The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the great cornerstones of English literature — a lively, often humorous collection of stories shared by a group of pilgrims journeying from London to Canterbury Cathedral. The tale begins at the Tabard Inn, where a varied group of characters from different walks of medieval life — knights, clerics, tradesmen, and more — agree to entertain each other along the road by telling stories.
Each pilgrim’s tale offers a glimpse into human nature, morality, social norms, and religious values of the time, presented with wit, satire, and occasionally bawdy humour. Some of the best-known stories include The Knight’s Tale, The Wife of Bath’s Tale, The Pardoner’s Tale, and The Miller’s Tale, each differing in style and theme — from chivalric romance to comedy, tragedy, and moral fables.
Though unfinished, The Canterbury Tales remains a brilliant and influential portrait of 14th-century English society, filled with memorable characters and timeless insights into human behaviour.
