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Canterbury Tales Job Descriptions
Canterbury Tales Job Descriptions
(Circa 1066-1485)
Nun, Prioress Has made the monastic vows of poverty, obedience and chastity
Monk Has made the monastic vows of poverty, obedience and chastity.
The monk led a cloistered life of work, study, and prayer.
Benedictines took an additional vow never to leave the lands of
the monastery without the express permission of their superior.
Friar Spent his life out in the world preaching and administering to the
poor. This friar is a (mendicant) licensed to beg
Merchant Sales
Serjeant at the Law The most eminent members of the legal profession in Medieval
England: at the time that Chaucer wrote, there were only about
twenty in the entire country.
The Five Guildsmen Guilds are societies to regulate prices and standards. The first
(Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, people to form guilds were the merchants. A craftsman’s guild
Weaver, and a Carpet-maker) became a type of extended family of friendship and support.
The Plowman The plowman is the common laborer, at the bottom of the feudal
scale.
The Manciple A manciple was a steward or servant who purchased provisions for
a college or, in this case, for one of the Inns of Court, the four
ancient law schools in London.
The Pardoner Pardoners were members of the church authorized to pardon the
sins of the people. The tricks and abuses of privilege by pardoners
were widely known in Chaucer’s day. Pardons were not for sale. In
order for an individual to be absolved from sin, three conditions
had to be met:
1. Contrition in one’s own heart
2. Confession to a priest who then gave absolution
3. Penance to remove temporal guilt.
In addition, Pardoners were not licensed to sell relics
(religious artifacts).
The Host There is substantial evidence that the host actually is Harry Bailey,
the operator of a tavern in Southwark during Chaucer’s time.