The Prioress's Tale

The Prioress's Tale is part of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

Summary

The Prioress tells a devotional miracle story in which a Christian schoolboy sings a hymn to Mary. The narrative falsely casts Jews as conspirators in his murder. After his throat is cut, the child continues to sing and his body is discovered. He explains that Mary has placed a grain on his tongue; when it is removed, the miracle ends and he is buried as a martyr.

This is an antisemitic legend, not evidence that its accusations against Jews occurred. Its use of a vulnerable child, a miraculous voice and communal punishment needs to be read alongside the prejudice that structures the story.

For metaphor and narrative, the voice continuing after violence is a striking image. Recognising its literary effect does not require accepting the tale's hostile representation of a religious community.