The Canterbury Tales and Women Exiles at John of Gaunt’s Castilian Court

This chapter provides a detailed analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and their connections to the historical events of the time, shedding light on the lives of Castilian women exiles in medieval England. The chapter explores the connection between the Canterbury Tales and King Peter I of Castile, focusing on the story of his tragic death as told in ‘The Monk’s Tale’, a study on the theme of tragedy, advising men to be aware of the fickleness of Fortuna. The chapter discusses the betrayal and murder of King Peter by his brother, Henry of Trastámara, as well as the implications of this event in the context of the Hundred Years’ War and the civil war ongoing in Castile. Further to this, it delves into the possible political motivations behind Chaucer’s inclusion of this story in his work, considering the poet’s ties to the Lancastrian court and the presence of Castilian exiles, such as Peter’s daughter and heiress, Constance, in the court of her husband, John of Gaunt. It is suggested that Chaucer may have accessed information about the murder through Castilians residing in Gaunt’s court, including his wife Philippa Chaucer. The chapter suggests that Chaucer may have intended to rehabilitate the memory of King Peter. Finally, it examines the portrayal of female exiles, such as Constance, in literary works of the period, highlighting the themes of exile and foreignness of women refugees in medieval England.