Social-Status Ranking of Canterbury Pilgrims Mentioned in the "General Prologue"

Highest Rank--Nobility and Clergy with Highest Offices ("Princes [and Princesses] of the Church")

The Nobleman and his retinue (who would have "association status" by their relationship to the noble):

Knight, Squire, Yeoman (NT)

A Member of the High clergy and her retinue:

Prioress ("madame Eglentyne"), 2nd Nun, three Priests (? see Exp. Note and Textual Note), and Monk

Middle Rank--

Mendicant clergy:

Friar ("Huberd")

Free, high-status non-nobles:

Merchant, Clerk, Sergeant of the Lawe (lawyer), Frankeleyn (wealthy landowner).

 

Lower Rank--

Guildsmen and their wives (who violate the Sumptuary Laws by dressing above their estate but tell no tales, except for their extremely disreputable and unsanitary Cook):

Haberdasshere (hats and handkerchiefs), Carpenter, Webbe (weaver), Dyere, Tapycer (maker of tapestries). and their Cook

Freemen of contested status:

Shipman, Doctour of Physik, Wif of Bathe, Persoun (parson), Plowman (NT, the Parson's "brother," maybe a real sib or "good friend" or "comrade")

Clergy and Freemen of contested status:

Reeve (estate overseer), Miller, Somnour (bishop's "sheriff"), Pardoner, Maunciple (household purchasing agent) & Chaucer-the-pilgrim.