Clerk would willingly teach others, the overall portrait
implies he is more concerned with theory than appli-
cation. Riding alongside these two Pilgrims are the Ser-
geant of Law (Man of Law) and the Franklin, a wealthy
landowner. The Man of Law’s portrait is brief, but
revealing: “nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas/ and
yet he semed bisier than he was” (ll. 321–322). Appear-
ances are deceiving. The Franklin is an older man with
a long white beard, renowned for his gourmet appe-
tites. One of the few Pilgrims to be described in terms
of the FOUR HUMORS, the narrator notes, “of his com-
plexioun he was sangwyn” (l. 323), meaning the
Franklin is generally good humored.
Five Guildsmen follow: the Haberdasher, the Car-
penter, the Weaver, the Dyer, and the Tapester (tapes-
try and rug weaver). None is described individually,
but all are noted to be wearing opulent clothing and
carrying silver knives in clear violation of medieval
SUMPTUARY LAWS. The Guildsmen are accompanied by
their Cook, whose culinary skills are highly praised by
the Narrator despite the “mormal” (‘ulcer,’ l. 386) on
his shin that drips into his pot.
The Shipman follows. Deemed a “good felawe” (l.
395) by the Narrator, the Shipman—festooned with
daggers and drunk on wine—is a violent drunkard.
However, he is also a skilled navigator who relies upon
the heavens to guide him. The next pilgrim, The Doc-
tor of Phisik (the Physician), also relies upon the stars.
The Physician is known for his astrological skills: “wel
koude he fortunen the ascendent/ of his ymages for his
pacient,” (ll. 417–418); however, he is also well versed
in classical medical texts, such as Hippocrates and
Galen, and excels at interpreting the body’s humorial
balance.
Following these two pilgrims is the Wife of Bath, the
third woman of the group and the only one traveling
alone. A weaver, the Wife has her own money and
spends it as she pleases. She enjoys going on pilgrim-
ages and has been to the major sites—Rome, Cologne,
Boulogne, Jerusalem (three times), and St. James of
Compostella in Galicia, Spain. The sense is, however,
that she goes on pilgrimages to socialize, not for reli-
gious reasons. The Wife is bold, outspoken, forthright,
and, above all, passionate. Not only has she been mar-
ried fi ve times, but also she wears red and is “gat-
tothed” (I. 468)—which, according to PHYSIOGNOMY,
indicates a lustful nature. Even the Narrator recognizes
her zest for sex, as he observes: “Of remedies of love
she knew per chaunce,/ for she koude of that art the
olde daunce” (ll. 475–476).
The portraits of the two other idealized pilgrims—
the Parson and the Plowman—follow. The Parson is
the ideal priest—monetarily poor but spiritually rich.
He is learned and enjoys teaching. He is patient, kind,
and forgiving, a true “noble ensample to his sheep
[congregation]” (l. 496). About him, the Narrator pro-
claims, “A better preest I trowe that nowher noon ys”
(l. 524). The Plowman is the Parson’s brother. He is
not described physically, but it is noted that he is a
“trewe swynkere” (“hard worker”; l. 531) and tithes
regularly.
Following these two pilgrims, the Narrator lists the
remaining group: “ther was also a Reve, and a Millere,/
a Somnour, and a Pardoner also,/ a Maunciple, and
myself—ther were namo” (ll. 542–544). The Miller is
ugly in nature as well as appearance. He is short and
stout with a red beard and big mouth. Most noticeable,
however, is the huge wart that grows on the end of his
nose, from which grows a bristly patch of hair. He is
also a cheat, who holds his side of the scale down with
his thumb in order to acquire more wheat for less
money. The Manciple (business agent) is also a cheat,
which even the Narrator notes: “and yet this Manciple
sette hir aller cappe” (“still this Manciple deceived
them all”; l. 586). The Reeve follows. He is described
as a “sclendre colerik man” (l. 587), with close-cropped
hair, and a wiry body. The prevalence of the humor
choler indicates a ruthless nature. Like the Miller and
Manciple, the Reeve is a cheat: “His lord wel koude he
plesen subtilly,/ to yeve and lene hym of his owene
good,/ and have a thank, and yet a cote and hood” (l.
610–612). Through lending his lord the man’s own
goods, previously stolen by the Reeve, the Reeve earns
himself additional praise and profi t.
The next two Pilgrims, the Summoner and the Par-
doner, appear as a pair. The Summoner is loathsome,
and his mere appearance scares children. A drunk, he
reeks of garlic and onions. His face is fi re-red, with
scabby brows and a patchy beard, and is covered with
pustules. The Summoner is “hot” and “lecherous as a206 GENERAL PROLOGUE TO THE CANTERBURY TALES