Kuhl—Chaucer's Burgesses . 
667 
fessor Skeat’s interpretation. With the aid of the Reverend 
Mr. Beaven’s exceedingly helpful book 1 one is able to prove 
conclusively that Chaucer’s reference is political. The fol¬ 
lowing guilds had representation in the Aldermancy be¬ 
tween 1377 and 1400: Mercers, 2 twenty representatives; 3 
Grocers, nineteen; Fishmongers, nine; Drapers, eight; Gold¬ 
smiths, eight; Vintners, eight; Skinners, seven; Stockfish- 
mongers, six; Pepperers, two; Ironmongers, two; Wax- 
chandlers, Tailors, Armourers, 2 ‘Broderers,’ 2 Woolmongers 
and Girdlers, one each. It will be observed that the par¬ 
ticular guilds referred to by Chaucer had no representation, 
nor were they to have until a century later. 4 This is, there¬ 
fore, one of the few political allusions to be found in the 
Canterbury Tales. The lines, therefore, appear to mean: 
each of the five burgesses was a capital freeman to sit on 
the rostrum as an Alderman (or a Mayor) and,— moreover , 
everyone knew enough to be an Alderman. 5 
If the above interpretation is correct, one is tempted to 
ask if any evidence exists that Chaucer’s burgesses were at¬ 
tempting to gain the Aldermancy. We know 
hir wyves wolde it wel assente. 6 
One bit of evidence, at any rate, has come down to us. In 
1397, we are told, the elections of Aldermen in the past had 
1 op. cit. pp. 392 ff. I have not counted those who were re-elected, 
but none as far back as 1365 belonged to other companies than those 
mentioned above. One alderman of Tower Ward, John Morton, 
for the year 1377, I have not been able to identify. His predecessors and 
successors at Tower Ward were either grocers, mercers, or fishmongers. 
These were the prominent companies, and Morton probably belonged to 
one of them. 
2 Among those who entered a petition against Brembre in Parliament 
(1386). The Mercers and ‘Broderers’ had representatives in the Aldermancy 
at the time. (Beaven, I. pp. 336, 354.) 
3 Does not include those who had been re-elected. Cf. note 2. 
4 The Haberdashers were the first to be represented,—in 1471 (Beaven, 
I. p. 346). The Dyers first in 1601 (Ibid., I. p. 349). Weavers in 1626 
(Ibid., I. p. 353). Carpenters in 1711 (Ibid., I. p. 352). The Tapicers 
later lost their identity. It is curious to note that Chaucer’s guildspeople 
had a greater number of representatives in the Common Council than 
some of those who were represented in the Aldermancy. For example, 
the Wax-chandlers. 
6 If Chaucer had the Aldermen in mind in the previous stanza, this is a 
sort of incremental repetition, as Professor Kittredge has pointed out to 
me. I am indebted to Professor Kittredge for suggestions in the interpre¬ 
tation of these lines. 
6 A. 374. 
