After the Second Nun's Tale two riders approach the pilgrims, a Canon and his Yeoman. When the servant announces to tell a tale about his master, the Canon disappears. His Yeoman tells a story about a London Canon who practises alchemy. He cheats a priest by making him believe that he as a master alchemist could turn mercury into silver. He succeeded in deceiving the priest by foolish tricks. Eventually, the priest offers forty pounds to buy the secret. The Canon agrees on the condition that the priest does not reveal the mystery to anybody. When the deal is done, the Canon immediately leaves the town. Large passages of the tale are an attack on alchemy and especially the terminology of its practitioners.

Home > Navigation > Authors > Chaucer > Works > The Canterbury Tales > The Tales > Miniatures > The Canon's Yeoman's Tale