Canterbury Tales prologue
What does the speaker describe of each pilgrim?
"What their condition was... according to profession and degree, and what apparel they were riding in"
"Almost a span across the brows, I own; She was indeed by no means undergrown. Her cloak, I noticed, had a graceful charm. She wore a coral trinket on her arm, A set of beads, the gaudies tricked in green,* Whence hung a golden brooch of brightest sheen On which there first was graven a crowned A, And lower, Amor vincit omnia."
Nun
"And she was known as Madam Eglantyne. "
Nun
"And well she sang a service, with a fine Intoning through her nose, as was most seemly, And she spoke daintily in French, extremely, After the school of Stratford-atte-Bowe; French in the Paris style she did not know."
Nun
"At meat her manners were well taught withal; No morsel from her lips did she let fall, Nor dipped her fingers in the sauce too deep; But she could carry a morsel up and keep The smallest drop from falling on her breast."
Nun
"For courtliness she had a special zest, And she would wipe her upper lip so clean That not a trace of grease was to be seen Upon the cup when she had drunk; to eat, She reached a hand sedately for the meat."
Nun
"Her greatest oath was only 'By St Loy!'"
Nun
"Her veil was gathered in a seemly way, Her nose was elegant, her eyes glass-grey; Her mouth was very small, but soft and red, Her forehead, certainly, was fair of spread,"
Nun
"Her way of smiling very simple and coy."
Nun
"She certainly was very entertaining, Pleasant and friendly in her ways, and straining To counterfeit a courtly kind of grace, A stately bearing fitting to her place, And to seem dignified in all her dealings."
Nun
"She used to weep if she but saw a mouse Caught in a trap, if it were dead or bleeding. And she had little dogs she would be feeding With roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white bread. And bitterly she wept if one were dead Or someone took a stick and made it smart; She was all sentiment and tender heart."
Nun
Prioress
Nun
"By his bed He preferred having twenty books in red And black, of Aristotle's philosophy, Than costly clothes, fiddle or psaltery." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Oxford Cleric
"He had found no preferment in the church And he was too unworldly to make search For secular employment" Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Oxford Cleric
"His only care was study, and indeed He never spoke a word more than was need, Formal at that, respectful in the extreme, Short, to the point, and lofty in his theme. A tone of moral virtue filled his speech And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Oxford Cleric
"Whatever money from his friends he took He spent on learning or another book And prayed for them most earnestly, returning Thanks to them thus for paying for his learning." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Oxford Cleric
"still a student though, One who had taken logic long ago, Was there; his horse was thinner than a rake, And he was not too fat, I undertake, But had a hollow look, a sober stare; The thread upon his overcoat was bare." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Oxford Cleric
"He could dictate defences or draft deeds; No one could pinch a comma from his screeds And he knew every statute off by rote. He wore a homely parti-coloured coat, Girt with a silken belt of pin-stripe stuff; Of his appearance I have said enough." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Serjeant at Law
"He often had been Justice of Assize By letters patent, and in full commission. His fame and learning and his high position Had won him many a robe and many a fee." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Serjeant at Law
"He was less busy than he seemed to be. He knew of every judgement, case and crime Ever recorded since King William's time." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Serjeant at Law
"There was no such conveyancer as he; All was fee-simple to his strong digestion, Not one conveyance could be called in question." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Serjeant at Law
"aid his calls, Wary and wise, for clients at St Paul's* There also was, of noted excellence. Discreet he was, a man to reverence, Or so he seemed, his sayings were so wise." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Serjeant at Law
When did CT take place?
April/spring
Who is speaking?
Geoffrey Chaucer aka the author/narrator
"But anywhere a profit might accrue Courteous he was and lowly of service too. Natural gifts like his were hard to match. He was the finest beggar of his batch, And, for his begging-district, paid a rent; His brethren did no poaching where he went. For though a widow mightn't have a shoe, So pleasant was his holy how-d'ye-do He got his farthing from her just the same Before he left, and so his income came" Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"For he sang well and played the hurdy-gurdy. At sing-songs he was champion of the hour." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"For many a fellow is so hard of heart He cannot weep, for all his inward smart." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"He kept his tippet stuffed with pins for curls, And pocket-knives, to give to pretty girls. And certainly his voice was gay and sturdy," Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"He lisped a little out of wantonness To make his English sweet upon his tongue. When he had played his harp, or having sung, His eyes would twinkle in his head as bright As any star upon a frosty night. This worthy's name was Hubert, it appeared."
