A diverse group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury agrees to a storytelling contest to pass the time. The protagonist, acting as the narrator, observes and records the tales told by various members of the group, ranging from a Knight to a Miller. These characters represent the social strata of 14th-century England, and their interactions are constrained by the rigid social hierarchies and religious expectations of the medieval period. The narrative framework utilizes a frame story structure, where the overarching pilgrimage provides the context for a collection of distinct, often contrasting, tales.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the work as a foundational text for understanding the social dynamics of the medieval era. Discussion often centers on the sharp wit and irony employed by the author to critique the corruption within religious and secular institutions. The pacing varies significantly between the tales, reflecting the different voices and social backgrounds of the pilgrims. Many readers appreciate the balance between the serious, philosophical segments and the more irreverent, comedic stories. The text remains a subject of intense study due to its complex characterization and its role in establishing the English literary tradition.