Singing Bread, Manna, and the Clergeon's 'Greyn'

Author / Editor
Oliver, Kathleen M.

Title
Singing Bread, Manna, and the Clergeon's 'Greyn'

Published
Chaucer Review 31 (1997): 357-64.

Description
The "greyn" placed on the little child's tongue by the Virgin in PrT represents the Eucharistic Host, also known as "singing bread." "Greyn" means "particle," such as that broken from the wafer. The viaticum possessed properties of restoration and health; one portion was reserved for the sick and dying to assure a passage into heaven.

Chaucer Subjects
Prioress and Her Tale.