Thesis Statement: Chaucer shows us a past of wonderful intelligence and sophistication. He was not only an artist, but a critical piece of our vast history.
I. Family History.
A. Birth date.
B. Birth place.
C. Parent names.
D. Siblings.
II. The Early Years.
A. Schools.
B. College.
C. Employment.
D. Marriage.
III. The Middle Years.
A. Accomplishments.
B. Examples of writings.
C. Writings published.
IV. Later Years.
A. Summary of those late years.
1. Health.
2. Death.
V. Works Cited.
Rutger G. M. Parris.
Period 2.
English 8.
Mrs. Koyle.
Geoffrey Chaucer: Family History.
Geoffrey Chaucer was the chief English poet of the medieval period, and one of the truly great figures in English literature. Chaucer was born sometime between 1340 and 1344 to Mr. and Mrs. John Chaucer. His birthplace has been centralized to somewhere around London. Because his father was of royal approval and position, Chaucer was given an education that may have been beyond the reach of many future noblemen. As a boy, he was placed in a royal household of noblemen and their servants ( Skeat, W.W. 7-13). .
Geoffrey Chaucer: The Early Years.
The first records found of Chaucer were in an accounting book belonging to Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster and wife of Prince Lionel, in 1357. He was regarded as a page for whom new clothes had been .
Parris 2.
bought. Before his acceptance of the position of page, he might have been schooled in London, taught how to read, to make simple calculations, and some Latin and possibly French. Chaucer was then promoted from page to squire. It was at this time that he wrote his first poem entitled, "The Lays That Fill Our Lands," which is now lost to us (Brewer, D.S. 38-39). .
Besides perfecting his cultural background, Chaucer, now a squire had to become well-versed in the arts of war. Although, he was a candidate for knighthood, he never reached this potential. He was drafted into the service in 1359-1360. He fought in the Hundred Years" War and was taken prisoner in modern Rheims.