2. The Canterbury Tales Background Information on Chaucer Miss Bogner

3. Geoffrey Chaucer HUGE influence on language and literature of England. French was widely spoken amongst the educated people His work is considered a cornerstone of English literature.

4. Early Life Born sometime between 1340-1343, most likely in London. Middle Ages were coming to a close Family was not noble, but well off. They made $ in the wine and leather trades. Chaucer = French for shoemaker Parents sent him to Edward III’s son house, able to learn upper-class life & meet important people

5. Teenage Chaucer At age 14, he joined the king’s army to fight the French in 100 Years War Captured by the French Later he served as a royal messenger Given more important diplomatic missions. Met his wife Philippa, married in 1374

6. Early Inspirations He traveled to France and Italy so he was exposed to the latest in literature His first work with literature was his translation of a part of The Romance of a Rose, a Medieval poem. Shortly after he wrote his first original work, The Book of the Duchess  was a long poem. Then wrote The House of Fame

7. Turbulent Times He was in to writing, but primary career was diplomatic affairs. Earned royal favor Richard II was king (a boy when he became king) Chaucer writes The Parliament of Fowls in 1382 1386- appointed to a knight, became a member of Parliament

8. Continued… 1390s- enjoyed royal appointments Richard II reign was marked by conflict. He had to go off and tend to the peasants’ revolt Richard’s cousin becomes King Henry IV

9. Fruitful Years The Canterbury Tales- a collection of verse & prose tales of many kinds. Chaucer decided to pretend that the tales are told by members of a group of travelers journeying to London to Canterbury. Began working on these in 1387

10. Death of Chaucer When Chaucer died in 1400 he had written nearly 20,000 lines Many more were planned

11. Uncommon Honor Rare honor for a common man to be buried in Westminster Abbey 1566- admirer builds a marble tomb for his remains. This is the beginning of the famous “Poet’s Corner” at Westminster Abbey

12. Poet’s Corner

16. St. Thomas à Becket Characters in The Canterbury Tales gather to go to Canterbury to see the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket. Homework: Find out who St. Thomas à Becket is!

17. Video Time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxqAwT5Ip L8