# The Squire — The Canterbury Tales character guide

> The Squire in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Squire, Squire

**First appearance:** 0000-the-prologue

## Snapshot

The Knight's twenty-year-old son, curly-haired and lovesick, who rides beside his father dreaming of his lady's favor.

## Who they are

The Squire is a lusty young bachelor who has already seen cavalry service in Flanders and Artois, hoping to prove himself worthy of his lady. He dresses in embroidered flowers and sings and flutes all day, embodying the courtly youth his father has grown beyond. His unfinished tale of Cambuscan and the magic horse shows a romantic imagination still forming, and his courteous deference to the other pilgrims makes him a gentle foil to the tale-tellers' rivalries.

## In the story

### [The Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/the-prologue)

The Knight's son, a young and lusty bachelor, skilled in love, music, and jousting.

### [The Squire's Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/the-squire-s-tale)

The narrator of this unfinished romance, displaying his youthful enthusiasm for chivalric and fantastical elements.

### [The Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/the-prologue)

The Squire is called upon by the Host to tell a tale of love and agrees humbly.

### [The Squire's Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/the-tale)

The narrator of this tale, telling a romance of Cambuscan.

### [Pars Secunda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/pars-secunda)

The Squire narrates this portion of the tale, describing Canacé's actions and promising further adventures.

### [The Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/the-prologue)

Praised by the Franklin for his gentle speech and eloquence.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/endnotes)

His tale is referenced as being left half-told, with editorial speculation about its intended continuation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/characters/squire
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/characters