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why did the pilgrims go to canterbury in the canterbury tales

by Dr. Henderson Hill III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Pilgrims such as the Prioress use the pilgrimage to Canterbury

Canterbury

Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury, a local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour.

as a means to show off their wealth and high social status. Indeed, one gets the impression that for a number of pilgrims in Chaucer's tale, this is the main reason for going on the journey in the first place. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team

During the Middle Ages thousands of pilgrims came on a journey to Canterbury each year to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was an English archbishop and martyr, famously murdered by knights of Henry II at Canterbury Cathedral. After his death, his tomb and relics became a focus for pilgrimage and he was made a saint.
https://thebecketstory.org.uk › pilgrimage › st-thomas-becket
to pray and seek help for their problems. Many would come long distances, including from all over Europe. Some would come on foot, while those who could afford it might ride on horseback.

Full Answer

How many pilgrims make the pilgrimage in the Canterbury Tales?

  • The Host. or "Harry Bailly": The proprietor of the Tabard Inn where the pilgrims to Canterbury stay before beginning their journey.
  • The Knight. A noble fighter who served in the Crusades.
  • The Squire.
  • The Knight's Yeoman.
  • The Prioress.
  • The Second Nun.
  • The Monk.
  • The Friar (Hubert)

How many pilgrims traveled in the story the Canterbury Tales?

There are twenty-nine (29) pilgrims in Canterbury Tales. They all are the significant members of the party of those pilgrims who journeyed from London to the shrine of St. Thomas, which is a Becket in Canterbury. During a four-day’s journey, many stories are told which cleverly shows Chaucer’s life and depict the society of that time.

What is the purpose of the pilgrimage in Canterbury Tales?

The entire garb served purpose to mesmerize the wealthy and bring devilish ... In fact, the Fool’s role in the pilgrimage was not a pilgrim but an entertainer to all, no matter one’s status or creed. / His absurd claims were little more than hollow ...

Which Pilgrim is described first in Canterbury Tales?

Yet before the narrator goes any further in the tale, he describes the circumstances and the social rank of each pilgrim. He describes each one in turn, starting with the highest status individuals. The Knight is described first, as befits a 'worthy man' of high status.

Where did pilgrims go to Canterbury?

Many pilgrims journey to Canterbury, either as a destination or as a stop during a pilgrimage to other sites, such as Santiago de Compostella in Spain or the Via Francigena.

Who wrote the Canterbury Tales?

About 200 years after the death of Thomas Becket , Geoffrey Chaucer began writing "The Canterbury Tales," the stories of individual pilgrims in a group journeying to St. Thomas Becket ’s shrine Pilgrims traveled many roads to reach Canterbury, but perhaps the most famous is the 120 mile trail between Winchester and Canterbury, two-thirds of which is identifiable today.

Why did the pilgrimage for justice happen?

Thomas Becket’s shrine, the Pilgrimage for Justice welcomed modern-day pilgrims to march for social change. Inspired by difficult economic times, Occupy Faith, the organization behind the event, sought to draw upon the tradition of people who took pilgrimages at times of crisis.

How many services does Canterbury Cathedral have?

The Canterbury Cathedral holds 2,000 services annually, and regardless of their own religious affiliation, some literature and history scholars and enthusiasts go to Canterbury as a re-creation of Chaucer’s work.

When was Becket canonized?

Three days after his murder, there were accounts of several miracles, which were attributed to his martyrdom, and after Pope Alexander III canonized Becket in 1173, pilgrims flocked to Canterbury to visit Becket’s shrine and make prayers for miracles of their own.

Who was the king of England in 597?

In 597, Augustine and 40 monks were sent by Pope Gregory to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England. In the territory of Kent, Augustine was received by King Ethelbert, a pagan who was married to a Christian, Bertha. Ethelbert gave Augustine a small church in Canterbury and within a year, the king converted to Christianity. Augustine commissioned the construction of the Canterbury Cathedral, and in 602 he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. After a massive fire, the cathedral was rebuilt in 1070.

Who was the Archbishop of Canterbury when he was murdered?

In 1170, Thomas Becket , who was the Archbishop in Canterbury at the time, was murdered inside the Cathedral walls. Becket quarreled with King Henry II over the power of the church and the rights of the clergy.

How many pilgrims are there in Canterbury Tales?

