. 

Remarks:  [See  item  85  for  a  description  and  pp.  165-66  for  discussion.] 
Later  in  1480,  Caxton  published  The  Description  of  Britain  (STC  13440a), 
consisting  of  geographical  material  from  John  Trevisa's  translation  of  Ra- 
nulph  Higden's  Polychronicon.  This  small  work  was  probably  intended  as  a 
supplement  to  the  Chronicles  of  England^  with  which  a  number  of  the  extant 
copies  are  bound.^  In  certain  later  editions  it  became  a  regular  part  of  the 
book. 


^  Available  on  microfilm  in  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel 
1573.  For  bibliographical  details,  see  E.  Gordon  Duff,  Fifteenth-Century  English  Books 
(Oxford,  1917),  no.  97.  The  prologue  and  conclusion  are  printed  in  N.  F.  Blake,  Caxton's 
Own  Prose  (London,  1973),  pp.  68-69. 

^  See  Duff,  Fifteenth-Century  English  Books,  no.  113;  Blake,  Caxton's  Chun  Prose,  p.  155. 
A  modern  rendering  is  available  in  Marie  Collins,  Caxton:  The  Description  of  Britain  (New 
York,  1988). 


340 EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS 

204.  "The  Cronycles  of  Englond."  William  Caxton,  Westmin- 
ster, October  8, 1482  (STC  9992).^  Type  1. 

Preface  begins:  [I]n  the  yere  of  th'yncarnaq^on  of  our  lord  Ihesu  Crist  M 

CCC  Ixxx  and  in  the  xx  yere  of  the  regne  of  kyng  Edward  the  fourth 
Heading:  How  the  land  of  Englond  was  fyrst  named  Albyon  and  by  what 

encheson  it  was  so  named. 
Begins:  In  the  noble  land  of  Sirrie 
Ends:  and  that  after  this  present  &  short  lyf  we  may  come  to  the  euerlastyng 

lyfe  in  the  blysse  of  heuen.  Amen. 
Colophon:  Thus  endeth  this  present  book  of  the  Cronycles  of  Englond  en- 

prynted  by  me  William  Caxton  in  th'abbey  of  Westmestre  by  London. 

Fynysshed  and  accomplyssed  the  viij  day  of  Octobre  the  yere  of  the  incar- 

nacyon  of  our  lord  God  M  CCCC  Ixxxij  and  in  the  xxij  yere  of  the  regne 

of  kyng  Edward  the  fourth. 

Remarks:  Caxton's  second  edition  was  set  up  from  the  first,  retaining  the 
same  pagination,  although  the  spelling  system  and  punctuation  marks  have 
been  altered.^  Textually,  only  the  colophon  has  been  altered  to  reflect  the 
new  date. 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  3.  See  Duff,  Fifteenth- 
Century  English  Books,  no.  98. 
2  Cf.  N.  F.  Blake,  Caxton:  England's  First  Publisher  (London,  1976),  pp.  92-93. 


205.  "The  Croniclis  of  Englonde  with  the  Frute  of  Timis." 
[Schoolmaster-Printer,]  St.  Albans,  [?1483]  (STC  9995).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Here  begynnys  a  schort  &  breue  tabull  on  thes 

cronicles 
Prologue  begins:  The  Prolog.  In  so  myche  that  it  is  necessari  to  all  creaturis 

of  Criston  religyoii  or  of  fals  religyon 
Prologue  ends:  we  vse  most  to  nombnr  [read  nombur]  fro  the  begynyng  off 

the  world  vnto  Crist  wos  borne  and  fro  Crist  wos  borne  vnto  our  tyme 

and  this  ordyr  is  kepyt  in  all  the  boke  of  euery  thyng  in  his  place  as  it  is 

sayd  afoor. 
Heading  to  first  part  Hie  incipit  Fructus  Temporum. 
First  part  begins:  [B]e  cause  thys  boke  is  mad  to  tel  what  tyme  ony  thyng 

notabull  wos  therfoor  the  begynyng  of  all  tymes  chortly  shall  be  tochit. 
Heading  to  Brut  text:  Incipit  regnum  Britanie  nunc  dicta  Anglia.  Afor  J)at  I 


EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS     341 

will  speke  of  Brute  it  shall  be  shewed  how  \>e  londe  of  Englond  was  fyrst 
namd  Albion  6c  by  what  encheson  it  vos  so  namit. 

Brut  text  begins:  In  the  nobull  land  of  Sine 

Brut  text  ends:  And  about  Mydsomer  after  thee  yere  of  our  lord  M  CCC  be 
and  thee  firist  yere  of  his  regne  he  wos  crouned  at  Westmynstre  &, 
anoynted  kyng  of  Englond  hauyng  possession  of  all  thee  reame. 

Seventh  part  ends'.  Ihon  th'abbot  of  Habingdon  was  the  popys  legate  to  dis- 
pose thys  godli  tresure  of  the  chirch  to  eueri  faythflill  man  J)at  was  dis- 
posed and  that  wolde  habuU  him  to  resayue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  ende  the  Croniclis  of  Englonde  with  the  Frute  of  Timis. 
Sanctus  Albanus. 

Remarks:  This  edition  is  based  on  Caxton's  text  (probably  that  of  1480), 
greatly  augmented  by  material  drawn  from  the  popular  Fasciculus  temporum 
of  Werner  RolewincL^ 

There  is  a  prologue  on  the  use  of  history  and  on  historical  authorities  that 
also  contains  an  explanation  of  the  seven  parts  into  which  the  narrative  has 
been  divided  and  other  matters  thought  necessary  for  understanding  chroni- 
cles. The  first  part  begins  with  a  "Fructus  Temporum"  from  the  Creation  to 
Homer,  who  "wrotte  and  fened  gloriusli  mony  a  lesyng."  Interpolations  on 
popes  and  foreign  rulers  are  interspersed  throughout  the  Chronicles  of  Eng- 
land text. 


1  Early  EngUsh  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  161.  See  Duff,  Fifteenth- 
Century  English  Books,  no.  101.  The  edition,  ascribed  here  to  ?1483,  is  undated  but  is  fre- 
quently ascribed  to  1485  (as  in  the  STC).  However,  the  prologue  assigns  the  compilation 
of  the  text  to  1483,  23  Edward  IV  (March  4,  1483-April  9,  1483,  the  date  of  Edward's 
death,  if  the  regnal  year  is  used).  The  wording  is  similar  to  that  of  the  colophon  that 
gives  1486  as  the  date  of  compilation  (but  not  necessarily  that  of  printing)  of  the  School- 
master-Printer's typographically  related  Book  of  Hawking,  Hunting,  and  Biasing  ofArmr, 
see  William  Blades,  introd..  The  Boke  of  Saint  Albans  (London,  1881),  leaf  fix",  and 
Rachel  Hands,  ed.,  English  Hawking  and  Hunting  in  The  Boke  of  St.  Albans,  Oxford  Eng- 
lish Monographs  (Oxford,  1975),  pp.  xvi-ixvii.  Near  the  end  of  the  Chronicles  of  England, 
however,  the  Schoolmaster-Printer  refers  to  Sextus  IV,  who  died  on  August  12,  1484,  as 
the  current  pope.  Innocent  VIII  was  elected  his  successor  on  August  29,  1484. 
^  The  first  official  pubUcation  of  the  Fasciculus  temporum  was  in  Cologne  in  1474;  Johan 
Veldener,  a  former  business  associate  of  Caxton,  published  an  edition  at  Louvain  in  1475 
that  may  have  been  used  by  Caxton  in  his  compilation  of  the  1419-1461  continuation  of 
the  Chronicles  of  England.  See  Matheson,  "Printer  and  Scribe,"  p.  599  and  the  references 
in  nn.  25  and  29  therein. 


342 early  printed  editions 

206.  ["Chronicles  of  England."]  [Willlam  de  Machlinia,  Lon- 
don, ?1486]  (STC  9993).^  TYPE  1. 
Table  of  contents  begins'.  Fyrst  in  the  prologue  is  conceyued  how  Albyne  with 

hir  susters  entrid  into  this  ile  and  named  yt  Albyon. 
Heading.  How  the  lande  of  Englonde  was  fyrst  namd  Albyon  and  bi  what 

encheson  it  was  so  namd. 
Text  begins:  [I]n  the  noble  lande  of  Surre 
Text  ends'.  &c  that  after  this  present  &  short  lyfe  we  may  com  to  the  euerlast- 

yng  lyfe  in  the  blisse  of  heuen.  Amen. 

Remarks:  This  edition,  probably  printed  by  Machlinia,  omits  Caxton's  short 
prologue  and  colophon  but  otherwise  follows  his  edition  of  1480  (though 
with  some  errors). 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  3  (the  British  Library 
copy,  which  is  imperfect  at  the  end).  See  DufF,  Fifteenth-Century  English  Books,  no.  99. 


207.  "Cronycles  of  the  londe  of  Englond."  Gerard  de  Leew, 
Antwerp,  1493  (STC  9994).^  Type  1. 

Heading  to  table  of  contents:  Here  begynneth  the  table  of  thys  boke  that  men 
kalled  Cronycles  of  the  londe  of  Englond. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  First  in  the  prologue  is  conteyned  how  Albyne  wyth 
hir  sustres  entrid  into  this  ile  &  named  it  Albyon. 

Heading.  How  the  lande  of  Englonde  was  fyrst  named  Albion  and  by  what 
encheson  it  was  so  named. 

Text  begins:  Ther  was  in  the  noble  lande  of  Surre 

Text  ends:  &c  that  after  this  present  8c  short  lyfe  we  may  comen  to  the  euer- 
lasting  lyfe  in  the  blisse  of  heuen.  Amen. 

Colophon:  Here  ben  endyd  the  Cronycles  of  the  reame  of  Englond  with  their 
apperteignaunces.  Enprentyd  in  the  duchye  of  Braband  in  the  towne  of 
Andewarpe  in  the  yere  of  owr  lord  M  CCCC  xciij  by  maistir  Gerard  de 
Leew  a  man  of  grete  wysedom  in  all  maner  of  kunnyng  which  nowe  is 
come  from  lyfe  vnto  the  deth  which  is  grete  harme  for  many  a  poure 
man.  On  whos  sowle  God  Almyghty  for  hys  hygh  grace  haue  mercy. 
Amen. 

Remarks:  De  Leew's  edition,  which  is  based  on  Caxton,  has  a  title-page  with 
the  title  "Cronycles  of  the  londe  of  Englond." 


EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS  343 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  8.  See  DufF,  Fifteenth- 
Century  English  Books,  no.  100. 

