The Canon's Yeoman's Tale Quiz | Authors

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The yeoman, though never given a name, has worked for the canon for many years. Just how long has the yeoman been employed?

Answer: seven years

Initially the yeoman wore fine clothes, but now he wears nothing but tatters. Both of them now are financially ruined. They both realize that the only thing they have done is turn wealth into poverty. They both are trying to use alchemy as a means to strike it rich. Alchemy is an ancient means to use spiritualism, philosophy, and mysticism, along with chemistry to make gold out of base metals.

2. The canon and the yeoman have been taking the trip to Canterbury with the pilgrims since the beginning of the journey.

Answer: False

No they didn't. After likely being on the run from their last scheme, they meet up with the pilgrims just a few miles from their goal and destination. They are now near Boughton under Blee, about five miles from Canterbury, just as the last tale finishes.

The yeoman tells his tale, which embarrasses the canon, who leaves never to be seen again. To be clear, the canon and the yeoman were never mentioned in the general prologue of the "Canterbury Tales" meaning they came upon the group at a later date with Chaucer maybe not even having them in mind when he started the story.

3. The yeoman initially tells the group of traveling pilgrims that the canon he is employed by is virtuous, and a "man of high discretion" and praises the skill of his alchemistic powers.

Answer: True

It is true. Originally both the canon and the yeoman were not only tired, but poor, and looking for the next bunch they could cheat and get a meal from. It is later, when the yeoman is pressed, that he tells his tale and the truth finally comes out. The canon, being ashamed, decides his next best move is to leave.

4. As the not-so trusty Yeoman begins to share his tale with the pilgrims, what was the name of the story the pilgrims had just listened to prior to the "Canon and Yeoman's Tale"?

Answer: The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale

"The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale" is where the tale of Saint Cecilia is mentioned. Ironically, the Second Nun's speech begins with an explanation of the value of work and the dangers of idleness. It also advocated for living in faith, being a virgin, and staying devoted to God. It is the perfect setup which Chaucer shows of the stories of the ethical nun and the unethical canon.

5. The canon and the yeoman were searching for an imaginary substance that alchemists needed, that, when found, was capable of changing base metals into precious metals like silver and gold. What were they in search of?

Answer: Philosopher's Stone

The philosopher's stone is mythical, but in Western alchemy it is believed that it could change base metals like iron and lead into gold or silver. Some say is even can reverse aging and cure sickness, even making someone immortal. It is also known as red lion.

6. As the yeoman tells the pilgrims of how the canon practiced his role of deception using alchemy, he responds with the quote pertaining to paranois saying, "that he who guilty is / Thinks all men speak of him". Who does the yeoman say the quote comes from?

Answer: Cato the Younger

Cato the Younger was a conservative Roman senator. In his time, Cato saw that there was a major decline in the ethics and traditional values of Romans.

The canon heard the story that the yeoman was telling the pilgrims, and became grossly embarrassed. He then snuck away never to be seen again. The quote mentioned from the yeoman pertained to a message that Cato the Younger said years prior in reference to the paranoia (guilt) shady people have when they think every one is talking about them.

7. During the continued process of deceit, the canon tricks the priest on three occasions, each time using a less valuable object to "make" into silver, or so it seemed. Of the listed objects, which one did the canon NOT use?

Answer: cast iron

It was a contemporary practice for a chantry priest to be paid to provide his service of singing to the daily masses for the soul of a beneficiary. At the time, St Paul's Cathedral had 84 of these and similar investments. Since the yeoman is telling the story, he confesses that the canon was treacherous, and the yeoman himself then discounts all of what alchemy really is, a total sham.

8. Just how much financially did the priest lose in his ill-fated endeavor because of his poor judgement with the canon?

Answer: 40 pounds

The canon uses a very small amount of real silver in his "mixture" which the priest fully believes the canon really can turn into silver. The canon gets paid his 40 pounds and leaves to never be seen again. The priest doesn't even remotely believe anything is wrong and is snookered. To further make sure the scheme works, he tells the priest to never let anyone else know the "secret".

The yeoman then tells of the real secret, that is to fully believe in Christ and not gimmicks.

9. Near the end of the closing lines of the tale, the yeoman mentions a certain real-life French astrologer, alchemist and physician who lived in the 13th-14th century. This person was known for his writings on alchemy and medicine. He wrote the Rosarium Philosophorum. What is his name?

Answer: Arnald of Villanova

He is credited for rewriting various Arabic medical writings. He was also known as a theologist. Possibly alongside the realm of alchemy he wrote "De Vinis", which is a short treatise on the medicinal use of wine and ways wine could be treated to not spoil so quickly.

10. Chaucer eventually takes the time to cite the "Chimica Senioris Zadith Tabula", which means "The Chemical Tables of Senior Zadith". Although written by Ibn Umayl, the yeoman mentions at the end of his tale which Greek philosopher of whom Umayl is a follower?

Answer: Plato

Chaucer's "Canon's Yeoman's Tale" has alchemy as a theme and cites "Chimica Senioris Zadith Tabula", which was written by Ibn Umayl in the 10th century. Chaucer, lived during the 14th century, and studied Ibn Umayl. Umayl was a Muslim alchemist, and was said to be a follower of Plato. Umayl's Arabic name is Muḥammad ibn Umayl al-Tamīmī. His Latin name means Senior Zadith.

Source: Author BullsGold

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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The Canon's Yeoman's Tale Trivia Quiz

"The Canon's Yeoman's Tale" is one of the later stories from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". The pilgrimage is nearing their final stopping point of Canterbury. Enjoy learning about the subject of alchemy and its faults when not used for good.

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