Geoffrey Chaucer

NAME Geoffrey Chaucer

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Geoffrey Chaucer is best known as the author of The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories told by pilgrims on a journey, and is often called the "Father of English Literature" for his role in popularizing Middle English.

BIRTH Chaucer was born Upper Thames Street, Dowgate Hill, London around 1343, though the exact date is uncertain. The location is described as being "between Thames Street (now known as Upper Thames Street) and College Hill" in an area called The Vintry.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Chaucer was born into a prosperous family of wine merchants. His father, John Chaucer, was a vintner, and the family had connections to the royal court. His mother Agnes died in 1381.

CHILDHOOD Little is known about Chaucer’s childhood, but growing up in London, he would have been exposed to the cultural and commercial activities of the capital. His family’s wealth allowed him access to education and influential circles.

EDUCATION Chaucer likely attended the St. Paul’s Cathedral School, where he would have studied the classics, Latin, and rhetoric. His later work shows a deep familiarity with French, Italian, and Latin literature, suggesting a broad and advanced education.

CAREER RECORD Chaucer's early life was likely spent in London, where he would have been exposed to the vibrant cultural and social scene of the city. Despite his modest background, Chaucer managed to rise through the ranks of English society, serving in various roles at the royal court.

One of Chaucer's first roles was as a page in the household of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, the third son of King Edward III. In time, he would go on to write many pages of his own.

In 1359 Chaucer served as a soldier in the English army in France, where he was taken prisoner and subsequently ransomed.

Chaucer's career continued to ascend, and he eventually became an Esquire to King Edward III. He was also appointed to several diplomatic positions, representing England in negotiations with foreign powers. His most notable diplomatic achievement was the negotiation of a treaty with King Charles V of France.

In addition to his diplomatic duties, Chaucer held several administrative positions. He obtained the very substantial job of comptroller of the customs for the port of London, which Chaucer began on June 8, 1374. He continued in it for twelve years, a long time in such a post at that time.

Chaucer also served as a Representative to Parliament and oversaw the maintenance of royal buildings and parks as the Royal Clerk of the Works.

Despite his busy career, Chaucer found time to pursue his literary interests. He began work on The Canterbury Tales around 1386, and the collection of interconnected stories is considered a masterpiece of medieval English literature.

In his later years, Chaucer's career faltered due to political rivalries at the English court. He was eventually demoted to the position of Deputy Forester for the King's forest at Petherton.

APPEARANCE There are no contemporary descriptions of Chaucer’s appearance, but portraits made after his death depict him as a man of average height and build with a long face, prominent nose, and a contemplative expression. Below is a portrait of Chaucer by Thomas Hoccleve in the Regiment of Princes (1412). Hoccleve claimed to have personally known Chaucer.

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer playfully describes himself in The Rime of St. Thopas as "small and fair of face," "elfish," and sporting a "beard of ripe wheat." While his beard was likely a reddish-brown goatee, his self-deprecating humor suggests he may have exaggerated his physical appearance. Other accounts describe him as plump and full-eyed, indicating he may have gained weight as he aged.

FASHION As a member of the court, Chaucer would have worn fine clothes in line with medieval fashion. He likely wore robes, tunics, and hats made of fine fabrics, such as wool, silk, and fur. The colors and styles of his clothing would have reflected his social status and personal preferences.

Chaucer would have worn pointed toe leather shoes and according to his portrait in the National Portrait Gallery he wore a floppy hat.

CHARACTER Chaucer’s writings reveal a keen observer of human nature, someone who had a sharp intellect and a tolerant, humane view of people’s flaws and virtues.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Chaucer had a sophisticated sense of humor, often using irony, wit, and satire in his works. His Canterbury Tales characters embody both serious and comical traits, reflecting his ability to laugh at human nature while still taking it seriously.

With it's smutty humour Canterbury Tales was a medieval version of Carry On films

RELATIONSHIPS Chaucer married Philippa Roet, the daughter of Sir Paon de Roet, a knight from Hainault, in 1366. Their marriage is believed to have been arranged, possibly by Queen Philippa, for whom Philippa Roet was a lady-in-waiting. Some sources suggest the marriage may not have been happy.

Chaucer and Philippa had at least two sons and possibly a daughter:

Thomas Chaucer (born c. 1367): The most well-known of Chaucer's children, he became a prominent politician and courtier.

Lewis Chaucer: Mentioned in Chaucer's "Treatise on the Astrolabe" as his "litel sonne Lowys".

Elizabeth Chaucer: Possibly their daughter, who became a nun at Barking Abbey.

Through his marriage, Chaucer became connected to John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful figures in England at the time. Philippa's sister, Katherine Swynford, was John of Gaunt's mistress and later his third wife.

The marriage to Philippa allowed Chaucer to enter the world of aristocracy and brought him financial prosperity due to his wife's large annuity

MONEY AND FAME Though Chaucer was not rich, his royal pensions and court positions provided a stable income. On July 12, 1389, Chaucer was appointed the clerk of the king's works, He was paid two shillings a day,

Following the death of his wife, Philippa, in 1387 and the subsequent loss of her financial grants, Chaucer faced a period of financial hardship. To supplement his income, he was forced to sell two of his pensions. These lean years continued until the accession of King Henry IV in 1399, who generously increased Chaucer's income.

