relics objects esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr; here, the Pardoner's relics are false.
Lot Lot's daughters got their father drunk and then seduced him (from the Book of Genesis in the Bible); the Pardoner's point is that Lot never would have committed incest if he had not been drunk.
Samson the biblical "strong man." He revealed the secret of his strength to Solome, who then betrayed him to his enemies.
Lepe a town in Spain noted for its strong wines.
Cheapside and Fish Streets streets in London that were known for the sale of strong spirits.
Lemuel See Proverbs 31:4-7.
King Demetrius The book that relates this and the previous incident is the Policraticus of twelfth-century writer John of Salisbury.
Avicenna an Arabian physician (980-1037) who wrote a work on medicines that includes a chapter on poisons.
St. Helen the mother of Constantine the Great, believed to have found the True Cross.
