Why was everyone at the Tabard Inn?

Everyone at the Tabard Inn was gathered for a pilgrimage to Canterbury, as described in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." The inn served as a starting point for the journey, where travelers from diverse backgrounds met, shared stories, and decided to join together. Each character aimed to pay homage at the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket, and the inn provided a lively setting for camaraderie and storytelling.