And for to festne his hood under his chin
He had of gold wrought a full curious pin -
A love-knot in the greeter end there was.
These are lines from G. Chaucer “Canterbury Tales”, row 195-197 in The General Prologue
(the description of a monk)
Anyone can point me to what is that Love Knot in 14th century england?
Could it be nothing but the Reef as we now know it?
The Wedding Knot, The Knot of Hercules -
See http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefsheraclesknot.htm
Particularly relevant as it was initially a religious symbol, so it is apt that it might have been worn by a monk.
Derek
Hi JustKnot,
How did you come across this bit of antimonastic satire - are you reading the CT?
I guess that to better answer your question we need find a clothes historian specialising in the 14th cent.
I wonder if the RSC has access to such an expert, I will try to find out.
Justas,
There is a very good chapter on ‘Love’ knots, which includes your reference, in THE HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF KNOTS by Pieter van de Griend and John Turner. ISBN 9810024699 - I hope you will be able to find this in a University Library in Lithuania, (it is expensive to buy) because it is well worth reading.
Although several variations of the so called ‘true lovers knot’ are depicted, there is no certainty that any one of these is the one in Chaucer’s Tales; it could be any one of them.
Gordon
Yup, I’m reading (or at least trying to) 
Unfortunately the earlier search of knot books in lithuanian libraries catalogue ended with two books on knot theory and some on macrame… :-\
I know this is a very old thread, but while reading “Quipus and Witches Knots” I came across a section discussing the first reference to True Love Knots by Heraklas in the 1st century A.D. He describes it as a loop and two overhand knots which can be seperated or pressed close together.
I thought it was interesting to findsuch an early discussion of knots
Bill Molenda