While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Chaucer was buried in Westminster Abbey in London. Chaucer married Phillipa (de) Roet. It is believed that Chaucer could read French, Latin and Italian. He rented an apartment in the garden of St. Mary’s Chapel in Westminster. Chaucer moved to Kent in 1385 where he had a new position as Justice of the Peace. In 1387, he began his most famous work, 'The Canterbury Tales', in which a diverse group of people recount stories to pass the time on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. Sign Me Up. Most parts of The Canterbury Tales were written in decasyllabic couplets and heroic couplets, which were later used in epic and narrative English poetry. See the fact file below for more information on Geoffrey Chaucer or alternatively, you can download our 22 page Geoffrey Chaucer worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. In 1389, he was made clerk of the king's works, overseeing royal building projects. This article provides a Short Biography, Facts and History about the life of Geoffrey Chaucer who is famous as the author of the Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer was born between 1340 and 1345, probably in London. He was also involved in the civil service as a diplomat, courtier and bureaucrat. We do not know any details of his early life and education. He was then ransomed and released. In 1366, Chaucer married Philippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting to King Edward’s wife, and daughter of Sir Payne Roet, who would help Chaucer’s career. In the mid-1380s, he wrote Troilus and Criseyde, which was considered by many as one of his greatest works. The Canterbury Tales is arguably Geoffrey Chaucer’s most acclaimed and greatest work. By 1599, after the death of Elizabethan poet Edmund Spenser, the tradition of Poets’ Corner at Westminster Abbey began. He did this job for 12 years. He had about three or four children. After his death, he was initially buried at the entrance going to St. Benedict Chapel, in the South Transept. King Edward III gave £16 towards his release. 3) Chaucer had a part-time government job collecting scrap metal for reuse and also worked as a diplomat. Philippa's sister, Katherine Swynford, later became the third wife of John of Gaunt, the king's fourth son and Chaucer's patron. In 1386, he was elected member of parliament for Kent, and he also served as a justice of the peace. In 1360, he was captured by the French near Reims during a battle in the Hundred Years' War. The Canterbury Tales is the most celebrated work of Chaucer. Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the Canterbury Tales, is best known for writing his works in vernacular English, rather than French or Latin, the languages used for most literary writing in the 1300s.Book lovers across the English-speaking world have Chaucer to thank for the widespread availability of all manner of literature in our native English. England Despite its fragmented order and erratic qualities, The Canterbury Tales is highly regarded in literature. When Chaucer was alive, Latin and French were the primary languages to write the literary works. Please share. This worksheet can be edited by Premium members using the free Google Slides online software. POSTED IN: In 1386, he became a member of the Kent parliament. Click the Edit button above to get started. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards. His travels exposed him to the work of authors such as Dante, Boccaccio and Froissart. His father was a prosperous wine merchant. Around 1366, Chaucer married Philippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting in the queen's household. The experts believe that the book probably was written around 1369 -1374. Privacy | However, not many details are known of his early life and education. The experts believe that the book probably was written around 1369 -1374. Geoffrey Chaucer, hailed as the Father of English literature, was the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages. Terms of Use, © 2020 Smithsonian Journeys. Along with the death of Philippa went her royal annuities that gave Chaucer a good life. In 1556, a monument was built in honor of Chaucer. He held a number of other royal posts, serving both Edward III and his successor Richard II. This page was last modified on 10 October 2020, at 22:58. He was an English poet. 10 Interesting Facts about Geoffrey Chaucer, 10 Interesting Facts about George H. W.Bush, 10 Interesting Facts about Georgia O’Keeffe. Book lovers across the English-speaking world have Chaucer to thank for the widespread availability of all manner of literature in our native English. King Edward Gave Geoffrey a pension of 20 marks for his service with the Royal Service. , Interesting facts about Geoffrey Chaucer you want to know. If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source. If you want to know the Father of English Literature, look at Facts about Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer was captured by the French during the Brittany expedition of 1359, but was ransomed by the king. Interesting Facts and information about the Medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer. These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. He was also the first poet to be buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey. In 1389, Chaucer worked as Clerk of the Works in the Palace of Westminster Abbey. Arcite and The House of Fame and Anelida were the other two early literary works of Chaucer. At the end of the year he lost his customs jobs. However, Chaucer employed Middle English to write his works. He was also an author, astronomer, philosopher and alchemist. Originally, he meant to produce 120 stories but only 24 stories were finished, no character made it to Canterbury. His wife, Phillipa, died in 1387. Can you tell me the notable works written by Chaucer? Interesting facts about Geoffrey Chaucer you want to know Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of “Canterbury Tales” made so great a contribution to the development of English that the people and the language itself should be forever indebted toward the Father of English poetry. Other works include 'Parlement of Foules', 'The Legend of Good Women' and 'Troilus and Criseyde'. Chaucer resigned and worked as a gardener at the king’s park located in Somersetshire. Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 - 25 October 1400) was an English writer, poet, and philosopher. Book lovers across the English-speaking world have Chaucer to thank for the widespread availability of all manner of literature in our native English. In 1399, when Richard II was overthrown by his cousin, Henry IV, Chaucer’s pension was reinstated. Let’s find out the collection of 24 stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in Facts about Canterbury Tales. Chaucer was probably born in London. Geoffrey Chaucer Biography, Life, Interesting Facts Geoffrey Chaucer was born in September 1343. This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the English Poet Geoffrey Chaucer across 22 wonderful pages. All rights reserved. Illuminated manuscript of the prologue to 'The Canterbury Tales' To find out more, see our cookie policy. He was one of the first writers to write in English. Geoffrey Chaucer was born between 1340 and 1345, probably in London. The Book of the Duchess is considered as the first major literary work of Chaucer. In addition, the palace stopped giving him a pension.  © Click for more kids facts and information or download the worksheet collection. 5) Though Chaucer died in 1400, more than 600 years ago, he has more than 2,100 fans on Facebook. His poem consisted of shorter narratives in iambic pentameter couplets. In 1478 and 1483, William Caxton published the first two folios of The Canterbury Tales.