a narratif about folke who are togedir ythrowne by the windes of fate and goon on a journeye.

May 5, 2012 9:19 AM

Inspired by one of the English language's seminal works, 24 modern-day pilgrims undertake a full-scale re-enactment Chaucer's masterpiece, acting out the tales as they travelled on foot to Canterbury.
For those who prefer to play along at home the ELF Edition of the Canterbury Tales where you can read in Middle English; Modern English or both side by side.
Spark notes gives helpful introducions and analysis.
Digital Scriptorium now has some images of the Ellesmere Chaucer which can be viewed in glorious high resolution.
But to keep us thoroughly up to date Geoffrey Chaucer has a blog. (previously but all links dead)
posted by adamvasco (9 comments total)

I skipped this one but am waiting for reenactment of Illiad
posted by Postroad at 9:21 AM on May 5, 2012

OMG they're going to re-enact The Miller's Tale??? *reads carefully* Oh, okay, they're just doing it as story-telling. Okay then. *Whew*

This is great... the most fun I had in college was in my 400-level Chaucer course in which five students and an enthusiastic professor read his work aloud to each other. It was like sharing the best inside jokes EVER. Chaucer is wonderful; it's a shame so few today are acquainted with his lovely, funny, bawdy and very human work.

Thanks SO much for posting this!
posted by kinnakeet at 9:33 AM on May 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

Whann in Aprill Maie
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 9:48 AM on May 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

The Canterbury Tales: Proof positive that Adam Sandler had Olde English antecedents. It's all merkins, farting, and rape!
posted by pxe2000 at 9:49 AM on May 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

I skipped this one but am waiting for reenactment of Illiad

Got you covered.
posted by lubujackson at 9:51 AM on May 5, 2012

If you haven't followed the last link, do so if for nothing else than to read the character sketches for "A Long Tyme Agoon in a Shire Far Away":

Ther was a SMUGGELERE, and he the beste,
Wyth gowne of whit and snazzye litel veste.
He hadde a shippe that was a noble vessel
For in twelf parsekkes it had yronne the Qessel;
posted by grimjeer at 11:13 AM on May 5, 2012 [4 favorites]

There ought to be a proper Canterbury Pilgrimage path, come to think of it?
posted by Segundus at 1:04 PM on May 5, 2012

Segundus, the primary route to Canterbury would have been from Winchester. The recommended route from there is to take St. Swithun's Way, whcih runs between Winchester and Farnham and can be continued via the North Downs Way, which runs from Surrey to Dover and has a loop to Canterbury. This is slightly different from the described route but apparently much safer due to less traffic.

One alternate route is the Via Francigena linking Canterbury and Rome. This crosses from Calais.


Peregrino de Santiago de Compostela here.
posted by grimjeer at 7:23 PM on May 5, 2012

This Nicholas anon leet fle a fart,
As greet as it had been a thonder-dent,
That with the strook he was almoost yblent;
And he was redy with his iren hoot,
And Nicholas amydde the ers he smoot,
Of gooth the skyn an hande brede aboute,
The hoote kultour brende so his toute,
And for the smert he wende for to dye.
As he were wood, for wo he gan to crye,
"Help! Water! Water! Help for Goddes herte!"
posted by bardic at 1:01 AM on May 6, 2012 [1 favorite]