A diverse group of pilgrims engages in a storytelling contest while traveling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The pilgrims, representing various social classes of 14th-century England, aim to win a free supper by providing the most entertaining tale. Their progress is hindered by the physical demands of the road and the interpersonal tensions inherent in such a disparate social gathering. The narrative framework utilizes a frame story structure, where the overarching account of the pilgrimage contains individual tales told by the characters, providing a window into their personal motivations and social standing.

Discussion often centers on the intricate balance between the individual tales and the overarching narrative of the pilgrimage. Readers frequently highlight the sharp, ironic wit Chaucer employs to critique the social and religious institutions of his era. Critics often examine the linguistic complexity of the Middle English text and its role in shaping the English literary canon. The work remains a primary subject of study for its vivid characterization and its ability to capture the breadth of medieval life through a singular, cohesive structure.