Prologue to The Canterbury tales in modern English

 

When April with his sweet vernal showers has pierced to the root the dryness of March, and watered every vein in that moisture, of the quickening power of which is born the flower : when Zephyr also with his sweet breath has quickened the tender new shoots in every holt and moor, and young sun has run his half-course. The little birds, that sleep with open eyes at night, make melody, nature pricking them so in their hearts; then people long to go on pilgrimage to renowned shrines or well-known lands. Especially, from every shire's end in England, they go their way to Canterbury to seek the only blessed martyr who helped them when they were sick.

On a day in that season, as I lay at the Tabard Inn, at Southwark about to go on my pilgrimage with devout heart to Canterbury with the company of full nine and twenty sundry folk, who by chance had fallen into fellowship: they were all pilgrims who wanted to ride to Canterbury. The chambers and stables were wide (the people belong to different sections of the society) and we were entertained in the best manner. But in brief, when the sun was about to rest, I had spoken with every one of them and was soon of their company, and agreed to rise eagerly to make our way to the place I mention to you. Neverthless, whilst I have opportunity, before I proceed further in this tale, I think it is reasonable to tell you the quality of each of them, as it appeared to me, what sort of folk they were, and of what station; and what equipment they were with. I shall then begin first with a Knight.

 
 

The Knight

 There was a Knight, and a brave person he was, who loved knighthood, faithfulness and honour, liberality and courtesy. He was very valiant in his lord's war. He had joined expeditions in Lithuania and Russia.  He had been in fifteen mortal battles and had thrice fought for our faith.  Though he was valorous, he was wise, and as gentle as a maid of his bearing. In all his life he has never yet spoken discourtesy to any kind of person. he was truly a perfect gentle knight. But to tell you of his equipment, his horses were good, but he was not gaily clad.

 
The squire

 With him, there was his son, a young squire, a lover, and a gay young bachelor, with curled locks. He may have twenty years of age, I believe. Of his stature, he was of middling height, and wonderfully flexible, acrobatic and of great strength.  His clothes were embroidered red and white, as if it were a meadow full of fresh flowers. All the day long he was singing or playing upon his flute, he was as fresh as the month of May. His coat was short, with long, wide sleeves. Well could he sit on a horse and ride. He knew how to make songs, compose, dance, draw, and write. He loved so ardently that at night-time he slept no more than a nightingale He was courteous, modest and helpful.

 
The Yeoman

 He had a yeoman with him, and had no other servant on that journey, for it pleased him to ride in that manner. He was clad in coat and hood of green, and under his belt he bore very carefully a sheaf of peacock arrows, bright and sharp.

He knew how to arrange his gear like a yeoman;  in his hand he carried a mighty bow. His head was cropped, and his visage brown. He understood well all the practice of wood-craft. Upon his arm he carried a gay arm-guard, and at one side a word and a buckler, and a fine dagger.

 

The Prioress (head superior of Nuns)

There was also a nun, a Prioress, very quiet and simple in her smiling. She was named Madame Eglantine. Well she sang the divine service, beautifully intoned through her nose. And French she spoke properly. She was also taught well the art of eating; she let no morsel fall from her lips, nor did she wet her fingers deeply in the sauce. She knew well how to carry a morsel, and how to hold it, so that no drop fell upon her breast. She took great pleasure in courtesy. She wiped her upper lip so cleanly that no film of grease was to be seen on her cup after she had taken her draught. She reached her food with great seemliness; and surely she was very diverting, pleasant and amiable of bearing divine love.

 She took pains to imitate court manners, to be stately in her demeanour, and to be regarded worthy of reverence. But, to speak of her sensibility, she was charitable and compassionate that she would weep if she saw a mouse caught in a trap, if it were dead or bleeding. She had some small hounds whom she fed with roasted meat, or milk and bread of fine sour She would weep bitterly if any of them were dead. She has for all warm feeling and tender heart.  Her nose was long and well proportioned, her eyes grey as glass, her mouth was small, and soft and red besides : certainly she had a fine forehead,  I believe.  Her cloak was neat, I thought. She wore a brooch of gold, on which was engraved first an 'A' with a crown and over it, 'Amor Vincit Omnia'.

The Monk

 There was a monk, an excellent one, above all others, an outrider who loved hunting, fit to be an abbot (head of monks). He had an excellent horse in his stable, and when he rode, men could hear jingle in a whistling wind as clearly and as loudly as the Chapel bell. He was therefore rightly a hard rider, he had greyhounds, as swift as fowls in flight, all his pleasure was in hard riding, and in hunting the hare, for which he would spare no expenses. He was a fat lord, and in good condition; his eyes were bright. His boots were soft, his horse in a fine condition.

