Characters from the middle ages sprang off the pages at Lamar County High School in Vernon Alabama today [Tuesday].

English author, poet, and philosopher Geoffrey Chaucer continues to inspire students more than six hundred years after his death.

Odd looking characters from Chaucer's unfinished Canterbury Tales come to life.

Lessons in life and academics are wrapped up in each colorful costume.

"You don't want to mess with me because I'm a bad guy.  I'll make you walk the plank," said Reed Eaves, Skipper.

Eaves and Aleea Westbrooks, who was dressed as Wife of Bath, were only two of the over thirty-six students paying tribute to Chaucer.

"She likes to tell love stories and everything and she is a very colorful lady," said Westbrooks.

"Each of them chooses a character and they have to study Chaucer's description and try to make sure that it fits his description. We have a lot of fun," said Earnestine Chandler, English Literature Teacher.

Students even memorize what they have written in the speech of Chaucer's day, Middle English.

Each student is expected to put together a book displaying Chaucer's work and his host characters, thus helping them to make the grade.

The book adds up to a large portion of their academic grades.

"Really creative, really fun, gives us a chance to look stupid," said Bryant Duncan, Monk.

This is the fifth annual celebration of Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" at the West Alabama school.