208.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  the  Frute  of  Tymes."  Wyn- 

KYN  DE  WORDE,  WESTMINSTER,  1497  (STC  9996).^  TYPE  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  and  a  breue  table 
on  these  Cronydes 

Prologue  begins:  The  prologue.  In  so  moche  that  it  is  necessary  to  all  crea- 
tures of  Crysten  relygyon 

Text  ends:  to  euery  faythfull  man  that  was  dysposyd  &  that  wolde  able  hym 
to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endyth  this  present  Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  the  Frute  of 
Tymes  compiled  in  a  booke  &  also  enprynted  by  one  somtyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Saynt  Albons  on  whoos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  And  newely  in 
the  yer  of  our  lord  God  M  CCCC  booocvij  enpryntid  at  Westmestre  by 
Wynkyn  de  Worde. 

Remarks:  It  is  clear  that  this  expanded  text  of  the  St.  Albans  type  was 
intended  to  be  issued  with  de  Worde's  1498  edition  of  The  Description  of 
Britain  (STC  13440b),  since  the  latter  work  is  listed  at  the  end  of  the  table 
of  contents. 

The  colophon  gives  a  terminus  ad  quem  for  the  death  of  the  School- 
master-printer of  St.  Albans. 


'  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  924.  See  DufF,  Fifteenth- 
Century  English  Books,  no.  102. 

209.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  pe  Fruyte  of  Tymes." 
Wynkyn  de  Worde,  London,  May,  1502  (STC  9997).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  &  a  breue  table  on 
these  Cronycles 

Prologue  begins:  The  prologue.  In  so  moche  that  it  is  necessary  to  all  crea- 
tures of  Crysten  relygyon 

Text  ends:  too  euery  faythfull  man  J)at  was  dysposyd  and  that  wolde  able 
hym  too  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endeth  this  present  Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  J)e  Fruyte  of 


344 EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS 

Tymes  compyled  in  a  booke  and  also  enprynted  by  one  some  tyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Saynt  Albons  vppon  whoos  soule  God  haue  merq^.  Amen. 
And  newely  in  the  yere  of  oure  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  ii  enprynted  in 
Flete  Strete  in  pe  sygne  of  the  Sonne  by  me  Wynkyn  de  Worde. 

Remarks:  This  is  a  reprint  of  de  Worde's  edition  of  1497  and  of  the  Tbe 
Description  of  Britain  of  1498,  printed  after  his  move  from  Westminster. 


^  Early  EngUsh  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  3. 


210.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  pe  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Julyan 
Notary,  London,  August,  1504  (STC  9998).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  and  a  breue  table 
on  these  Cronycles 

Prologue  begins:  The  prologue.  In  so  moche  that  it  is  necessary  to  all  crea- 
tures of  Crysten  relygyon 

Text  ends:  to  euery  feythfiiU  man  J)at  was  disposed  and  that  wolde  able  hym 
to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endeth  this  present  Cronycle  of  Englonde  wyth  J)e  Fruyte  of 
Tymes  compyled  in  a  booke  &  also  enprynted  by  one  somtyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Saint  Albons  vpon  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  And 
newely  in  the  yere  of  our  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  &  iiii  enprynted  at 
Tempelbarre  by  me  Julyane  Nottary. 

Remarks:  The  edition  agrees  with  de  Worde's  editions  of  1497  and  1502  and 
seems  to  have  been  taken  from  the  latter;  it  also  contains  The  Description  of 
Britain. 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  3. 


211.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Rich- 
ard Pynson,  London,  December  19, 1510  (STC  9999).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  &  a  breue  table  on 
these  Cronycles 

Prologue  begins:  The  Prologue.  In  so  moche  that  it  is  necessary  to  all  crea- 
tures of  Cristen  relygion 


EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS       345 

Text  ends:  to  euery  faythfull  man  that  was  dysposed  and  that  wolde  able  hym 
to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endeth  this  present  Cronyde  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte 
of  Tymes  compyled  in  a  boke  8c  also  enprynted  by  one  some  tyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Saint  Albons  vpon  whos  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  And 
newely  in  the  yere  of  oure  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  x  enprynted  in  Flete 
Strete  at  the  sygne  of  the  Gorge  by  Rycharde  Pynson  prynter  vnto  |)e 
l^ges  noble  grace. 

Remarks:  This  edition  appears  to  be  a  reprint  of  de  Worde's  edition  of  1502, 
with  The  Description  of  Britain,  which  it  resembles  closely  in  typography  and 
layout. 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  3. 


212.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes." 
JULYAN  Notary,  London,  1515  (STC  10000).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  and  a  breue  table 
on  the  Cronydes 

Prologue  begins:  The  Prologue.  In  soo  moche  that  it  is  necessary  to  all  crea- 
tures of  Crysten  relygyon 

Text  ends:  to  euery  feythflil  man  J)at  was  diposed  and  that  wolde  able  hym 
to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endeth  this  present  Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte 
of  Tymes  compyled  in  I  boke  and  also  newely  enprynted  in  the  yere  of 
our  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  &.  xv  by  me  Julyan  Notary  dwellynge  in 
Powlys  chyrche  yarde  besyde  J)e  westedore  by  my  lordes  palyes. 

Remarks:  Notary's  edition  is  presumably  based  on  his  earlier  edition  of  1504, 
with  some  minor  changes.  Thus,  in  his  colophon  to  the  chronicle  Notary 
drops  the  attribution  to  the  Schoolmaster-Printer;  in  the  colophon  to  The 
Description  of  Britain  he  also  drops  Caxton's  references  to  himself  as  the  first 
printer  thereof  and  to  Trevisa  as  the  translator. 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  4. 


346 early  printed  editions 

213.  "Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Wyn- 
KYN  de  Worde,  London,  1515  (STC  10000.5).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  and  a  breue  table 
for  to  fynde  lyghtly  wherof  ony  man  shall  please  hym  to  rede  in  this  boke. 

Prologue  begins'.  The  prologue.  In  so  moche  J)at  it  is  necessary  to  al  creatures 
of  Crysten  relygyon 

Text  ends:  to  euery  faythfull  man  that  was  dysposed  5c  that  wolde  able  hym 
to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endeth  this  present  Cronycle  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte 
of  Tymes  compyled  in  a  boke  and  also  enprynted  by  one  somtyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Saynt  Albons  vpon  whose  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  And 
newly  enprynted  in  Flete  Strete  at  the  sygne  of  the  Sonne  by  me  Wynkyn 
de  Worde  in  the  yere  of  our  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  and  xv. 

Remarks:  This  edition  is  based  on  de  Worde's  edition  of  1502,  with  The  De- 
scription of  Britain^  and  provides  a  new  system  of  reference  by  folio  in  the 
table  of  contents. 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  4.  The  British  Library 
copy  filmed  therein  has  a  title-page  imitated  from  de  Worde's  edition  of  1528  (with  the 
royal  arms  copied  from  Richard  Pynson's  version)  and  for  that  reason  contains  the  title 
found  in  the  later  edition.  Other  copies  contain  de  Worde's  woodcut  of  the  royal  arms 
but  no  title. 


214.  "Cronycle  of  Englande  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes."  Wyn- 
kyn de  Worde,  London,  1520  (STC  lOOOl).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  and  a  breue  table 

Prologue  begins:  The  prologue.  In  so  moche  J)at  it  is  necessary  to  al  creatures 
of  Crysten  relyg[y]on 

Text  ends:  to  euery  faythful  man  that  was  dysposed  8c  that  wolde  able  hym 
to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Here  endeth  this  presente  Cronycle  of  Englande  with  the  Fruyte 
of  Tymes  compyled  in  a  boke  8c  also  imprynted  by  one  sumtyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Seynt  Albons  vpon  whose  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  And 
newly  imprynted  in  Flete  Strete  at  the  sygne  of  the  Sonne  by  me  Wynkyn 
de  Worde  in  the  yere  of  oure  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  and  xx. 

Remarks:  This  is  a  reset  edition,  with  some  spelling  variation,  of  de  Worde's 
edition  of  1515. 


EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS  347 


Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  79. 


215.  "The  Cronycles  of  Englonde  with  the  dedes  of  popes  and 

EMPEROURS  AND  ALSO  THE  DESCRIPCYON  OF  ENGLONDE."  WYNKYN 

DE  WORDE,  London,  April  9, 1528  (STC  10002).^  Type  2. 

Table  of  contents  begins:  Tabula.  Here  begynneth  a  shorte  and  a  breue  table 

Prologue  begins:  The  prologue.  In  so  moche  |)at  it  is  necessary  to  all  creatures 
of  Chrysten  relygion 

Text  ends:  vnto  euery  faythfuU  man  that  was  disposed  and  that  wolde  able 
themselfe  to  receyue  it. 

Colophon:  Thus  endeth  the  Cronycles  of  Englonde  with  the  Fruyte  of  Tymes 
compyled  in  a  boke  and  was  fyrst  imprynted  by  one  somtyme  scole- 
mayster  of  Saynt  Albons  on  whose  soule  God  haue  mercy.  Amen.  And 
now  lately  imprynted  at  London  and  dilygently  amended  in  dyuers  places 
where  as  ony  faute  was  in  Flete  Strete  at  the  sygne  of  the  Sonne  by  me 
Wynl^  de  Worde  in  the  yere  of  our  lorde  God  M  CCCCC  xxviij  the 
ix  daye  of  Apryll. 

Remarks:  The  new  title  occurs  on  a  title-page  that  also  contains  de  Worde's 
woodcut  of  the  royal  arms.  Generally,  the  text  corresponds  to  de  Worde's 
earlier  edition  of  1520  and  is  accompanied  by  The  Description  of  England. 
Despite  the  claim  in  the  colophon,  the  revisions  are  slight. 


^  Early  English  Books  1475-1640  (University  Microfilms),  Reel  4. 


The  new  title  and  the  exaggerated  claim  for  diligent  amendment  in  de 
Worde's  edition  of  1528,  the  last  of  the  early  printed  editions.,  may  be  indi- 
cations of  a  failing  market.  As  the  sixteenth  century  progressed,  the  salability 
of  the  Chronicles  of  England  declined  and  they  were  superseded  by  the  works 
of,  inter  alia,  Richard  Grafton,  Edward  Hall,  Raphael  Holinshed,  and  John 
Stow,  most  of  whom,  however,  used  the  Brut  or  the  Chronicles  of  England  zs 
a  source.  Continuing  influence  of  the  Brut  can  be  seen  in  the  succession  of 
ever-augmented  printed  editions  between  ?1518  and  1557  (STC  9983.3  to 
9989.5)  of  the  short  list  of  kings  and  saints  (found  in  MSS.  CUL  Ff  1.6  and 


348 EARLY  PRINTED  EDITIONS 

Folger  Shakespeare  Library  V.a.l98)  and  in  the  similar  Breuiat  Cronic/e, 
published  between  1552  and  1561  (STC  9968  to  9976).  The  number  of 
printers  who  were  prepared  to  update  and  augment  annually  such  ready-ref- 
erence works  suggests  their  widespread  popularity  and  a  continuing,  indirect 
role  for  the  Brut  as  a  source  of  historical  information  for  a  popular  audience. 


