L.+James


 * Geoffrey Chaucer 1340/1400

Works Geoffrey Chaucer wrote most of his books in English literature even though he wrote a lot books. Chaucer mostly wrote his poems in English, but some in Italian, and a little French. Four of these are incomplete because he did not have time to finish (Chesterton). The form of English was used about 1100 to about 1485. Some of the tales are arranged in groups and give different viewpoints on different subjects. His first narrative poem The Book of the Buchess was probably written shortly after the death of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster, and first wife of John gaunt in September 1369. // The Canterbury Tales // was the biggest hit and ranks as one of the greatest epic works of the world. //The Canterbury Tales// has endured centuries because of its irony and humor, which Chaucer uses to depict evidence of human nature in his characters. These qualities set Chaucer’s works apart from other literary works of the fourteenth century (Brewer). England, exemplifying occupation and social standings of the church and its clergy is exposed including the misguidance of the monk and the prioress and the evil avarice of the pardoner. Chaucer does not provide insight to the major events of this time (Idestoy). We are not given statistics of how many people died from the plague, but these events are important to fourteenth century history//. The Canterbury Tales// has endured centuries and does possess historical worth.

life
 * Geoffrey Chaucer (born 1340/44, died 1400)** is remembered as the author of //The Canterbury Tales,// which ranks as one of the greatest epic works of world literature. Chaucer made a crucial contribution to English literature in using English at a time when much court poetry was still written in Anglo-Norman or Latin.

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London. He was the son of a prosperous wine merchant and deputy to the king's butler, and his wife Agnes. Little is known of his early education, but his works show that he could read French, Latin, and Italian. In 1359-1360 Chaucer went to France with Edward III's army during the Hundred Years' War. He was captured in the Ardennes and returned to England after the treaty of Brétigny in 1360. There is no certain information of his life from 1361 until c.1366, when he perhaps married Philippa Roet, the sister of John Gaunt's future wife. Philippa died in 1387 and Chaucer enjoyed Gaunt's patronage throughout his life. Between 1367 and 1378 Chaucer made several journeys abroad on diplomatic and commercial missions. In 1385 he lost his employment and rent-free home, and moved to Kent where he was appointed as justice of the peace. He was also elected to Parliament. This was a period of great creativity for Chaucer, during which he produced most of his best poetry, among others //Troilus and Cressida// (c. 1385), based on a love story by Boccaccio.

Chaucer took his narrative inspiration for his works from several sources but still remained an entirely individual poet, gradually developing his personal style and techniques. His first narrative poem, //The Book of the Duchess,// was probably written shortly after the death of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster, first wife of John Gaunt, in September 1369. His next important work, //The House of Fame,// was written between 1374 and 1385. Soon afterward Chaucer translated //The Consolation of Philosophy// by Boethius, and wrote the poem //The Parliament of Birds.// Chaucer did not begin working on //The Canterbury Tales// until he was in his early 40s.

