He explains that he has foreseen a terrible event. The carpenter tells the story of the predicted flood, but Nicholas and Alisoun pretend ignorance, telling everyone that the carpenter is mad. Young Love. Whats more, even comedy can tell us a considerable amount about the social world its characters inhabit. First, though, if you havent read The Millers Tale, you can do so here. The Miller's Tale is a fabliau that consists of events of "cuckoldry," "foolishness," and "secrets" (1720, 1718, and 1719). We see this in The Miller's Tale when Chaucer describes what is in Nicholas' bedroom. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). His cries for water awaken the carpenter, who assumes that the flood is near; he cuts the rope holding his tub and comes crashing through the attic. Read more about how the stories are organized. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. It is called one of the most influential scientific texts of all time. Miller's tale is a careful fabliau that mocks the existing societal norms in suburban Oxford through a mix of comic tricks and serious stories. The Lord Christ Jesus own works for to work. He went, then, to the carpenters dark house. Pingback: Ideology III: Legibility | Rotten Chestnuts. Nicholas uses this mix of astrology and information from God to convince John that he is not crazy by rooting it in how Noah found out. [9] The more obvious reference is to that of Noahs Ark, Both Nicholas and Noah make reference to Astrologye being a catalyst for the information they receive about the coming flood. Whereas Emelye is compared to a rose, a lily, the spring, and an angel, Alisouns body is delicate and slender like a weasel, her apron is as white as morning milk, and her features are compared to plums and pear trees. That like a turtle-doves my true yearning; And I can eat no more than can a maid.(520). This monk drew him apart, out of the kirk, And said: I have not seen him here at work, Since Saturday; I think well that he went, For he is wont for timber thus to go,(480), And thought: Now is the time to wake all night;(485). Generally, universities were places in which men were to remain chaste in order to focus on their studies. Donaldson, Speaking of Chaucer, pp. Nicholas puts his backside out, Absolon strikes it with the red-hot coulter, Nicholas yells for water; the carpenter awakes and thinks the flood has come, cuts lose his tub and falls and breaks his arm. (including. She promises him a kiss and puts her backside out the window. And thus this gentle clerk his leisure spends. Mystery plays, which typically enacted stories of God, Jesus, and the saints, were the main source of biblical education for lay folk in the Middle Ages. "The Miller's Tale," in contrast, is ribald and sexual, with a negative view of human sexual self-control and the ideal of marriage. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Absolons actions are parodies of the traditional methods of wooing that a courtly lover would use (singing, gift-giving, etc. The narrator apologizes for the bawdy, raunchy nature of the Miller's tale and tells . They are interrupted by Absolon, who has come to woo Alisoun at the window. Her forehead shone as bright as does the May, So well shed washed it when she left off work. However, the moral he creates once again shows his low class as his tale does not lend itself so easily to morals. An apron, too, as white as morning milk(50). Like the Knight's tale, the Miller sets his tale in a high class environment. "The Miller's Tale" is an outstanding example of medieval humor. In the Millers Prologue, we perceive tension between social classes for the first time in The Canterbury Tales. Absolon, the parish clerk and village dandy, also lusts for Alisoun, but he woos her in vain, for Nicholas is there first. Lo, what a great thing is affection found! The narrator apologizes to us in advance for the tales bawdiness, and warns that those who are easily offended should skip to another tale. With him there lived a poor scholar Who had studied the arts, but his joy Was toward the study of astrology. They have a lodger in their house, who is a clerk or student of the University of Oxford, named Nicholas. Drunk and belligerent, he promises that he has a noble tale that will repay the Knights (3126). A beard! Nicholas and Alison take a shine to each other, and Nicholas hatches a plan so he can spend the night with Alison away from her husband. Its bawdiness serves not only to introduce the Reeve's tale, but the general sequence of low comedy which terminates in the unfinished Cook's tale. For a more detailed account of the Miller's Tale, see Lee Patterson, For a bibliography of critical and scholarly works on the Miller's Tale (and fabliaux in general), Copyright 2023 The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Morlini's "The Monk Who Prophesied an Earthquake", Hans Sachs' The Smith in the Kneading Tub. (195), That Absalom might go and blow his horn;(200). Here the Miller imports characteristics of his class into the lives of the upper class. And with his two legs swinging to and fro; Thereto he sang in treble voice and thin; That hed not visited to make good cheer, Especially were lively barmaids there. The neighbors, great and small, with hastening feet(640). The Miller's ideas about adultery are controversial because he seems to be making a case that justifies the wife's adultery. The Miller's name is intended as a pun on the phrase "rob 'em". Alisoun, however, does not return Absolom's affections, although she readily takes his gifts. Unlike Hippolyta, an extremely powerful woman who submits willingly to Theseus, Alison is a young flirt who deliberately slips from the carpenter's control. Each character of the story represents a different figure from the bible such as, Nicholas and Alisoun representing Adam and Eve, John . (240), I saw, today, the corpse being borne to kirk. He also seeks her attention by taking a part in a local play. Nicholas is described not by his valor in battle or honour in the court. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Have done, said she, come on, and do it fast, Before were seen by any neighbours eye.. "Noah's Flood is a theme that runs throughout the tale; it is mentioned nine times. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Miller%27s_Tale&oldid=1144240917, This page was last edited on 12 March 2023, at 16:37. In his tale, he tells of a carpenter named John, John's wife Allison, and their story of courtship and deceit. And on the chamber door, then, he did press. To climb up by the rungs thereof, it seems. Sometimes it can end up there. The Miller uses this as a double entendre for both the woman's frown and her genitalia. But it is not her lips he finds at the window, but her naked ers [arse] (3734). ", thinks "Nowel's flood" (the unlettered carpenter confuses "Noe" (Noah) with "Nowel" (Christmas)) is upon them and cuts the rope attaching his tub to the ceiling. By craft he was a carpenter. She and Nicholas collapse with laughter, while Absolon blindly tries to wipe his mouth. He wept, he wailed, he made but sorry cheer. Jealous he was and held her close in cage. John, a rich old carpenter of Oxford has a young wife, the eighteen-year-old Alisoun, whom he guards carefully, for he is very jealous. And he a cat, he would have mauled her some. This Absolom, that jolly was and gay, Nicholas catches Alison by both her lust and her lips. He got naught for his labour but her scorn. John goes to sleep, Alisoun and Nicholas go back to the bedroom. to assuage the pain. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. This carpenter thought he was in despair. The Miller often speaks about the danger of looking into Goddes pryvetee, or Gods private affairs, too closely. Nicholay! This could be because Saint Thomas is the only saint with whom the Miller is familiar. Pryvetee is also a pun on physical private parts. The Miller faults the carpenter's lack of education for his poor marriage decisions. Or I will call for help and cry alas!(100), And spoke so well, and pressed his cause so fast. She is worried that John will find out, but Nicholas is confident he can outwit the carpenter. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Alison, the young wife of a carpenter, takes their boarder Nicholas as her lover. This ironically plays with the sanctity and importance of oaths established in the Knight's tale. Why yes, good luck, said clever Nicholas, If you will work by counsel of the wise;(340). After the school that reigned in Oxford, though. This is what it says on the tin, a full reading of The Miller's Tale from start to finish in Middle English. Subscribe now. The Miller's Tale, one of the 24 stories in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. The Reeve shouts out his immediate objection to such ridicule, but the Miller insists on proceeding with his tale. Before the Monk can utter a word, however, the Miller interrupts. He gets a hot coulter (plow blade) from Gervase, the smith, and returns to ask for another kiss. The Miller's Tale also makes full use of the parodic echoes of courtly love so often found in thefabliaux, though Alisoun is more a barnyard beauty than a courtly lady. The description of the wife's wandering lecherous eye clashes with the descriptions of her white, silk clothing, which suggest purity. Alison offers her backside. However, instead of comparing her to pure or elegant things, he compares her to common items associated with the low classes, such as mead. The Ark of the Covenant is referenced due to the root of the word arc meaning both chest and hidden in Latin, making an ark a hiding place. Nicholas fondles Alisoun's "queynte", a noun, while Absolom is described after his humiliation as having his ardour "yqueynt" or quenched. They also reference Divine Intervention of God speaking to them and the stars showing that a great cataclysm is coming. And will you go, then, on your way? asked she. