For she was oon the faireste under sonne.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Franklin’s Tale. The Franklin introduces us to the Breton knight Arveragus who loves the beautiful Dorigen, whom he is courting. Dorigen is put on a pedestal by Arveragus with an emphasis on her great beauty. With more than a touch of hyperbole she is described as being the fairest of all under the sun.