The Man of Law

“Sergeant of Law” In Canterbury Tales
Medieval society was divided into three estates: the Church (those who prayed), the Nobility
(those who fought), and the Peasantry (those who worked). The General Prologue to The
Canterbury Tales is an estates satire. In the Host’s portraits of the pilgrims, he sets out the
functions of each estate and satirizes how members of the estates – particularly those of the
Church – fail to meet their duties. By the late fourteenth century, the rigid organization of these
three estates had begun to break down. A merchant class had begun to rise and was quickly
gaining money and power throughout secular society. An intellectual class was also rising –
people trained in literature but, unlike monks, not destined for church life. As the son of wine
merchants and clerk to the king, Chaucer belonged to both of these new suborders of society.
Chaucer puts all of society on parade, and no one escapes his skewering.
Chaucer moves downwards the social ladder of his time. Each pilgrim dresses and talks
according not only to his/her social position but also according to his/her own experience and
character.
Stanza 15 (Lines 311-333)

A Sergeant of the Lawe, war and wys,
That often hadde been at the Parvys,
Ther was also, ful riche of excellence.
Discreet he was, and of greet reverence—
He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise.
Justice he was ful often in assise,
By patente, and by pleyn commissioun.
For his science and for his heigh renoun,
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.
So greet a purchasour was nowher noon:
Al was fee symple to hym in effect;
His purchasyng myghte nat been infect.
Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas,
And yet he semed bisier than he was.
In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle
That from the tyme of kyng William were falle.
Ther-to he koude endite and make a thyng,
Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng;
And every statut koude he pleyn by rote.
He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote,
Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale;
Of his array telle I no lenger tale.
Analysis:
Now, Chaucer diverts his attention towards the man of law, prudent and high ranking attorney.
The lawyer seemed to have visited St, Paul’s often where the lawyers generally gather. He was
judicious and of great dignity, for he has spoken with such knowledge. It seems that he had been
a judge in the court of assizes by royal appointment, for his knowledge and reputation. He had a
great yearly income that he spent on buying lands. Moreover, he was a very busy man for in his
yearbook, he had all the accounts of the case for which he had found solutions. He pretends to be
busy all the time to show and propagate his professionalism.
Further, he knew how to draw up legal documents that enabled him to be free from flaws in his
writing. He also remembered every statute by heart; still, He traveled in a simple multicolored
coat that was tied together with a silk belt and some small pins.
Chaucer makes a unique contradiction with his rich knowledge and simple appearance.
In other words, The Man of Laws is a social climber, a hard worker attempting to climb up the
ranks through skill and networking denounces the evil maliciousness ,firm believer of
Christianity, submission to law, one does not strive against lawful authority.
Tale:
The plot of the Sergeant at Law’s Tale revolves around the central character of Constance who is
the epitome of perfection and goodness. She embodies the highest Christian virtues and ideals of
conduct. She is the daughter of the Roman Emperor. She is married twice to a pagan ruler,
converts both her husbands to Christianity, is treacherously betrayed both the times by a
vengeful mother-in-law, and is set adrift on the stormy seas both the times.
The focus of the tale is upon the goodness and perfection of Constance. Every incident serves to
highlight her fortitude and faith in God. The reader feels compassion for her miseries and is
happy when she is finally reunited with her second husband, King Alla. The plot is cumbersome
and superfluous. The essence of the tale lies in magnifying Constance’s virtuous character.
References:
 http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/canterbury_tales/Canterbury_Tales15.html
 https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Canterbury-Tales/the-man-of-laws-prologue-tale-
and-epilogue-summary/
 http://sumthingusefull.blogspot.com/2013/07/literary-devices-in-prologue-to.html
 https://www.literature-no-trouble.com/the-canterbury-tales-a-guide-in-9-literary-
elements/
 https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/lit/the-canterbury-tales/general-prologue/page_8/

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“Sergeant of Law” In Canterbury Tales

Stanza 15 (Lines 311-333)

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