1. The Canterbury Tales: The General Prologue
Geoffrey Chaucer

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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