Canterbury Tales: Prologue: Characters

The Knight

He had been in many battles, he was true and gentle, generous and kind.

The Squire

He was the son of the knight, in his twenties, agile strong, and happy-go-lucky, but lovesick

The Yeoman

He was the squire's servant. He was a woodsman, a Robin hood type character.

The Prioress

She spoke French, was dainty and pleasant, and the picture of medieval beauty with a large forehead.

The monk

He was fat and bald with a preference for fine clothes and luxuries. He didn't like hard work, but he liked to ride.

The Friar

He takes bribes for easy penance. He knows the taverns and barmaids better than he does the lepers and beggars. He is rather aristocratic, and he lisps.

The Merchant

He has a forked beard and a motley coat. He is careful with money, a good negotiator, and always tells his opinions about business. He is clever at hiding debt.

The clerk

This pilgrim was an oxford student who didn't say much, did not have a job, and just loved learning for the sake of learning. He was great at creating legal documents.

The sergeant-at-law

He seemed wise. He made a lot of money. He seemed busier than he really was.

Franklin

He looked like Santa Clause. He liked to eat, drink, and be merry. He was a country gentleman with a dagger and silk purse. He had a lot of land, but not of noble birth.

The cook

This pilgrim was a master of the trade, had a sore on one knee, and was physically a rather disgusting character.

The shipman

He was from Dartmouth, didn't ride well, and was a good navigator. He had little conscience about killing the enemy, and seemed rather like a pirate.

The doctor of medicine

He knew his profession well, and took kickbacks from the apothecary. He was not particularly religious. He was dressed in red and blue-gray garments and loved gold.

The Wife of Bath

This pilgrim was large and somewhat deaf, had a red complexion, wore a wide hat and spurs and had been married several times, making her the perfect person to ask for love advice.

The parson

This pilgrim was truly Christ-like, patient, giving, holy, and virtuous; he didn't believe in pomp or glory. He practiced what he preached.

The plowman

The parson's brother. He was an honest worker who paid his taxes on time.

The miller

He had a football player build. He had a red beard, a wart on his nose and a filthy mouth. He cheated customers and in his spare time he played the bagpipes.

The manciple

He was a shrewd buyer. Lawyers with all their knowledge were not a match for him. He purchased well and kept the extra money for himself. He stole the lawyers blind.

Reeve

He was old, choleric, and thin. He was a good manager and good carpenter, feared by the farm workers. He usually brought up the rear of the party, lagging behind.

The Summoner

He had a red face full of sores. He ate onions and drank too much. He would take bribes. He was not holy despite working for the church. He perverted corruption for personal gain.

The pardoner