"Here "Here bygynneth the bygynneth the

Book of the Book of the Tales of Tales of

Caunterbury" Caunterbury"

'At night was come into that hostelry'At night was come into that hostelryWell nine-and-twenty in a companyWell nine-and-twenty in a company

Of sundry folk, by aventure yfallOf sundry folk, by aventure yfallIn fellowship... And pilgrims were they allIn fellowship... And pilgrims were they all

That toward Canterb'ry would ride.' That toward Canterb'ry would ride.'

►Geoffrey Chaucer's pilgrims Geoffrey Chaucer's pilgrims in his poem, in his poem, The Canterbury The Canterbury TalesTales, were by no means , were by no means unique. They represented unique. They represented the hundreds of thousands the hundreds of thousands who traveled to the who traveled to the Cathedral to pray, repent or Cathedral to pray, repent or be healed at his shrine. (The be healed at his shrine. (The word word cantercanter comes from the comes from the pace of the pilgrims' horses pace of the pilgrims' horses as they rode to the as they rode to the Cathedral.)Cathedral.) Art by William Blake, 1810Art by William Blake, 1810

►This collection of fables and bawdy This collection of fables and bawdy stories are told by a diverse group stories are told by a diverse group of travelers on their way to of travelers on their way to Becket’s tomb. Becket’s tomb.

Chaucer describes 'full nine and twenty' pilgrims in a company that gathered at the Tabard Inn to set off to Canterbury that April morning. (Actually there are 30, plus the Host of the Inn who joins them for the ride.)

What do the tales show about What do the tales show about the values of 14the values of 14thth century century

England?England?► Under Chaucer’s Under Chaucer’s

sardonic eye, a sardonic eye, a group of pilgrims group of pilgrims recounts a tale to recounts a tale to entertain their entertain their companions on companions on the road to the road to Canterbury. These Canterbury. These tales and their tales and their tellers offer tellers offer testimony to testimony to Chaucer's insight Chaucer's insight into human into human nature. nature. (Royal Shakespeare (Royal Shakespeare Company)Company)

► SardonicSardonic, adj: , adj: mocking, cynical, mocking, cynical, ironically ironically humoroushumorous

► The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is a cross is a cross section of medieval society. section of medieval society. Chaucer's interest in middle class Chaucer's interest in middle class characters, such as a cook, carpenter, miller, priest, characters, such as a cook, carpenter, miller, priest, prioress, pardoner, lawyer, merchant, clerk, and prioress, pardoner, lawyer, merchant, clerk, and physician reflects the rise of the middle class in the physician reflects the rise of the middle class in the 14th century.14th century.

► Chaucer is interested in individuals, their mistakes Chaucer is interested in individuals, their mistakes and individual differences. He is interested in and individual differences. He is interested in realism and in middle class people -- the merchant realism and in middle class people -- the merchant class and peasants -- who reflect the rise of the class and peasants -- who reflect the rise of the middle class in the 14middle class in the 14thth century. century.

► FYI: The tales’ subject matter includes sex, lust, FYI: The tales’ subject matter includes sex, lust, greed, jealousy, native cunning (tricksters), the greed, jealousy, native cunning (tricksters), the gullibility of the stupid, marital problems, infidelity, gullibility of the stupid, marital problems, infidelity, and corruption of the church.and corruption of the church.

►Dr. Mary Anne AndradeDr. Mary Anne Andrade

What is happening in Canterbury today?What is happening in Canterbury today?

► You are likely see more iPods You are likely see more iPods than pilgrims in this funky than pilgrims in this funky college town. But even 1,400 college town. But even 1,400 years after St. Augustine years after St. Augustine broke ground, the cathedral broke ground, the cathedral still beckons with its history still beckons with its history of a martyr and miracles. of a martyr and miracles.

► After centuries of After centuries of architectural evolution, architectural evolution, today’s cathedral is a today’s cathedral is a sprawling structure. A sprawling structure. A modest monument to Becket modest monument to Becket to the left of the altar marks to the left of the altar marks the spot of his death. the spot of his death.

Remember the essential Remember the essential questions!questions!

►How is How is The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales a reflection a reflection of the values of 14of the values of 14thth century England? century England?

►How does How does The The Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales offer a offer a snapshot of life at that snapshot of life at that time?time?

The KnightThe Knight►By the 14By the 14thth century, after the century, after the

last Crusades, knighthood last Crusades, knighthood had fallen low from the great had fallen low from the great days of chivalrydays of chivalry

►Chaucer gently rebukes Chaucer gently rebukes knights of his time with this knights of his time with this charactercharacter

►However, there still remained a However, there still remained a number of the old-fashioned knights, number of the old-fashioned knights, members of the aristocracy, whose members of the aristocracy, whose careers were devoted to military careers were devoted to military service and the cause of Christendomservice and the cause of Christendom

The SquireThe Squire►Under the feudal system, a Under the feudal system, a

knight’s education began when knight’s education began when he was sent to the court of a he was sent to the court of a lord to become a page. As a lord to become a page. As a young boy, he was trained inyoung boy, he was trained in

riding and the arts of warfare, while riding and the arts of warfare, while attending the ladies and learning the attending the ladies and learning the graces of the court – dancing, singing, graces of the court – dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, reading and playing musical instruments, reading and writing.writing.

As a teen, he became a squire, mastering As a teen, he became a squire, mastering the gentle and courtly arts and the gentle and courtly arts and intensifying his military skillsintensifying his military skills

Chaucer had been a Chaucer had been a page and served the page and served the King as a squireKing as a squire

The YeomanThe Yeoman

►A yeoman was a free man, generally in A yeoman was a free man, generally in service to a knightservice to a knight

►Many were expert in the use of the Many were expert in the use of the long bow from Robin Hood’s day on long bow from Robin Hood’s day on (12(12thth century); legendary Robin Hood century); legendary Robin Hood was based on Robin of Sherwoodwas based on Robin of Sherwood

The Prioress: The Prioress: Madame EglantyneMadame Eglantyne

► A prioress was a nun in charge of a conventA prioress was a nun in charge of a convent►During the Middle Ages, families of During the Middle Ages, families of

substance placed their young, unbetrothed substance placed their young, unbetrothed daughters in nunneries to provide them with daughters in nunneries to provide them with a secure and gracious way of livinga secure and gracious way of living

►Nuns: forbidden to leave their cloisters or go Nuns: forbidden to leave their cloisters or go on pilgrimages, pets forbidden, interest in on pilgrimages, pets forbidden, interest in fashion frowned upon, by bishop’s orders fashion frowned upon, by bishop’s orders forehead covered by wimple (veil), only forehead covered by wimple (veil), only beads worn were to be the rosarybeads worn were to be the rosary

The MonkThe Monk

► A monk divorced himself from the A monk divorced himself from the world around him, entering a religious world around him, entering a religious order to spend his life worshipping Godorder to spend his life worshipping God

► Chaucer’s monk is a member of the Chaucer’s monk is a member of the Benedictine order, founded by St. Benedictine order, founded by St. Benedict, who shocked by the Benedict, who shocked by the worldliness of Rome, became a hermitworldliness of Rome, became a hermit

► According to his rule, his monks were According to his rule, his monks were to do whatever physical work was to do whatever physical work was required to keep them alive and spend required to keep them alive and spend the rest of their time in the worship of the rest of their time in the worship of God and the study and copying of God and the study and copying of religious writings religious writings

Three VowsThree Vows►Members of the clergy took three Members of the clergy took three

vows: vows: povertypoverty, that they would give up , that they would give up all the worldly goods and pleasures; all the worldly goods and pleasures; obedienceobedience, that they would obey the , that they would obey the rules laid down by the order’s rules laid down by the order’s founders; and founders; and chastitychastity, that they , that they would not allow the love of a woman would not allow the love of a woman to distract from the love of Godto distract from the love of God

Friar HubertFriar Hubert► A wanton and merry man, the Friar A wanton and merry man, the Friar ► exemplifies the corrupt nature of many exemplifies the corrupt nature of many

low-low-► level clergymen of the times. His behavior level clergymen of the times. His behavior

is certainly not in accord with the selfless moral is certainly not in accord with the selfless moral teachings he is supposed to espouse. He is a snob, teachings he is supposed to espouse. He is a snob, corrupted by greed, and acts in very un-Christian corrupted by greed, and acts in very un-Christian ways, clearly a man of low moral standards.ways, clearly a man of low moral standards.

► He possesses a level of social grace far above his He possesses a level of social grace far above his station in life. He is supposed to make a living by station in life. He is supposed to make a living by begging, living without a roof over his head. begging, living without a roof over his head.

►Often the younger sons and daughters of nobles Often the younger sons and daughters of nobles who could not be provided for entered the clergy, who could not be provided for entered the clergy, not because they felt a divine calling, but simply not because they felt a divine calling, but simply because that is what was expected of them.because that is what was expected of them.

MerchantMerchant

► He sports a forked beard and wears fineHe sports a forked beard and wears fine► clothes. He is extremely pompous in his clothes. He is extremely pompous in his

manners and opinions. He is so clever that nobody manners and opinions. He is so clever that nobody could gauge that he was actually in debt. could gauge that he was actually in debt.

► Readers see the Merchant as an aloof figure, who Readers see the Merchant as an aloof figure, who sits upright on his horse, talking of nothing but his sits upright on his horse, talking of nothing but his profits, and re-investing to such an extent that he profits, and re-investing to such an extent that he has cash-flow problems. has cash-flow problems.

► It may surprising when he tells us in his tale’s It may surprising when he tells us in his tale’s Prologue that, after only being married for two Prologue that, after only being married for two months, he is fed up with his wife, who has turned months, he is fed up with his wife, who has turned out to have `hye malice and to be a shrewe.'out to have `hye malice and to be a shrewe.'

► The Merchant's Tale is about a young wife who The Merchant's Tale is about a young wife who deceives her elderly husband.deceives her elderly husband.

The ClericThe Cleric

► A clerk was a member of the clergy or a A clerk was a member of the clergy or a student preparing for holy ordersstudent preparing for holy orders

► In this case, the Clerk is a scholar at Oxford In this case, the Clerk is a scholar at Oxford University, headed eventually for the University, headed eventually for the priesthood but meanwhile indulging himself priesthood but meanwhile indulging himself in the study of philosophyin the study of philosophy

► Philosophy: the study of the nature of the Philosophy: the study of the nature of the universeuniverse

► 1414thth cy slang: the pursuit of alchemy, a cy slang: the pursuit of alchemy, a pseudo-science based on the search for the pseudo-science based on the search for the “philosopher’s stone” which would turn base “philosopher’s stone” which would turn base metals into gold, heal all illnesses, and give metals into gold, heal all illnesses, and give the possessor eternal lifethe possessor eternal life

The Sergeant of the The Sergeant of the LawLaw

► This was one of the most This was one of the most ► respected legal officers, and respected legal officers, and

there were very few of them at a given there were very few of them at a given time, chosen from respectable barristers time, chosen from respectable barristers with at least 16 years of practicewith at least 16 years of practice

►They served as judges of the King’s They served as judges of the King’s courts and presided over the sessions courts and presided over the sessions (meetings) of the Justices of the Peace in (meetings) of the Justices of the Peace in the countiesthe counties

►These men held a vast knowledge of both These men held a vast knowledge of both aspects of English law -- common and aspects of English law -- common and statuary -- and sentencesstatuary -- and sentences

The FranklinThe Franklin

►A franklin was a free man, a landholderA franklin was a free man, a landholder►Some authorities place them among the Some authorities place them among the

minor nobility below the rank of baronminor nobility below the rank of baron►Others say that they were of free, not Others say that they were of free, not

noble, birthnoble, birth► In this instance, the Franklin is obviously In this instance, the Franklin is obviously

a man of great wealth and influence, a man of great wealth and influence, and a companion of the Sergeant-at-Lawand a companion of the Sergeant-at-Law

The Five The Five GuildsmenGuildsmen

►Medieval guilds: Medieval guilds: trade or craft trade or craft associations, also associations, also formed for formed for religious or social religious or social purposespurposes

►These men (and These men (and their wives) are their wives) are from the rising from the rising middle classmiddle class

The CookThe Cook► This man is the owner of a cook shopThis man is the owner of a cook shop► There were many such shops at which There were many such shops at which

one could buy prepared food either to eat one could buy prepared food either to eat there or take outthere or take out

► The cook, Roger Hodge, also called Hodge The cook, Roger Hodge, also called Hodge of Ware, was actually based on a real London cook of Ware, was actually based on a real London cook known to Chaucer, a Roger Ware. Chaucer known to Chaucer, a Roger Ware. Chaucer obviously intended for his London readers to obviously intended for his London readers to recognize this poor cook with the sore on his knee. recognize this poor cook with the sore on his knee.

► Another description of his abilities occurs in the Another description of his abilities occurs in the Cook's prologue to his tale, but is not Cook's prologue to his tale, but is not complimentary. The host accuses Roger of not complimentary. The host accuses Roger of not only selling warmed over and stale pastries, but of only selling warmed over and stale pastries, but of having so many flies in his shop that they often having so many flies in his shop that they often end up in the food. His poor, stubble-fed geese end up in the food. His poor, stubble-fed geese were so badly prepared that the host tells him, were so badly prepared that the host tells him, "From many a pilgrim hast thou Christ's curse.""From many a pilgrim hast thou Christ's curse."

Skipper Skipper from Dartmouthfrom Dartmouth

►A jolly fellow and an able seaman, he A jolly fellow and an able seaman, he could read the stars and is also a good could read the stars and is also a good fighter. However Chaucer suggests fighter. However Chaucer suggests that he is not completely moral and that he is not completely moral and has no qualms about stealing wine has no qualms about stealing wine from the merchant whose casks he is from the merchant whose casks he is transporting. transporting.

DoctorDoctor► Clad in red and blue, no one can match him Clad in red and blue, no one can match him

in speaking about medicine and surgery. He in speaking about medicine and surgery. He knows the cause of every illness, what humor knows the cause of every illness, what humor engenders them, and how to cure them. engenders them, and how to cure them.

►He is a perfect practitioner of medicine, and he has He is a perfect practitioner of medicine, and he has apothecaries ready to send him drugs and apothecaries ready to send him drugs and mixtures. He is well-read in the standard medical mixtures. He is well-read in the standard medical authorities, from the Greeks right through to authorities, from the Greeks right through to Chaucer's contemporary Gilbertus Anglicus. The Chaucer's contemporary Gilbertus Anglicus. The Doctor, however, has not studied the Bible. Doctor, however, has not studied the Bible.

► Chaucer suggests that this good doctor is Chaucer suggests that this good doctor is motivated by greed more than anything else and motivated by greed more than anything else and has a special fondness for gold.has a special fondness for gold.

The Wife of Bath, Dame The Wife of Bath, Dame AliceAlice

(wife = housewife)(wife = housewife)►This jolly woman is a widow, This jolly woman is a widow,

who comes from a suburb of the who comes from a suburb of the old city of Bath in Somersetshire, old city of Bath in Somersetshire, a town noted for weaving a town noted for weaving

►This middle class woman has traveled a This middle class woman has traveled a lotlot

►Marriages at the court door refer to the Marriages at the court door refer to the custom of a two-part ceremony: vows at custom of a two-part ceremony: vows at the church door, nuptial mass at the altarthe church door, nuptial mass at the altar

The ParsonThe Parson

► A parish priest, a simple man of the A parish priest, a simple man of the ► lower free classes, but still a lower free classes, but still a

“clerk,” an educated man“clerk,” an educated man► In this portrait, Chaucer says, in effect, In this portrait, Chaucer says, in effect,

“There are good men in holy orders, “There are good men in holy orders, despite the abuses that we see around despite the abuses that we see around us.”us.”

