The Status of Chaucer's Monk: Clerical, Official, Social, and Moral

Description: Investigates the historical backgrounds to the "status" of Chaucer's Monk, concluding that he is "probably" Benedictine and "perhaps the prior" of a "dependent cell," with a "reasonably good income." As an "important administrator," he is "qualified for an abbacy," but abuses his "privilege" as an "outridere" which describes, not an office, but a "consequential function of another office." By his status, he merits the titles attributed to him and his "array, possessions, habits, and attributes" reinforce this status.