try 1

1. Geoffrey Chaucer
1340-1400
Kayla White
Ashley Jennetten
Carley Shoemaker
1st Period British Literature

2. The Beginning
• circa 1340- Geoffrey Chaucer is born in
London.
• As a child, he learned several different
languages including French, Latin, and Italian

3. Family & Early Life
• His father, John Chaucer, was a successful
wine merchant and deputy to the king’s
butler.
• John Chaucer married Agnes Copton (Geoffrey
Chaucer’s mother).
• 1357- Chaucer became Elizabeth de Burgh’s (a
noblewoman) page due to his father’s
connections.

4. His Education
• He was well educated, but it is unknown if he
went to an university or not.
• His works show that he could read
French, Latin, and Italian.
• There is belief that he could read and write
before he went to school.
• It was thought that he attended St. Paul’s
Almonry Grammar School.

5. His Jobs
• Chaucer worked as a page, a soldier, an esquire, a
diplomat, a customs controller, a
translator, justice of the peace, member of
Parliament, Clerk of the Works of
Westminster, Commissioner of Walls and
Ditches, and Deputy Forester of the Royal Forest.
• In between 1359-1360 he went to France to fight
in The Hundred Years’ war with Edward III army.

6. Literary Works
• Canterbury Tales- Chaucer did not begin
writing the stories until he was in his 40’s
• After loosing his employment in 1385 he had a
period of great creativity producing most of
his best poetry including Troilus.
• One of his important works was the house of
fame which was written between 1374- 1385
• Book of Duchess

7. Experiences that Affected His Writings
• Chaucer had a life, which affected his work
greatly, and gave him many different topics to
write about in his poetry.
• Such as serving for the kings of his time and
going to Florence for war and for trading.
Things like this is what made him start to
write.
• Hundred Years’ War