Chaucer and Doctor John of Gaddesden

Author / Editor
Capener, Norman.

Title
Chaucer and Doctor John of Gaddesden

Published
Annual of the Royal College of Surgeons 50.5 (1972): 283-300.

Description
Summarizes the life and medical expertise of John of Gaddesden, rejecting the notion that Chaucer caricatured Gaddesden in the GP description of the Physician, suggesting that it is instead an "impersonal description." Also comments on Chaucer's depictions of surgeons and physicians in Mel, the positive response by the Host to PhyT, and Arcite's medical condition in KnT--all evidence that Chaucer was "kindly disposed" to doctors in his time. Includes 10 b&w illus.

Chaucer Subjects
Physician and His Tale
Tale of Melibee
Knight and His Tale