"Adam Scriveyn"

“Adam Scriveyn”

What/Who: scribe copying into books the work of Geoffrey Chaucer and object of a poem concerning his incompetence

When: 14th century

Where: England

Why: Chaucer’s address to Adam Scriveyn notes the relationship between scribe, translator, and author at the time. Chaucer spent his early days as translator.

• This particular scribe is considered to be Adam Pinkhurst who recorded the Ellesmere manuscript and Hengwrt manuscript. Chaucer warns him to not be incompetent with his work.