Canterbury Tales 1

• When East Anglian and Northumbrian forces rode ash-ships built years ago, they harassed the Wessex.

• Because of this, King Alfred ordered to build bigger and stronger ships than ash-ships.

• Alfred died the same year that peace was signed at Tiddingford, advised by King Edward, with East Anglians and the Northumbrians.

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• The Canterbury Tales provides the best contemporary picture.

• King Edward paid £16 for Chaucer's release when he was put in jail.

• Growing older, Chaucer began displaying penetrating insight into human character.

• The Canterbury Tales encompass medieval literature: romance to comedy, from rhyme to prose, and from crude humor to religious mysteries.

Chaucer's Guided Tour of Medieval Life and Literature

• A disaster or a crisis - rich and poor, old and young, gather together to support each other.

• Chaucer found a joyous event - a pilgrimage, a journey to a sacred spot - gathering all of lifestyles together. 

• There's the lords or the kings. Then there's the nobles - the courtly world. Then there's professional men - middle ranks. Finally, there's craftsmen, storekeepers, peasants, and minor administrators - the lower orders.

• Chaucer is know as the father of English poetry.

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• St. Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.

• "There was a Knight, a most distinguished man...": The story begins with the introduction of the Knight, representing truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy. 

• "He had his son with him, a fine young Squire, " Next the story introduces the knight's son, describing him as a lover and a cadet and a lad of fire. 

• Chaucer users imagery in deceiving either the Knight, his clothes, his personality and the same with his son, he uses direct and indirect characterization.

• "A Sergeant at the Law who paid his calls...": Sargeant was someone who was wary and wise.

• "There was a Franklin with him, it appeared;" A sanguine man, benign. Lived for pleasure. 

• " A Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, A Weaver and a Carpet-maker were..." They were all trim and fresh, each a worthy fit for the burgess. 

• "They had a Cook with them who stood alone...": Was an amazing cook, who could recognize a flavor without any difficulty, but had an ulcer in his knees. 

• "There was a Skipper hailing from far west;" An excellent fellow, prudent in undertaking.
• rain. 

•  "There was a Summoner with us in the place...": A gentle varlet and a kind one. But drinks a lot. 

• "He and a gentle Pardoner rode together..."

• "Our Host gave us a great welcome...": A striking man, and fit to be the marshall. Bold yet wise.

-after he is finished introducing all of the pilgrims, the narrator apologizes to his reader if he has offended anyone (referring to the reader); "But first I beg of you, in courtesy, Not to condemn me as unmannerly If I speak plainly with no concealing's And give account of all their words and dealings Using their very phrases as they fell."-after all of the pilgrim get settled, the host announces that this group of pilgrims was the best he has ever been accompanied by and that the journey will be free of cost for them all