The Age of Chaucer: History of English Literature Unit 1

Geoffrey Chaucer's Life

• Born in 1340 and died in 1400
• Lived through the reign of Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV
• Considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages
• Known as the "father of English literature" or "father of English poetry"
• First writer to be buried in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey
• Had a career in the civil service as a bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat, and member of parliament

Chaucer's Career

• At 17, received a court appointment as page to the wife of the Duke of Clarence
• Fought in the English army in France, taken prisoner, and later ransomed
• Became valet of the king's chamber after returning to England
• Often entrusted with diplomatic missions on the continent, including Italy
• Brought into direct touch with Italian culture during the early Renaissance
• May have met Petrarch and Boccaccio during his travels

The Age of Chaucer

• The 14th century is known as the Age of Chaucer
• A time of transition from medieval to modern times
• A great age of Enlightenment and Prosperity
• Initially, people in England were dissatisfied with religious, political, and social principles

Historical Background

• The period includes the reign of Edward III and the French wars
• Accession of Richard II in 1377 and the revolution of 1399
• Deposition of Richard and the foundation of the Lancastrian dynasty
• Social and intellectual movements of the period, including the Black Death and the growth of the spirit of inquiry

Literary Features of the Age

• The standardization of English, with the East Midland speech becoming the standard language
• Amalgamation of French and English to form the standard English tongue
• A sharper spirit of criticism and a more searching interest in man's affairs
• Less childlike faith in, and a less complacent acceptance of, the established order
• The vogue of the romance is passing, and the drama is being foreshadowed
• The age of anonymity is passing away, with more named authors appearing

Learn about the life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer, considered the father of English literature. This unit covers Chaucer's life, his poetry, and his significance in English literature.