This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce
Sevene hennes for to doon al his plesaunce,
Whiche were his sustres and his paramours.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. The noble Chauntecleer is elevated to a high courtly position as the only male in a farmyard of females. There he has a haren of seven hens to do all his pleasure – just like the Nun’s Priest is surrounded by a community of nuns whom he serves. The hens are described as Chauntecleer’s sisters and lovers.