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ROBYN2 is also the name of the carpenter's apprentice in The Miller's Tale. There are some similarities between Robin the Miller and Robin the Apprentice: both are exceedingly strong; both can break down doors with their heads. R.A. Pratt has suggested that the Miller tells a tale from his own youthful experiences, when he worked for Oswald the Reeve. C. Owen points out that the carpenter in the Tale is too old to be identified with Oswald.

Robyn, the diminutive of Robert, occurs twice, medially, MillT 3466, 3555.


C.A. Owen, "One Robin or Two." MLN 67 (1952): 336-338; R.A. Pratt, "Was Robin the Miller's Youth Misspent?" MLN 59 (1944): 47-49.
From CHAUCER NAME DICTIONARY
Copyright © 1988, 1996 Jacqueline de Weever
Published by Garland Publishing, Inc., New York and London.

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