There are about 500 legal documents, warrants, and financial records relating to Chaucer the man, but these do not mention Chaucer's poetry. Most of the documentary records attesting to Chaucer's life are collected in Crow and Olson's Chaucer Life-Records, which focus on his official and public roles rather than his poetic career. The sources emphasize Chaucer's roles as a civil servant, diplomat, and courtier, with his poetry often described as an "avocation" or side activity.

Chaucer is frequently referred to in contemporary records by his official titles and roles, such as "esquire of the King's household" or "controller of customs".

The recognition of Chaucer as a great poet seems to have come largely after his death, with contemporaries like Thomas Hoccleve eulogizing him as the "flour of eloquence" and "the firste fyndere of our faire langage"

FOOD AND DRINK As a courtier, Chaucer would have enjoyed access to luxurious meals, including meats, pastries, and spiced wines common among the nobility of the time.

As a reward for his service as Controller of London Customs, Chaucer was granted a daily jug of wine by King Richard II.

MUSIC AND ARTS Chaucer was well-versed in the arts and often references music, dance, and visual art in his works. His writing reflects an appreciation of the creative achievements of his time.

Chaucer penned several notable ballads, including Complaint to His Empty Purse.

LITERATURE Chaucer was a prolific writer, and his works include poetry, prose, and translations. His most famous work is The Canterbury Tales, but he also wrote other significant pieces all in ye olde English with ye olde spelling.

Chaucer’s literary influences included French poetry, the Italian works of Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, and classical authors like Virgil and Ovid. 

Title page of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the hand of Adam Pinkhurst, c. 1400.

While on diplomatic missions in Milan, Chaucer developed a taste for Italian poetry. His experiences as a prisoner of war in France also exposed him to French courtly love poetry. 

Known for his constant reading, Chaucer greatly admired Dante's Divine Inferno, memorizing much of it, and considered Ovid his favorite poet.

Chaucer's writing was composed in the Midlands dialect and often penned after a day's work. He likely shared his works aloud with fellow courtiers, officials, and even members of the Royal Family. His tales often featured "everyday" folk, focusing on themes of lust, alcohol, and revelry, earning him a reputation as an early proponent of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll.

A pioneer of English literature, Chaucer introduced continental accentual-syllabic meter as an alternative to the alliterative Anglo-Saxon meter. He also played a crucial role in standardizing the southern accent of Middle English.

Among Chaucer's notable works are:

Le Roman de la Rose (Romaunt of the Rose): An early English adaptation of a French poem about love.

Troilus and Criseyde: A tragic, witty love story adapted from a Boccaccio romance with complex characterization.

Canterbury Tales: A collection of 17,000 lines of verse and prose, featuring tales told by 31 pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury. The tales explore a wide range of themes and characters, from knights to millers.

Chaucer's writing is filled with memorable quotes and phrases that have become English clichés. For example, "necessity is the mother of invention" and "first come, first served" can be traced back to his works.

NATURE Chaucer often used nature in his poetry, symbolizing various human emotions and spiritual states. He describes the seasons and landscapes with great sensitivity in works like The Parliament of Fowls.

PETS In The Miller's Tale, Chaucer uses the term "cat flap," a centuries-old device for allowing cats to enter and exit a house.

Time foe another cliché birthed by Chaucer. He originated the phrase "let sleeping dogs lie," originally writing it as "It is not good a sleeping haind to wake. Nor yeve a wight a cause to devyne" in Troilus and Criseyde.

Canterbury Tales follows a group of pilgrims on their journey to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. The word "canter" is believed to have originated from the brisk pace of the horses used for this pilgrimage, known as the "Canterbury gallop."

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Chaucer’s diplomatic and writing duties likely took up much of his time, though he may have enjoyed leisure activities typical of the medieval court, like hunting, falconry, chess and jousting.

Backgammon (or its predecessors) was very popular in England during the medieval period when Chaucer lived. It was known as "tables" and was played by both nobility and commoners, Chaucer mentioned "tables" in The Canterbury Tales, writng: "They daucen, and they pleyen at ches and tables." 

SCIENCE AND MATHS Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe was written around 1391 and is considered one of the earliest technical manuals in English rather than Latin, Greek, or Arabic. The treatise was addressed to "little Lewis", who was likely Chaucer's son. Lewis was about 10 years old at the time. It describes in detail the form and use of the astrolabe, a sophisticated astronomical instrument used for telling time and making astronomical calculations

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Chaucer was influenced by both classical philosophy and Christian theology. His works explore moral and ethical questions, often with a humanistic approach that balances religion and reason.

