The Ellesmere Manuscript is a medieval manuscript of the Canterbury Tales, written in Middle English. The spelling of "Ellesmere" is pronounced as /ˈɛlz.mɪər/ in IPA. The first syllable "El" is pronounced as "el" and the second syllable "les" is pronounced as "lz." The last syllable "mere" is pronounced as "mɪər." The manuscript contains beautiful illustrations and is considered one of the most important surviving manuscripts of Chaucer's work. It is named after Thomas Egerton, the first Viscount Ellesmere, who owned the manuscript during the 17th century.
The Ellesmere Manuscript, also known as the Ellesmere Chaucer, is a highly valuable and renowned Middle English manuscript considered one of the earliest and most complete compilers of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Named after its previous owner, Sir Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Ellesmere, it dates back to the early 15th century and is currently housed in the Huntington Library in California, USA.
This significant manuscript contains a collection of Chaucer’s major works, including "The Canterbury Tales," "Troilus and Criseyde," "The House of Fame," and a few other shorter works and poems. It consists of 369 parchment pages elaborately decorated with intricate illustrations. The exceptional artistry and meticulousness of these illuminations, attributed to two distinct artists, enhance the manuscript's aesthetic and scholarly value.
Despite some damages and losses over the centuries, the Ellesmere Manuscript remains an invaluable resource for scholars and medieval enthusiasts, providing insights into Chaucer's writings and the artistic practices of the time. It serves as an essential reference for studying the linguistic features, styles, and narrative techniques of Middle English poetry, shedding light on the cultural and literary developments of the late medieval period.
Due to its historical significance and contribution to the study of Chaucer's canon, the Ellesmere Manuscript retains a prominent position in medieval manuscript studies, continuing to fascinate and captivate scholars and readers alike with its beauty, rich textual content, and cultural heritage.
The word "Ellesmere Manuscript" is derived from two main components:
1. Ellesmere: The term "Ellesmere" refers to the location where the manuscript is currently housed. The manuscript is named after the Ellesmere family, specifically the third Earl of Ellesmere, Francis Egerton, who was the owner of the manuscript during the mid-19th century. The Ellesmere Manuscript is now a part of the collection in the Huntington Library in San Marino, California.
2. Manuscript: This term originates from the Latin word "manus" meaning "hand" and "scriptus" meaning "written". Hence, "manuscript" refers to a document or text that is written by hand, often in the form of a book or a literary work.