Chaucer's Pilgrims: Journey from London to Canterbury and Back

Geoffrey Chaucer's famous work, The Canterbury Tales, describes a pilgrimage of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury and back. The journey is a central theme of the work, capturing the essence of medieval travel and the hardships faced by pilgrims during their journeys. This article explores the duration of the pilgrimage and the likely itinerary of Chaucer's pilgrims.

Distance and Travel Speed

According to the text, the distance from London to Canterbury is approximately 60 miles (about 97 kilometers). Pilgrims would have typically traveled on foot or by horse. The average walking speed for a person is around 3 to 4 miles per hour.

Assuming the pilgrims walk, traveling 20 miles a day would take them about 3 days to reach Canterbury. The return trip would take another 3 days, totaling 6 days for the round trip. However, if they traveled on horseback, the journey could be completed more quickly, potentially in 2 to 3 days.

The Pilgrims' Itinerary

Chaucer's pilgrims likely left Southwark, starting their journey from the Tabard Inn. They then commenced their journey to Canterbury over the course of about four days. A very likely itinerary for a four-day journey would be:

Day 1: Southwark to Dartford - 24 kilometers Day 2: Dartford to Rochester - 22 kilometers Day 3: Rochester to Ospringe - 28 kilometers Day 4: Ospringe to Canterbury - 14 kilometers

This would allow for three evenly-spaced days of easy traveling, followed by a shorter fourth day, leaving plenty of time for worship, sightseeing, or just enjoying the journey.

Evidence from Medieval Accounts

Several medieval accounts suggest that pilgrims took four leisurely days to complete the journey. For instance, the 1357 pilgrimage of the French dowager Queen Isabella and a royal procession by the French King Jean in 1360 both took four days. Additionally, there are references to lodging houses at key points along the route, such as Dartford, Rochester, and Ospringe.

A pilgrimage map with most likely overnight stops marked in red indicates the probable route. Key landmarks include:

Greenwich and Deptford - early morning departure from Southwark Rochester - likely second night's stop Ospringe - their third night's stop

Modern Reenactments

Medieval reenactors, like Steven Payne, have recreated the journey to provide a modern perspective. Payne took the Winchester route and traveled on foot in fourteenth-century clothing, footwear, and gear, completing the journey in 14 days. His journey provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of medieval travel.

Conclusion

While Chaucer's pilgrims took one to four days to reach Canterbury, the return trip often took a similar amount of time. The total journey was likely around six to eight days, depending on their pace and the conditions of the journey. This leisurely pace allowed pilgrims to appreciate the journey and its stops, making the pilgrimage a memorable and enriching experience.