The Prologue Vocab Flashcards
penance
an act performed to make amends for one’s sins
palmers
pilgrims who carried palm branches as a token that they had visited the Holy Land
shrift
confession
absolution
formal forgiveness for one’s sins
tithes
standard payments made to the church
frame story
exists when a story is told within a narrative setting or frame–hence creating a story within a story
The Knight
a warrior who has fought in the Crusades, the military campaigns of medieval Christians against the Moslems
The Squire
the Knight’s son and attendant
The Yeoman
a master woodsman serving the Knight
The Prioress
a nun ranking just below the head nun in an abbey
The Monk
a member of a religious order who also serves as the head of his monastery
The Friar
a preacher who travels about; begging for donations
The Merchant
a seemingly wealthy business man
The Oxford Cleric (Clerk)
a poor scholar educated at Oxford University for the clergy
The Sergeant of the Law (Man of Law)
a lawyer appointed by the King to serve as the judge at a traveling law court
The Franklin
a wealthy landowner
The Skipper (Shipman)
a master of his vessel who hails from the county of Dartmouth
The Doctor (Physician, Doctor of Physic)
a respected medical man
The Wife (Woman) of Bath
a widow from the town of Bath
The Parson
a parish priest from a rural parish
The Plowman
a farmer who is the parson’s brother
The Miller
the operator of a grain mill
The Reeve
a manager of a wealthy landowner’s estate
The Summoner
a petty officer who cites persons to appear before the church courts
