"The Physician's Tale" is one of The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. It is a domestic drama about the relationship between a daughter and her father, based on a tale from the Histories of Titus Livius and retold in The Romance of the Rose, as well as John Gower's Confessio Amantis, which Chaucer drew on for inspiration, and the biblical story of Jephtha. Although difficult to date like most of Chaucer's tales, the Physician's tale is usually regarded as an early work of Chaucer probably written before much of the rest of the Canterbury Tales was begun. The long digression on governesses possibly alludes to a historical event and may serve to date it: in 1386 Elizabeth, the daughter of John of Gaunt, eloped to France with John Hastings, 3rd Earl of Pembroke. Elizabeth's governess was Katherine Swynford, who was also Gaunt's mistress and later wife. Chaucer's words on the virtues of governesses were potentially influenced by this. The story is considered one of the moral tales, along with the Parson's tale and the Knight's tale. However, the fate of Virginius renders questionable the moral assertion at the story's end. The Host enjoys the tale and feels for the daughter but asks the Pardoner for a more merry tale. The Pardoner obliges and his tale has a similar but contrasting moral message. Characters Virginius – the father of the fourteen-year-old Virginia and a knight, who kills his daughter rather than give her up to the corrupt judge Appius. Virginia – the daughter of Virginius; not wishing to give herself to Appius, consents to her father's plan. Appius – a corrupt judge and the main antagonist of the tale; lusts after Virginia and concocts a plan in order to acquire her through legal means. Claudius – A "churl" under Appius's employ; instructed to claim in court that Virginia is actually a slave whom Virginius abducted. Unnamed but mentioned characters include Virginia's mother and the thousand citizens who rise up against Appius. Plot The tale is a version of a story related both by the Roman historian Livy and in the 13th-century Roman de la Rose. The story opens with a description of the noble Virginius and his daughter, the beautiful, virtuous Virginia. One day, Virginia accompanies her mother to the city on an errand and is spotted by a judge, whose name is later revealed to