►Too many priests of this time accepted Too many priests of this time accepted their parish income, but spent their days in their parish income, but spent their days in London, enjoying easy livingLondon, enjoying easy living

The PlowmanThe Plowman► Chaucer's plowman is a decent lower-class Chaucer's plowman is a decent lower-class ► pilgrim who treats his neighbor fairly and pilgrim who treats his neighbor fairly and ► pays his church tithes and taxes. He pays his church tithes and taxes. He ► represents simplicity, with wisdom and represents simplicity, with wisdom and ► strength for stamina. strength for stamina. ► The Parson’s brother, he lives in peace and perfect The Parson’s brother, he lives in peace and perfect

charity. He would thresh, carry dung, dig, and make charity. He would thresh, carry dung, dig, and make ditches to help a poor neighbor. He loves God with all his ditches to help a poor neighbor. He loves God with all his heart and promptly pays his tithes to the Church. heart and promptly pays his tithes to the Church.

► Chaucer’s Plowman follows both of Christ’s Chaucer’s Plowman follows both of Christ’s commandments: to love God and to love one’s neighbor commandments: to love God and to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. as one’s self.

► The Plowman rides an inferior mare and is humbly The Plowman rides an inferior mare and is humbly dressed in a laborer’s coat. dressed in a laborer’s coat.

The MillerThe Miller

► His occupation should require little His occupation should require little explanationexplanation

► He ran a gristmill to which farmers He ran a gristmill to which farmers brought their grain to be ground into flourbrought their grain to be ground into flour

► His payment consisted of a portion of the His payment consisted of a portion of the grain, a percentage that this Miller multiplies grain, a percentage that this Miller multiplies dishonestlydishonestly

► His golden thumb is a reference to the His golden thumb is a reference to the proverb “an honest miller has a golden proverb “an honest miller has a golden thumb”thumb”

► Chaucer presents this man as representative Chaucer presents this man as representative of all in the tradeof all in the trade

The MancipleThe Manciple

► A manciple was a steward, much like the A manciple was a steward, much like the modern manager of a club or the modern manager of a club or the housekeeper of a boarding schoolhousekeeper of a boarding school

►He planned the meals, bought the food, and He planned the meals, bought the food, and supervised the servants who did the daily supervised the servants who did the daily workwork

► This Manciple looks after one of the Inns of This Manciple looks after one of the Inns of Court in the Temple District of London, Court in the Temple District of London, belonging to a legal society and serving as a belonging to a legal society and serving as a clubhouse where members lived, took their clubhouse where members lived, took their meals and conducted businessmeals and conducted business

► Inns served as law schools for training of Inns served as law schools for training of young attorneysyoung attorneys

The ReeveThe Reeve► The Middle English reeve acts as the manager of a The Middle English reeve acts as the manager of a

manor estate, overseeing the protection and manor estate, overseeing the protection and maintenance of the pastures, fields, and woods belonging maintenance of the pastures, fields, and woods belonging to the lord of the estate. to the lord of the estate.

► He collects rents in goods and services from those who He collects rents in goods and services from those who lived and farmed on the estate. lived and farmed on the estate.

► Chaucer's reeve is old and thin. Despite being rich, he Chaucer's reeve is old and thin. Despite being rich, he does not care about his appearance. does not care about his appearance.

► In Middle English culture, status was important in society. The In Middle English culture, status was important in society. The reeve violates laws in order to increase status and monetary reeve violates laws in order to increase status and monetary yielding. The reference to a "Scot" (632) indicates that perhaps yielding. The reference to a "Scot" (632) indicates that perhaps he was of Scottish origin, and the Scottish are historically he was of Scottish origin, and the Scottish are historically known to be frugal. known to be frugal.

► ““Choleric" refers to his violent temperament. It indicates that Choleric" refers to his violent temperament. It indicates that he possesses a shrewd wit and sharp tongue.he possesses a shrewd wit and sharp tongue.

► A member of the upper class, Chaucer's reeve is good at his A member of the upper class, Chaucer's reeve is good at his job with an element of control over the entire manor, and job with an element of control over the entire manor, and better in financial matters than his own lord. However, he uses better in financial matters than his own lord. However, he uses any means possible to keep those beneath him who know of any means possible to keep those beneath him who know of his scam from spreading it to the lord. his scam from spreading it to the lord.

