The paper concerns the problem of 12th cent. greek manuscripts identification, localization and dating. We examing two greek manuscripts – de luxe Madrid manuscript of Scylitzes (Biblioteca Nacionál, Vitr. 26–2) as an example, and conduct a similar study of the manuscript of poem «Tristia ex Melitogaudo» (Biblioteca Nacionál, MS. 4577, olim N–42). We try to emulate the reseach style and technique of B.L. Fonkitch. Preliminary paleographic analises of maltese manuscript makes it possible to date it the second half of the 12th century. A new date in principle changes the history of the codex. And give us a chance to assume that this manuscript is a original author’s autograph.