The Manciple's Tale

The Manciple, a purchasing agent for a law court, tells a fable about Phoebus Apollo and his pet crow, which is both an origin myth explaining the crow's black feathers and a moralistic injunction against gossip.

He is very jealous of his wife: A good wyf, that is clene of werk and thoght, Sholde nat been kept in noon awayt, certayn; And trewely the labour is in vayn To kepe a shrewe, for it wole nat bee.

This holde I for a verray nycetee, To spille labour for to kepe wyves: Thus writen olde clerkes in hir lyves.

In his grief afterwards, he regrets his act and blames the crow, cursing it with black feathers and an unmelodious voice.

Chaucer probably knew several French versions, such as that in the Ovide moralisé and Machaut's Voir dit.

Modern illustration by Arthur Szyk , showing the Manciple dressed in a short robe and cowl. Though he holds a flask, his stern face and the multiple weapons on his belt reveal his guarded demeanor.