Bede and Canterbury Tales notes

Bede (pg. 74-82)

• Promontories- peaks of high land sticking out into the water
• Britain is rich in grain & timber, good pasturage for cattle and draft animals, fisheries
• Land rich with food, hot springs, metals, coal
• Harmony with the four nations- English, British, Scots, and Picts- each w/ their own language but united in study of Latin
• Picts found the land of the Scots from Scythia, but sent away to cross into Britain
• Picts asked wives of the Scots, who consented on condition that, when dispute arose, they should choose a king from the female royal line rather than the male
• Ireland has mild and healthy climate superior to Britain's, no reptiles or snakes; everything enjoys immunity to poison
• Ireland abounds in milk and honey, no lack of vines, fish, birds; deer and goat widely hunted
• Original home of the Scots, who later migrated and joined the Britons and Picts of Britain

• The force (Danish settlers; Vikings) split up, one part in East Anglia, one part in Northumbria
• Broken by the fact that many of the king's lords had died in three years
• Six ships came to the Isle of Wight and did much evil, killing men
• Alfred, son of Aethelwulf, passed away so his son Edward received the kingdom
• Aethelwald lured the East Anglian force into breaking the peace, so that they ravaged over the land of Mercia 
• King Edward retaliated with his army, ravaged their land; people were killed 
• Alfred died; and peace was fastened

Canterbury Tales Intro (pg. 94-115)

• The pilgrimage has begun; people are on their way to Canterbury to find St. Thomas a Becket- Archbishop of Canterbury
• At a hostelry, 29 folks are in a company on their way to Canterbury
• The Knight , a most distinguished man, noble and brave but with plain clothes
• The knight's young son, a Squire, w/ strength and valiance, hoping to win his lady's grace
• The Yeoman w/ his weapons and shield, a proud man flaunting his possessions
• The Nun w/ the best of manners and care
• A Monk, with fancy decorated clothes, fat and personable
• The Friar, jolly man w/ begging rights; well-spoken, had a special license from the Pope, and yet knew all the taverns in town very well, dealing with scum; finest beggar of his batch
• The Merchant, told how he never lost a deal, even though secretly he's in debt, working on loans, bargains, etc. A business man in debt
• An Oxford Cleric, still a student, poor and unworldly; rather have books than fine clothes, his only care was to study, never speaking more than necessary
• A Sergeant at the Law who paid his calls, a man to reverence; his fame, learning and high position had won him fanciness and money; knew the law instead of enforcing
• A Franklin, cheerful and generous, always full of supplies for people in need
• A Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, Weaver, Carpet-maker; a Cook w/ great skills and an ulcer on his knee; a Skipper who made prisoners walk the plank; a Doctor
• An ugly woman with decorative garments, had 5 husbands, fabulous pilgrimages
• A poor Parson yet rich in holy thought and work, extorted tithe or fee
• A Plowman with his brother, honest worker living in peace; the Miller, strong and broad, was also a sly thief; the Manciple; the Reeve, old and thin but a good judge, grown rich from good bargains; the Summoner
• All the travelers come together to tell their stories, eating supper, drinking wine
• Whoever tells the best stories and makes it to Canterbury first gets a free meal, so tell well and rise early