A steward for a dormitory of law students (30 in all) • in charge of buying food for the lawyers, very frugal and shrewd. • most times outwitted the lawyers and ended up with money in his own pocket.
The manciple was a purchaser of provisions, usually for a university.
About a Steward
The manciple was a type of officer in charge of purchasing provisions for a college or other institution. In medieval times, the manciple was considered a lower-ranking official among the various officers of an institution, such as a monastery or college.
A manciple had the job of overseeing purchase and storage of food for such organizations as monasteries, colleges, courts, and so on.
The manciple traveled with the group of pilgrims in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." He was responsible for purchasing provisions for the group.
The Pardoner's prologue shows him openly admitting to deceiving people for profit, while the Manciple's prologue portrays him as a wise and prudent person. The Pardoner is dishonest and manipulative, while the Manciple is portrayed as trustworthy and astute.
The professions of a Physician, Merchant, and Lawyer found among Chaucer's pilgrims can still be found today. These professions have evolved over time but are still recognizable in modern society.
A manciple was someone who oversaw and organised the storage of food, so today it would be quite different. Since most food is quickly consumed, little is stored, so today a manciple would unlikely be necessary on a national basis. A manciple was also a steward of a monastery. Today, he would assumably be the same.
Yes, the manciple in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" is described as being illiterate or poorly educated, but he is portrayed as clever and shrewd in managing his finances and handling his responsibilities as a steward.
He wore knickers which were like shorts,and no other clothing!
In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer portrays the Manciple as a dishonest person who always makes a profit on his purchases. Chaucer also ironically praises his financial wisdom that enables him to hoodwink his masters who are the best-learned lawyers in the country.
In Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales,' the historical significance of the Manciple's tale is that it is adapted from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses.' Ovid chronicled the history of the world from its beginning to the glorification of Julius Caesar, in a combination historical and mythological form.