The Canterbury Tales Book Notes Summary

The Franklin talks about songs of joy that the Britons sang in the hills. He has one of those songs committed to memory, but warns the pilgrims that he has no education, so the tale may not be told with eloquence. "But sires, by cause I am a burel man, / At my bigynnyng first I yow biseche, / Have me excused of my rude speche. / I lerned nevere rethorik, certeyn; / Thyng that I speke, it moot be bare and pleyn." Franklin's Prologue, l.8-12. After his grand apology, the Franklin begins his tale.