Chaucer's fortunes were closely bound with these of John Of Gaunt, the

son-in-law to the Earl of Derby (Fuller 12). Around the year 1380,

Geoffrey Chaucer was charged with rape by a woman named Cecily

Chaumpaigne (Williams 28). It is most likely that a distinguishable

character, such as Chaucer would not have been guilty of this charge.

However, the word "rape" probably referred to abducting rather than

assaulting a woman as it means today (Halliday 68). Cecily Chaumpaigne

in 1380 released Chaucer of all charges of "raptu meo," a phrase

that could be interpreted as "seizing me" (Williams 28). It is

possible that this allegation of rape brought on to Chaucer by

Cecily Chaumpaigne, is the very reason behind the Tale of the Wife of

The wife of Bath was a plump, florid, jolly, bold, lusty, and

voluptuous woman. She was the most valuable of women. The wife of bath

cannot resist telling her companions about all of her sexual

experiences. She has had five husbands. Her husbands fell into two

categories. The first category of husbands was: rich, but also old and

in any relationship. The wife clearly in her relationships enjoyed

this he beat her again. She pretended to be dead and he felt so guilty

her theme, tyranny. The wife is the rapist knight herself (Williams

mistress, so she "gave him a real cause for jealousy" (Halliday 119).

The wife's tale is one of struggle of power and who has the upper hand

back, "An eye for an eye (Williams 66)." The conclusion is triumph of

ready to have the knight put to death when the queen speaks up and

the story (Williams 64). The king in the wife's tale represents

fighting, administrating, justice, or learning. These duties were

out what it is that women want most. If he succeeds and finds the

taken care of by the men to take care of (Evans 330). Even though

Some common words found in the essay are:
Wife Bath, Cecily Chaumpaigne, Chaumpaigne Williams, Geoffrey Chaucer, wife bath, Geoffrey Chaucer's, Derby Fuller, Twayne Publishers, John Gaunt, Book Company, cecily chaumpaigne, Viking Press, wife's tale, williams 66, tale wife bath, williams 64, fifth husband, tale wife, fell love, seek women, word rape,
Approximate Word count = 798
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)