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| The Canterbury Tales |
Much of what is known about Chaucer's life and
career is derived from official contemporary records. Little else is known
about his personal life, save for a few fragmented accounts and insights
into the author's own writings. Chaucer was born in London between 1340 and
1344 as the son of a wine merchant.
In his youth, he served in the household of Prince Lionel and the Countess of Ulster as a page. Around 1357, Chaucer served as an aid to the Prince in Edward III's army in France during the Hundred Years War. During the siege of Reims in 1360, Chaucer was captured and ransomed for the sum of 16 pounds. In 1366, he married a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, Philippa Roet. Chaucer served the court in a number of official positions, including diplomatic missions and as comptroller of customs on furs, skins, and hides for the port of London. It was during his travels that he studied society and was able to write The Canterbury Tales. His early writings were based French manuscripts such as the Roman de la Rose, while later works were based largely on Italian artists, Dante and Boccaccio. Chaucer began compiling his most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, ca.1390. On 25 October 1400, Chaucer died and was the first poet buried in what became known as Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. |
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| Troilus and Criseyde | ||||
| Book of the Duchess | ||||
| The Legend of Good Women | ||||
| Boece | ||||
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