1. Geoffrey Chaucer The Father of English Literature

2. His Life 1340-45 Birth of Chaucer. 1357 Chaucer a page in the household of the Countess of Ulster. 1359-60 Chaucer serves in the war in France. 1360 Chaucer, captured by the French, is ransomed for 16 pounds. 1366 Chaucer marries Philippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting in the Queen's household. 1366 Chaucer travels to Spain. 1372 Chaucer travels to Italy (Genoa and Florence) on a diplomatic mission. 1374 Chaucer granted a gallon pitcher of wine daily for life. 1376-77 Several trips to France, negotiating for peace and the marriage of Richard. 1378 Chaucer travels to Italy (Milan) on diplomatic mission. 1385 Chaucer is granted a permanent deputy in the customs. 1385-89 Chaucer serves as justice of peace for Kent. 1390 Chaucer is robbed of horse, goods, 20 pounds, 6 shillings, 8 pence at Hacham, Surrey (perhaps robbed again a bit later). 1387-92 Chaucer begins The Canterbury Tales. 1392-95 Chaucer writes most of The Canterbury Tales, including probably "The Marriage Group." 1389 Chaucer is appointed clerk of the works at Westminster, Tower of London, and other royal estates. 1398 Chaucer is granted a tun of wine a year. 1399 King Henry IV confirms, and adds to, Chaucer's royal annuities. 1400 Chaucer's death (on 25 October, according to tradition).

3. His Works Canterbury Tales Troilus and Criseyde Book of the Duchess Prose Treatises Short Poems Other Major Poems Chaucer writes the first realistic work of fiction; furthermore, although the language of scholars was Latin, and the language of the court was French, Chaucer chooses to write in the language of the common people- Middle English. Why is Chaucer considered the Father of the English Language?

4. The Times The Plague Scientists have estimated that about a third of the population died. Most scientists agree it was spread by fleas. Called Black Death. Started in the late 1340’s. http://youtu.be/grbSQ6O6kbs

5. The Times The Great Famine 1315-1322 Due to a mini ice age and following a poor harvest, Europe, between 1315 and 1322 went through a famine. The famine led to lower productivity from the working class, higher prices of food, along with starvation.

6. The Times English Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 The chieftain of the commons Wat Tighler of Maidstone came before King Richard II demanding many rights for the common people. He was murdered in the square and the King had many of his followers murdered. Eventually, a few were pardoned. The commoners never received any rights. They revolted for a better life, and never saw one.

7. The Pilgrimage Start at the Tabard InnEnd at Canterbury Cathedral total distance is 59.69 miles

8. The Pilgrimage It’s 1381. You have to walk 60 miles with 28 strangers. www.googlemaps.com

9. The Tabard Inn

10. Canterbury Cathedral Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt from 1070 to 1077. The east end was greatly enlarged at the beginning of the twelfth century, and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style following a fire in 1174, with significant eastward extensions to accommodate the flow of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket the archbishop who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170.

11. References http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/special/varia/life_of_Ch/chrono.html http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/freeman/guengerich_a/bbl/time%20periods/elizabethan/powerpoint%20reviews/exa m3/sld112.htm http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/chaubib.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Chaucer http://www.jahsonic.com/BlackDeath.html http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/famin1315a.html http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=342120 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/anon1381.html http://englishcomplit.unc.edu/chaucer/zatta/14thcent.htm http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=london+bridge+14th+centure&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1014&bih=948