ALISOUN3 lives just outside Bath. The first portrait, Gen Prol 445-476, presents the outward appearance of this famous lady. The Prologue to her tale forms the second portrait, particularly WBP 603-620, where she provides astrological data to explain her personality, a dual character, "a marital and a martial nature," as B.F. Hamlin says.
Alisoun/Alison may be linked with the word Aleison from the mass, as it appears in the popular lyric, coupled with Jankyn in the lines: "Iankyn syngyt merie,/with 'aleyson.'" This is the refrain of a popular song, "Jolly Jankin," found in Sloan MS 2593. Chaucer's mating of Alison and Jankyn follows popular tradition. [Alys2: Janekyn: Jankyn2: Mars: Mida: Pisces: Taur: Valerie: Valerius: Venus]
Alisoun as the Wife of Bath's name appears only once, WBP 804.