The Canterbury Tales in 100 Words Part Two

Here are four more Canterbury stories by Geoffrey Chaucer, each in 100 words.

Story of a cook

Apprentice Perkin, known as a party animal, drinks, dances and plays dice, but finances his stakes by stealing money from his employer, a merchant. The trader believes that this can have a negative impact on other trainees and rejects him. Perkin finds new houses with a friend who is also a player. The friend's wife has a business and replaces her income for prostitution. And that's all Chaucer tells us. Is the story never finished? Is the manuscript lost? Most likely, the story that involved players and prostitutes would have been another outrage.

The story of the man of the law

Constance, daughter of the Roman Emperor of Rome, is being destroyed in Northumberland and rescued by the sheriff of a nearby castle and his wife. When his wife is killed, Constance is charged with the crime, but found guilty and King Alla's bride. After the deception of the queen mother, Constance and her son remain in the sea and are in the Mediterranean Sea. His ship is discovered by a Roman senator standing next to his son Constance, next to King Alla visiting Rome. Constance meets her father but then returns to England.

Story of a woman in the bathroom

Under the death penalty, a Knight of King Arthur has a year to discover what women want more and bring their answer to the Queen. Her time has almost passed when a witch tells her that the answer is "sovereignty in marriage". The queen says she is right, but the witch demands her share of the agreement, which means the gentleman must marry him. The witch says she can make it dirty and old (and loyal) or pretty and young (and frivolous). He gives her the choice and she rewards him by being fair, young and loyal.

History of Fray

A corrupt summoner meets an owner who claims to be a "demon of hell." The summoner believes he can learn new tricks. The owner explains that he can only make a curse if someone really wants to say what he says and not just express his desperation. The summoner tries to deceive an old woman and brings him his new pan as well as his money. He tells the summoner to go to hell, so the owner asks him if he really wants what he does if the summoner does not regret it. This is not the case, so it's quickly going to hell.