re ruffle about the twisting of his
chaperon, more curve to the points of his shoes.

You may see the image of Gower for yourself in St. Mary Overies
Church, now called St. Saviour's, on the Southwark side of London
Bridge. He is dressed in his sober black, his head resting upon his
three books.

In 1397 Gower retired from active life, and resigned his Rectory of
Great Braxted, Essex; he was seventy years of age, and at that age he
married Agnes Groundolf in a chapel of his own under the rooms where
he lived in the Priory of St. Mary Overies.

In 1400 his friend Chaucer died and Gower went blind. He died in 1408.

Chaucer, whose eyes saw England in her greatness after the Battle of
Crecy in 1346, and in her pitiful state at the downfall of Richard
II., saw such a pageant of clothes pass before him that, in describing
those wonderful national types, his Canterbury Pilgrims, he marks each
one with some hint of array that we may know what manner of habit was
proper to them. Here, then, is a list of the clothes he pictured them
as wearing:

[Illustration {The knight}]

THE KNIGHT

wears a fustian doublet, all rust-stained by his coat of mail. It is
interesting to note how old-fashioned is the character of this 'verray
parfit gentil knight,' for he belongs more rightly to the chivalrous
time of the first half of Edward III.'s reign rather than to the less
gentle time of Richard.

[Illustration: {The squire}]

THE SQUIRE.

His locks were curled, 'as they were leyed in presse.' His short gown
with wide sleeves was covered with embroidery of red and white
flowers.

THE YEOMAN

is in a coat and hood of green. He has a sheaf of peacock arrows in
his belt; across his shoulder is a green baldrick to carry a horn.
There is a figure of St. Christopher in silver hanging on his breast.

THE PRIORESS

is in a handsome cloak; she wears coral beads gauded with green, and a
brooch of gold--

'On which was first write a-crowned A,
And after, "Amor vincit omnia."'

THE MONK

wears his gown, but has his sleeves trimmed with gray squirrel. To
fasten his hood he has a curious gold pin, wrought at the greater end
with a love-knot.

THE FRIAR

has his cape stuck full of knives and pins 'for to yeven faire wyves.'

THE MERCHANT

is in a motley of colours--parti-coloured. His beard is forked; upon
his head is a Flaunderish beaver hat. His boots are elegantly
clasped.

THE CLERK

wears a threadbare tun