• Geoffrey Chaucer was a 14th century English nobleman who, among many more stately occupations, was a celebrated poet and playwright. Although he wrote many poems and plays, he has been called the father of English Literature for his work on The Canterbury Tales.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: Between 1340-1345
  2. Died: October 5, 1400
  3. Birthplace: London, England
  4. Literary Genre: Poetry, Playwrighting
  5. Married to: Philippa Roet
  6. Brother-in-law of John of Gaunt
  7. His surname, "Chaucer" is derived from "chausseur," French for "shoemaker"
  8. Worked as a soldier, squire, diplomat, controller of customs, a justice of the peace, member of Parliament, clerk, forest official, philosopher, poet and author
  9. Portrayed by Paul Bettany in [[A Knight’s Tale]]

• Career

  Though born into a middle-class merchant family, Chaucer was introduced into courtly life at a young age when he became a page for a noblewoman. He went on to travel with Lionel of Antwerp, First Duke of Clarence, during the England's invasion of France during the Hundred Years' War. When he was captured, King Edward III contributed to the ransom that freed Chaucer.

  Afterwards he would hold many governmental jobs, including soldier, squire, diplomat, customs controller, justice of the peace, Parliament member, clerk, and forest official.

• Notable Works

  • The Book of the Duchess
  • The House of Fame
  • Anelida and Arcite
  • Parlement of Foules
  • Troilus and Criseyde
  • The Legend of Good Women
  • The Canterbury Tales
  • Treatise on the Astrolabe

• Classing It Up for the English Language

  He is honored as the "Father of English Literature" not only because of the stylistic achievements of The Canterbury Tales, but chiefly because he wrote the poem in the native Middle English tongue. Until that point, the overwhelming majority of literature, primarily poetry and romances, was written in French. By writing a legitimate masterpiece in English, Chaucer brought artistic legitimacy to the entire English nation.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  The Canterbury Tales | John of Gaunt | Edward III | The Black Prince | Katherine Swynford | Paul Bettany | Dante Alighieri | The Middle Ages | Pilgrimage | Lollards | John Wycliffe | The Black Plague | The Hundred Years War | Parliament of the Fowles | William Shakespeare | Boccaccio

Categories

Managed By: jennybeanses
Managed Since: 06/20/2009
Views: 187
Money Earned: M$0.33

Page revenue is subject to change as we obtain data from our partners

View Top Managers

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page