A Sheffeld thwitel baar he in his hose. Round was his face, and camus was his nose; As piled as an ape was his skulle. He was a market-betere atte fulle. Ther dorste no wight hand upon hym legge, That he ne swoor he sholde anon abegge.

A Sheffeld thwitel baar he in his hose.
Round was his face, and camus was his nose;
As piled as an ape was his skulle.
He was a market-betere atte fulle.
Ther dorste no wight hand upon hym legge,
That he ne swoor he sholde anon abegge.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Reeve’s Tale. Symkyn is described as someone who loiters around markets ready for a fight. He is armed to the teeth and carries a Sheffield knife in his hose, along with the cutlass and dagger already mentioned. It is no wonder that people are in fear of him.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes