The Man of Law's Tale offers critical insight into Chaucer's dealing with the nature of speech. From the outset he blurs the line of fiction and reality by referring to himself (the author) stating, "That Chaucer, thogh he kan but lewedly / On metres and on rymyng craftily, / Hath seyd hem in swich Englissh as he kan." (L. 47ff). The Man of Law goes on to reference Chaucer's own works. In this way Chaucer attempts to cast the Canterbury Tales as a work of reporting, of actual events apart from literature by inserting his own literature into the story. The tale he tells of Custance reveals women's status in society. Custance states, "I, wrecche womman, no fors though I spille! / Wommen are born to thraldom and penance, / And to been under mannes governance." (L. 285ff) Thus Custance states what comes to be seen in the tale, that women are subject to the whims of men almost as a matter of property, for her father in a sense traded her as a means of converting the Sultan and presumably forging an alliance. This is important because as Man of Law women become elements of agreements. Yet, also illuminated by Custance's subjection to the will of men is the role of relgion and Christ as protector. No matter the trevails which Custance encounters, which are for the most part enacted by other women, it is Christ who protects her. In fact when all others were slain by the Sowdanesse it is stated, "Men myghten asken why she was nat slayn / Eek at the fesste? Who myghte hir body save? / And I snwere to that demande agayn, / Who saved Danyel in the horrible cave" (L. 470ff). This concentration on relgion offers critical insight into Chaucer toying with the idea of speech. The Man of Law's offers a very rousing relgious and allegorical tale, yet he is demeaned by the Parson in the epilogue. This is not because of the content of his tale but rather for who he was when he said it for which the host calls him a Lollard. Chaucer has toyed with speech by putting talesin the mouths of characters which based on their occupations they do not seem to fit.