Geoffrey Chaucer (l. c. 1343-1400 CE) was a medieval English poet, writer, and philosopher best known for his work The Canterbury Tales, a masterpiece of world literature. The Canterbury Tales is a work of poetry featuring a group of pilgrims from different social classes on a journey to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury who agree to tell each other stories to pass the time. Chaucer was well acquainted with people from all classes, and this is evident in the details he chooses as well as the accents employed, how the people dress, and even their hairstyles. The Canterbury Tales have therefore been invaluable to later scholars as a kind of snapshot of medieval life.
More about: Geoffrey ChaucerDefinition
Timeline
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c. 1343 - 1400Life of English poet Geoffrey Chaucer.
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1356Chaucer is introduced to court life as page to Elisabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster.
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1359 - 1360Chaucer is part of military expedition to France, is captured, ransomed by King Edward III.
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1360 - 1366Chaucer's whereabouts unknown; possibly on pilgrimage.
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1366 - 1367Chaucer is married to Philippa Roet; holds title of esquire and valet of the English court.
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c. 1370Chaucer writes his first major work The Book of the Duchess.
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1374 - 1386Chaucer works as controller of customs at London port; writes at least three of his major works.
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c. 1378 - c. 1380Chaucer writes The House of Fame.
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c. 1380 - c. 1387Chaucer writes Anelida and Arcite.
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c. 1380 - c. 1382Chaucer writes The Parliament of Fowls.
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c. 1382 - c. 1386Chaucer writes Troilus and Criseyde.
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c. 1386 - c. 1389Chaucer writes The Legend of Good Women.
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1386Chaucer moves from London to Kent; holds a number of significant positions for the crown.
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c. 1388 - 1400Chaucer writes The Canterbury Tales.
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1391Geoffrey Chaucer wrties an explanation of how to use an astrolabe in his Tractatus de Conclusionibus Astrolabii.
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c. 1399Chaucer has moved back to London, is at work on The Canterbury Tales.
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1400Chaucer dies and is buried at Westminster Abbey, the first poet buried in Poet's Corner.
