canterbury tales pilgrims :)

the knight (+)

• Class: Knight; below nobility/royalty, above peasant

• protect + serve (his lord)

• fought and gained victory in many battles

• possessed 3 horses

• dirty tunic b/c armor gets it dirty

the yeoman (+)

• serves knight VOLUNTARILY

• Class: Serf, but well-respected b/c of knight connection

• attendants in noble households

• took care of his appearance, never let arrows droop down

• carrier arrows + hunting equipment

the squire (+/-)

• knight’s son whom he serves by carving meat at the table

• class: feudal (knight class but a little bit below)

• aspiring knight

• artistic, creative, loves singing, young (20)

• LOVES women w/a ferocity

• chivalry + honor for father

• priorities in wrong place b/c he loves women too much

the nun/prioress (?)

• class: clergy

• simple clothing, vow of poverty, dainty, elegant, performed service for the poor

• elected into this position

• pretentiously proper, mocked for that by chaucer’s descriptions

• properness might be a performative act

the monk (+)

• class: church/clergy

• loves hunting + riding

• unlike other monks, loves to stay active

• not very concerned with strict church rules

• live life less strictly

the friar (+/-)

• Name: Hubert

• Class: clergy (middle)

• priorities in wrong place b/c he loves partying with the rich despite his vow of poverty

• strong + masculine

the merchant (+)

• class: middle

• import/export materials (wool, wine, cloth)

• merchants held some stigma b/c they were sometimeseen as greedy b/c of their work w/money

• overall respectable man

• has some debts that Chaucer points out

• Chaucer does not remember his name which may mean the merchant isn’t that memorable

the oxford cleric (+)

• student

• very obsessed w/education + academia

• no current job; studying to be a priest

• NO costly clothes

sergeant at the law (+)

• lawyer

• high level profession class

• very powerful position, lots of travel for work

• quiet + dignified

• presides over high-level court cases —> very respected

• dresses simply, appreciated by clients

the franklin (+)

• Class: Upper Middle

• wealthy landowner + works in local gov’t

• NOT nobility + NOT serving a lord

• throws feasts for everyone to enjoy

• overall nice guy

the five guildsmen (-)

• haberdasher, dyer, weaver, carpet-maker, carpenter

• show-offy with their equipment

• not very distinct individuals so they’re all lumped together

• silver knives which contrasts the usual brass that less wealthy people would have

• represent people from guilds

cook (pitied)

• lower in class, just one step above the miller

• knee ulcer

• good at making noble foods

• might have an alcohol problem

• pitied by Chaucer

the skipper (+/-)

• Class: Middle

• skilled shipman that is very good at the job

• knowledgeable about the sea

• woolen gown + dagger around his neck

• “excellent fellow”

• overall IMMORAL guy (steals + punishes his enemies harshly)

• risky + dangerous job may have contributed to his immorality

the doctor (+/-)

• perfect practicing physician but GREEDY

• Class: Middle

• LOVES money and that may affect his work

the woman of bath (-/+)

• exceptional MIDDLE class clothmaker

• had 5 husbands

• condescending to other women concerning marriage

• knowledgeable about love and passion

• bold woman, female empowerment

the parson (+)

• class: clergy

• clergyman who manages a parish

• DEVOTED to teaching the Gospel

• Ideal + well-educated priest

• wants to bring everyone closer to God and never asks for money

• brother is plowman

the plowman (+)

• working class

• plows land, very RELIGIOUS

• honest + hardworking man

• parson is his brother

the manciple (+)

• lower middle class

• in charge of buying + storying food for an institution (for some lawyers)

• has lots of masters

• overall reliable guy!

• thrifty with his money; good at his job

the reeve (-/+)

• working middle class (treated w/respect + holds power in the estate)

• thin, gaunt appearance, does NOT live lavishly

• GOOD at his job

• acted above his real social standing

• somewhat unloyal to master

the summoner (-)

• called people before religious courts to be put on trial

• UGLY + CORRUPT

• waxy yellow hair

• looked like a rat

the pardoner (-)

• offers pardons and indulgences

• clergy class

• UGLY on the inside and outside

• fake relics and always looking to cheat people out of their money

• great singer

the host (+)

• Name: Harry BAilly

• Innkeeper of the Tabard (where the pilgrimage begins)

• middle class

• fun personality, humble

• came up with the storytelling contest

how many pilgrims were on the trip?

29 pilgrims (chaucer, all characters, and the nun’s gang)