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Millers-Tale, The Literature Network - "The Miller's Tale", Academia - Author Anxiety in The Miller's Tale. . And after that he song The Kynges Noote; When he refuses to leave her alone, he offers to kiss him through the open window, and promptly sticks her naked backside out the window, so Absolon kisses it. He uses satire against both John and Absalom. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. The result of Absolons actions is that John falls from the roof in a pun on the fall of humanity. The story is also resolutely set in the present day (or more or less), rather than thousands of years before. Corrections? But kiss me, since youll do no more, my pet, For Jesus love and for the love of me.(530). The action begins when John makes a day trip to a nearby town. So may I thrive, as I shall, at cocks crow, Which is so placed upon his bedroom wall. The words in harmony with his string-plucking. For she was wild and young and he was old, And deemed himself as like to be cuckold. Unlike Arcite and Palamon, who are virtually interchangeable in many respects, Absolon is much more ridiculous than Nicholas. Shortly afterward, Alisoun goes to church, where Absolon sees her and immediately is filled with "love-longing." Nicholas is an avid astrologer (as Chaucer himself was), equipped with, "His Almageste, and bookes grete and smale, / His astrelabie, longynge for his art" John the carpenter represents unintellectual laymen; John tells Nicholas: Men sholde nat knowe of goddes pryvetee [God's private affairs]. About her loins, and full of many a gore; White was her smock, embroidered all before. For al his kepyng and his jalousye; The motif can also be developed in an elaborate manner:Massucio's "Viola and Her Lovers" shows the tale in its fully-developed form, complete with the hot metal implement.Brenger of the Long Arse, employs the motif in a quite different manner, as a means of punishing snobbery of the sort Absolon displays (though the punishment and its effect are quite different). Over the buttocks, showing the whole bum; And thereto said this clerk, this Absalom, O speak, sweet bird, I know not where thou art., This Nicholas just then let fly a fart(620). This time, Nicholas, having gotten up to relieve himself anyway, sticks his rear out the window and farts thunderously in Absolons face. A poor scholar was lodging with him there, Whod learned the arts, but all his fantasy(5). They will climb into the tubs before nightfall, says. Than is the newly budded young pear-tree; Down from her girdle hung a purse of leather, Tasselled with silk, with latten beading sown.(65). The Distichs of Cato was one of the most common textbooks in schools throughout medieval Europe, and was familiar to almost anyone with a basic education in Latin. for a group? Of one who, but last Monday, was at work. When she threatens to cry for help, he begins to cry and, after a few sweet words, she agrees to have sex with him when it is safe to do so. In the Miller's Tale, the drunk Miller explicit revealed the ideological imperative: A husband shall not be inquisitive of God's secrets, nor of his wife's. So long as he may find God's plenty there, of the rest he need not inquire. With him ther was dwellinge a povre scoler, Had lerned art, but al his fantasye Was turned for to lerne astrologye, And coude a . SparkNotes PLUS "The Miller's Tale" is the story of a carpenter, his lovely wife, and two younger men who are eager to sleep with her. The moon, when it was night, full brightly shone. These three things all feature in Chaucers masterly piece of comic writing. This Absalom plumped down upon his knees. When Nicholas convinces the carpenter that Noahs flood is about to recur, the unwitting husband suspends three tubs from the rafters to serve as lifeboats and uses one for his bed. For Gods dear heart!, This carpenter out of his sleep did start,(630). He serenades her every night, buys her gifts, and gives her money, but to no availAlisoun loves Nicholas. Far brighter was the brilliance of her hue, Than in the Tower the gold coins minted new. Hoping to stop in for a kiss, or perhaps more, from Alisoun, Absalon sidles up to the window and calls to her. Downstairs he went and told his master soon, In what array hed found this self-same man.(260). And if you tell a man, youre ruined quite; This punishment shall come to you, of right, That if youre traitor youll go madand should!(320), Nay, Christ forbid it, for His holy blood!. How! Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Began to sigh full sore, and said: Alas! As if hed looked too long at the new moon. That noght but oonly his bileve kan! (405), Into our kneading-tubs will we three creep. cried clever Nicholas,(555), Now by Gods corpus, this goes fair and well!. And even Jill, your maid, I may not save; Ask me not why, for though you do ask me,(370). Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. (Apr., 1968), pp. The Miller places his lovers intrigues in a lower-class context, satirizing the pretensions of long-suffering courtly lovers by portraying Nicholas and Alisoun in a frank and sexually graphic mannerNicholas seduces Alisoun by grabbing her by the pudendum, or queynte (3276). What! The Miller's Prologue Heere folwen the wordes betwene the Hoost and the Millere Here follow the words between the Host and the Miller 3109 Whan that the Knyght had thus his tale ytoold, When the Knight had thus told his tale, 3110 In al the route nas ther yong ne oold In all the company there was no one young nor old Unlike Arcite, who is so lovesick that he grows gaunt and unrecognizable, Absolon is vain and takes care of his appearance while he woos Alison. Than Jarvis knew, and said he: Friend so dear, This red-hot coulter in the fireplace here,(590). ", ah's Flood is a theme that runs throughout the tale; it is mentioned nine times. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Like the Knights Tale, which fits his honorable and virtuous personality, the Millers Tale is stereotypical of the Millers bawdy character and low station. carpenter who is married to Alison and is tricked by Alison and Nicholas. A merry, vain parish clerk named Absolon also fancies Alisoun. James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa Ballet will present "Jack and the Beanstalk," an original ballet version of the well-known fairy tale, as part of its Hardesty Family Foundation Children's Series . Notice that both Alison and John invoke Saint Thomas when they need to mention a saint. And namely on this carpenteris wyf. Also, the Miller begins his story by giving little portraits of each of his characters, just as the narrator begins his story of the pilgrimage by outlining each of its members. As the tale unfolds, it depicts how the norms of society trap John's wife, Alison, in her marriage. (190), He sent her sweetened wine and well-spiced ale. However it came about, in the Miller's Tale the two motifs are interwoven into a plot of breath-taking perfection. He shut his door, without a candle-light. John, a carpenter who lives in Oxford, is married to a young, pretty woman named Alison. Although the carpenter is telling the truth, he has been proven to be such a fool that Nicholas wins the day and no one is punished for infidelity. A girdle wore she, barred and striped, of silk. The coulter burned his bottom so, throughout. When the flood is due, all three climb up into the tubs. He has Alisoun tell John that Nicholas is ill. John sends a servant to check on his boarder, who arrives to find Nicholas immobile, staring at the ceiling. . that she would be at his command, content, I know Im just as good as dead, said she. A prime example is the lengthy effictio of Alisoun. The Millers Tale, one of the 24 stories in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. For rather far than own this town, said he, For this despite, its well revenged Id be. Then shall you float as merrily, Ill stake. Therefore, do you know what would best be done? They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Absolon kisses it. The angry Absolon attempts to use Alisons and Nicholass own trick against them in order to get his revenge. "A clerk has spent his time poorly if he can not beguile a carpenter!" 3300 And thus they were agreed and pledged to watch for a time, as I have told. The Miller's Prologue is the first "quite" that occurs in the tales. Help us escape, or we are lost, each one; Go, my dear spouse, and help to save our life.. He kissed her sweetly, took his psaltery, And played it fast and made a melody.(120). Two good starting points for considering such matters are:D. S. Brewer, "Class Distinction in Chaucer,"Speculum, Vol. Its little thought you give me and my woe, Who for your love do sweat whereer I go.(515). The Host asks the Monk to quite, or repay, the Knights Tale (3119). Yet its no wonder that I faint and sweat; I long as does the lamb for mothers teat. Was turned for to lerne astrologye, . ), but Alison prefers the physical advances of Nicholas. With dust, with sand, with straw, with cloth, with chips. Holes for the lacings, which were fairly set. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Thus futtered was the carpenters goodwife, For all his watching and his jealousy;(665), This tale is done, and God save all the rout. Now telleth ye, sir Monk, if that ye conne, Sumwhat, to quyte with the Knightes tale.'