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Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 – October 25, 1400) was an English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat (courtier), and diplomat. He is often referred to as the Father of English Literature. Although he wrote many works he is best remembered for his unfinished frame narrative The Canterbury Tales. He is sometimes credited with being the first author to demonstrate the artistic legitimacy of the vernacular English language, rather than French or Latin.
Life
Chaucer was born in 1343 probably in London, although the exact date and location are not known. His father and grandfather were both London wine merchants (vintners) and before that, for several generations, the family were merchants in Ipswich. In 1324 John Chaucer, Geoffrey's father, was kidnapped by an aunt in the hope of marrying the twelve year-old boy to her daughter in an attempt to keep property in Ipswich. The aunt was imprisoned and the 250 pounds fine levied suggests that the family was well-to-do, upper middle-class if not in the elite. John married Agnes Copton, who in 1349 inherited property including twenty-four shops in London from her uncle, Hamo de Copton, who is described as the "moneyer" at the Tower of London.
There are no details of Chaucer's early life and education but compared to his near contemporary poets, William Langland and The Pearl Poet, his life is well documented with nearly five hundred written items testifying to his career. The first time he is mentioned is in 1357, in the household accounts of Elizabeth de Burgh, the Countess of Ulster when his father's connections enabled him to become a page to the noble lady. He also worked as a courtier, a diplomat, and a civil servant. In 1359 ,in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III invaded France and Chaucer travelled with Lionel of Antwerp, Elizabeth's husband, as part of the English army. In 1360, he was captured during the siege of Reims, becoming a prisoner of war. Edward contributed £16 as part of a ransom, and Chaucer was released.
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Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed - Geoffrey Chaucer
matchmak3r (Match Maker) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:30:29 -0000
Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed - Geoffrey Chaucer
0912.02 Dear @diary, yesterday my English teacher said Geoffrey Chaucer was "G". It made my day. Sincerely, @drawmesunshine
drawmesunshine (Hilary Thompson) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:46:59 -0000
0912.02 Dear @diary, yesterday my English teacher said Geoffrey Chaucer was "G". It made my day. Sincerely, @drawmesunshine
Geoffrey Chaucer~ He was as fresh as is the month of May.
PhyllisKing (Phyllis King) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:49:43 -0000
Geoffrey Chaucer~ He was as fresh as is the month of May.
Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed - Geoffrey Chaucer
s3xyu (Sexy You) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:49:32 -0000
Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed - Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer reviews movie "Men who Glare at Stoats" http://bit.ly/4jhByg
allan_USMS (Allan Eustis) Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:21:38 -0000
Geoffrey Chaucer reviews movie "Men who Glare at Stoats" http://bit.ly/4jhByg
He said, What is better than wisdom? Woman. And what is better than a good woman? Nothing. Geoffrey Chaucer,... http://bit.ly/4E6Rq7
SingleWomanTV (Single-Woman.TV) Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:08:18 -0000
He said, What is better than wisdom? Woman. And what is better than a good woman? Nothing. Geoffrey Chaucer,... http://bit.ly/4E6Rq7
Geoffrey Chaucer - Features materials from Harvard University's Chaucer classes.
: Some Thoughts on the Prioress's Sobering Effect - This essay by Patrick Paul Christle attempts to explain the effect on the other pilgrims of The Prioress's Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
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A Beastly Origin: Journeys from the Oxes Stalle' in Chaucer's Poetry - Essay by John Marino in Essays in Medieval Studies.
Baragona's Chaucer Home Page - Annotated collection of online resources.
Meta Description: [ A Website for an Undergraduate Chaucer
Course. ]
Basic Chaucer Glossary - A glossary of common words used by Chaucer.
Chaucer: Life and Times - Information about Chaucer and his poetry.
Dante, Chaucer, and the Currency of the Word: Money, Images, and Reference in Late Medieval Poetry - Examines, among other things, the numerology at work in Dante's Paradiso, the problematics of imagery in 30 cantos, and how Chaucer's theory of mediation saved him from the fate of Narcissus.
Geoffrey Chaucer at Today in Literature - Biographical stories about The Canterbury Tales and The Parliament of Fowls. Requires registration.
Meta Description: [ Stories about Geoffrey Chaucer's life and Magic in Medieval Romance, The Canterbury Tales in Middle English / Modern. With links to essays & literary criticism and analysis. ]
Geoffrey Chaucer, ca. 1343 - 1400 - Features online Chaucer resources, including critical essays and quotations. From Luminarium.org.
Meta Description: [ Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English Literature. Quotes, biography, works, essays, and links. ]
GeoffreyChaucer.org - An Annotated Guide to Online Resources - Resources include links to bibliographic citations, biographies, reviews, and texts.
Meta Description: [ Background, bibliography, biography, commentary, essays, images, language, outlines, reception, teaching resources, and texts. ]
LiteratureClassics.com: Geoffrey Chaucer - Essays on Chaucer's life and works as well as e-texts of 'The Canterbury Tales' and 'Troilus and Criseyde'.
Meta Description: [ Geoffrey Chaucer - free essays, eTexts, resources and links from LiteratureClassics.com. ]
London Chaucer Conference - Information about the conference, which takes place every two years in London, UK. Call for papers, speakers, program, registration.
Meta Description: [ Information about the London Chaucer Conference, 'Chaucer and Time', 2007. ]
The Book of the Duchess - An essay by Terry Bohannon about Chaucer's work.
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