The knight is depicted as the perfect, honorable figure living by chivalric principles. He is distinguished yet humble, having traveled extensively and fought in the Crusades. Chaucer’s choice of words highlights his admirable qualities, as reflected in this passage:
Though so illustrious, he was very wise
And bore himself as meekly as a maid.
He never yet had any vileness said,
In all his life, to whatsoever wight
He was a truly perfect, gentle Knight.