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Tyson,  Diana  B.,  ed.  Le  Petit  Bruit  of  Rauf  de  Boun.  Anglo-Norman  Text 
Society.  London:  for  the  Society,  1987. 

.  "Handlist  of  Manuscripts  Containing  the  French  Prose  Brut  Chron- 
icle." Scriptorium  98  (1994):  333-44. 

Tyson,  Moses.  "Hand-List  of  the  Collection  of  English  Manuscripts  in  the 
John  Rylands  Library,  1928."  Bulletin  of  the  John  Rylands  Library  13 
(1929):  152-219. 

Vale,  Juliet.  Edward  III  and  Chivalry:  Chivalric  Society  and  Its  Context  1270- 
1350.  Woodbridge:  Boydell,  1982. 

Vale,  M.  G.  A.  Piety,  Charity  and  Literacy  among  the  Yorkshire  Gentry,  1370- 
1480.  Borthwick  Papers  50.  [York]:  University  of  York,  Borthwick  Insti- 
tute of  Historical  Research,  1976. 

Venables,  Edmund,  ed.,  with  a  trans,  by  A.  R.  Maddison.  Chronicon  Abbatie 
de  Parco  Lude:  The  Chronicle  of  Louth  Park  Abbey.  Lincolnshire  Record 
Society.  Horncastle:  for  the  Society,  1891. 

Vinaver,  Eugene,  ed.  The  Works  of  Sir  Thomas  Malory.  3  vols.  Oxford:  Clar- 
endon Press,  1947. 

Vising,  Johan.  Anglo-Norman  Language  and  Literature.  London  and  Oxford: 
Oxford  University  Press,  1923;  rpt.  Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1970. 

Voaden,  Rosalynn,  ed.  and  trans.  Brogyntyn  Manuscript  No.  8,  introd.  Felici- 
ty Riddy.  Moreton-in-Marsh,  1991. 

Voigts,  Linda  Ehrsam.  "A  Handlist  of  Middle  English  in  Harvard  Manu- 
scripts." Harvard  Library  Bulletin  33,  no.  1  (Winter,  1985):  5-96. 

Weiss,  R.  Humanism  in  England  during  the  Fifteenth  Century.  3rd  ed.  Medi- 
um JEvavn.  Monographs  n.s.  4.  Oxford:  B.  Blackwell,  1967. 

Wilson,  R.  M.  The  Lost  Literature  of  Medieval  England.  2nd  ed.  London: 
Methuen,  1970. 

Woudhuysen,  H.  R.  "Manuscripts  at  Auction  January  1991  to  December 
1991."  English  Manuscript  Studies  1100-1700,  ed.  Peter  Beal  and  Jeremy 
Griffiths.  Vol.  4.  Pp.  287-98.  London:  The  British  Library,  Toronto: 
University  of  Toronto  Press,  1993. 

Wright,  Neil,  ed.  The  Historia  Regum  Britannie'  of  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  I: 
Bern,  Burgerbibliothek,  MS.  568.  Cambridge:  D.  S.  Brewer,  1984. 

Zettl,  Ewald,  ed.  An  Anonymous  Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle.  EETS  o.s. 
196.  1935;  rpt.  Millwood:  Kraus,  1971. 


Index  of  Manuscripts  and  Early  Printed  Editions 


All  references  to  manuscripts,  whether  of  the  Brut  or  of  other  works,  and 
early  printed  editions  of  the  Chronicles  of  England  or  other  derivative  works, 
are  listed  below.  The  order  for  manuscripts  is  alphabetical  by  the  geographi- 
cal location  of  library,  repository,  or  collection.  Early  printed  editions  are 
arranged  in  a  separate  list  under  the  printer's  name.  Those  pages  that  in- 
clude the  formal  descriptive  entries  for  each  text  or  portion  of  text  are  in- 
dicated by  a  preceding  asterisk  (*).  Supplementary  information  on  the  manu- 
scripts (for  example,  the  names  of  previous  owners  and  the  number  of  folios) 
and  early  printed  editions  (STC  references  and  the  locations  of  copies)  can 
be  found  in  the  lists  given  on  pp.  xviii-xx,  xx-xxi,  xxiii-xxxi,  and  xxxiii- 
xxxvi.  A  further  listing  of  the  manuscripts  and  early  printed  editions  of  the 
English  Brut^  arranged  by  version,  group,  and  type,  appears  in  the  Synoptic 
Inventory  of  Versions  on  pp.  67-7%. 


Manuscripts 

Aberystwyth,  National  Library  of  Wales 
442D:  xxviii,  64-65,  72,  188,  n94-95 
21608D:  xxviii,  44,  75,  278,  *290-93 
Brogyntyn  8:  xxii,  xxviii,  77,  *337 
Peniarth  343A:  xxviii,  27,  76,  *314-15 
Peniarth  396D:  xxviii,  73,  77,  215,  *223-24,  226,  228,  *336 
Peniarth  397C:  xxviii,  75,  294,  *294,  296  n. 
Peniarth  398D:  xxviii,  68,  79,  *83-84 


INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 367 

Ann  Arbor,  University  of  Michigan,  Hatcher  Library 
225:  xxix,  73,  215,  *222,  226,  228,  241-42 

Berkeley,  University  of  California  at  Berkeley,  Bancroft  Library 

152:  xxix,  69,  114,  *115 
Bern,  Biirgerbibliothek 

568:  176 
Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  Lehigh  University  Library 

3  fragments:  xxix,  11  ^  *337-38 
Bradfer-Lawrence  11:  see  Tokyo,  collection  of  Toshiyuki  Takamiya,  67 
Bristol,  City  of  Bristol  Record  Office 

Mayor's  Calendar,  no.  04720  (1):  xxii,  xxiii,  76,  *322-23 
Brussels,  Bibliotheque  Royale 

IV.461:  xxviii,  70,  114,  *117 
Buckinghamshire,  Flackwell  Heath,  Allison  collection 

MS.:  19  n. 

Cambridge,  Cambridge  University  Library 

Additional  2775:  xxiii,  72,  188,  *190 

Dd.14.2:  187 

Ee.1.20:  xviii,  31,  34,  36 

Ee.4.31:  xxiii,  71,  134,  *137,  305  n. 

Ee.4.32:  xxiii,  70,  124,  *125-26 

Ff  1.6:  xxii,  xxiii,  12,  15,  76,  318,  *320,  347 

Ff  2.26:  xxiii,  15,  72,  188,  *190-91 

Gg.1.1:  xviii  n.,  32 

Gg.1.15:  xviii,  34 

Hh.6.9:  xxiii,  13,  71,  73,  150,  *15(>-51,  153,  154-56,  230,  *231,  232-33 

Ii.6.8:  xviii,  36  and  n. 

Kk.1.3:  xxiii,  77,  *336 

Kk.1.6:  326 

Kk.1.12:  xxiii,  15,  48  n.,  69,  107,  *107-108 

Ll.2.14:  xxiii,  76,  *323-24,  335  n. 

Mm.1.33:  xviii,  32-33 
Cambridge,  Corpus  Christi  College 

53:  xviii  n. 

98:  xviii 

133:  18  n. 

174:  xxiii,  68,  88,  *88,  234 


3^8 INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

182:  xxiii,  12,  197,  *197 

311:  XX,  39  n.,  43,  44,  305 
Cambridge,  Fitzwilliam  Museum 

McClean  186:  xxiii,  69,  107,  *111 
Cambridge,  Gonville  and  Caius  College 

72:  xxi,  39  n.,  43,  44 

82:  45  n. 
Cambridge,  Magdalene  College 

Pepys  2833:  xxii,  xxiii,  27,  329,  332 
Cambridge,  Peterhouse 

190:  xxiii,  13,  68,  71,  98,  *99,  166,  *169-70,  172 
Cambridge,  Trinity  College 

0.9.1:  xxiii,  13,  71,  72,  131,  150,  *151-52,  152,  154-56,  197,  *197-98, 
235,  236,  238,  239 

O.10.34:  xxiii,  69,  107,  *108-109 

O.ll.ll:  xxiii,  75,  278,  *279-81,  285,  293 

R.4.26:  xviii  n.,  30  n. 

R.5.32:  xviii,  34 

R.5.43,  Part  II:  xxiii,  70,  124,  *126-27 

R.7.14:  xviii,  11,  34 

R.7.23:  xviii  n. 

R.14.9:  xviii  n. 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  Harvard  University,  Houghton  Library 

Eng.  530:  xxix,  71,  74,  157,  *164,  165,  166  n.,  *257-59 

Eng.  587:  xxix,  69,  107,  *1 12-13 

Eng.  750  (two  texts):  xxix,  75,  278,  (first  text)  *282-83,  293  (second  text) 
*283 

Eng.  938:  xxix,  76,  *324-26 

Richardson  35:  xxix,  13,  72,  176,  177,  *178-79,  184,  185,  186,  187,  212 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  Harvard  University,  Law  School 

1:  xviii  n. 
Chapel  Hill,  collection  of  Robert  G.  Heyneman 

MS.:  xxix,  70,  98,  117,  *1 19-21,  121 
Charlottesville,  University  of  Virginia  Library 

38-173:  xxix,  72,  188,  *193 
Chicago,  University  of  Chicago  Library 

224:  39  n. 

253:  xxix,  68,  94,  *96-97,  97 

254:  xxix,  13,  70,  71,  131,  *131-32,  150,  *152,  153,  156  and  nn. 


INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 369 

Cleveland,  Cleveland  Public  Library 

W  q091.92-C468:  xxix,  74,  259,  *259-60,  261,  262,  263 
Cologny-Geneve,  Bibliotheca  Bodmeriana 

Cod.  Bodmer  43:  xxix,  77,  *335 
Corio,  Victoria,  Geelong  Church  of  England  Grammar  School 

MS.:  xxxi,  77,  *338 

Dublin,  Trinity  College 

489:  xxviii,  74,  259,  *260-61,  262,  263 

490:  xxviii,  13,  70,  79,  81,  84-86,  87,  117,  *118-19 

500:  XX,  11,  34 

501:  XX,  36  and  n. 