time period

From [|» Why?] - [|Related web pages] www.shakespeare-by-the-sea.com/?page_id=30 ||  || From [|Dictionary of Pub Names] - [|Related web pages] books.google.com/books?id=k-4SrdUPNFoC&pg=PA71 ||  || From [|The Story of English Literature] - [|Related web pages] books.google.com/books?id=y-gdAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA38 ||  || From [|The Canterbury Tales Essay | The Canterbury Tales...] - [|Related web pages] www.gradesaver.com/the-canterbury-tales/essays/essay39/ ||  || From [|**Chaucer's** Canterbury Tales] - [|Related web pages] books.google.com/books?id=dfjV8a75qV4C&pg=PR12 ||  || From [|The History of English Literature] - [|Related web pages] books.google.com/books?id=Tuqbm3JeIa0C&pg=PA62 ||  || From [|Parliament and Literature in Late Medieval England] - [|Related web pages] books.google.com/books?id=214WFrKYRiEC&pg=PA152 ||  || From [|Astrolabes < Astronomy History in the Yahoo!...] - [|Related web pages] dir.yahoo.com/Science/Astronomy/History/Astrolabes/ ||  || From [|**Geoffrey Chaucer biography**] - [|Related web pages] www.britainexpress.com/History/**bio**/**chaucer**.htm ||  || From [|MOVIE REVIEW A Knight's Tale] - [|Related web pages] www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie010510-5,0,5158757.story
 * [|1066 AD] ||  || 1066 AD - When the Norman’s invaded [|England] in **1066**, they brought with them a language and culture that were predominantly [|French]. Many of the Plantagenet kings could not even speak in English! All official documents and proclamations were written in Latin, and poetry and **...** When the Norman’s invaded [|England] in **1066**, they brought with them a language and culture that were predominantly [|French]. Many of the Plantagenet kings could not even speak in English! All official documents and proclamations were written in Latin, and poetry and literature were written in French. English was regarded as a barbarous tongue. It was **Geoffrey Chaucer** who began the renaissance of English with his publication of The Canterbury Tales somewhere between the dates of **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(0);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(0);"]] Show less
 * [|1170 AD] ||  || Dec 1170 AD - There is a [|Canterbury] at Tewkesbury and a [|Canterbury Tales] in Canterbury itself. Canterbury has been an important centre since Roman times and became a place of pilgrimage after the murder of Thomas a Becket in **December, 1170**. **Geoffrey Chaucer's** Canterbury **...** There is a [|Canterbury] at Tewkesbury and a [|Canterbury Tales] in Canterbury itself. Canterbury has been an important centre since Roman times and became a place of pilgrimage after the murder of Thomas a Becket in **December, 1170**. **Geoffrey Chaucer's** Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims as they make their way to Becket's shrine. It is commonly said that 'to canter', meaning to gallop at an easy pace, is derived from a Canterbury gallop, because of **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(1);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(1);"]] Show less
 * [|1328] ||  || 1328 - In the midst of this time, probably in the year **1328**,* there was born in London a little child, who was named **Geoffrey Chaucer**. His father was most likely a wine merchant, living near the Church of St. Aldermary, in [|Bow Lane], Cheapside. Very little is known of **...** In the midst of this time, probably in the year **1328**,* there was born in London a little child, who was named **Geoffrey Chaucer**. His father was most likely a wine merchant, living near the Church of St. Aldermary, in [|Bow Lane], Cheapside. Very little is known of the life of **Geoffrey Chaucer** in his early days, but from what we know of him later, we may judge that he must have been a bright, happy boy, full of kindly love for all, with a keen delight in fun, and a hearty enjoyment of **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(2);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(2);"]] Show less
 * [|1340] ||  || 1340 - Born in the year **1340**, **Geoffrey Chaucer's** life took him through both the dredges and the peaks of medieval civilization. While serving in the retinue of [|Prince Lionel], **Chaucer** was captured by the French during the siege of Reims. Seven years after being ransomed **...** Born in the year **1340**, **Geoffrey Chaucer's** life took him through both the dredges and the peaks of medieval civilization. While serving in the retinue of [|Prince Lionel], **Chaucer** was captured by the French during the siege of Reims. Seven years after being ransomed for 16 pounds, he entered service as an esquire for Edward III. It was during this time… This excerpt of the essay is provided for free. To read the complete essay of 2591 words or to get access to our full library **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(3);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(3);"]] Show less
 * [|1357] ||  || Apr 1357 - Fragments of her Household Accounts, accidentally preserved, show that in **April, 1357**, when the [|Countess] was in London, a short cloak, a pair of red and black breeches, and shoes, were then provided for **Geoffrey Chaucer** at a cost of seven shillings.1 In December **...** In any case our first certain information about the poet is a record of some clothes supplied to him while in the household of Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster, in her own right, and wife of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III. Fragments of her Household Accounts, accidentally preserved, show that in **April, 1357**, when the [|Countess] was in London, a short cloak, a pair of red and black breeches, and shoes, were then provided for **Geoffrey Chaucer** at a cost of **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(4);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(4);"]] Show less
 * [|1374] ||  || Jun 13, 1374 - On **June 13, 1374**, this Philippa **Chaucer** appears as the wife of **Geoffrey Chaucer**, who henceforth, draws, in the form of a life pension, the yearly income granted to her by their common patron. The intimacy of the poet with [|John of Gaunt] was thus made still closer **...** On **June 13, 1374**, this Philippa **Chaucer** appears as the wife of **Geoffrey Chaucer**, who henceforth, draws, in the form of a life pension, the yearly income granted to her by their common patron. The intimacy of the poet with [|John of Gaunt] was thus made still closer by his marriage. It was certainly not without reason that the document granting him that pension speaks of " the good services which our much beloved **Geoffrey Chaucer** has rendered us," as well as of " the good services **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(5);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(5);"]] Show less
 * [|1386] ||  || Dec 4, 1386 - 72 Galway, "**Geoffrey Chaucer**, JP and MP," 14—5; Pearsall, [|Life of **Geoffrey Chaucer**], 202—5. He resigned his position at the wool custom on **4 December 1386**, following his appearance in the Wonderful Parliament of October-November 1386. 73 See **...** 72 Galway, "**Geoffrey Chaucer**, JP and MP," 14—5; Pearsall, [|Life of **Geoffrey Chaucer**], 202—5. He resigned his position at the wool custom on **4 December 1386**, following his appearance in the Wonderful Parliament of October-November 1386. 73 See particularly Bennett, The Parlement ofFoules, 25—61. Africanus' lesson to his descendant is the "harmony" of the present world, which he lets him hear **...** [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_plus_sm.gif link="javascript:showMore(6);"]] Show more [[image:http://www.google.com/images/zippy_minus_sm.gif link="javascript:hideMore(6);"]] Show less
 * [|1391] ||  || 1391 - Medieval Sourcebook: A Treatise on the Astrolabe Written by **Geoffrey Chaucer**, circa **1391**. www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/**chaucer**-astro.html. Help us improve the Yahoo! Directory - Share your ideas.
 * [|1400] ||  || Oct 25, 1400 - **Geoffrey Chaucer** died on **October 25, 1400**, and was buried at [|Westminster Abbey]. Web Resources: The Essential **Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer** 1342-1400 Canterbury Tales and **Chaucer** - essays and papers on **Chaucer** for sale as well as free background information for students.
 * [|2001] ||  || May 11, 2001 - Fortunately for [|William] and his buddies, they almost immediately run across **Geoffrey Chaucer** (Peter Bettany). Yes, that **Geoffrey Chaucer**, already a writer but in his pre- "Canterbury Tales" years and stark-naked because of a weakness for gambling and a knack for losing. **...**

famous quotations

Chaucer is still quoted often even today. Here are some of his most famous lines. 1.Forbid us something, and that thing we desire 2.People can die of mere imagination.” 3.The life so short, the crafts so long to learn” 4.We little know the things for which we pray” 5.The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people.”

sources 1. Bloom, Harold, ed. __Geoffrey Chaucer’s__ The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. Modern Critical Intermetation. New York: Chelsea 1988.

2. Nevo, Ruth. “Chaucer: Motive and Mash in the General Prologue” Bloom, __Geoffrey.__ 9- 20

3. Bloom, Harold. Ed __Geoffrey Chaucer__. Modern Critical Chaucer. New York: Chelsea, 1985 ||  ||