The Manly-Rickert Text of the "Canterbury Tales"

Author / Editor
Ramsey, Roy Vance.

Title
The Manly-Rickert Text of the "Canterbury Tales"

Published
Lewiston, N.Y.;
Queenston, Ontario;
Lampeter: Edwin Mellen, 1994.

Physical Description
xxii, 691 pp.

Description
Defends the Manly-Rickert (M-R) text of CT and its apparatus against "false and demeaning" impressions in recent discussions and editions
In separate chapters, Ramsey (1) critiques the methods of editors from Urry to the "Chaucer Variorum;" (2) explains the method and chronology of M-R; (3) surveys the practices of late-medieval scribes and book production; (4) suggests the existence of a complex variety of CT texts ca. 1400; (5) argues for the influence of these texts on post-1400 manuscripts; (6) explores the production of post-1400 manuscripts; and (7) examines the production of Hengwrt and its value.
Using M-R data throughout his discussion, Ramsey concludes that M-R must be used in conjunction with the best-text manuscript (Hengwrt) to produce an edition that closes the gap between the "Variorum" and classroom texts.

Chaucer Subjects
Manuscripts and Textual Studies.
Canterbury Tales--General.