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The Canterbury Tales

Introduction
The 24 tales with 17,000 lines were written 1387-1400 by Geoffrey Chaucer, 1343-1400, who is on the ceramic base right. A single figure by the large window is The Wife of Bath pilgrim Alyson, lay preacher and weaver. A pilgrim group create a story-telling contest as they travel from London to visit St Thomas Becket’s shrine at Canterbury Cathedral. The prize is a meal at the Tabard Inn, Southwark on their return. The centurion far right is standing in St Margaret’s Church nearby.

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Hazle Ceramics
The Canterbury Tales
Limited Painting of 20
on Melton Mowbray
With many add-ons

20th Anniversary 2010
The painting plus add-ons from hand pressed moulds were created by Iona Driver

£99.50 Worldwide
With Free Postage

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 Part of US Congress mural: The Clerk, Manciple, Sailor, Prioress & Nun pilgrims.

The Wife of Bath’s Tale
Of all the 30 pilgrims who met by chance at the Tabard Inn in Southwark and rode to Becket’s shrine, Alyson is most famous. A lively Prologue tells of mastery over her five late husbands. Her Tale is of a knight who must find “what women most desire”. The right answer “sovereignty” comes from an old hag, on condition he marries her. The knight accepts her authority and she becomes a young, lovely and faithful wife.

 After Becket’s murder in 1170, caskets stored cloth or bone relics. Above, a Limoges Chasse has several lavish gold enamel scenes with his death.

 The Pilgrims’ badge.
Wife of Bath, Ellsmere manuscript of 1405. 