Soviet Archeology and the Setting of the 'Squire's Tale'

Author / Editor
Jordan, Carmel.

Title
Soviet Archeology and the Setting of the 'Squire's Tale'

Published
Chaucer Review 22 (1987): 128-40.

Description
Excavations in 1919-21 reveal that Sarai, in the Volga region of southeastern Russia, was an exotic metropolis combining Byzantine and Mongolian splendor. Its artisans produced rings and mirrors, and its Mongol warriors covered their horses with armor (hence, perhaps, Chaucer's horse of brass). Chaucer could have heard of Sarai from Genoese travelers.

Chaucer Subjects
Squire and His Tale.