The Canterbury Tales
how well does madame eglantine really speak french
the caterbury tales
the caterbury tales
Chaucer writes in the Prologue:
And fair she spoke her French, and fluently,
After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow,
For French of Paris was not hers to know.
So, while it is interesting that Madame Eglantine spoke her French "fluently" (perhaps tongue-in-cheek), it is clear that Parisians would not think so.
http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/gchaucer/bl-gchau-can-genpro.htm
The Prioress, Madame Eglantine, is a character full of denial. Though she is a nun whose duties should be pledged to God, she certainly considers herself a lady first. She speaks bad French (many of her words are mispronounced) ate and dressed very carefully, and wears a brooch that says "love conquers all." She also cares deeply for animals, bringing several along with her on the pilgrimage. Her lady-like behavior seems to stand in direct contrast to the ways of a good Nun. This is Chaucer's first criticism of religion, a theme he returns to throughout the poem.