The Canterbury Tales

Pilgrimage

A long religious journey.

Satire

The use of humor, irony, or ridicule to expose and criticize corruption or foolishness.

Canterbury Cathedral

The destination of the pilgrims' journey, where they go to worship the relics of Saint Thomas Beckett.

Tabard Inn

The place where all the pilgrims meet before starting their journey.

Harry Bailey

The host of the pilgrims.

Shortest stick

The method used to determine the order in which the pilgrims tell their stories.

The Knight

The pilgrim who drew the shortest stick and told the first tale.

Madame Eglantine (The Prioress)

A nun who travels with her pack of dogs and wears a brooch that says "love conquers all", which is not appropriate for a nun.

The Monk

Disagrees with the idea that all monks should do manual labor and has a love-knot, which is not seen as legitimate.

Oxford Cleric (Oxford Student)

A character based on Geoffrey Chaucer himself, who spends all his money on books and is highly intelligent.

Sergeant of Law

The king's lawyer, considered a legitimate character.

Cook

Has an oozing ulcer on his leg and is an alcoholic with a red face.

Summoner

Has pimples and an alcoholic face, and children are afraid of him.

The Parson

A shepherd and the only religious person admired by Chaucer in the group.

The Merchant

Chaucer cannot remember his name, but he has a forked beard.

The Franklin

Travels with the lawyer, never short on food or wine, and has been elected to parliament.

Wife of Bath

Wears scarlet red hose and has had five husbands simultaneously.

Skipper (the shipman)

Makes prisoners walk the plank and has a sea leg.

The Doctor

Depends on astrology and the stars for medicine, and travels with his pharmacist.

The Squire

The Knight's son, has a favorable attitude towards women, and loves the ladies.

The 5 Guildsmen

A group of craftsmen including a haberdasher, carpenter, weaver, dyer, and tapestry maker, who are part of the rising lower class.

The Friar

Carries pocket knives and different pieces in his hood, and his name is Hubert.

The Miller

Has a massive wart with hair growing out of it and weighs over 200 pounds.

The Plowman

Brother to the Parson, lives by the true 'golden rule', and is considered a saint.

The Manciple

A business agent in charge of a law firm in England, who steals and is not legitimate.

The Reeve

The superintendent of a farming estate, rides a horse named Scot, and is embezzling and stealing from the owner.

The Yeoman

The servant for the Knight and Squire, a forester/hunter, and wears a metal around his neck of Saint Christopher.

The Pardoner

Carries a pillowcase that he claims belonged to the Virgin Mary, is greedy, and has feminine traits.