The Knight from Canterbury Taled

“Followed chivalry, / Truth, honor, generousness and courtesy. / He had done nobly in his sovereign’s war / And ridden into battle, no man more, / As well in Christian as heathen places, / And ever honor for his noble graces.” Geoffrey Chaucer wrote this introduction to describe the knight in Canterbury Tales. Chaucer talked very highly of the knight’s profession, wealth, and character.

The knight has had a very busy life as his fighting career has taken him to a great many places. He has seen military service in Egypt, Lithuania, Prussia, Russia, Spain, North Africa, and Asia Minor where, “He was of sovereign value in all eyes.” Even though he has had a very successful and busy career, he is extremely humble. Chaucer maintains that he is "modest as a maid.” Moreover, he has never said a rude thing to anyone in his entire life.

The knight, Chaucer tells us, "possessed / Fine horses, but he was not gaily dressed.” Indeed, the knight is dressed in a common shirt that is stained, "With smudges where his armor had left mark." That is, the knight is, "Just home from service," and is in such a hurry to go on his pilgrimage that he has not even paused before beginning it to change his clothes.

Clearly, the knight possesses an outstanding character. Chaucer gives to the knight one of the more flattering descriptions in the General Prologue. The knight can do no