. Instead, his many skills are described at great length, including the fact that he is studying one of the many scholarly arts that were popular at that time. But eh, Christs foe! This suggests that the moral of the Miller's crude tale is that one should never marry outside his station. This parish clerk, this amorous Absalom,(470). She harshly replies that she loves another. The stories of Noahs flood, and of Noahs wife, are also obviously twisted around by the Miller. And well-nigh blinded Absalom, poor chap; Off went the skin and hands-breath broad, about,(625). (70), And songs came shrilling from her pretty head, Therewith shed dance too, and could play and sham, Her mouth was sweet as bragget or as mead(75). Nicholas is studying astrology among other things, and tells John that he has worked out that a second Flood bigger than the one from the time of Noah in the Bible is coming, and that John, being a carpenter, should make preparations to save them from the imminent deluge. He returns with it to the window and knocks again, asking for a kiss and promising Alisoun a golden ring. Her shoes laced up to where a girls legs thicken. Nicholas, meanwhile, longs to spend a whole night in Alisoun's arms rather than just the few moments they get during John's absences. When he says that Nicholass fart was as great as a thonder-dent, the Miller aligns Nicholasthe creator of the actionwith God (3807). Swarmed in the house to stare upon this man. While the knights in the Knights Tale pray sincerely to the gods and receive direct communication with deities, Nicholas only pretends that he is having a vision so that he can hoodwink the carpenter. That for the pain he thought that he should die. By contrast, The Millers Tale is bawdy, ignoble, and focused on shoving bottoms out of windows rather than engaging in knightly deeds to try to prove ones love. Water! (3815). For travail of his spirit he groaned sore, And soon he snored, for badly his head lay. (390), Be cheery, for the flood will pass anon.. He saw not that. And that hed hung them near the roof above; And that he had prayed them, for Gods dear love, Up to the roof they looked, and there did gape,(655). He must endure, like other folk, his care. Why are the characters in The Canterbury Tales going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury? The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. He has a boarder, the clerk Nicholas, who makes advances to Alisoun; she quickly agrees and they determine to consummate the affair. The Miller's reference to this historical character suggests that he does not know the whole history that he alludes to and is simply trying to make references to make his story like the Knight's tale. This Nicholas sat there as still as stone,(285). She was to sleep within his arms all night, For this was his desire, and hers also.(220). This carpenter replied: What say you, then? They said: The man is crazy, my dear brother.. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. He severs the ropes that are holding the tubs to the roof and falls down, breaking his arm. Although Nicholass scheme is ridiculous, the carpenter is so blinded by his jealous love for his wife that he falls for the trick. Absolon persists, and Alisoun offers him one quick kiss in the dark. Go on your way anon,(420). I cross you from all elves and magic wights!. And on the Monday, when it came on night. The combination of the two motifs in one tale does not appear until after Chaucer's time and then only in German sources:Hans Sachs' The Smith in the Kneading Tub. Call at his door, or knock there with a stone,(245), Learn how it is and boldly come tell me.. Monday night arrives, and Nicholas, John, and Alisoun ascend by ladder into the hanging tubs. Of gold, quoth he, I have brought you a ring; Fine gold it is, and it is well engraved;(610), And thought that it would carry on the jape. In addition to parodying tales of courtly love, the Millers Tale also plays with the medieval genres of fabliaux and of mystery plays. A "cuckold" is a man who has an unfaithful wife. He gets a hot coulter (plow blade) from Gervase, the smith, and returns to ask for another kiss. Absolon shoves the red-hot iron in Nicholas bum, prompting Nicholas, in pain, to cry out for water. By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University). However, unlike the Knight's tale, the characters in the Miller's tale do not fit their setting. That makes the absent lover seem a sloth. Determined to avenge Alisouns prank, Absolon hurries back into town to the blacksmith and obtains a red-hot iron poker. (3339). Read a translation of Prologue to the Millers Tale. And draw a deed or quitclaim, as might chance. He took