FRIAR
"He was a noble pillar to his Order. Highly beloved and intimate was he With County folk within his boundary, And city dames of honour and possessions; For he was qualified to hear confessions, Or so he said, with more than priestly scope; He had a special licence from the Pope." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"He was an easy man in penance-giving Where he could hope to make a decent living; It's a sure sign whenever gifts are given To a poor Order that a man's well shriven, And should he give enough he knew in verity The penitent repented in sincerity." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"He was ever prompt To arbitrate disputes on settling days (For a small fee) in many helpful ways, Not then appearing as your cloistered scholar With threadbare habit hardly worth a dollar, But much more like a Doctor or a Pope." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"Of his young women what he could afford her." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"Sweetly he heard his penitents at shrift With pleasant absolution, for a gift." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
"Therefore instead of weeping and of prayer One should give silver for a poor Friar's care." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
FRIAR
HUBERT
FRIAR
"A class of landowner, a freeholder, who is also free by birth, but not noble. It is noteworthy that his self-conscious chatter about gentility when he politely interrupts the Squire is contemptuously interrupted by the Host."
Franklin
"As Justice at the Sessions none stood higher; He often had been Member for the Shire. A dagger and a little purse of silk Hung at his girdle, white as morning milk. As Sheriff he checked audit, every entry. He was a model among landed gentry." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Franklin
"As noted as St Julian was for bounty He made his household free to all the County. His bread, his ale were finest of the fine And no one had a better stock of wine. His house was never short of bake-meat pies, Of fish and flesh, and these in such supplies" Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Franklin
"He kept fat partridges in coops, beyond, Many a bream and pike were in his pond. Woe to the cook unless the sauce was hot And sharp, or if he wasn't on the spot! And in his hall a table stood arrayed And ready all day long, with places laid." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Franklin
"He lived for pleasure and had always done, For he was Epicurus' very son, In whose opinion sensual delight Was the one true felicity in sight." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Franklin
"White as a daisy-petal was his beard. A sanguine man, high-coloured and benign, He loved a morning sop of cake in wine." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Franklin
"So glib with gallant phrase and well-turned speech. " Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Friar
wanton one and merry
Friar
A Limited = a begging friar who was granted a district to beg in
Friar (duh)
"He had done nobly in his sovereign's war and ridden into battle, no man more, as well in Christian as in heathen places, and ever honoured for his noble graces"
Knight
"He was of sovereign value in all eyes. And though so much distinguished, he was wise And in his bearing modest as a maid. He never yet a boorish thing had said In all his life to any, come what might; He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight."
Knight
"He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark With smudges where his armour had left mark;"
Knight
"In fifteen mortal battles he had been And jousted for our faith at Tramissene Thrice in the lists, and always killed his man. This same distinguished knight had led the van Once with the Bey of Balat, doing work For him against another heathen Turk;"
Knight
"Speaking of his equipment, he possessed Fine horses, but he was not gaily dressed."
Knight
"When we took Alexandra, he was there. He often sat at table in the chair of honor, above all nations, when in Prussia. In Lithuania he had ridden, and Russia, No Christian man so often, of his rank"
Knight
"When, in Granada, Algeciras sank Under assault, he had been there, and in North Africa, raiding Benamarin; In Anatolia he had been as well And fought when Ayas and Attalia fell, For all along the Mediterranean coast He had embarked with many a noble host."
Knight
"Who from the day on which he first began to ride abroad had followed chivalry, truth honor, generousness and courtesy"
Knight
"a most distinguished man"
Knight
"(He thought) upon the Harwich-Holland ranges; He was expert at dabbling in exchanges. This estimable Merchant so had set His wits to work, none knew he was in debt," Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Merchant
"He told of his opinions and pursuits In solemn tones, he harped on his increase" Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Merchant
"He was so stately in administration, In loans and bargains and negotiation.
