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Age of Chaucer (1340-1400)

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London, when Edward III was the ruler of England. He lived through the reigns of Edward III, Richard II and also the first two years of Henry IV. Chaucer’s life covers a turbulent period of political disturbances. He served as a courtier, soldier, diplomat, justice of peace, controller of customs in the port of London and deputy forester of the Royal Forests of Somerset. He was introduced to the royal court by his patron, John of Gaunt. He travelled far and wide and got acquainted with various types of people in all walks of life with the result he could achieve the faculty of deep insight into human character. He visited Italy in 1372-73 and is believed to have met Petrarch and Boccaccion. Chaucer married Philippo Roet, sister of John the Gaunt’s third wife and thereby enjoyed the favour, and protection of his great patron. He died on the 25^th October, 1400, and was buried in West Minister Abbey, which portion later on came to be known as ‘Poet’s Corner’. In the year 1886, the Chaucer Society was founded by Doctor Furnival for the purpose of collecting materials for the proper assessment of the great poet.

The outstanding social and economical features of the age of Chaucer were –