THE CANON’S YEOMAN’S TALE

Summary

This tale is basically a confidence trick involving a Canon and a Priest. 

The Canon practices alchemy, but was short of money and borrowed 1 mark from a wealthy Priest. The Priest did not expect to see his money again, but was pleased to see its return three days later. 

The Canon was very grateful to the Priest and offered to reveal some of his discoveries.

He showed the Priest several tricks such as throwing a hollow branch filled with silver, but sealed at both ends, onto a fire so that it appeared that when the branch burnt, it actually turned into silver, which so impressed the Priest that he offered to pay the Canon '40 for the secret. 

The Canon disappeared soon after with the money.

Interpretation

There were many alchemists working in Medieval times, and their man task was trying to convert base metals into precious materials such as gold and silver.

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The party are now approaching Canterbury and some of the Pilgrims are showing signs of fatigue.  The Cook can hardly stay on his horse due to his drunkenness, but the Host thinks there is still time for a few more stories and turns to the Manciple.