Canterbury Tales Character List

“A knight there was, and he a worthy man, Who from the moment that he first began to ride about the world, loved chivalry, truth, honor, freedom and all courtesy (1-4 pg12).”

“So hot he loved that, while night told her tale, he slept no more than does a nightingale. Courteous he, and humble, willing and able, and carved before his father at the table (19-22 pg14).”

“Of woodcraft knew he all the useful ways. Upon his arm he more a bracer gay, and at one side a sword and buckler, yea, and at the other side a dagger bright, well sheathed and sharp as a spear point in the light. (10-14 pg14).”

“For pity ruled her, and her tender heart. Full properly her wimple pleated was. Her nose was straight, her eyes as grey as glass, Her mouth full small, and also soft and red; (33-36 pg15).”

“By reason it was old and somewhat strict, this said monk let such old things slowly pace and followed new-world manners in their place. Her cared not for that text a clean-plucked hen, which hold that hungers are not holy men(10-14 pg16).”

“To have sick lepers for acquaintances. There is no honest advantageousness In dealing with such poverty-stricken curs; It’s with the rich and with big viticuallers. And so wherever profit might arise (35-39 pg18).”

“This worthy man kept all his wits well set; there was no one could say he was in debt, so well governed all his trade affairs with bargains and with borrowings and with shares. Indeed he was a worthy man (10-14 pg18).”

“For he would rather have at his bed’s head some twenty books, all bound in black and red, of Aristotle and his philosophy, Than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery (9-13 pg19).”

“Nowhere a man so busy of class, and yet he seemed much busier than he was. All cases and all judgments Could he site from King William’s time were apposite. (13-16 pg20).”

“Woe to the cook, except the sauces were poignant and sharp and ready all his gear. His table waiting in his hall always, stood ready covered through the livelong day (21-24 pg21).”

Wealthy men of society

And he could roast and theethe and broil and fry nd make a good thick sop and bake a pie, uut very ill it was, it seemed to me, that on his shin a deadly sore had he: for sweet blanc-mange, he made it with the best.
Lines 5-9

“Full many a draught of wine he’d drawn, I trow, of Bordeaux vintage, while th trader slept. Nice conscience wasa thing he never kept. If that he fought and got the upper hand, by water he sent them home to every land.” Lines 9-15

“Lines with taffeta and with sendal; and yet he was right careful of expense; he kept the gold he gained from pestilence. For gold in physic is a fine cordial, and therefore loved he gold exceeding all.”

“In all the parish thee was no goodwife should offering make before her, on my life; and if one did, indeed, so wroth was she it put her out of all her charity. He kerchiefs were of finest weave and ground, I dare swear that they weighed a full ten pound.”