505:  xxviii,  75,  98,  278,  *285-87 

506:  xxviii,  74,  272,  *273-74,  276 

5895:  xxviii,  74,  215,  226,  228,  268,  *268,  269,  270 

Edinburgh,  National  Library  of  Scotland 

6128:  xxvii,  68,  94,  *95,  97,  123,  128 
Edinburgh,  University  of  Edinburgh  Library 

181:  XX,  34 

184:  xxvii,  76,  316,  *316-17 

185:  xxvii,  72,  188,  *189 

Glasgow,  collection  of  John  Edwards 

MS.:  xxxi-xxxii 
Glasgow,  University  of  Glasgow  Library 
Hunterian  61:  xxvii,  70,  114,  *116 
Hunterian  74:  xxvii,  12,  15,  51,  70,  71,  129,  *129,  130,  139,  141,  142, 

157,  *161,  165,  189 
Hunterian  83:  xxvii,  15,  27,  71,  73, 166,  *167-68, 170,  171-72,  181,  205, 

*205,  207-208,  235,  236,  241-42 
Hunterian  228:  xxviii,  69,  71,  107,  *112,  157,  *162,  165 
Hunterian  230:  xxviii,  12,  72,  188,  *189-90,  190,  240 
Hunterian  443:  xxviii,  15,  73,  215,  *216,  220,  225,  226,  227,  228,  235, 

236,  243,  244-46,  247-50 

Hamburg,  Staats-  und  Universitatsbibliothek  Hamburg 

Cod.  98  in  serin:  xxviii,  57-61,  68,  92,  *93 
Hereford,  Hereford  Cathedral 

O.V.12:  11  n. 


370 INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Leeds,  University  of  Leeds  Library 

Brotherton  29:  xviii,  xviii  n.,  11,  34,  37 
Leicester,  University  of  Leicester  Library 

47:  xxiv,  70,  124,  *127 
Lincoln,  Lincoln  Cathedral 

70:  xxiv,  77,  *335-36 

98:  xxiv,  72,  188,  *193-94 
London,  Bedford  Estates  Office 

Woburn  Abbey  181:  xxiv,  14,  76,  105  n.,  *326-28 
London,  British  Library 

Additional  6915:  xxiv 

Additional  10099:  xxiv,  71,  92,  104,  157,  n59-60,  164,  165,  170,  171 

Additional  10622:  xviii  n. 

Additional  12030:  xxiv,  72,  177,  *179-80,  184,  185,  186,  187,  212,  237, 
239,  241,  250,  308 

Additional  18462(a):  xviii,  36  and  n.,  119 

Additional  18462(b):  xviii,  34 

Additional  24859:  xxiv,  72,  188,  *192 

Additional  26746:  xxiv,  69,  114,  *115-16 

Additional  33242:  xxiv,  69,  105,  *106 

Additional  33412:  325 

Additional  34648:  267  n. 

Additional  35092:  xviii,  30 

Additional  35113:  xviii,  32 

Additional  35295:  18-19  n. 

Additional  70514:  xxii,  xxiv,  12,  74,  *265-66 

Cotton  Claudius  A.viii:  xxiv,  30  n.,  71,  157,  *161-62,  165 

Cotton  Cleopatra  Civ:  263 

Cotton  Cleopatra  D.iii:  xviii,  11,  31  n.,  35,  36  and  n.,  84-85,  86-87 

Cotton  Cleopatra  D.vii:  xix,  34 

Cotton  Cleopatra  D.ix:  33 

Cotton  Domitian  iv:  xxi,  43,  309 

Cotton  Domitian  x:  xix,  31  n.,  34 

Cotton  Galba  E.vii:  xxi,  38,  43 

Cotton  Galba  E.viii:  xxiv,  71,  134,  *134-35,  140,  141,  142-43,  149-50 

Cotton  Julius  A.i:  xix,  33 

Cotton  Julius  B.ii:  105  n.,  296 

Cotton  Julius  B.iii:  xxi,  16,  37,  39,  41-42 

Cotton  Tiberius  A.vi:  xix,  30,  36  n. 

Cotton  Titus  D.xv:  20  n. 


INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS       371 

Cotton  Vltellius  Ajc:  11 

Cotton  Vitellius  Ajcvi:  328  n. 

Cotton  Vitellius  V.vi:  19  n. 

Egerton  650:  xxiv,  13,  14,  69,  75,  98,  *100-101,  102,  103,  104,  311, 

*311-12,  313,  314 
Egerton  672:  39  n. 
Egerton  1995:  134  n.,  144,  145  n. 
Harley  24:  xxiv,  72,  177,  *179,  184,  185,  186,  212,  234,  235,  236,  237, 

238,  239,  240,  241,  250,  308 
Harley  53:  xxiv,  12,  22,  75,  296,  *296-98,  300,  301  and  n. 
Harley  63:  xxiv,  76,  316,  *316,  318 
Harley  200:  xix,  34 

Harley  266:  xxiv,  68,  71,  92,  94,  *95-96,  97,  104,  123,  134,  *137-38 
Harley  540:  156  n. 

Harley  753:  xxiv,  71,  90,  92,  104,  145,  *146-47,  148 
Harley  902:  10 
Harley  941:  xxi,  38,  47 

Harley  1337:  xxiv,  73,  215,  *217,  226,  227,  228 
Harley  1568:  xxiv,  70,  117,  *121 
Harley  2182:  xxiv,  72,  188,  *188-89,  240,  337 
Harley  2248:  xxiv,  69,  107,  *109 
Harley  2252:  160 

Harley  2256:  xxiv,  71,  134,  *135-36 
Harley  2279:  xxiv,  68,  88,  *89-90,  333,  334 
Harley  3730:  xxiv,  71,  73,  166,  *170-71,  172,  205,  *205-206,  207 
Harley  3884:  xxi,  16,  43 
Harley  3906:  xxi,  16,  43 
Harley  3943:  92  n. 
Harley  3945:  xxiv,  68,  79,  *83 

Harley  4690:  xxii,  xxiv,  76,  87,  98,  329,  *329-30,  331,  332,  333,  334 
Harley  4827:  xxv,  64-65,  72, 174-75, 176, 188,  *188,  235,  236,  238,  239, 

243,  244-46,  247-50,  252-53 
Harley  4930:  xxv,  70,  129,  *130,  131 
Harley  6097:  267  n. 

Harley  6251:  xxv,  73,  215,  *217-18,  226,  227,  228 
Harley  6359:  xix,  33 

Harley  7333:  xxv,  13,  15,  74,  215,  226,  228,  268,  *269,  269,  270-71 
Lansdowne  204:  21 
Lansdowne  212:  xxi,  16,  43,  302  n. 
Royal  ll.B.ix  :  xxv,  77,  *337 


372 INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Royal  17.D.xxi:  xxv,  13,  69,  107,  *109-10 

Royal  18.A.ix:  xxv,  73,  211,  *211-13,  213,  213-14,  235,  236,  240-41 

Royal  18.B.iii:  xxv,  12,  69,  114,  *114-15 

Royal  18.B.iv:  xxv,  73,  208,  *209-ll,  235,  236 

Royal  19.C.ix:  xix,  12,  36  and  n.,  37,  116  n.,  119 

Royal  20.A.iii:  xix,  36  and  n.,  80 

Royal  20.A.xviii:  xviii  n.,  xix,  36  and  n. 

Royal  20.C.vi:  xviii  n. 

Royal  App.  85:  xix,  36 

Sloane  2027:  xxv,  13,  15,  74,  272,  *274-75,  335  n. 

Stowe  68:  xxv,  68,  88,  *90 

Stowe  69:  xxv,  13,  69,  105,  *105-106 

Stowe  70:  xxv,  73,  230,  *230,  232,  233,  235,  236,  252-53 

Stowe  71  :  xxv,  73,  215,  *218-19,  226,  227,  228 
London,  College  of  Arms 

Arundel  5:  xxi,  16,  38  n.,  43 

Arundel  8:  xxv,  74,  271,  *272-73 

Arundel  14:  32 

Arundel  31:  xix,  32,  33 

Arundel  58:  xxii,  xxv,  15,  27,  77,  329,  *330-32,  332,  333,  334,  335  n. 

Vincent  421:  xxv,  69,  107,  *111-12 
London,  Guildhall 

3313:  24 

Roll  A  lb:  63  n. 
London,  Lambeth  Palace  Library 

6:  xxv,  14,  22,  7S,  296,  298  n.,  *298-99,  300,  301  and  n. 

84:  xxv,  3,  25  n.,  75,  263  n.,  296,  309 

99:  xxi,  15,  37,  39-42 

259:  xxv,  14,  70,  129,  *130,  131 

264:  xxv,  13,  69,  71,  98,  *100,  157,  *163,  165 

306:  xxv,  13,  26  and  n.,  76,  *315-16,  317 

331:  xxv,  71,  90,  92,  104,  145,  *147-48,  148 

386:  39  n. 

491:  xxv,  68,  90,  *91,  104,  133 

504:  xix,  34 

738:  xxv,  69,  92,  98,  *104-105,  123,  328  n. 

751:  xxxi  n. 
London,  Library  of  the  Inner  Temple 

Petyt  511,  Vol.  XI:  xxv,  75,  *306-309 

Petyt  511,  Vol.  XIX:  xix,  34 


INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 373 

London,  Lincoln's  Inn 

88:  xix,  34,  35  n.,  36  and  n. 
London,  Public  Record  Office 

E154/1/19:  10  n. 

Elxchequer  164/24:  xviii  n. 
London,  Sion  College 

Arc.  L.40.2/E.42:  xxv,  69,  98,  *99 
London,  Society  of  Antiquaries 

93:  xxv,  68,  79,  *82,  86,  87 

223:  xxv,  72,  197,  *201-202 
London,  Westminster  Abbey 

25:  xix,  34 

Manchester,  John  Rylands  University  Library 
Eng.  102:  xxvi,  68,  88,  *88-89,  124 
Eng.  103:  xxvi,  67,  68,  79,  *81,  86,  87,  88,  *89,  90 
Eng.  104:  xxvi,  70,  114,  *116 
Eng.  105:  xxvi,  72, 177,  *177-78, 184, 185, 186, 187, 212, 235, 236, 237, 

239,  241,  252-53 
Eng.  206:  xxvi,  68,  79,  *83 
Eng.  207:  xxvi,  74,  *263-65 

New  Haven,  Yale  University,  Beinecke  Library 

86:  XX 

323:  xxix,  13,  69,  107,  *11(>-11 

405:  XX,  32 

494:  XXX,  13,  14,  67,  79,  *81-82,  86 

593:  XX,  34 
New  York,  Columbia  University  Library 

Plimpton  261:  xxii,  xxx,  46,  75,  302,  *302-303 

Plimpton  262:  xxx,  57-61,  62-63,  69,  98,  *99 
New  York,  collection  of  Mrs.  J.  D.  Gordan 

63:  xxx,  xxxi,  67,  79,  *80-81,  86 
Norfolk,  Holkham  Hall 

210:  xxxi  n. 

236:  xxxi  n. 

669:  xxii,  xxvi,  75,  302  and  n.,  *303-304 

670:  xxvi,  xxxi  n.,  71,  134,  *136-37 

672:  xxxi  n. 


