The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. It is considered one of the most important works of literature in English. The Tales are a series of stories told by a group of pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The Tales are a mix of comedy, romance, and tragedy, and they provide insight into the culture and society of medieval England. The answer to the crossword puzzle is TALES, which is the title of the collection.