Chaucer was a vocal critic of lazy clerics and the practice of indulgences. He accused priests of prioritizing hunting over preaching and condemned Friars for preaching 'for profit of their bellies.' Despite his criticisms, Chaucer expressed sympathy for the Lollards, a pre-Reformation religious movement. Several of his friends were associated with Wycliffe's Lollard movement.

In The Nun's Priest's Tale, Chaucer wrote, 'Mordre wol out that see we day by day,' meaning 'Your sins shall find you out.' This is the final cliché origin we will explore

POLITICS Chaucer held several government positions, including a role as a customs controller in London and a Member of Parliament. His works also subtly critique social and political issues of his time, particularly in The Canterbury Tales.

Chaucer was a Member of Parliament in the "Wonderful Parliament" of 1386. He served as an MP for Kent in this parliament, which met from October to November 1386. As an MP, Chaucer took advantage of his time at Westminster to conduct other business related to his role as controller of customs and to give evidence in a legal case.

Chaucer's experience in Parliament may have influenced some of his writing, particularly The Parliament of Fowls, which contains elements reminiscent of parliamentary proceedings

SCANDAL (1) Chaucer's poems often celebrated the joys of life in a humorous, sometimes suggestive manner that might be considered risqué by modern standards. However, due to the Middle English language, many readers may have missed the bawdy undertones.

(2) On October 16, 1379, Thomas Staundon filed a legal action against Geoffrey Chaucer and Cecily Chaumpaigne under the Statute of Labourers. The case centered on Chaumpaigne leaving Staundon's employment before the end of her agreed contract term, without permission, to work for Chaucer instead. Staundon was trying to force Chaumpaigne back into his service by invoking the Statute of Labourers, which forbade employers from poaching servants.

Both Chaucer and Chaumpaigne appointed attorneys to defend themselves against Staundon's charges in the months between late 1379 and early 1380. At an unknown date in Easter term 1380, Staundon withdrew his action. The original writ was marked "non prosecutum" (not prosecuted), indicating Staundon had ceased to pursue the case against Chaucer and Chaumpaigne

(3) Chaucer's financial troubles in the late 14th century were compounded by a series of robberies. In 1390, he was robbed twice in one day, losing a total of 20 pounds, 6 shillings, and 8 pence in various locations in Surrey. The following year, he was robbed again, this time losing 10 pounds at Westminster.

(4) According to some theories, including one proposed by historian and Monty Python comedian Terry Jones, Chaucer may have met a violent end at the hands of political opponents.

MILITARY RECORD During the Hundred Years' War, Chaucer accompanied the English army under King Edward III to France in 1359. While participating in the siege of Reims in 1360, he was taken prisoner. King Edward paid a ransom of 16 pounds to secure Chaucer's release, an indication of his importance.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS There are no specific records of Chaucer’s health, though he lived a relatively long life for his time, dying in his 60s.

HOMES Chaucer lived in various locations, including Kent, and Reims during his diplomatic travels. He also had a residence above Aldgate in London, which he leased in 1374. It was demolished in the 18th century.

Around 1385-1386, Chaucer moved from Aldgate to a country residence, likely in Greenwich where he had a garden and arbour.

On December 24, 1399, Chaucer took a lease of a tenement in the garden of the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey, for a term of 53 years at a yearly rent of fifty three shillings and four pence. The site of this garden where Chaucer's leased house stood is now covered by the enlarged Lady Chapel built by Henry VII in the early 16th century

TRAVEL As a diplomat for King Edward III, Chaucer embarked on several important missions to France, Italy, and Flanders. In 1366, he traveled to Spain. From 1378 to 1380, he visited Lombardy and France. During his travels to Milan, Genoa, and Florence from 1372 to 1373, Chaucer discovered the works of Dante and Boccaccio, which significantly influenced his own poetry.

DEATH Following the overthrow of his patron, King Richard II, Chaucer's historical presence becomes less apparent. He is believed to have died of unknown causes on October 25, 1400. Some speculate that he may have been murdered by enemies of the deposed king.

Chaucer was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London. In 1556, his remains were moved to a more elaborate tomb, making him the first writer to be interred in the area now known as Poets' Corner.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Chaucer has appeared as a character in various films, novels, and TV adaptations, including A Knight's Tale (2001), where he is humorously portrayed by Paul Bettany.

ACHIEVEMENTS (1) Chaucer's greatest achievement is his contribution to English literature. His Canterbury Tales established English as a legitimate literary language at a time when Latin and French dominated. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in Western literary history.

(2) Chaucer's popularity as a court poet contributed to the dominance of the southern English dialect in literature, particularly influencing the London dialect. French was still spoken in certain institutions, such as the Low Countries, during the 14th century.

(3) The Canterbury Tales helped to revive bawdy humor in European literature.

(4) In 1998, a first edition of The Canterbury Tales sold for a then- record-breaking £4,621,500, significantly surpassing the price of a paperback Penguin edition.

(5) William Caxton, the pioneer of the printing press in England, was a great admirer of Chaucer, describing him as "The worshipful fader and first fondeur and embellisher of ornate eloquence in our englissh." (It seems spelling was not a universal strength during that era!)