374 INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Norfolk,  Keswick  Hall,  Gurney  collection 

116.13:  xxxii 
Northumberland,  Alnwick  Castle 

457A:  xxvi,  73,  215,  *222-23,  226,  228 
Nottingham,  Nottinghamshire  County  Council 

DDFS  3/1:  xxvi,  75,  278,  *278-79,  293 

Oxford,  Bodleian  Library 
Arch.  Selden  B.24:  205 
Ashmole  791:  xxii,  xxvi,  27,  75,  302,  *304-305 
Ashmole  793:  xxvi,  73,  101  n.,  225,  228,  *228-29,  230,  235,  236,  251, 

254 
Ashmole  1139.iv.2:  xxii,  xxvi,  27 
Ashmole  1804:  xix,  36  and  n. 
Bodley  231:  xxvi,  69,  114,  *114 
Bodley  754:  xxvi,  75,  294,  *294-95 
Bodley  840:  xxvi,  15,  48  n.,  70,  79,  86,  117,  *118 
Digby  185:  xxvi,  12,  15,  73,  205,  *206-207,  207,  208,  254 
Digby  196  (two  texts):  xxii,  xxvi,  76,  318,  *319 
Douce  120:  xix 
Douce  128:  xix,  34 
Douce  290:  xxvi,  70,  114,  *1 16-17 
Douce  323:  xxvi,  12,  67,  79,  *80,  82,  84-86,  87 
e  Musaeo  39:  xxvi,  74,  *267 
e  Musaeo  108:  xix,  33 
Eng.  hist.  b.  229:  10  n. 
Fairfax  24:  32 

Hatton  50:  xxvi,  64-65,  73,  215,  *217,  226,  227,  228 
Laud  Misc.  550:  xxvi,  xxxi  n.,  74,  271,  *272,  277,  286,  290 
Laud  Misc.  571:  xxvi,  xxxi  n.,  13,  11,  197,  *198-99 
Laud  Misc.  733:  xxvi,  12,  13,  74,  *26()-67 
Lyell  17:  xix,  11,  34 
Lyell  34:  xxvi,  15,  26,  44,  45,  75,  278,  283,  *287-90,  292,  293,  293-94, 

296 
Rawlinson  B.147:  xxi,  43 

Rawlinson  B.166:  xxvi,  15,  69,  98,  *102,  311,  314 
Rawlinson  B.169:  xxi,  38,  43,  44,  305 
Rawlinson  B.171:  xxvi,  12,  15,  48  n.,  67,  68,  79,  *79-80,  81,  82,  84-86, 

87,  90,  *91,  187 


INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 375 

RawUnson  B.173:  xxvi,  13,  14,  15,  48  n.,  69,  75,  98,  *101-102,  103,  104, 
311,  *312,  313,  314 

RawUnson  B.187:  xxvi,  72,  177,  *180,  187,  238-39,  241 

RawUnson  B.190:  xxvii,  73,  215,  *224-26,  226,  227,  228 

RawUnson  B.195:  xxi,  38,  43 

RawUnson  B.196:  xxvii,  70,  129,  n29-30,  131 

RawUnson  B.205:  xxvii,  70,  124,  *124-25 

RawUnson  B.216:  xxvii,  69,  107,  ni2 

RawUnson  C.155:  xxvii,  27,  68,  79,  *82-83 

RawUnson  C.234:  xxi,  38  n.,  43 

RawUnson  C.398:  xxi,  16,  38,  43,  44,  46,  303 

RawUnson  C.901:  xxvU,  73,  215,  *224,  226,  227,  228 

RawUnson  D.329:  xix,  34 

RawUnson  poet.  32:  xxvii,  71,  72,  74,  157,  *162-63,  165,  188,  *195-97, 
240,  254,  272,  *275-76 

Selden  Supra  74:  xviii  n. 

Tanner  11:  xxvii,  73,  215,  *220-22,  226,  228 

Tanner  188:  xxvii,  72,  177,  *183-84,  187,  239,  254 

Wood  empt.  8:  xix,  31  n.,  32 
Oxford,  Corpus  Christi  CoUege 

78:  xix,  31,  32  n,,  37 

293:  xix,  33 
Oxford,  Jesus  CoUege 

5:  xxvii,  73,  215,  *219-20,  226,  227,  228 
Oxford,  Lincoln  CoUege 

Lat.  151:  xxvii,  74,  *267-68 
Oxford,  Magdalen  CoUege 

200:  xxi,  37,  39-40 
Oxford,  Queen's  CoUege 

304:  92  n. 
Oxford,  St.  John's  CoUege 

78:  xxi,  16,  43,  305 
Oxford,  Trinity  CoUege 

5:  xxvii,  72,  188,  *191-92 
Oxford,  University  CoUege 

154:  xxvii,  73,  230,  *230-31,  233,  253-54 


Paris,  BibUotheque  de  I'Arsenal 
3346:  XX,  11,  34 


376 INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 

Paris,  Bibliotheque  Mazarine 

1860:  XX,  36  and  n.,  332 
Paris,  Bibliotheque  Nationale 

fonds  anglais  30:  xxviii,  76,  316,  *317,  317-18 

fonds  fran9ais  6761:  23 

fonds  fran9ais  12155:  xx,  12,  22,  36  and  n.,  37,  119 

fonds  fran9ais  12156:  xx,  12,  34 

fonds  fran9ais  14640:  xx,  30 

nouvelles  acquisitions  fran9aises  4267:  xx,  30 
Paris,  Bibliotheque  Ste.  Genevieve 

935:  XX,  12,  36  and  n.,  37 
Philadelphia,  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia 

Lewis  238:  xxx,  68,  88,  *89 
Princeton,  Princeton  University  Library 

Garrett  150:  xxx,  12,  12,  197,  *199-200 

Taylor  Medieval  3:  xxx,  xxxii,  68,  70,  93-94,  *94-95,  97,  98,  118,  132, 
*132-33 

Rennie  733:  see  New  York,  collection  of  Mrs.  J.  D.  Gordan 

San  Marino,  Henry  E.  Huntington  Library 

HM  113:  xxx,  70,  124,  *128 

HM  114:  92  n. 

HM  131:  xxx,  73,  211,  *213-15,  235,  236 

HM  133:  xxx,  72,  197,  *202-203 

HM  136:  xxx,  13,  70,  71,  92, 104,  117-18,  *123, 128, 157, 158,  *163-64, 
165,  339 

HM  19960:  xxi,  22  n.,  39  n.,  43 
Suffolk,  Beeleigh  Abbey,  Foyle  collection 

MS.:  xxxii 
Sydney,  University  of  Sydney  Library 

Nicholson  13:  xxxi,  70,  124,  *127-28 

Tokyo,  collection  of  Toshiyuki  Takamiya 
12:  xxxi,  72,  177,  *181-83,  187 
18:  xxxi,  75,  278,  *281-82,  293 
29:  xxxi,  69,  98,  *99-100 
67:  xxxi,  69,  107,  *113 


INDEX  OF  MANUSCRIPTS 377 

University  Park,  Pennsylvania  State  University  Library 

PS.  V-3:  103 

PS.  V-3A:  XXX,  15,  69,  75,  98,  n02-104, 104, 286, 287,  311,  *312-13,  314 
Urbana,  University  of  Illinois  Library 

82:  XXX,  73,  75,  228,  '229,  278,  *283-85 

116:  XXX,  71,  72,  145,  *148-49,  197,  *200-201 

Washington,  Folger  Shakespeare  Library 

V.a.l98:  xxii,  xxx,  76,  318,  *321,  348 

V.b.l06:  xxx,  62,  70,  117,  *122 
Wiltshire,  Longleat  House 

183A:  xxvii,  13,  69,  107,  *108 
Worcestershire,  Rhydd  Court,  collection  of  Sir  Edward  Lechmere 

MS.:  xxxii 

Yorkshire,  Brough  Hall,  collection  of  Sir  John  Lawson 
MS.:  xxxii 

Early  Printed  Editions 

Caxton,  William,  Chronicles  of  England  (Westminster,  1480):  xxxiii,  3,  7,  8, 
14,  23,  30  n.,  48,  71,  77,  92,  100,  104,  118,  157,  *157-59,  159  n.,  165, 
166,  167,  170,  171,  172,  191,  258,  276,  290,  339,  *339,  341,  342; 
(Westminster,  1482):  xxxiii,  77,  162,  165,  *340 

Leew,  Gerard  de.  Chronicles  of  England  (Antwerp,  1493):  xxxiv,  77,  *342-43 

[Machlinia,  William  de,]  Chronicles  of  England  [London,  ?1486]:  xxxiii- 
xxxiv,  77,  *342 

Mychell,  John,  "A  breuiat  cronicle"  (London,  [1552]):  322  n.,  348 

Notary,  Julyan,  Chronicles  of  England  (London,  1504):  xxxiv,  77,  *344,  345; 
(London,  1515):  xxxv,  78,  *345 

Powell,  William,  [Chronicle  of  years]  (London,  1552):  322  n. 

Pynson,  Richard,  Chronicles  of  England  (London,  1510):  xxxiv-xxxv,  77,  *344- 
45,  346  n.;  "The  cronycle  of  all  the  kynges  names"  (London,  ?1518):  321 

[Schoolmaster-Printer,]  Chronicles  of  England  (St.  Albans,  [?1483]):  xxxiii, 
77,  168,  172,  339,  *340-41,  343 

Worde,  Wynl^Ti  de.  Chronicles  of  England  (Westminster,  1497):  xxxiv,  77, 
*343,  344;  (London,  1502):  xxxiv,  77,  *343-44,  344,  345,  346;  (London, 
1515):  xxxv,  78,  *346,  346;  (London,  1520):  xxxv,  78,  *346-47,  347;  (Lon- 
don, 1528):  xxxv-xxxvi,  78,  346  n.,  *347,  347;  "LyteU  Shorte  Cronycle" 
(London,  1530):  322  n. 


Index  of  Persons y  Places,  and  Texts 

Associated  with  Manuscripts  and 

Early  Printed  Editions 


Listed  below  are  the  names  of  persons  and  places  and  the  titles  or  de- 
scriptions of  texts  that  are  directly  or  closely  associated  with  the  manuscripts 
and  early  printed  editions  of  the  Brut.  The  names  of  modern  scholars  and 
references  to  the  Brut  itself  are  excluded,  though  narrative  references  to  the 
Cadwallader  episode,  Queen  Isabella's  letter,  "The  Description  of  Edward 
III,"  and  John  Page's  "Siege  of  Rouen"  are  included.  A  number  of  early 
names  of  codicological  interest  that  occur  in  the  manuscripts  are  listed, 
generally  through  the  sixteenth  century  but  exceptionally  into  the  seven- 
teenth century  and,  in  the  case  of  transcribers  of  texts,  even  later.  (It  should 
be  noted  that  such  names  and  titles  of  works  do  not  exhaustively  cover  all 
those  that  occur  in  the  texts  but  only  those  of  particular  interest  that  are 
recorded  in  the  present  volume.) 

