53. Significavit: an ecclesiastical writ. 54. Within his jurisdiction he had at his own pleasure the young people (of both sexes) in the diocese. 55. Pardoner: a seller of pardons or indulgences. 56. Newe get: new gait, or fashion; “gait” is still used in this sense in some parts of the country. 57. Vernicle: an image of Christ; so called from St Veronica, who gave the Saviour a napkin to wipe the sweat from His face as He bore the Cross, and received it back with an impression of His countenance upon it. 58. Mail: packet, baggage; French, “malle,” a trunk. 59. The Bell: apparently another Southwark tavern; Stowe mentions a “Bull” as being near the Tabard. 60. Cheap: Cheapside, then inhabited by the richest and most prosperous citizens of London. 61. Herberow: Lodging, inn; French, “Herberge.” 62. The watering of Saint Thomas: At the second milestone on the old Canterbury road. THE KNIGHT’S TALE <1> WHILOM*, as olde stories tellen us, *formerly There was a duke that highte* Theseus. *was called <2> Of Athens he was lord and governor, And in his time such a conqueror That greater was there none under the sun. Full many a riche country had he won. What with his wisdom and his chivalry, He conquer’d all the regne of Feminie,<3> That whilom was y-cleped Scythia; And weddede the Queen Hippolyta And brought her home with him to his country With muchel* glory and great solemnity, *great And eke her younge sister Emily, And thus with vict’ry and with melody Let I this worthy Duke to Athens ride, And all his host, in armes him beside. And certes, if it n’ere* too long to hear, *were not I would have told you fully the mannere, How wonnen* was the regne of Feminie, <4> *won By Theseus, and by his chivalry; And of the greate battle for the nonce Betwixt Athenes and the Amazons; And how assieged was Hippolyta, The faire hardy queen of Scythia; And of the feast that was at her wedding And of the tempest at her homecoming. But all these things I must as now forbear. I have, God wot, a large field to ear* *plough<5>; And weake be the oxen in my plough; The remnant of my tale is long enow. I will not *letten eke none of this rout*. *hinder any of Let every fellow tell his tale about, this company* And let see now who shall the supper win. There *as I left*, I will again begin. *where I left off*