At Canterbury stands a shrine dedicated in this person’s honor.
Who is Thomas a Becket?
100
This individual first meets the 29 pilgrims at the Tabbard Inn and travels with them on their journey to Canterbury describing them and later recounting their tales.
Who is the narrator?
100
Another pilgrim is dressed in red and blue/gray garments and loves gold. He/she is a trained physician that takes kickbacks from the pharmacist.
Who is the Doctor?
100
This pilgrim is said to be a Robin Hood type because he/she is a woodsman. He/she is the Squire’s servant.
Who is the Yeoman?
100
With a red face full of sores, this pilgrim eats onions and drinks much too much. Dishonest in his/her way, he/she takes bribes. He/she has a garland of flowers on his/her head and is holding a cake like a shield.
Who is the Summoner?
200
One of the 29 pilgrims, this person has been in many battles. He/she is a true and perfect representative of his/her league.
Who is the Knight?
200
This pilgrim is the child of the knight. He/she is young, agile, strong, fashionable, and happy-go-lucky.
Who is the Squire?
200
Bald and fat, this pilgrim has a preference for fine clothes and luxuries. He/she doesn’t care at all for the hard work in the monastery and enjoys riding.
Who is the Monk?
200
Wise and wealthy, this pilgrim is a lawyer that knows the law by rote and generally seems busier than he/she really is.
Who is the Sergeant At Law?
200
Smart lawyers are no match for this pilgrim; in fact, he/she steals them blind! A shrewd buyer, he/she purchases well and keeps the extra money for him/herself.
Who is the Manciple?
300
He is the Parson’s brother along for the pilgrimage. He is an honest worker who pays his taxes on time.
Who is the Plowman?
300
Named Madam Eglantyne, she speaks French, is dainty, pleasant, sensitive, and the picture of medieval beauty. However, this pilgrim has a wide forehead, which is taken as a sign of her lack of intelligence.
Who is the Prioress?
300
Known by the name Hubert, he/she takes bribes for easy penance, and knows the taverns and barmaids better than he/she knows the lepers and beggars. This individual is rather aristocratic and lisps a little to make his/her English sound sweeter.
Who is the Friar?
300
A rather disgusting character, this pilgrim is a master of his/her trade. He/she has a sore on his/her knee.
Who is the Cook?
300
Large and somewhat deaf, he/she has a red complexion and is wearing a wide hat and spurs. He/she has been on many pilgrimages before this one and is suspected to have used these as opportunities to find a mate.
Who is the Wife of Bath?
400
This pilgrim practices what he/she preaches. He/she is patient, giving, holy, virtuous, and doesn’t favor pomp and glory –a rather Christ-like character.
Who is the Parson?
400
He/she serves as the host for the pilgrims. This individual is good-natured and happy.
Who is Harry Bailly?
400
Looking a little like Santa Claus, he/she likes to eat, drink, and be merry. He/she has brought a dagger and silk purse along on the pilgrimage.
Who is the Franklin?
400
This pilgrim lags behind all the others. He/she is old, choleric, and thin but a good manager and carpenter, just the same. Oddly though, he/she is feared by the farm workers.
Who is the Reeve?
400
He/she has brought along a bunch of false relics to sell along the way and probably at Canterbury. His/her long yellow hair, bulging eyes, and baby face are the first impressions that people get before hearing his/her strong singing voice.
Who is the Pardoner?
500
This pilgrim is a good navigator (much like a pirate might be). He/she hails from Dartmouth, doesn’t ride well, and has little conscience about killing the enemy.
Who is the Shipman?
500
This pilgrim is a quiet, unemployed, student at Oxford. He/she is a lover of learning and knowledge.
Who is the Clerk?
500
Identified by his/her forked beard and motley coat, this pilgrim is careful with money, a good negotiator, and always voices his/her opinions about business.
Who is the Merchant?
500
A haberdasher, dyer, carpenter, weaver, and carpet-maker are also part of the group of pilgrims. They are collectively known by this title.
Who are the tradesmen?
500
Built like a football player, this pilgrim has a red beard, wart on the nose, and plays the bagpipes. He/she also has a dirty mouth, so it’s no surprise, then, that he/she cheats his/her customers.