Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is the background theme for A Canterbury Tale.



Scholars of Geoffrey Chaucer have identified the 17th of April in 1387 as the start date of the fictional journey to Canterbury. In 1397, Chaucer first told The Canterbury Tales while he was at the court of Richard II.

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Gerik Schjelderup played the roll of the famous author and poet Geoffrey Chaucer.



In A Canterbury Tale, the unseen character of Geoffrey (Alison Smith's fiancé) is used as an allusion to the historical Chaucer.

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Mila Raymanova played the strong minded Wife of Bath.



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Chaucer's pilgrims while still in their movie costumes enter Saint Martha-on-the-Hill.

THE AUTHOR GEOFFREY CHAUCER



NOT ALL OF THE CANTERBURY TALES IS CONSIDERED
AS ACCEPTABLE READING FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THE HOST at the Tabard Inn, Harry Bailly, is a jolly, lively tavern keeper. He establishes the main frame narrative of the tales, since he is the one who proposes the tale-telling game and sets the rules that it will follow. The Host joins the pilgrimage as a guide and judge to the game. His presence demonstrates his desire for the tourists to have fun along the way.

THE KNIGHT is a noble man who fights for the truth of Jesus Christ rather than for his own glory or wealth. He has travelled throughout many heathen lands including Alexandria, Prussia, Russia, Lithuania, Granada, Morocco, Turkey, and has been victorious everywhere. The Knight is universally recognized for his valour and is a genuine example of the highest order of chivalry.

THE OXFORD CLERIC is a cheerful intellectual who lives without physical comforts. He cares little for money and possesses no phoniness, hypocrisy, or self serving ways.

THE COOK is famous for his blancmange which is a dish with a white sauce. He has an ulcer on his knee that is oozing a white liquid.

THE MERCHANT outfits himself in fashionable attire with his multi-coloured cloak. He is a member of the new rising middle class to which Chaucer belongs, but he can't hide the fact that he is in debt.

THE FRANKLIN is a wealthy landowner, a generous man who keeps his table ready for a feast. He provides frequent meals and entertainment for the peasants who live on his land. The Franklin leads a pleasant life always seeking happiness. His tale speaks of the merits of a marriage based on trust and faith.

THE SERGEANT AT LAW, who wears a coat of different colours, is a respectable and highly esteemed member of society. His legal work is flawless and he has been known to win many cases.

THE FRIAR is a jolly man named Hubert who cares little for the poor, but is always willing to "grant forgiveness" to the wealthy for a bribe. He is eloquent in speech and speaks with a lisp, believing that it makes his voice sweeter. The Friar enjoys being with young women and often gives them small gifts.

THE SUMMONER repels everyone with his incurable pimply skin, garlic breath, and the fact that no one wants to be the object of his attention. Fear of false accusation tempts others to offer him bribes. He often takes money from the real wrong doers in exchange for not hauling them off to court.

THE MANCIPLE supplies the courts with food and drink. Although he is illiterate, he is intelligent and has a vast amount of common sense. In fact, he often outsmarts the learned men for whom he works. The Manciple is frugal and debt free because he is such an excellent money manager.

THE REEVE is a slender character who is a manor officer chiefly responsible for overseeing the discharge of feudal obligations. He is a grumpy man who many people fear because he knows all the tricks of the trade. The Reeve hides away the money he earns from his landowner and consequently he is wealthier than his boss.

THE PARSON is honest and appealing. He has a large parish and does his best to take care of his parishioners, visiting them regularly on foot. The Parson knows the Bible well and preaches it dutifully. Whenever he acquires coins or goods, he gives them to the poor.

THE MILLER is comically grotesque with his flared nostrils and large mouth. He mills grain and cheats his customers. The Miller plays the bagpipes and likes to show off by smashing doors with his head.

THE SKIPPER is tanned dark from his many years at sea in the sun. He owns a ship named Maudelayne and he is an excellent sailor, but it's obvious that he is uncomfortable on a horse. The Skipper steals wine from the traders and forces his captured enemies to walk the plank.

THE SQUIRE (Knight's son) is about twenty years old with curly hair. He is an excellent horseman and has seen action with the cavalry. The Squire is of average size, but is strong and agile. He can sing, dance, write, draw, play the flute, and recite poetry.

THE PARDONER is an odious character with long blonde hair and effeminate mannerisms. He enjoys his job of dishonestly selling "pardons" to sinners. The money he receives should be used to help the poor, but he keeps it all for himself. The Pardoner carries around a jar of pig bones and falsely claims they are the remains of dead saints.

THE PHYSICIAN talks at length about illnesses, treatments, and cures. He is in cahoots with the druggists in cheating his patients. The Physician loves gold and is a tightwad. He is more interested in what a patient can pay him than in actually caring for them.

THE PLOWMAN is the Parson's brother. He is a lowly farmer who often works for others without charging them. He wears a heavy smock and rides a mare in the procession to Canterbury.

THE MONK is supposed to be poor and lacking in worldly goods, but he is dressed in rich clothes and maintains a stable of horses. He also has a kennel of hunting dogs. The Monk is fat and has a shiny face with bulging, darting eyes.

THE YEOMAN is servant to the Knight and Squire. In appearance, the Yeoman is dressed in green carrying a bow and arrows. He is also armed with a sword and dagger. The Yeoman is wise in the ways of the forest.

THE PRIORESS (Madame Eglantyne) is a high ranking nun. She tries to impress others by speaking French and wearing jewellery. The Prioress is timid and keeps small dogs as pets. She has grey eyes, a small mouth, and a broad forehead which signifies beauty.

THE WIFE OF BATH (Alyson) comes from the town of Bath, which is on the Avon River. She is a seamstress by trade, but a professional wife by occupation who has been married five times and presents herself as the world's expert in matters of marriage. TWOB is a force of nature, a very much larger-than-life character who is not afraid to push her way to the front and state her opinions.