Special Collections & Archives: MS.F.4.8: William Langland, Piers Plowman

LUL MS.F.4.8: William Langland, Piers Plowman. In English. England. Early 15th century.

Physical description: On parchment. iii + 103 + iv leaves, 260 x 200 mm. Frame ruling.

Contents: A-text of Prologue to XI, 313; C-text of the remainder; with two adjacent leaves of glossed text of Ezekiel, mid-13th century, used as endleaves.

Decoration: Initials: f.1 3-line gold with violet; 3-line blue with red.

Binding: 18th century.

Provenance 1500-1600: 16th century reader's marginal paraphrases

Provenance: 1500-1600: Isabell poniell, p.11.

Provenance 1500-1600: 16th century(?) inscription on manuscript waste endleaf: "Mr John Denham oweth this boucke god graunt hyme longe lyf wth muche encrease of wyrshype".

Provenance 1600-1655: Inscriptions by Walter Stonehouse (1597-1655):  Walt. Stonehouse Pre 10s' f.1 and note on p.202.

Provenance 1700-1800: Shelfmark(?) on manuscript waste endleaf: T.2.10.

Provenance 1700-1800: Armorial bookplate of Sir William Horton, 1st Baronet (1712–1774): Sr William Horton Bart Chaderton (created 1764). This manuscript has also been known as the Chaderton MS.

Provenance 1944-1944: The gift of Clara Hornby, 1944. Correspondence in Liverpool University Archive D1086/4/6 relates to its purchase from Bernard Quaritch, Ltd. 1944

Published citations:

1947: J.H.G. Grattan, 'The text of Piers Plowman: a newly-discovered manuscript and its affinities', Modern Languages Review. v.42, pages 1-8

1960: G. Kane, Piers Plowman: the A version, pages 2-3, and passim.