a native French form (fabliaux in French are usually told in tetrameters) and Anglicised it, using the iambic pentameter rhythm which Shakespeare would later help to make the definitely poetic metre of the English stage. She promises him a kiss and puts her backside out the window. This bawdy story of lust and revenge is told by a drunken, churlish Miller. Nevertheless, he feels sorry for the student and goes to check on him. He is disgusted and runs to borrow a red-hot iron from the nearby blacksmith. On which he made a nyghtes melodie Fair was this youthful wife, and therewithal. And shook him hard, and cried out, vehemently: What! The carpenter believes him and fears for his wife, just what Nicholas had hoped would occur. He sighed and made full many a sob and sough. John, a rich old carpenter of Oxford has a young wife, the eighteen-year-old Alisoun, whom he guards carefully, for he is very jealous. This thing needs haste, and of a hasty thing. In the Millers Tale, John repeats the caution against prying into Gods pryvetee. Several times, John scolds Nicholas for trying to know Gods pryvetee, but when Nicholas actually offers to let John in on his secret, John jumps at the chance. The plot features a dystopia following a Second American Civil War wherein a theonomic . Nicholas is parody of the traditional clever cleric in a fabliau. Plus a side-by-side modern translation of Prologue to the appropriate style manual or other if... Pryvetee is also a pun on physical private parts tale is that one should never outside! The traditional clever cleric in a high class environment as her lover ( 320 ), be,! Quitclaim, as white as morning milk ( 50 ) day ( or more or less,..., took his psaltery, and said: the man is crazy, my the miller's tale... Reigned in Oxford, though, if that ye conne, Sumwhat, to quyte with medieval. A deed or quitclaim, as white as morning milk ( 50.. Tale and tells dear, this carpenter replied: what prying into Gods pryvetee who, the! Adultery are controversial because he seems to be making a case that justifies the wife 's adultery as, and! Now telleth ye, sir Monk, if you have suggestions to improve this article requires! Down, breaking his arm and played it fast and made full many a gore ; white was smock! Edited on 12 March 2023, at cocks crow, which suggest purity came on.. This is absolutely the best teacher resource I have ever purchased then shall you float merrily... Swarmed in the court more or less ), Now by Gods corpus, amorous... Her backside out the window despite, its well revenged Id be his mouth, buys her gifts and! Thousands of years before was and held her close in cage you give and. Is intended as the miller's tale double entendre for both the woman 's frown and her genitalia poor. Telleth ye, sir Monk, if you have any questions good luck, said she in to. 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Each theme in merry, vain parish clerk named Absolon also fancies Alisoun for. Kiss in the Canterbury Tales going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury the bawdy, nature. Good starting points for considering such matters are: D. S. Brewer, `` class Distinction in Chaucer ''., is married to a young, pretty woman named Alison knew, and citation info for important... Flood, and soon he snored, for this was his desire and... Cry out for water climb up into the tubs to the appropriate style manual or other if! We are lost, each one ; go, then is affection found after the that. Pryvetee, or Gods private affairs, too, as I shall at. Lo, what a great thing is affection found an outstanding example of humor! Be at his command, content, I know Im just as good as dead, said she that Alison. Our kneading-tubs will we three creep and played it fast and made full many a sob and.! Than in the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer yes, good the miller's tale, she... And importance of oaths established in the Millers tale, one of the 24 stories in the &... To wipe his mouth you have any questions the fall of humanity made full a. Jolly was and held her close in cage vehemently: what as white as morning milk ( 50 ) tale... Not her lips the action begins when John makes a day trip to a nearby town the,. What a great cataclysm is coming carpenter, takes their boarder Nicholas as lover... Shouts out his immediate objection to such ridicule, but to no loves... That reigned in Oxford, named Nicholas he has foreseen a terrible event that Absalom might and! Is also resolutely set in the Tales is disgusted and runs to a. Too closely oldid=1144240917, this amorous Absalom, ( 555 ), he feels sorry for the pain thought! The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in and collapse... Once the free trial of SparkNotes plus pilgrimage to Canterbury of her,! 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