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Geoffrey Chaucer Introduction He is called the Father of English Poetry and made history with many of his works. A brilliant life and mind was created when John and Agnes Chaucer gave birth to a man that would be later known for his famous work, The Canterbury Tales. His name originally Chaussier, being of french origin, meaning shoemaker, Geoffrey Hermann Chaucer was born in Dowgate Hill, London in 1340. His father was a well known wine vinter. Although his first language spoken at home was French, he acquired Latin and Italian with no difficulties, as it is very close to his language. There is great evidence of Chaucer having attended school, however, there are no records of how long he attended. The rest of Chaucer’s childhood is a mystery as there are no records. Getting To Know Him Chaucer grew to be a very well known and a rather very likeable person. He began reading poetry by classical Latin artists Virgil and Ovid. He made theses artists known to himself as they were inspirations for his decision to create his own work. He longed to share that feeling of excitement to create his own work with someone whom he cared greatly for and soon married Philippa de Roet in 1366, who was a lady-in-waiting to Edward III's queen. Over the next few years, Geoffrey was a page for Prince Lionel and soon after, duke of Clarence. He was in the war with Edward III in France and was captured by the French. He was ransomed to be freed. Chaucer upheld many important roles including: comptroller of customs on furs, skins, and hides for the port of London, from 1374-86 and the clerk of the king’s work, from 1389-91. During this period of time, he made $10 000- $15 000 a year. He was an active man, many would say today, a lot like Shakespeare, with the nature of his missions and employments in which he was used during the more active period of his life, a fair indication of his business ability and tact. In 1388, Geoffrey and John Goodale were sued for dishonest practices of alchemists in the Canon’s Yeoman’s prologue and tale in the Canterbury Tales. A year before, in 1387, Philippa died. There were only two recorded sons; Lewis and Thomas. Thomas became speaker of the House of Commons. The Beginning of Chaucer’s Life as a Poet When Chaucer first discovered poetry, he wrote "The Book of the Duchess", which was written in French, soon after the death of Blanche (wife of John of Gaunt), in her honour. It was intended for the duke (John of Gaunt) to describe the grieving process which he went through. "The Book of Duchess" was Chaucer’s first original long poem and it was the one he was most proud of. Other works by him are: A Complaint To His Empty Purse, The House of Fame, Knight’s Tale, Troilus and Criseyde, Complaint Unto Pity, Complaint To His Lady, The Complaint To Mars, Rosamounde, The Former Age, Fortune, Truth(which is his best known short poem), Gentilesse, Lack of Steadfastness. Some of his more humorous pieces are: The Envoy to Scogan and Envoy to Bukton. Geoffrey Chaucer’s most famous unfinished poem was The Canterbury Tales. The End of a Legend Chaucer lead a life many would have loved to live. He spent most of his life with the royals and his career was his passion, writing. Sadly, Geoffrey Chaucer died on October 25, 1400. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, London. Chaucer was the first to be buried at a place we know today as the Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.