The Hengwrt Chaucer

The 'Hengwrt Chaucer' is undoubtedly one of the greatest treasures of the National Library of Wales. Geoffrey Chaucer (born before 1346 - died 1400), author of the Canterbury Tales, is considered to be the best English poet of the Middle Ages. His genius was acknowledged during his lifetime and his influence on English literature can be traced throughout the fifteenth century. Many writers down the centuries have attempted to imitate his unique blend of wit and realism, his poetical genius and control of characterisation and dialogue, but most have failed. Chaucer's work is permeated by humour, often a rough, vulgar humour, and he even pokes fun at himself on several occasions.

The Welsh associations of this early and important manuscript of the Canterbury Tales reflect a common phenomenon in Welsh cultural history. From the later Middle Ages onwards English manuscripts were read, owned, copied and much prized in Wales, and by the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it is common to find evidence of Welsh ownership of manuscripts in English.

Sir John Williams presented the Peniarth manuscripts, including the ‘Hengwrt Chaucer’, to the newly-established National Library of Wales in 1909. It has remained in the Library's care ever since, and was included, among other Peniarth manuscripts, on the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register in 2010.