Merchant
"There was a Merchant with a forking beard And motley dress; high on his horse he sat, Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat And on his feet daintily buckled boots." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Merchant
He was an excellent fellow all the same; To tell the truth I do not know his name." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Merchant
"A manly man, to be an Abbot able; Many a dainty horse he had in stable." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"Greyhounds he had, as swift as birds, to course. Hunting a hare or riding at a fence Was all his fun, he spared for no expense." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"He did not rate that text at a plucked hen Which says that hunters are not holy men And that a monk uncloistered is a mere Fish out of water, flapping on the pier, That is to say a monk out of his cloister." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"He was a fat and personable priest; His prominent eyeballs never seemed to settle. They glittered like the flames beneath a kettle; Supple his boots, his horse in fine condition." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"He was a prelate fit for exhibition, He was not pale like a tormented soul. He liked a fat swan best, and roasted whole. His palfrey was as brown as is a berry." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"His bridle, when he rode, a man might hear Jingling in a whistling wind as clear, Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bell Where my lord Monk was Prior of the cell." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"His head was bald and shone like looking-glass; So did his face, as if it had been greased." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand With fine grey fur, the finest in the land, And on his hood, to fasten it at his chin He had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin; Into a lover's knot it seemed to pass." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"That was a text he held not worth an oyster; And I agreed and said his views were sound; Was he to study till his head went round Poring over books in cloisters? Must he toil As Austin bade and till the very soil? Was he to leave the world upon the shelf? Let Austin have his labour to himself." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"The Rule of good St Benet or St Maur As old and strict he tended to ignore; He let go by the things of yesterday And took the modern world's more spacious way." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Monk
"Who rode the country; hunting was his sport."
Monk
Four Orders
Related to Frair jsyk Dominican, Franciscan, Carmelite, Austin
"A lover and cadet, a lad of fire With locks as curly as if they had been pressed. He was some twenty years of age, I guessed. In stature he was of a moderate length, With wonderful agility and strength."
Squire
"He knew the way to sit a horse and ride. He could make songs and poems and recite, Knew how to joust and dance, to draw and write."
Squire
"He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale He slept as little as a nightingale. Courteous he was, lowly and serviceable, And carved to serve his father at the table"
Squire
"He was as fresh as is the month of May. Short was his gown, the sleeves were long and wide;"
Squire
"He was embroidered like a meadow bright And full of freshest flowers, red and white. Singing he was, or fluting all the day;"
Squire
"He'd seen some service with the cavalry In Flanders and Artois and Picardy And had done valiantly in little space Of time, in hope to win his lady's grace."
Squire
Son of the Knight
Squire
Where did CT take place?
The Tabard Inn at Southwark
"A jaunty dirk, spear-sharp and well-equipped. A medal of St Christopher he wore Of shining silver on his breast, and bore A hunting-horn, well slung and burnished clean, That dangled from a baldrick of bright green. He was a proper forester, I guess."
Yeoman
"His arrows never drooped their feathers low - And in his hand he bore a mighty bow." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
Yeoman
"His head was like a nut, his face was brown. He knew the whole of woodcraft up and down. A saucy brace was on his arm to ward It from the bow-string, and a shield and sword Hung at one side, and at the other slipped"
Yeoman
"wore a coat and hood of green, And peacock-feathered arrows, bright and keen And neatly sheathed, hung at his belt the while"
Yeoman
"His neck was whiter than a lily-flower But strong enough to butt a bruiser down. He knew the taverns well in every town And every innkeeper and barmaid too Better than lepers, beggars and that crew, For in so eminent a man as he It was not fitting with the dignity Of his position, dealing with a scum Of wretched lepers; nothing good can come Of commerce with such slum-and-gutter dwellers, But only with the rich and victual-sellers." Excerpt From: Geoffrey Chaucer. "The Canterbury Tales." iBooks. https://itun.es/us/SmXGD.l
franklin
"Of double-worsted was the semi-cope Upon his shoulders, and the swelling fold About him, like a bell about its mould When it is casting, rounded out his dress."
friar
