Silver filings trick

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Often appears with: religious deception · laboratory ventriloquism (false results) · labor, wages, and the division of work · hidden bait within coal · conspiracy and assassination · alchemy deception

Usually: narrative (1) · deception discovered (1) · indignation (1)

The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems primary

Geoffrey Chaucer · c. 1387–1400 (composition of The Canterbury Tales and included poems; some items likely earlier/later)
i.e. > Act, which was passed soon after, 5 H. IV. c. iv., to make it felony ‘to multiply gold or silver, or to use the art of multiplication.’” Tyrwhitt finds in the prologue some colour for the hypothesis that this Tale was intended by Chaucer to begin the return journey from Canterbury; but against this must be set the fact that the Yeoman himself expressly speaks of the distance to Canterbury yet to be ridden. (8/112)

The canon’s accomplice sets a false crucible setup using decoy coals and silver filings so the priest unknowingly performs alchemical steps over a concealed trick.

All, as he bade, fulfilled was in deed. This ilke servant right anon out yede,* *went And his master y-shut the door anon, And to their labour speedily they gon. This priest, at this cursed canon’s biddIng, Upon the fire anon he set this thing, And blew the fire, and busied him full fast. And this canon into the croslet cast A powder, I know not whereof it was Y-made, either of chalk, either of glass, Or somewhat el…