Question

Which line in this excerpt from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales contradicts the claim made in the third line that the prioress speaks fluent French?


Her greatest oath was but By Saint Eloy!

And she was known as Madam Eglantine…

And fair she spoke her French, and fluently,

After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow,

For French of Paris was not hers to know.

At table she had been well taught withal,

And never from her lips let morsels fall,…

Answer 1

I believe the correct answer is For French of Paris was not hers to know.
She spoke some French, but that of Stratford-at-the-Bow, not the one actually spoken in France. The author is trying to say that her French may have been fluent, but it was her imaginary version of French which didn't actually exist.

Answer 2

Answer:

For French of Paris was not hers to know.