Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English during the 14th century. The tales are framed as a group of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury, each telling a story along the way to pass the time.
Here is a list of the individual tales:
General Prologue: An introduction to the characters and setting of the tales.
The Knight’s Tale: A tale of chivalry, courtly love, and tragic destiny, featuring two knights who fall in love with the same woman.
The Miller’s Tale: A humorous story about a carpenter’s wife who cheats on him with a young scholar and a lustful clerk.
The Reeve’s Tale: A story about a miller who is tricked by two students, seeking revenge for his theft.
The Cook’s Tale: The beginning of this tale is missing in the surviving manuscripts.
The Man of Law’s Tale: A story about a Christian princess who is captured by a Sultan and converted to Islam.
The Wife of Bath’s Tale: A story about a knight who is given a year to discover what women most desire, and his eventual redemption through marrying an old woman.
The Friar’s Tale: A satire of a corrupt friar, who tricks a greedy summoner.
The Summoner’s Tale: A story about a summoner who is tricked by a lecherous old woman.
The Clerk’s Tale: A tale of patient Griselda, who is tested by her husband’s cruel treatment.
The Merchant’s Tale: A story of an old knight who marries a young and beautiful wife.
The Squire’s Tale: A tale of magical adventure, with elements of romance and chivalry.
The Franklin’s Tale: A story of a noblewoman who marries a squire, but is pursued by a knight who falls in love with her.
The Physician’s Tale: A tale of a noble Roman woman who is falsely accused of adultery and executed.
The Pardoner’s Tale: A story about three drunken men who seek Death to kill him, but end up killing each other.
The Shipman’s Tale: A bawdy story of a merchant’s wife who cheats on her husband with a monk.
The Prioress’s Tale: A tale of a Christian boy who is murdered by Jews for singing a hymn to the Virgin Mary.
Chaucer’s Tale of Sir Topas: A parody of chivalric romance.
The Tale of Melibee: A moral tale of a man who seeks revenge but is persuaded to forgiveness.
The Monk’s Tale: A series of tragic stories, featuring famous figures from history and mythology.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale: A fable about a rooster and a fox.
The Second Nun’s Tale: A hagiographic tale of Saint Cecilia.
The Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale: A tale of alchemy and deception, featuring a Canon and his Yeoman.
The Manciple’s Tale: A fable about a crow who cheats a group of birds.
Each of these tales is written in a different style, tone, and genre, and together they provide a snapshot of medieval English society, its customs, beliefs, and contradictions.
Canterbury, located in the southeast of England, is a historic and beautiful city that has a lot to offer. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and beautiful countryside, there’s no shortage of things to do and see in Canterbury. Here are ten of the best things to do in Canterbury:
of Canterbury and is the perfect place for a leisurely walk. You’ll see beautiful wildlife, stunning views of the city, and picturesque bridges along the way.