Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk, The which that was ycleped Absolon. Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon, And strouted as a fanne large and brode; Ful streight and evene lay his joly shode. His rode was reed, his eyen greye as goos. With Poules wyndow corven on his shoos.

Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk,
The which that was ycleped Absolon.
Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon,
And strouted as a fanne large and brode;
Ful streight and evene lay his joly shode.
His rode was reed, his eyen greye as goos.
With Poules wyndow corven on his shoos.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Miller’s Tale. Absolon is the vain parish clerk who attempts to woo Alison, whom he admires when he sees her at his parish church. His physical description here is having golden hair combed out like a great fan, red cheeks and grey eyes. And don’t forget the stained-glass windows carved on his shoes.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes