During this time, everything was not as it seemed. Historian Keith Baker claimed that there was a large amount of tension between the church and the state. “If you worked for the church, you believed the state was corrupt, and if you worked for the state, you thought the church was corrupt,” …show more content…
These stories outline different parts of society and what was wrong with each part of society (Chaucer). The Friar’s tale actually tells of the corrupt nature of the summoner, who also worked for the church. A common theme and root in these tales regarding the church officials is that they blame their corruptive ways on the position they hold in the church (Bryant). These officials will excuse their extortionate behavior on their own financial struggles as well (Bryant). Evidence of this behavior by the summoner is present in The Friar’s tale: “This summoner, ever lurking for his prey, Rode out to summon a widow, an old rip, Feigning a cause, for her he planned to strip,” (Chaucer). During this tale, it is evident that the summoner picks out people and extortions money from them which then goes directly to his pocket, rather than to the