Biography

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in 1340 in London, England. He was the son of a rich wine merchant, and his wife Agnes. There are no records of his education but his works expressed that he could read French, Italian, and Latin. It showed this because he had the ability to translate other poet’s poems into other languages. At the age of 19, Chaucer went to France with Edward III’s army during the Hundred Year War. He got caught in the Ardennes, but later returned to England after the Treaty of Bretigny was signed in 1360. Geoffrey married Philippa Roet in 1366. However, she died in 1387.

From 1367 to 1378, Chaucer made several journeys on diplomatic and commercial missions. In 1385 he lost his job, and his home. He then moved to Kent where he became justice of the peace. He was also elected into Parliament. During this time, Chaucer was exceptionally creative, and produced some of his most famous poems such as “Troilus and Cressida.“

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote many things. His first poem was “The Book of the Duchess.” Another one of his important works was “The House of Fame”. He also translated many other things like the “Consolation of Philosophy” written by Boethius, and wrote another poem “The Parliament of Birds”. Later on in life, he wrote Canterbury Tales.  Even though he left it unfinished, it is considered one of his most popular pieces.

Chaucer’s work contributed to the Renaissance by introducing to literature the continental accentual-syllabic metre instead of the alliterative Anglo-Saxon metre.  He was the first English poet to use the five-stress line (the iambic pentameter) in his poetry.  This became one of the standard poetic forms in English literature.  He also introduced the use of a regional dialect in his writings.

He died on October 24, 1400 and is buried at Westminster Abbey. His tomb began what is called “Poet’s Corner” inside the Abbey.