JOHN5. Daun John, the monk in The Shipman's Tale, comes from the same village as his host, the merchant, with whom he claims "cosynage," or "cousinship." Daun John is thirty years old. When he visits the merchant, he is very generous to all the servants, and everyone welcomes him. The merchant's wife complains to Daun John that her husband is stingy and that she needs money. Daun John borrows from the merchant, gives the money to his wife, and is rewarded with a night in her arms. When the merchant asks for his money, Daun John says, quite truthfully, that he has returned the money to the merchant's wife. [Denys]
He is always called "Daun John." These names appear four times initially, ShipT 89, 187, 342, 349; eight times in medial positions, ShipT 43, 98, 255, 298, 312, 319, 322, 337; and ten times in final rhyming position, ShipT 58, 68, 158, 211, 282, 294, 308, 314, 387, 402.