THE PILGRIMS OF CANTERBURY TALES

Harry Bailey, the host, is usually found at the )Tabard Inn in Suffolk.

Tabard Inn

 

The name of the martyr, to whose shrine they are going, is Thomas á Becket.

Thomas á Becket

Chaucer, the narrator/poet, describes the following:

Geoffrey Chaucer

This character, renowned for his white sauce, has a nasty wound on his knee. He is Cook.

Cook

The cook travels with five Guildsmen whose wives hope for high status. Name at least two of his employers on the pilgrimage: Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpetmaker, and Carpenter, Weaver.

Guildsman: Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpetmaker, Carpenter, Weaver

The Lawyer liked to seem busier than he was and to know every detail of his profession.

Lawyer

The only father and son pair could not be more different. Father is earnest and the epitome of his kind. His son is frivolous and fancy. They are, respectively Knight and Squire.

Knight, Squire

If you want a fine meal, good wine, and merriment, you would be wise to head for the sanguine Franklin’s house.

Franklin

Known as the Nun, her vanity shows in her artificial manners and high forehead. She travels with at least one priest, perhaps three. Her name is Madam Eglantyne.

Nun, Madam Eglantyne

If he catches you at sea, this fellow might have you walk the plank: Skipper.

Skipper

His gear is always sharp and clean. His face is like a nut; he’s dressed in green. He is the backbone of England, our Yeoman.

Yeoman

Every teacher aspires to be like the skin and bones Oxford Cleric whose motto is that he would gladly learn and gladly teach.

Oxford Cleric

No hypocrites, these two brothers live lives secular and clerical that are models. They are the Plowman and the Parson.

Parson, Plowman

This bell-wearing hunter is a bit of a glutton (eating a swan all by himself). He should be in a cloister, but this Monk is on a pilgrimage.

Monk

His tall beaver hat probably helped some in Chaucer’s circle identify the Merchant, who seemed to be more prosperous than he really was.

Merchant

This fellow liked gold and trusted astrology and humours: sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric and melancholic. He is Doctor.

Doctor

 

This business woman had a gap tooth, traveled far, and had five husbands. Call her the Wife of Bath.

Wife of Bath

A self-appointed churchman, he’d sell you a relic and give you a counterfeit pardon. With hair like golden, shiny rat-tails, he is Pardoner.

Pardoner

While he should be helping the poor, he is more likely to be courting girls and visiting the wealthy. He is the Friar.

Friar

This large and bawdy fellow, with a hairy wart on his nose, weighs his thumb with the grain and leads the pilgrims by playing his bagpipes: Miller.

Miller

The )Summoner would stand out in a crowd because of his complexion and smell of garlic and onion.

Summoner

The Manciple was a frugal man and appeared smarter than all the lawyers for whom he bought groceries.

Manciple

This choleric fellow hates the one with the wart on his nose (Miller), so he comes along last: Reeve.

Reeve