Cooke Manuscript Legend

The Matthew Cooke Manuscript

Next to the Regius the oldest manuscript is that known as the Cooke. It was published by R. Spencer, London, 1861 and edited by Bro. Matthew Cooke. In the British Museum’s catalogue it is listed as "Additional M.S. 23,198", and has been dated by Hughan at 1450 or thereabouts, an estimate in which most of the specialists have concurred.

On this website can be found both Cooke’s copy and translation, as well as G. W. Speth’s more accurate prose translation. The following legend, created from those designed for Cooke, displays the major characters. The original, handwritten document incorporates many variations and alternative characters.