Browse Items (16459 total)

The ambiguous social and legal status of franklins in fourteenth-century England makes it difficult to know whether Chaucer's Franklin was a member of the gentry or an aspirant to the gentle class. Sembler surveys critical opinions about the…

Explores the lexical and cultural meaning of "squire" as background to the GP sketch of the Squire. Chaucer's portrait is an idealized one, counterpointed by the lack of rhetorical skill in SqT.

Comments on each of the three appearances of the Cook in CT--the GP sketch, CkP, and ManP--providing historical and cultural background for Chaucer's "proprietor of a cookshop," including several recipes.

The GP description of the Shipman depicts him as a typical privateer, one modeled, perhaps, on the historical John Hawley and Piers Risselden. ShT reflects a cynical attitude, aimed especially at the merchant of the "Tale."

Describes medieval medical education and explains the theory and practice of medieval physicians and surgeons as background to the GP sketch of the Physician. Some details of the sketch accord well with typical medieval medical activities, while…

Surveys medieval attitudes of and about women as background to the GP sketch of the Wife of Bath, WBP, and WBT. Reads the Wife as a conscious manipulator of antifeminist texts, her husbands, and the conventions of romance--all aspects of her…

Comments on ecclesiastical reform of the late Middle Ages as background to the Parson's sketch in GP and presents ParsT as a confessional manual.

Consistent with contemporary social and economic conditions, the Miller of GP aspires to the gentry although he "is still rooted in the peasantry." Bridging the courtly KnT and the low-class RvT, Chaucer's MilT--like the Miller's…

The GP sketch of the Manciple is interesting insofar as it reflects Chaucer's possible associations with the Inns of Court. The profession was a rare one in Chaucer's day, although there are similarities between reeves and manciples. The antagonism…

Describes what it meant to be a reeve in terms of social status, day-to-day life, and relations with people of other professions, especially clerks. The viciousness of the Reeve of GP and RvT is consistent with what medieval people expected of…

Examines the structure of the medieval ecclesiastical court system and the role of the summoner, or apparitor, within that system. The Summoner and the summoner of FrT, as portraits of "two damned souls," reflect Chaucer's knowledge of the "duties…

Briefly describes the history of confession and the granting of indulgences in church tradition. Also explicates details of PardPT.

Describes the office of canon and the science of alchemy as background to the Canon, who chooses not to join the Canterbury pilgrimage. The history of corruption and reform among canons is a "touchstone" for understanding the character Chaucer…

Characterizes the Canon's Yeoman as a "personal servant of a religious officer," although details of CYP indicate that he might more accurately be described as an alchemist's fire-tender or "puffer." The essay examines the importance of fire and…

Briefly surveys the history of medieval nunneries, the typical responsibilities of a prioress, and critical attitudes toward the Prioress and PrT.

Summarizes the conventions of medieval monastic life and comments on the hagiography of SNT. In all except the fact that she speaks, Chaucer's Second Nun embodies the ideal of the medieval nun.

Describes the medieval ecclesiastical hierarchy and places Chaucer's Nun's Priest in the hierarchy, identifying the training and responsibilities of medieval priests and the particular activities of priests who ministered to cloistered nuns and…

Summarizes the history, ideals, and practice of medieval monks as background to understanding the GP sketch of the Monk and the monk of ShT. The Monk is preoccupied with the diversion of monastic administration, while the Shipman's Daun John is more…

Summarizes the history and organization of the four fraternal orders, focusing on the Franciscans and Dominicans. Chaucer's Friar and the friar of SumT are fictional renderings of the antifraternal outlooks of William of St. Amour and Richard…

Reads the Merchant's sketch in GP as a depiction of a duplicitous man and assesses January in MerT as a reflection of the Merchant's commercial outlook, which, in turn, reflects Chaucer's experience with the mercantile world of London.

Surveys the development of various fashions in late-medieval England in an attempt to explain the rising importance of haberdashers and why Chaucer may have included one among his GP Guildsmen. Also comments on the history and status of the…

As background to the GP carpenter--one of the Guildsmen--this essay surveys the prospects and activities of medieval carpenters: their organization into guilds and the guild hierarchy, their relations with masons and iron mongers, their techniques…

The inclusion of the Weaver among the Guildsmen of GP "is an anomaly" insofar as the typical weaver of the age was "an exploited, usually propertyless laborer." Morgan surveys the history of weavers and their role in the English wool trade.

Surveys the process and business of dyeing in the Middle Ages, commenting on the economic status of the dyers' guild and individual dyers in late-medieval England. Briefly assesses Chaucer's depiction of the Dyer as one of the Guildsmen in GP.

Briefly surveys the medieval history of tapestry- or rug-making as background to the portrait of the Tapicer in GP.