Additional  or  further  references  to  printers  can  be  found  in  the  preceding 
Index  of  Manuscripts  and  Early  Printed  Editions. 

Adam  through  Roman  rulers,  genea-  nor,  mother  of  199;  William,  father 

logical  chronicle  from  287  of  199 

Adam  to  Henry  VI,  genealogy  from  Amundesham,  John  of  326 

297  Anonimalle  Chronicle,  The  11,  34 

Alen,  Isabel  (legatee)  13,  199;  Elea-  archbishops  of  Canterbury,  genealogi- 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


379 


cal  chronicle  of  287;  from  Augus- 
tine to  William  Whittesley,  chroni- 
cle of  40,  41 

Ardyn,  John,  son  of  (name  in  MS.) 
281 

arms,  treatise  on  266,  267  n. 

Arrival  of  Edward  IV,  The  22 

Arthur  and  Merlin  310 

Ashe,  John,  grocer  (name  in  MS.)  328 

Autun,  Honorius  of,  Ymago  mundi  40 

Avesbury,  Robert  of,  De  Gestis  Mira- 
bilibus  Regis  Edwardi  Tertii  34  and 
n.,  37 

Awntyrs  ofArthure,  The  92  n. 

Baker,  Geoffrey  le,  of  Swinbrook,  Ox- 
fordshire, Chronicon  17 

Barret,  William,  of  Sholton,  Stafford- 
shire (name  in  MS.)  198 

Batde  Abbey,  Sussex  (provenance?) 
132;  Roll  108 

Baxter,  John  (owner)  183 

Beauchamp,  Guy,  earl  of  Warwick 
(donor)  9 

Becket,  Thomas,  life  of  301  n. 

Beckwith,  Leonard  161 

Belamy,  S.  (owner)  14,  82 

Benet,  John,  Chronicle  21 

Bentelee  (Bentele,  Bentyle),  William 
(owner)  130 

Berkshire  100 

biblical  and  English  religious  and  his- 
torical affairs,  entries  on  321 

bishoprics,  Ust  of  40,  41 

Blackwell,  Thomas  (name  in  MS.)  328 

Bohun  family  17 

Bohun,  John  de,  earl  of  Hereford 
(borrower)  10  n. 

Bohun,  Ralph  de  (abridger),  Le  Petit 


Bruit  10,  17,  18 

Bordesley  Abbey,  Worcestershire  (re- 
cipient) 9 

Bourchier  family  200  n. 

Bourghier,  Thomas,  archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  200  n. 

Bourghier,  Thomas,  constable  of 
Leeds  Casde  (owner)  12,  200; 
Anne,  Avife  of  12,  200 

Braundon,  William,  of  Knowle,  War- 
wickshire (owner)  13,  274-75 

Bray,  Berkshire  (place  name  in  MS.) 
100 

Brayne,  Henry  (owner)  147 

Brice,  Alice  (owner)  13,  108 

"Bridlington  Prophecy"  123 

Bristowe  Chronicle  xxii,  14,  322 

Bromley(e),  Thomas  (owner?)  219 

Bruges,  Louis  de,  seigneur  de  Gru- 
thuyse  (owner)  22 

Brut  abrege,  Brut  DEngletere  abrege 
xviii  n.,  30  n.,  187  n. 

Burgh,  Benedict  269  n.;  Parvus  Cato 
137  n.;  see  also  Lydgate,  John 

Burgundy,  ducal  library  of  22 

Burgundy,  dukes  of  (owners?)  12 

Burley,  Sir  Simon  (owner)  10 

Burton,  Thomas  (scribe)  160 

Burton,  Thomas,  chronicle  of  the  ab- 
bey of  Meaux,  Yorkshire  19  and  n. 

Bury  St.  Edmunds,  account  of  parlia- 
ment at  327 

Button,  Francis  (owner)  99 

Cadwallader  episode  xxxii,  3,  6,  7,  18 
n.,  22,  30,  40,  45,  49,  52,  53,  57, 
84,  88,  91,  92,  93  and  n.,  94,  102, 
105,  106,  107,  113,  114  and  n., 
116,  117,  124,  125,  133,  137,  149, 


380 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


157,  173,  175,  176,  220,  223,  266, 
274,  277,  283,  286,  289,  293,  300, 
323;  text  of  58-61 

Cantrell,  Henry  and  Thomas  (names 
in  MS.)  328 

Cardynall,  William  (scribe?)  222 

Carnarvonshire  (provenance)  309  n. 

Carpenter,  Elizabeth  (name  in  MS.) 
328 

Caxton,  WUliam  (owner?  and  compi- 
ler), 14,  14  n.,  28  n.,  164,  165,  166, 
339,  341  n.;  Advertisement  165;  Li- 
ber ultimus  of  Polychronicon  (1482) 
23,  24,  25,  71,  166,  166-67,  167, 
168,  170,  171,  172,  189,  310;  Poly- 
chronicon (1482)  296  n.,  310,  311  n.; 
see  also  Description  of  Britain,  The 

Cecil,  William,  Baron  Burghley 
(owner?)  94 

Central  Midland  Standard  (dialect) 
15,  191 

Chadertun  (-ton),  Edmund  and  Wil- 
liam (owners)  127 

Charles  the  Bold,  duke  of  Burgundy 
(owner?)  22 

Charter  of  the  Abbey  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
The  80  n. 

Chaucer,  Geoffrey  269  n.;  version  of 
Constance  story  by  310 

Chaworth,  Thomas,  of  Wiverton, 
Nottinghamshire  (testator)  14 

Chelmsford,  Essex  (?),  Dominican 
convent  in  (owner)  13,  82 

Chicester  family,  notes  on  287 

Christ,  notices  of  conception  and  birth 
of  320 

Christianity,  account  of  spread  of  279 

Chronicle  of  the  Rebellion  in  Lin- 
colnshire, The  22 


Chronicles  of  England  (printed  editions) 
23,  24,  27 

Cokerych,  John  (name  in  MS.)  151 

Cogman  (scribe)  122 

Colyer,  Raynold,  prior  of  St.  Bartho- 
lomew's, Smithfield,  London  (name 
in  MS.)  110 

"compass  of  England,  the"  321 

Complaint  of  Christ,  The  25S 

"Continuation  of  Murimuth"  92  and  n. 

Cooke,  Hugh  (owner)  137  n. 

Cookham,  Berkshire  (place  name  in 
MS.)  100 

cooks'  fees  in  London,  regulations 
concerning  327 

coronation  of  Edward  IV,  note  on  229 

Creation  to  Brutus  and  of  subsequent 
English  history,  account  of  world 
history  from  279 

Cronekelys  of  Seyntys  and  Kyngys  of 
Yngelond,  The  xxii 

"cronycle  of  kyng  Henry  the  v,  the"  30 
n. 

Cronicles  dAngleterre  11 

"Cronides  of  Englond,  The"  see  Cax- 
ton, William 

Croniques  de  London  17 

Crowland,  Lincolnshire,  chronicle  of 
abbey  of  21 

dates  and  events  from  1042  to  1461, 

lists  of  229 
"Davies's"  Chronicle  21,  26,  44,  46,  75, 

278,  287-90 
Dawbne,  Elizabeth  (owner?)  13,  266 
"De  Natiuitate  Domini  nostri  Ihesu 

Cristi"  315 
Denny,  John,  of  Burnwood  (name  in 

MS.)  223 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


381 


Denny,  Thomas  (name  in  MS.)  223 
"Deposition  of  Richard  II,  The"  105, 

327 
Derbyshire   (scribal   provenance)    15, 

320;  (provenance?)  317 
Des  Grantz  Geanz  2,  33,  34,  299 
Description  of  Britain,    The  (William 

Caxton,  Westminster,  1480)  14  n., 

159    n.,    339,    345;    (Wynkyn   de 

Worde,    Westminster,    1498;    rpt. 

1502)  343,  344,  345,  346,  347 
"Description  of  Edward  III,  The"  52, 

90,  92,  94,  96,  97,  98,  104,  107, 

117-18,  123,  128,  133,  149,  157, 

173,  265 
Deuenysshe,  Richard  (name  in  MS.) 

136 
distance   between   earth   and   moon, 

item  on  282 
Dunstable,  Bedfordshire,  priory  of  21 
Dwnn,    Lewis    (writer    and    scribe), 

Welsh  verses  on  the  zodiac  287 

Eadmer,  Historia  Novorum  in  Anglia 
295,  296  n. 

edipses  from  1384  to  1462,  table  of 
130 

Edinburgh  Castle  (provenance)  17-18 

Edward  I  to  Pope  Boniface  VIII,  let- 
ter from  160 

Edward  III,  king  of  England  (legatee) 
10;  account  of  retinue  of  283;  gene- 
alogical narrative  of  descendants  of 
265 

Edward  IV,  king  of  England  (owner) 
22;  note  on  victories  in  1471  of  229 

Edward  IV  to  EUzabeth,  notes  on 
accessions  of  monarchs  from  160 

Edward  IVs  claim  to  various  crowns. 


treatise  on  160 

Edward  Balliol  to  Edward  III,  charter 
from  160 

election  of  Thomas  Warthel  to  abbacy 
of  Westminster,  notes  on  160 

emperors  and  popes,  genealogical 
chronicle  of  287 

Erdeswicke,  Sampson  (name  in  MS.) 
27 

Essex  (scribal  provenance)  15,  48  n., 
118;  Central  South  (scribal  prove- 
nance) 15,  129;  North-West  (scri- 
bal provenance)  15,  129 

Eu/ogium  Historiarum  18,  38,  43,  44, 
45,  274,  277;  continuation  to  290 

Extended  Version  exordium,  text  of 
64^5 

Fabyan,    Robert,    New    Chronicles    of 

England  and  France  24,  25,  26 
Fastolf,  John  (owner)  1 1 
Fell,  John,  of  York  (testator)  14 
Findern  family  of  Derbyshire  (owners) 

12,  320 
Flanders  (provenance)  12 
Fleming,  Abraham  25,  26  and  n. 
Flemings,  song  against  301 
Flemish,  ballad  mocking  310 
Fortescue,  John  (owner)  16 
Fountains  Abbey,  Yorkshire  (owner) 

11 
Fox,  Richard,  of  St.  Albans  (compiler 

and  scribe)  326,  327,  328  and  n. 
France  (provenance)  12 
Frobyser,  John  (name  in  MS.)  183 
Froissart,  Jean,  Chroniques  22 
Frost,  William  (name  in  MS.)  109 
Fytt,  James  (name  in  MS.)  151 


382 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


Gaguin,  Robert,  Compendium  super 
Francorum  Gestis  24 

Gaimar,  Geffrei,  Estoire  des  Engleis  31 
and  n. 

