Tale The Nonnes Preestes Tale (in Middle English; modern English: The Nun’s Priest’s Tale) by the 14th-century English poet and author Geoffrey Chaucer. The manuscript of the tale and its title illustration were created by Arthur Szyk (unsigned). Bound in a vellum cover with a tied ribbon, the manuscript features Szyk’s elegant handwriting in black and red ink, 19 lines per page (visible pencil guidelines for the lines), initial letters in larger type, and the first letter of the tale’s title in gold, green, and red ink on the cover.
An ancient English fable from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the story is an allegory featuring talking animals. The tale conveys a moral against pride and flattery and highlights the value of wit and wisdom over arrogance and crudeness. (The tale’s name, “The Nun’s Priest, ” refers to the medieval custom of priests accompanying nuns in monasteries to cater to their religious and ceremonial needs, such as conducting mass and offering spiritual guidance. The tale connects its narrative to the preceding monk’s tale, hence its title.)
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340s – October 25, 1400) An English poet, author, courtier, royal official, and diplomat, as well as a philosopher and astronomer. Known as the “Father of English Literature, ” he is considered one of the greatest English poets. He is best known to the public for his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, which, like all his works, was written in Middle English.
[35] written pages. 20 cm. Slight stains on the page edges. Condition: Good.
