THE CANTERBURY PUZZLES
31.—
The Manciple s Puzzle.
The Manciple was an officer who had the care of buying
victuals for an Inn of Court—like the Temple. The particular
individual who accompanied the party was a wily man who had
more than thirty masters, and made fools of them all. Yet he was
a man " whom purchasers might take as an example How to be wise
in buying of their victual."
It happened that at a certain stage of the journey the Miller and
the Weaver sat down to a light repast. The Miller produced five
loaves and the Weaver three. The Manciple coming upon the
scene asked permission to eat with them, to which they agreed.
When the Manciple had fed he laid down eight pieces of money,
and said with a sly smile, "Settle betwixt yourselves how the money
shall be fairly divided. 'Tis a riddle for thy wits."
A discussion followed, and many of the pilgrims joined in it.
The Reve and the Sompnour held that the Miller should receive
five pieces and the Weaver three, the simple Ploughman was
ridiculed for suggesting that the Miller should receive seven and the
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