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CLARE (saint). Claire of Assisi, 1194-1253, was the founder of the Franciscan nuns, known popularly as the "poor clares." The order was noted for its strict observation of silence (Legenda Aurea, CCXXXVI).

The learned eagle swears by St. Clare immediately after the Dreamer has commented on the noise coming from Fame's house, HF II.1063-1067. This oath indicates a clear contrast between clamorous speech and silence.

Clare, the English variant of French Claire, means "light," and appears in final rhyming position, HF II.1063.

E. Gilliat-Smith, St. Clare of Assisi: Her Life and Legislation; Jacobus de Voragine, LA, ed. Th. Graesse, 949-950 (no English trans. in Ryan and Ripperger); M. Neville, "Chaucer and St. Clare." JEGP 55 (1956): 423-430; P. Robinson, The Rule of St. Clare; Thomas of Celano, The Life of St. Clare, trans. P. Robinson.
From CHAUCER NAME DICTIONARY
Copyright © 1988, 1996 Jacqueline de Weever
Published by Garland Publishing, Inc., New York and London.
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