Chapter 44 - Everyday Life

Summary

This chapter considers the everyday life of urban groups from whom Chaucer drew some of his Canterbury pilgrims: the Merchant, the craftsmen and the Shipman. These offer examples of rich, modest and poorer folk. The chapter first examines the likely variations in their material worlds: in housing, furnishings, meals, food and drink, and clothing. It also looks at the conditions for travel, urban health and cleanliness, and at childhood, education, and marriage.The second part of the chapter looks at the possible structures of the day for the three occupations. Probably all had servants to ease their lives. Merchants were likely to work at least partly outside the home; craftsmen generally work from home; but shipmen were likely to be absent for long periods. All would have opportunities to take part in public life; the merchants in municipal administration, the craftsmen in their gilds, and all within the parish organisation.