There are twenty-nine (29) pilgrims in Canterbury Tales. They all are the significant members of the party of those pilgrims who journeyed from London to the shrine of St. Thomas, which is a Becket in Canterbury. During a four-day’s journey, many stories are told which cleverly shows Chaucer’s life and depict the society of that time.

What is the practice of usury in Canterbury Tales?

He bargains in a dignified manner and trades in furs. He conducts his practice of usury (chevyssaunce), i.e., the business of lending money at a very high rate of interest, in a cunning manner. The hypocrisy puts him on level with most of the other pilgrims of The Canterbury Tales.

What is the significance of the Knight?

The Knight. It is significant that Chaucer begins the account of the different pilgrims with the Knight in the General Prologue. The Knight is the most distinguished of the company. The portrait of the Knight is an idealized one. He loves truth, chivalry, liberality, honor and courtesy.

What are the names of the five guildsmen in Chaucer?

The Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-maker (Guildsmen) Chaucer do not include much detail about these five characters, all having different professions at different levels. They have their own community, travel together and help one another in need.

What is the Squire's dress?

The Squire is a young and beautiful man, and his dress shows gaiety and color. His dress has embroidery of red and white flowers, and looks like a meadow as the month of May. His coat is short, with long, wide sleeves. He could sit well on a horse, and ride well.

What is the monk's portrait?

The portrait of the Monk is an ironic one. The Monk loves hunting and attaches no importance to religious injunctions, which strictly indicates that a monk should not leave his cloister or that a hunter could never become a holy man. He ignores all the rules and combines both lifestyles to make his life comfortable.

Why is Parson so popular?

Even though he himself lives in poverty, he never misses a chance to help those in need. He is a devoted churchman unlike others. His preaching is about Gospel and he makes sure to adopt every rule and preach himself first so he can become an example for others.

What is the pilgrimage in Canterbury Tales?

In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer uses pilgrimage as a storytelling device. A group of strangers meet at the Tabard Inn, outside London, and, realizing that they all have the same travel destination, agree to enter into a contest. Whoever can tell the best story along the journey will get a free meal--on the house!

Who was the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Thomas Becket became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, just a few hundred years before Chaucer laid down his tales about the pilgrimage to his shrine. Thomas Becket rose to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury at a time when the relationship between government and the church was strained. King Henry II hoped that the new archbishop would put ...

What did King Henry II hope for?

King Henry II hoped that the new archbishop would put the needs of the state above the church. But, Becket defied the king. When he didn't get his way, the king turned against the church. In 1170, King Henry showed the ultimate display of his power when he ordered his knights to assassinate the archbishop.

What is the pilgrimage?

The pilgrimage is an act of faith, in which devotees (aka pilgrims) show their devotion in the form of a physical (oftentimes arduous and treacherous) journey to a sacred destination of some kind. In the Muslim faith, it's Mecca. In Judaism, it's the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Christians have many destinations.

What is the similarity between the Decameron and the Frame Story?

It's also similar to Boccaccio's Decameron, which compiles the 100 stories told during an excursion from Florence to avoid the Black Plague that's devastating the city. Like the Decameron on which Chaucer modeled his tales, all of these classic works of literature have at least one thing in common: the frame story.

Cathedral of the pilgrims of the tale of Chaucer

In the tale, pilgrims are going to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.

Who were the 29 pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales pilgrims chart

We can see the diversity among the pilgrims. They are not from a single class, not from the same status. It is like whole London is travelling together and that is why Canterbury Tales is largely celebrated till now.

What were the names of the pilgrims in Canterbury Tales?

There were 29 pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales. All of the pilgrims do not have a name. some of the ones who had names were Harry Bailey, the host, Sir Thopas Melibee, the monk and the narrator is Chaucer himself.

Where did the pilgrims meet in Canterbury Tales?

The pilgrims met at Tabard Inn in Canterbury Tales. The inn is a tavern situated in London.

Canterbury tales characters facts

Before discussing the pilgrims we must make this sure that Chaucer was unable to complete his book and the return journey from Canterbury is not mentioned.

What is the rhyming scheme of Canterbury Tales?

The general narrative of the work is written in a strange format. Every line has ten syllables. Every syllable has an alternating accent. Every line ends with a regular rhyming scheme.

Why are the pilgrims going to Canterbury?

After the previous discussion, there is nothing new in this discussion. The fact what makes us more contemplative that why did Chaucer choose Canterbury Cathedral and more significantly why Thomas Becket?

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