The SummonerThe Summoner►A summoner was a petty officer A summoner was a petty officer

of the church (ecclesiastical) court of the church (ecclesiastical) court where certain abuses were tried where certain abuses were tried and punished by the church, rather and punished by the church, rather than the statethan the state

►His job was to haul into court those who His job was to haul into court those who had broken church laws such as had broken church laws such as blasphemers or those who engaged in blasphemers or those who engaged in illicit intercourse such as adulterers. He illicit intercourse such as adulterers. He also collected fines for “immoral” behavior.also collected fines for “immoral” behavior.

►Notice how his looks reflect his personalityNotice how his looks reflect his personality

The PardonerThe Pardoner

► A pardoner was a clergyman authorized A pardoner was a clergyman authorized by the Pope to sell indulgences or forgiveness by the Pope to sell indulgences or forgiveness for sins that had not as yet been performed for sins that had not as yet been performed

► Pardoners often carried relics of saints, bits of Pardoners often carried relics of saints, bits of bone or clothing, with which they performed bone or clothing, with which they performed miraclesmiracles

► Some pardoners were sent from church-Some pardoners were sent from church-supported hospitals. These hospitals, often the supported hospitals. These hospitals, often the repository of relics used in curing the sick, repository of relics used in curing the sick, commissioned pardoners to take these relics on commissioned pardoners to take these relics on tour and to offer indulgences to anyone who tour and to offer indulgences to anyone who was moved by their belief to donate money was moved by their belief to donate money toward the upkeep of the hospital.toward the upkeep of the hospital.

► The practice of offering indulgences grew corrupt. The practice of offering indulgences grew corrupt. Selling indulgences became a means for the Selling indulgences became a means for the Church to be able to finance special projects, such Church to be able to finance special projects, such as the construction of the Vatican in the 16as the construction of the Vatican in the 16thth century. century.

► As early as 1212, the Church acknowledged the As early as 1212, the Church acknowledged the corrupt practices of many pardoners. corrupt practices of many pardoners.

► Pardoners also tended to exaggerate the Pardoners also tended to exaggerate the power of their indulgences—that is, they power of their indulgences—that is, they sometimes pretended to have the authority sometimes pretended to have the authority to release the buyers from hell or purgatory. to release the buyers from hell or purgatory.

► The concept of purgatory started in the 13th The concept of purgatory started in the 13th century and was enforced by the 15th cy. century and was enforced by the 15th cy. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) states, The Council of Trent (1545-1563) states, ""We constantly hold that purgatory exists, and We constantly hold that purgatory exists, and that the souls of the faithful there detained are that the souls of the faithful there detained are helped by the prayers of the faithfulhelped by the prayers of the faithful." ."

Chaucer wrote his Chaucer wrote his TalesTales between 1381-1386, addressing between 1381-1386, addressing

issues that later led to the issues that later led to the Reformation Reformation ► Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-Five Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-Five

Thesis on the Power of Indulgences Thesis on the Power of Indulgences in 1517; these are widely regarded in 1517; these are widely regarded as the primary means for the as the primary means for the Protestant Reformation. Luther Protestant Reformation. Luther used these Theses to display his used these Theses to display his unhappiness with the Church's sale unhappiness with the Church's sale of indulgences, and this eventually of indulgences, and this eventually gave birth to Protestantism. gave birth to Protestantism.

► It especially defied the teachings of It especially defied the teachings of the Church on the nature of the Church on the nature of penance, the authority and power penance, the authority and power of the Pope and the efficacy of of the Pope and the efficacy of indulgences. indulgences.

►These images are the slightly enlarged These images are the slightly enlarged reproductions of the woodcuts of the reproductions of the woodcuts of the Ellesmere portraits made by W.D. Ellesmere portraits made by W.D. Hooper and published in the Six-text Hooper and published in the Six-text Edition of Edition of The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales, ed. , ed. F.J. Furnivall for the Chaucer Society F.J. Furnivall for the Chaucer Society (1868). (1868).