The Squire's Tale

The Squire
Chaucer, in the prologue, gives a great description of the squire. Using many analogies, he paints a very realistic picture of what the average squire was like. The Squire in "Canterbury tales" is the knight's son. He is in his early twenties, young, but, he is viewed as a man, and his youthfulness is admired. He has many talents, and preforms most tasks with great skill in horse riding, singing, dancing, jousting, writing, and sketching. A notable skill of the squire was his ability to cut meat. This also showed his respect for his father, for he always carved out the best meat for him.

Summary of The Squire's Tale
The Squire's tale is about a Royal family, the father being the greatest and most respected king in all the land. During a great feast, a knight from a far away land enters and bestows magical gifts to the Royal family. These gifts were strange and wonderful, a brass horse that can traverse all the world and is only obedient to the king. A sword that can slice any material, and cut any element. A man wounded by this sword can not be mended by traditional means, but must receive healing from the bearer of the sword. A mirror that can show the lies and deceits of an unfaithful person. Finally a ring, that allows the wear to communicate in any tongue, both human and animal. This ring was gifted to the king's daughter, Canace.

The next morning, Canace rises early and heads to the park for a morning walk. During her walk she stumbles upon a falcon who has wounded her self. Canace comforters the falcon, as the Falcon tales her that her husband, another falcon, was unfaithful to her, and treated her very poorly. Canace nurses the falcon with herbs, and takes her home.

The squire's tale is unfinished. Many plot lines are suggested, but never written.

Chaucer's Opinion of The Squire
Chaucer has a very high opinion of the Squire. He admires him for his youth, and is impressed by his skill and humility. Chaucer admires the knight, the squires father, and feels that the squire will turn out just like his father.