Gardenere,  John  (owner)  11  n. 

Gaynesford  family  of  Carshalton,  Sur- 
rey (owners)  12,  115 

Gaynesford,  Erasmus,  George,  Mary, 
Ralph,  and  Thomas  (names  in 
MS.)  115 

geography,  notes  on  321 

George  Lord  Abergavenny  (name  in 
MS.)  266 

Gesta  Romanorum  269  n. 

GUdas  45 

Giles's  Chronicle  20 

Glastonbury  Abbey,  Somerset  (owner) 
16 

Glastonbury,  John  of,  Cronica  sive 
Antiguitates  Glastoniensis  Ecclesie 
331 

Gloucester,  Robert  of,  328  n.;  Metrical 
Chronicle  137,  274,  326,  331,  335 
n.;  prose  paraphrases  of  324,  335 
and  n. 

Gloucestershire  (scribal  provenance) 
322 

Godstow  Chronicle  43 

Gogh,  Matthew,  epitaph  on  292 

Goodwyn,  Edmond  (name  in  MS.) 
113 

Governance  of  Princes,  The  258 

Gower,  John  269  n.;  version  of  Con- 
stance story  by  310 

Grafton,  Richard  25  n.,  347 

Gray,  Thomas,  of  Heaton,  Northum- 
berland, Scalacronica  17-18,  18  n. 

Graystock,  John  (purchaser)  1 1 

Great  Chronicle  of  London,  The  24,  189 


Gruthuyse,  seigneur  de  la  (owner?)  12; 

see  also  Bruges,  Louis  de 
Guisborough,  Walter  de.  Chronicle  18 

Hailes,  Gloucestershire,  abbey  of 
(owner)  11 

Halidon  Hill,  poem  on  battle  of  52, 
329,  330  n.,  332  n. 

Hall,  Edward,  Union  of  the  Two  Noble 
Families  of  Lancaster  and  York  25 
and  n.,  26,  347 

Hampshire  (scribal  provenance)  15, 
269  and  n. 

Hamundson,  John,  of  York  (testator) 
14,  15  n. 

Hamyleen,  William  (name  in  MS.)  328 

Hardyng,  John,  Chronicle  20-21,  25, 
26,  172,  206 

Havelok  310 

Hayward,  William  (owner)  27,  332 

Hearne,  Thomas  (transcriber)  225 

Helbartun  (-ton),  Dorothy  (owner)  13, 
123 

Henry  VI  and  Richard,  duke  of  York, 
accord  between  261 

Herdes,  Robert  (owner?)  147;  Ellen, 
wife  of  147 

Hereford,  Franciscan  convent  at 
(owner)  11  n. 

Herefordshire  (provenance)  15,  48; 
Central  (scribal  provenance)  15,  48 
n.,  108;  South- West  (scribal  prove- 
nance) 15,  48  n.,  79;  West  (scribal 
provenance)  14,  15,  48  n.,  102,  312 

"Heruest  hath  iij  monethis"  198  n. 

Higden,  Ranulph,  Polychronicon  18 
and  n.,  21,  23,  40,  45  and  n.,  46, 
92,  260,  261,  289,  295,  310,  311; 
extracts  from,  160,  212,  (English) 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


383 


260,  261;  index  to,   160;  see  also 
Caxton,  William,  and  Trevisa,  John 

Hill  family  of  Nettlecombe,  Somerset- 
shire (owners)  12 

Hill,  Egidius,  of  Nettlecombe,  Somer- 
setshire (owner)  266;  Agatha,  wife 
of  266 

Hill,  John  (owner)  127 

Hill,  Robert,  of  Nettiecombe,  Somer- 
setshire, obit  for  266 

Hindley,  J.  H.  (transcriber)  xxiv 

historical  subjects,  Latin  verses  on  123 

Hobbes,  Richard  (owner)  178 

Hocdeve,  Thomas  269  n.;  "Gerelaus" 
206;  "Jonathas"  206;  Regiment  of 
Princes  206 

Holinshed,  Raphael,  Chronicles  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland,  and  Ireland  25,  25- 
26  n,  26,  27,  347 

Hooker,  John  25 

Hopton  fannily  of  Swillington,  York- 
shire (owners)  12,  206 

Hopton,  Thomasin  (legatee)  207  n. 

Hopton,  William  (owner?)  206, 207  n. 

"Hought'"  (so  in  MS.),  Thomas 
(owner)  178 

Humphrey,  duke  of  Gloucester  (pa- 
tron) 20;  account  of  death  of  327 

Hungyrforthe,  Alice  (name  in  MS.) 
325 

hunting,  poem  on  92  n. 

Huntingdon,  Henry  of  301 

Ipotis  80  n. 

Ipswich  area  (scribal  provenance)  15, 

129 
Isabella  of  France,  queen  of  Edward  II 

(testator)  10  and  n.;  see  also  C^een 

Isabella's  letter 


Isham,  Robert  (owner)  11 

Jones,  William  (owner?)  189 

King  Ponthus  and  the  Fair  Sidone  206 
kings  and  their  coronations  from  Wil- 
liam the  Conqueror  to  Henry  III, 
note  on  160 
kings  from  Arthur  to  Harold,  list  of 

burial  places  of  331 
"Kings  of  England"  331-32 
kings  of  England,  table  of  197 
Knighton,  Henry,  Chronicon  18 
Knights  Hospitallers  of  St.  John,  prio- 
ry of,  Clerkenwell,  London  (owner) 
11 
Knyvet,  Edmund  (name  in  MS.)  109 

Lacy,  Henry  de  (patron)  10 
Langtoft,    Pierre   301;    Chronicle   32, 
300,  301,  326;  see  also  Mannyng, 
Robert 
Lathum,  Roland  (owner?)  136 
Leche,  John,  of  Nantwich,   Chester 

(owner)  13,  123 
Leicestershire  (provenance?)  324 
Liber  ultimus  see  Caxton,  William 
Livius,  Titus,  Vita  Henrici  Quinti  20, 

24 
Lokington,  Walter  (name  in  MS.)  151 
London  (provenance)  15,  17,  48;  area 
of  (provenance)  228;  chronicle(s)  of 
xxii,  xxiv,  XXV,  13,  16,  17,  18,  24, 
26,  104,  105  n.,  133,  142,  151, 
152-53, 153-54, 156  nn.,  166, 167, 
263,  271,  296,  313,  314,  315,  316 
n.,  319,  321;  see  also  Croniques  de 
London  and  Great  Chronicle  of 
London,  The 


384 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


London  and  Rome,  notices  of  founda- 
tions of  320 

London,  Thomas,  of  Teberton,  Suf- 
folk (owner)  115 

Lorraine  (provenance)  12 

Louth  Park,  Lincolnshire,  chronicle  of 
the  abbey  of  19 

Lowe,  Henry,  the  Younger  of  Whit- 
tington,  Derbyshire  317 

Lydgate,  John  258,  259,  269  n.;  "Die- 
tary" ("Doctrina  sana")  160;  Guy  of 
Warwick  258;  "Kings  of  England" 
106,  135,  315,  316  n.,  321;  "Leg- 
end of  St.  Austin  at  Compton"  310; 
Life  of  St.  Edmund  112  n.;  Serpent 
of  Division  258;  and  Benedict 
Burgh,  Secrees  ofO/dPbi/osof^es  275 

Maidenhead,  Berkshire  (place  name  in 
MS.)  100 

Malmesbury,  William  of  45,  301; 
Gesta  (Historia)  Regum  Anglorum 
310,  331 

Malmesbury,  Wiltshire,  abbey  of 
(provenance)  18 

Mandeville,  John,  rector  of  Burnham 
Thorpe,  Norfolk  (translator)  xxii, 
xxiii,  xxiv,  xxv,  5,  6,  8,  10,  27,  48- 
49,  52,  76-77,  87,  90,  98,  256,  328, 
329,  330,  331,  333,  334,  335  n. 

Mandeville's  Travels  112  n. 

Mannyng,  Robert,  Chronicle  326 

Marche,  counts  of  (owner)  22 

Marianus  Scotus  295 

Martinus  Polonus,  Chronicle  of  Popes 
and  Emperors  137  n.,  305 

memoranda,  historical  316  n.,  285 

Mettham,  Thomas,  of  Brayton,  York- 
shire (owner)  183 


Midlands,  East  (scribal  provenance) 
15;  West  (scribal  provenance)  15, 
103;  central  West  (scribal  prove- 
nance) 15 

Milton,  John,  History  of  Britain  28-29 

Mondeffeld,  William,  de  Charre  130 
n. 

Monmouth,  Geoffrey  of,  Historia  Re- 
gum  Britannie  18  n.,  21,  23  and  n., 
24,  25,  27-28,  29,  30,  37,  41,  44, 
57,  176,  211,  213,  252,  300,  301, 
323  n.,  331 

Monstrelet,  Enguerran  de,  Chronique 
22,24 

Nasby,  William,  of  London  (owner) 

14,82 
Naysbe,  Robert  (owner)  82 
N(e)uton,  John,  prior  of  Battle  Abbey, 

Sussex  (owner)  13,  131-32,  152  n. 
"New  Cronidis"  305 
New  Croniclys  Compendyusly  Idrawn  of 

the  Gestys  of  the  Kynges  of  England, 

The  xxii 
Newburgh,  Roger  (name  in  MS.)  329 
Newnham,  Bedfordshire,  prior  of  130 

n. 
Noah    to    Edward    IV,    genealogical 

chronicle  from  287 
Norham,  Master,  chronicle  of  (writer 

or  owner)  21 
Northamptonshire  (scribal  provenance) 

15,  103 
Northlond,  Thomas,  grocer  (name  in 

MS.)  14,  328 
notations  and  chronologies,  historical 

283 
notes  and  extracts,  historical  283 
Noua  Cronica,  "Nova  Cronica"  16,  305 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


385 


Ormonde,  earl  of  24 
Osbert,  life  of  St.  Dunstan  310 
Osburn,  John  (name  in  MS.)  275 
Osney,  Oxfordshire,  abbey  of  17  n. 
Otterbourne,  Thomas  of,  chronicle  19 

Page,  John,  "The  Siege  of  Rouen"  20 

n.,  52,  71,  133,  134  and  n.,  137, 

142,   143-44,   144,   144-45,   145, 

150,  153,  263 
Pakington,  William  (supposed  writer) 

