The Canterbury Tales

"The Canterbury Tales," written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, is a collection of stories narrated by a diverse group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral. Each character represents different social classes and occupations, offering a rich tapestry of medieval life and values. The tales cover themes of love, morality, and social criticism, often with humor and irony. Chaucer's work is notable for its use of the English vernacular at a time when most literature was in Latin or French, making it accessible to a broader audience and establishing English as a literary language.