Preparing critical editions of both the Chronique dâErnoul and the so-called Colbert-Fontainebleau (or Acre) Continuation of William of Tyre has occupied us both for many years. These narratives were last edited in the nineteenth century, and the discovery since then of new manuscripts together with a clearer understanding of how the texts were composed and transmitted to posterity and a proper elucidation of their relationship to each other provide ample justification for our efforts. The task of assembling microfilms began, with financial support from the British Academy, as far back as 2005, and serious work on the editions started in 2009, funded by a major award from the British Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It was at this point, with Massimiliano Gaggeroâs appointment on a three-year contract as a full-time research assistant on the project, that our collaboration began. The AHRC award also included provision for a fully-funded PhD studentship, and the successful candidate, Philip Handyside, duly completed his thesis on a discrete but related topic, the French translation of Williamâs Latin text. A revised version, published by Brill, appeared in 2015 with the title: The Old French William of Tyre.
Although the project began with Peter Edbury in the role as the Principal Investigator and Massimiliano Gaggero as the Research Assistant, our relationship quickly developed into a successful and amicable partnership in which we worked together as colleagues collaborating closely over all aspects. Both authors discussed and agreed on the guidelines for the edition and on the final presentation of the critical text, the apparatus, the introductions, and the glossaries for both volumes. We both engaged in transcribing the manuscripts. Peter Edbury prepared most of the critical edition and apparatus of the Chronique dâErnoul et de Bernard le Trésorier and the Colbert-Fontainebleau Continuation of William of Tyre and drafted the introductions to both volumes. Massimiliano Gaggero carried out the preliminary work on the stemma for both texts and on the codicology of the manuscripts employed. He edited a significant section of the Chronique (notably paragraphs cxviiâclxxvii), collaborated on the textual revisions for both volumes, and took responsibility for preparing the glossaries.
Over the years we have been helped and encouraged by many people. Sadly two of them, Jonathan Riley-Smith and Bernard Hamilton, did not live to see this project brought to completion. We are particularly indebted to our Cardiff colleagues, especially Helen Nicholson, Denys Pringle and Paul Webster, for sharing their knowledge and giving their advice. In addition to Philip Handyside, who proved a good sounding board for our theories, there are many others whose assistance has been invaluable: Marianne Ailes, Michel Balard, Bjørn Bandlien, Elena Bellomo, Nicholas Coureas, Susan Edgington, Jaroslav Folda, John France, Mike Fulton, Thérèse de Hemptinne, Kasser-Antton Helou, Norman Housley, Peter Jackson, Nikolas Jaspert, Philippe Josserand, Margaret Jubb, James Kane, Beni Kedar, Rabei Khamisy, Robert Kool, Yulia Krylova, Richard Leson, Graham Loud, Tony Luttrell, Merav Mack, Balázs Major, Stefano Mannino, José Meirinhos, Maria Luisa Meneghetti, Laura Minervini, Laura Morreale, Alan Murray, Nicholas Paul, Guy Perry, John Pryor, Maria Teresa Rachetta, Luca Sacchi, Chris Schabel, Michael Staunton, Matthew Strickland, Julien Théry, Filip Van Tricht and Fabio Zinelli.
We should also like to thank our respective institutions, Cardiff University and the Università degli Studi di Milano, for providing the facilities and the environment that have made our work so congenial. We must also express our gratitude to the anonymous readers for their many useful recommendations. Finally our thanks are due to Marcella Mulder and the staff at Brill for their efficiency and above all for their long-suffering patience.
Peter Edbury and Massimiliano Gaggero
Cardiff and Milan June 2022