 

The Friar

 His name is Hubert. He is sensual, licentious and salacious person. Who seduces young girls and then arranges their marriages. He spends most of his times at bars and carries knives and pins in his sleeves. He accepts bribes, readily gives absolutions to people in exchange for money and avoids sick and poor people because they have no money to give. He is wanton, merry, unscrupulous and quite irreligious.


The Merchant

He is clever but arrogant and never let others become aware of his true financial status. The merchant talks of nothing, but business and thinks himself an expert on all matters related to trade. He represents the rising middle class.

 The clerk of Oxford

A sincere and devout student of philosophy at oxford university, who is fond of erudition. Much of his study is devoted to the works of Aristotle. He is basically poor and spends all money on books. He is laconic in words, but when he does, his words are full of wisdom and moral virtue.

 Sergeant of Law

A successful lawyer commissioned by the king. He is cautious and wise. He upholds justice in every dispute. He knows every statue of England’s Law by heart.  He projects an image of himself as busy and successful.

 The Franklin

He is a wealthy landowner, who lives for his own sensual pleasure. He is a hedonist and compared himself to Epicurus and St. Julian as he is also jovial and hospitable. He has a white beard and a ruddy complexion and carries a dagger and a trinket bag of silk in his girdle. He has served as a justice of the peace and a member of parliament.

 The  Guildsmen

The five guildsmen including Haberdasher (peddlers/ sellers of small goods), the carpenter, the weaver, the dyer and the tapestry maker. Though they have different trades, they appear as a unit. They represent the rising new middle classes.

 The Cook

He works for the guildsmen and is famous for his culinary skills. He is quite able and experienced. The only detail provided about him is a crusty sore on his leg.

 The shipman

The shipman is a huge, uncouth (lacking manners) man, who is an expert sailor. He rides his horse so poorly, it is obvious the man is much more comfortable on the sea than on the land. His skin has turned brown from years of sailing. He steals wine while the ship’s captain sleeps.

 The physician

Well educated and thrifty person. He is very much fond of gold and makes a lot of money during the plague time. He has not studied the Bible the lacks the concern of mercy.

 The Wife of Bath

She is one of the most famous characters in literature. Her real name is Alisoun. She is a professional weaver. She is gap-toothed, somewhat deaf and wears bright scarlet red stockings. She has been married five times and had many other affairs in her youth.  She was very much expert in the art of love making.

She makes a great show of being religious, takes part in charities. She is going to Canterbury to find her sixth husband.

 The Parson (vicar / rector)

The parson is very poor, but holy and virtuous man. He is gentle, kindly and diligent. He preaches the gospel and practices what he preaches. Whatever little money he has, he gives to his poor parishioners.

 The Plowman (ploughman)

Brother of the parson, honest and virtuous man like his brother. A member of the peasant class. He pays his tithes to the church and leads an ideal Christian life. He wears a tabard smock (sleeveless garment) that reflects his poverty.

 The Miller

Chaucer pays a great attention to the physical appearance of the miller. He is huge, stout, brawny, broad and strong and has red beard. His nose has a hairy wart. He has a large mouth and nostrils. He wears a blue hood and white coat. He is an expert in wrestling and has animal like instincts. He is always drunken, brash and vulgar man. His manners and conversation are as coarse as his appearance.

 The Manciple (steward)

He works at inns of court. He is in charge of getting provisions for the court. Though illiterate, he is smart and cautious. He is smarter than the thirty lawyers he feeds. He tricks his employers to earn maximum profit.

 The Reeve

He works as a steward on an estate. He is an old, choleric thin man with shaved head and lean legs. He wears a blue overcoat and carries a rusty blade. He was earlier a carpenter and resents the miller’s tale. He distrusts people and keeps a check on everyone.

 

The Summoner

He is an officer at the church, who calls people for a church trial. He is extremely unattractive with his red complexion, pimples and infected skin. He had a bad breath and often gets drunk. He is lecherous and morally corrupt.

 

The Pardoner (a church representative sells pardons to common people)

The most evil of the pilgrims.  He has yellow hair, bulging eye ball, goat like voice and wears a small hat. He fools people to make money and carries a bag full of fake relics. He is greedy and hypocrite. He has an ambiguous sexuality. He also good at singing and preaching.