Geoffrey Chaucer was a well renowned English poet from the late fourteenth century, remembered primarily as being the author of The Canterbury Tales, a piece ranked as one of the greatest epic works of world literature. Among his fame as a writer, Chaucer was also called the Father of English literature as he played a crucial role in legitimizing the Middle English dialect at a time when French and Latin acted as the dominant literary languages.
Although the exact date and location cannot be determined, it is known that Chaucer was born in London in 1343 to a wealthy wine merchant, also serving as deputy to the King’s butler, and his wife Agnes. His father’s finances meant the family was able to send Geoffrey off as a page, as opposed to becoming a typical merchant. Little is known about his early education, yet his works show he could read French, Latin and Italian, and even less is known about his personal life. He had a wife named Phillipa, but it is believed she died in 1387.
Around 1385, Chaucer moved to Kent, where he was appointed as one of the commissioners of peace and also became a Member of Parliament in 1386. This was a period of great creativity for him, during which he produced some of his best poetry, and though he took inspiration for his works from varying sources, Chaucer remained an entirely individual poet, developing his own unique personal styles and techniques. In his early 40‘s, he began The Canterbury Tales, a collection of narratives presented within another story depicting a pilgrimage of a group traveling to Canterbury, who amuse themselves by telling “tales” that incorporate some form of moral lesson.
Geoffrey Chaucer later died back in London on October 25, 1400. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, in a part of the church, which later came to be known as Poet’s Corner. Unfortunately, many believe Chaucer hadn’t entirely finished the story of The Canterbury Tales when he died. However, Chaucer is still regarded as a extraordinary man of words and a literary genius. A monument symbolizing just that was erected in 1555 around the Abbey.
Although the exact date and location cannot be determined, it is known that Chaucer was born in London in 1343 to a wealthy wine merchant, also serving as deputy to the King’s butler, and his wife Agnes. His father’s finances meant the family was able to send Geoffrey off as a page, as opposed to becoming a typical merchant. Little is known about his early education, yet his works show he could read French, Latin and Italian, and even less is known about his personal life. He had a wife named Phillipa, but it is believed she died in 1387.
Around 1385, Chaucer moved to Kent, where he was appointed as one of the commissioners of peace and also became a Member of Parliament in 1386. This was a period of great creativity for him, during which he produced some of his best poetry, and though he took inspiration for his works from varying sources, Chaucer remained an entirely individual poet, developing his own unique personal styles and techniques. In his early 40‘s, he began The Canterbury Tales, a collection of narratives presented within another story depicting a pilgrimage of a group traveling to Canterbury, who amuse themselves by telling “tales” that incorporate some form of moral lesson.
Geoffrey Chaucer later died back in London on October 25, 1400. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, in a part of the church, which later came to be known as Poet’s Corner. Unfortunately, many believe Chaucer hadn’t entirely finished the story of The Canterbury Tales when he died. However, Chaucer is still regarded as a extraordinary man of words and a literary genius. A monument symbolizing just that was erected in 1555 around the Abbey.