35,  36  n. 
parliament  of  27  Henry  VI,  acts  of 

327 
Pat(s)all,  John  and  Thomas  (names  in 

MS.)  92 
Pawlyn,  Thomas  (owner)  178 
Pepys,  Samuel  (owner)  332 
Percyhay,  John,  of  Swynton  (testator) 

10 
Peterhouse,  Cambridge  (owner)  170, 

172 
Petit  Bruit,  Le  see  Bohun,  Ralph  de 
Phelippus,     John,      of     Mansell 

(borrower)  11  n. 
Philip  the  Good,  duke  of  Burgundy 

(owner?)  22 
Picquigny,  provisions  of  Treaty  of  160 
Piers  Plowman  80  n. 
Ponce,  John  (name  in  MS.)  188 
popes  from  Peter  to  Benedict,  list  of 

315 
popes  to  Gregory  XI,  chronicle  of  40, 

41 
Proverbs  of  Solomon,  The  112  n. 
pseudo-Elmham,  Vita  et  Gesta  Henrici 

Quinti  20 
Purchas,  William  (owner?)  14,  299 


Queen  Isabella's  letter  6,  17  and  n., 
49,  52,  53,  62,  63  and  nn.,  84,  88, 
93,  94,  98, 101, 105, 106,  107, 113, 
114  and  n.,  117,  122,  124,  133, 
157,  173,  175,  176,  231,  262,  266, 
315,  317;  text  of  62-^3 

Red,  Robert  (owner)  183 

Rede,  Richard  (compiler,  owner,  or 
scribe)  16,  46,  303 

Rede,  William,  bishop  of  Chichester 
(compiler?)  16,  42,  46 

Registrum  Cartarum  Prioratus  S.  An- 
dreae  Northampton  337 

religious  events  in  England,  notices  of 
320 

religious  sites,  account  of  279 

Rendale,  Richard  (owner?)  135 

Ricart,  Robert,  town  clerk  of  Bristol 
(compiler)  14,  322,  323 

Richard  Coeur  de  Lion  329,  331 

Richard,  duke  of  York,  verse  on  327 

Rither,  Ryther  (scribe)  113 

"Roger  \_sic\,  monk  of  Chester,"  Cos- 
mographia  40 

Rolewinck,  Werner,  Fasciculus  tempo- 
rum  165,  341  and  n. 

Rolls  of  Parliament  261,  263 

Roman  and  Holy  Roman  emperors 
from  Julius  Caesar  to  Charles  IV, 
chronicle  of  40,  41 

Rotuli  Parliamentorum  see  Rolls  of  Par- 
liament 

roundels,  set  of  genealogical  111 

Rous,  John,  Historia  Regum  Anglie  23 
and  n. 

Russell,  John,  Boke  of  Nurture  275 

Rydyng,  Thomas  (scribe  and  owner) 
163 


386 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


"St.  Albans  Chronicle"  299 

St.  Bartholomew,  Smithfield,  London, 
priory  of  (owner)  13,  109-10 

St.  George,  Richard,  Norroy  Herald 
(owner)  272 

St.  George's  Chapel,  Windsor  (owner) 
15,  40  n. 

St.  James,  prose  life  of  198  n. 

St.  Katherine,  prose  life  of  198  n. 

St.  Mary  de  Pratis,  Leicester,  abbey 
of  (provenance,  owner?)  13,  269 
and  n. 

St.  Mary's  Abbey,  York  (owner)  11 

saints  and  martyrs,  notices  of  320 

saints  in  England,  catalogue  of  40 

Sarum  use,  calendar  of  130 

Scardeburgh,  John  de  (legatee)  10 

Schoolmaster-Printer  of  St.  Albans, 
343,  345;  Book  of  Hawking,  Hunt- 
ing, and  Biasing  of  Arms  341  n. 

Shakerley,  Rowland  (owner)  147 

Sheldwych  (annotator)  22  n. 

Shelley,  William  (name  in  MS.)  223 

Sherborne,  Dorset,  abbey  of  (prove- 
nance) 16 

shields  of  arms  179 

Shirley,  John  164,  258,  259,  269 

Shirley,  John,  of  Staunton  Harold  and 
Rakedale,  Leicestershire  103 

Short  English  Metrical  Chronicle  7,  48, 
53,  173,  176,  184,  185,  186,  186- 
87,  202,  203,  204,  238,  253,  300, 
331 

Shyrburne,  John  (owner  or  scribe)  16 
and  n. 

Sidrak  and  Bokkus  94 

Siege  of  Jerusalem,  The  92  n. 

Slegill,  Thomas  (temporary  possessor 
of  book)  10 


Somerset,  John  (dedicatee)  20 

South-West  NorfolkAVest  Suffolk 
(scribal  provenance)  328  n. 

Speed,  John  (writer  and  owner)  26; 
Historie  of  Great  Britaine  26 

Spelman,  Henry  (transcriber  and 
owner)  xxvii,  27 

Staffordshire  (scribal  provenance)  15 

Staffordshire  (scribal  provenance)  102 

Stokes  family  (owners)  12,  297,  298  n. 

Stoddard,  William  (name  in  MS.) 
328;  WUliam,  sonof328 

Stow,  John  (writer,  transcriber,  and 
owner)  25,  26  and  n.,  27,  156  n., 
347;  Annales  of  England  26  and  n.; 
Chronicles  of  England  25,  26;  A 
Summarie  of  Englyshe  Chronicles  26 
and  n.;  historical  memoranda  by 
316  n. 

Strecche,  John,  Historia  Regum  Anglie 
19 

Suffolk(?),  Dominican  convent  in 
(owner)  13,  82 

Suffolk,  South-East  (scribal  prove- 
nance) 15,  129 

Sulyard,  John,  justice  of  the  King's 
Bench  (owner)  12,  200  and  n.; 
Anne,  widow  of  12,  200 

Surrey  (scribal  provenance)  15, 145  n., 
290;  Central  (scribal  provenance) 
15,  216;  Northwest  (scribal  prove- 
nance?) 325 

Symons,  John  (name  in  MS.)  109 

"T[...]l,  Sere  I[.]h[.r  (so  in  MS.; 

owner?)  79 
This(?),  George  (owner)  189 
Thomas,  Richard,  of  Neath,  Glamor- 
ganshire (owner)  13,  179 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


387 


Thomas,  William  (owner)  109 

Thomborough,  Timothy  (name  in 
MS.)  115 

Three  Kings  of  Cologne,  The  92  n.,  126 
nn.,  258;  (Latin)  135 

Thynne,  Francis  25;  (owner)  108 

Tiptoft,  John,  earl  of  Worcester,  his- 
torical compilation  by  21,  22  n. 

Toddington,  Bedfordshire,  chapel  and 
hospital  at  21 

Towers,  Bartholomew  (owner?)  218 

Translator  of  Livius,  English  life  of 
Henry  V  24,  26 

Trayfort,  Edmund,  Alexander,  and 
Robert  (names  in  MS.)  97 

Trevet,  Nicholas,  Chronicle  283,  331, 
332  n.;  translation  of  325 

Trevisa,  John,  of  Berkeley,  Cornwall, 
translation  of  Ranulph  Higden's 
Polychronicon  18  and  n.,  23,  25,  159 
n.,  339,  345;  see  also  Caxton,  Wil- 
liam; Description  of  Britain,  The, 
Higden,  Ranulph 

Trouthe,  William,  vicar,  Salisbury 
(testator)  13,  199 

Troyes,  copy  of  Treaty  of  112  n. 

Turbantisville,  John  (name  in  MS.)  80 

Tynemouth,  John  of,  Historia  Aurea 
17,  18  n.,  63  n. 

Ughtred,  Thomas  (testator)  10;  wife  of 
(legatee)  10 

Vegetius,  De  Re  Militari  (1408  Eng- 
lish translation)  275 

Veldener,  Johan  165,  341 

Vergil,  Polydore,  Anglica  Historia  24- 
25,28 

Virgin,  prose  life  of  the  198  n. 


Virgin  Mary  and  St.  Margaret,  Dart- 
ford,  Kent,  priory  of  the  (owner) 
13,  119 

Vmnor,  William,  of  Sharrington,  Nor- 
folk (owner)  89 

Wace,  Roman  de  Brut  30,  31 
Waleran,  lord  of  Waurin  (patron)  22 
Walsby,  Richard  (name  in  MS.)  183 
Walsingham,  Thomas,  chronicles  26 
Walter  Lord  Hungerford  (dedicatee)  20 
Waltham,  Essex,  annals  of  abbey  of  20 
Warkworth,  John,   master  of  Peter- 
house,  Cambridge  (owner)  13,  166, 
170 
"Warkworth's"    Chronicle  xxiii,   xxvii, 
71,  168,  170,  171,  172  and  n.,  205 
Warwickshire  (scribal  provenance)  15, 

274 
Watson,  Christopher  (owner)  115 
Watson,  Thomas  (name  in  MS.)  115 
Wattsoun  (Watson),  Richard  (owner) 

183 
Waurin,  Jean  de,  lord  of  Forestal,  Re- 
cueil  des  Croniques  et  Anchiennes  Is- 
tories  de  la  Grant  Bretaigne  22 
Wauton  family  of  Great  Staughton, 
Huntingdonshire,    and    Basmead, 
Bedfordshire  (owners)  12,  129 
Waveley,  Surrey,  annals  of  abbey  of  31 
Welles,  Francis  (name  in  MS.)  282 
Wendover,  Roger  of,  Flores  Histori- 

arum  283 
Westmer  to  1368,  text  on  Scottish 

history  from  40 
Westminster  48 

Whinkop,  Mary  (name  in  MS.)  115 
White,  William  (scribe,  compiler,  and 
owner)  27,  315 


388 


INDEX  OF  PERSONS,  PLACES,  AND  TEXTS 


Willeys,  John,  probably  of  Berkshire 

(owner)  13,  100 
William  the  Conqueror,  tractate  and 

epitaphs  on  40 
Willoughby   family   of  Nottingham- 
shire and  Derbyshire  (owners)  12, 

189 
Wiltshire  (scribal  provenance)  15,  332 
Winkfield,  Berkshire  (place  name  in 

MS.)  100 
Wise  Book  of  Philosophy  and  Astronomy, 

The  137  n. 
Wolston,  Richard  (owner)  99 
Woods,  W.,  clerk  of  the  Privy  Council 

(owner)  266 


Worcester,  Florence  of,  Chronicon  ex 

chronicis  21,  295,  296  n. 
Worde,  Wynkyn  de  see  Description  of 

Britain,  The 
Wylloughbe,  Richard  (owner?)  189;  see 

also  Willoughby  family 
Wynnard,  Hugo  (owner)  178 

Yorkshire,   West   Riding   of  (scribal 
provenance)  15,  206 

Zouche    family   of  Nottinghamshire 
and  Derbyshire  (owners)  12,  189