VACHE. Sir Philip de la Vache, 1346-1408, married the daughter of Sir Lewis Clifford, one of Chaucer's closest friends. Edith Rickert gives a history of the Vache family and includes an account of their various difficulties. Philip de la Vache was made a Knight of the Chamber in 1378 and a Knight of the Garter in 1399. A country gentleman with a reputation for lavish hospitality, he may have been the model for the Franklin in the General Prologue.

Chaucer addresses him in the Envoy of Truth 22. Since this envoy exists in only one of the twenty-two manuscripts of the poem, it may have been added at a later date.