The Canterbury Tales: The General Prologue Geoffrey Chaucer

The Knight “Most distinguished man” followed chivalry” “Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy” “He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.” modest, humble attire Served the king well in religious wars Most socially prominent person on the journey nobility – role model for the other pilgrims

The Squire Son of the Knight “lover and a cadet” “a lad of fire” curly, well-groomed hair twenty years old performed valiantly in battle to win the favor of a lady ostentatious clothing – “embroidered like a meadow bright” part of the nobility

The Yeoman nobleman’s attendant to the Knight and Squire considered part of nobility “wore a coat and hood of green” “His head was like a nut, his face was brown.” rustic w/a medal of St. Christopher around his neck “proper forester”

The Prioress (The Nun) “simple and coy” “known as Madam Eglantyne” “spoke daintily in French” very feminine, concerned about her appearance, pretty, ladylike “Her veil was gathered in a seemly way,” Amorous – wears a bracelet “Love conquers all.” part of the high clergy Hugely ironic, considering her vocation

The Monk “rode the country, hunting was his sport” “manly man” “As old and strict he tended to ignore” “His head was bald and shone like looking-glass” “He was a fat and personable priest.” dressed in fine clothes, some even trimmed in fur preferred the outdoor life to that of a closed, indoor existence complete contradiction of his religious vows part of the clergy

The Friar “wanton one and merry “Limiter” – begging friar limited to a certain district in which to beg “He’d fixed up many a marriage, giving each / Of his young women what he could afford her.” helped many girls get married after he got them pregnant took money for hearing confessions knew the taverns and the inns better than he knew the leper houses and homes of the poor wore a cape using double worsted, a woolen fabric, would be rather luxurious Hubert - part of the clergy

The Merchant “forking beard and motley dress” “none knew he was in debt luxurious clothing – “Flemish beaver hat” member of the rich and rising middle class shrewd and knows a good bargain He talks and looks so solemn and impressive, and transacts his business in such a stately manner that few knew he was deeply in debt himself. upper middle class

The Oxford Cleric “still a student though” (student at Oxford) “horse was thinner than a rake” “hollow look, a sober stare;” “The thread upon his overcoat was bare.” “By his bed / He preferred having twenty books in red.” “And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.” Next to the Knight, he is one of the most admired people on the pilgrimage upper middle class

A Sergeant at the Law “He was less busy than he seemed to be.” “Knew every judgment, case and crime / Ever recorded since King William’s time.” “He wore a homely parti-colored coat.” able attorney who could recall every words and comma of every judgment, a feat which earned him high distinction and handsome fees. makes people think he is busier and wiser than he really is upper middle class

The Franklin A large landowner with a certain amount of wealth Of noble birth Spent his money freely, enjoying good food, wine, and company True epicurean – live for enjoyment “He lived for pleasure, and had always done, For he was Epicurus’ very son.” upper middle class

The Guild Fraternity Haberdasher (clothing maker) Dyer (cloth dyer) Carpenter Weaver Carpet-maker Organization similar to a fraternity and labor union Luxuriously dressed in clothing suitable to individual trade middle class

The Cook Master of his trade Knew how to boil, bake, roast, and fry Has a running sore on his shin His best dish was a creamed chicken pie whose white sauce might be the same color as the pus from the running sore. “But what a pity it seemed to me,/That he should have an ulcer on his knee.” lower middle class - cook for the guildsmen

The Skipper A huge man and somewhat vulgar Master of a vessel and knew all the ports from the Mediterranean to the Baltic Could read the stars and knew how to fight well Difficulty riding a horse on the journey “And he knew all the havens as they were / From Gottland to the Cape of Finisterre.” middle class

The Doctor No one who could speak so well about medicine as this doctor Knew astronomy (astrology) and working of nature Could tell what humour was responsible for a sickness Could quote all the medical authorities but knew nothing of the Bible Has a special love for gold, since he prescribes it for cures “When he knew the horoscope, he knew the power / Of favorable planets, then ascendent.” middle class

The Wife of Bath Somewhat deaf and gap-toothed Excellent seamstress and weaver Made a point of being first at the altar or offering in church Wore scarlet red stockings Married five times Been on many religious pilgrimages Special talent – knowledge of all the remedies of love “She’d had five husbands, al at the church door,” middle class

The Parson Very poor Rich in holy thoughts and works Principle to live the perfect life first; and then to teach it Perfect example of the true Christian priest “Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their lore/He taught, but followed it himself before.” clergy

The Plowman Small tenant farmer who lived in perfect peace and charity Loved God with all his heart Was always honest with his neighbors and promptly paid his tithes to the church “Living in peace and perfect charity, / And as the gospel bade him, so did he,” lower middle class

The Miller Big brawny man who could outwrestle any man and even a ram Short-shouldered, broad, and thick set His red beard and a wart on his nose from which bristly red hairs protruded made him look fearful. Played the bagpipes as the pilgrims left the town “A great stout fellow big in brawn and bone / He did well out of them, for he could go.” middle class but not independent

The Manciple Steward for a law school or dormitory for lawyers in London Was in charge of purchasing the food Not as learned as the lawyers Shrewd in business “Now isn’t it a marvel of God’s grace/That an illiterate fellow can outpace /The Wisdom of a heap of learned men?” middle class but not independent

The Reeve Manager of a large estate Skinny man with a bad temper Able, efficient, and shrewd man who had reaped rich rewards from his master Was once a carpenter Rode last among the group “No auditor could gain a point on him./And he could judge by watching drought and rain” middle class but not independent

The Summoner A man paid to summon sinners for a trial before a church court - “bishop’s sheriff” Fire-red complexion, pimples, and boils, a scaly infection around the eyebrows, and a moth-eaten beard Treats his sores as leprosy Loved to eat garlic, onions, leeks, and drink strong wine Could quote a few lines of Latin Sinners could easily bribe him. “Black scabby brows he had, and a thin beard./Children were afraid when he appeared.” middle class but not independent

The Pardoner Church official who had authority from Rome to sell pardons and indulgences to those charged with sins Has just returned from Rome with a bagful of pardons, which he plans to sell to the ignorant with great profit to himself. Had a loud, high-pitched voice, yellow flowing hair, and beardless Knew how to sing and preach so as to frighten everyone into buying his pardons at a great price One of the most corrupt churchmen “This pardoner had hair as yellow as wax,/Hanging down smoothly like a hand of flax.” “He sewed a holy relic on his cap;/His wallet lay before him on his lap.” middle class but not independent