Geoffrey Chaucer -Born between in London -Father was a middle-class wine merchant -Geoffrey became a page in the royal household while still a teenager -The position exposed him to the speech, manners, and shortcomings of high-born people of the day

Geoffrey Chaucer Voracious reader; Chaucer read in four different languages Voracious reader; Chaucer read in four different languages English English Latin Latin French French Italian Italian

Young Adulthood In his twenties, Chaucer became a court official In his twenties, Chaucer became a court official Traveled on diplomatic missions—became knowledgeable of both French and Italian literature and culture Traveled on diplomatic missions—became knowledgeable of both French and Italian literature and culture

Life as a Writer Early poetry includes the Book of the Duchess and the Romaunt of the Rose. Early poetry includes the Book of the Duchess and the Romaunt of the Rose. The last two decades of Chaucer’s life saw his finest literary achievements The last two decades of Chaucer’s life saw his finest literary achievements Chaucer started writing/planning The Canterbury Tales in 1387 Chaucer started writing/planning The Canterbury Tales in 1387 He never fully completed it at his death in 1400 He never fully completed it at his death in 1400

Uncommon Honor Chaucer received an honor rare for a commoner Chaucer received an honor rare for a commoner He was buried in London’s Westminster Abbey He was buried in London’s Westminster Abbey This was the beginning of Westminster Abbey’s famous Poets’ Corner, where many other great English writers have since been buried This was the beginning of Westminster Abbey’s famous Poets’ Corner, where many other great English writers have since been buried

The Canterbury Tales This is considered Chaucer’s masterpiece for several reasons: This is considered Chaucer’s masterpiece for several reasons: It marks the beginning of a new tradition: Chaucer was the first writer to use English in a major literary work It marks the beginning of a new tradition: Chaucer was the first writer to use English in a major literary work It gives a picture of a cross-section of society during the 1300s. It gives a picture of a cross-section of society during the 1300s. It is a detailed, lifelike, and engaging picture of Medieval Life It is a detailed, lifelike, and engaging picture of Medieval Life Chaucer creates a realistic portrait of the way particular people spoke and acted Chaucer creates a realistic portrait of the way particular people spoke and acted

I rehearse... Their tales as told, for better or for worse, For else I should be false to what occurred. So if this tale had better not be heard, Just turn the page and choose another sort;

Medieval Life For safety and for defense, people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land. For safety and for defense, people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land.

Feudal System The king awarded land grants or "fiefs" to his most important nobles, his barons, and his bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies The king awarded land grants or "fiefs" to his most important nobles, his barons, and his bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies At the lowest echelon of society were the peasants, also called "serfs" or "villeins." At the lowest echelon of society were the peasants, also called "serfs" or "villeins."

Peasant Life

Peasants worked the land and produced the goods that the lord and his manor needed. Peasants worked the land and produced the goods that the lord and his manor needed. They were heavily taxed and were required to relinquish much of what they harvested. They were heavily taxed and were required to relinquish much of what they harvested. The peasants did not even "belong to" themselves, according to medieval law. The lords, in close association with the church, assumed the roles of judges in carrying out the laws of the manor. The peasants did not even "belong to" themselves, according to medieval law. The lords, in close association with the church, assumed the roles of judges in carrying out the laws of the manor.

Religion

Religion ·The Catholic Church was the only church in Europe during the Middle Ages Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and played leading roles in government. Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and played leading roles in government. Bishops, who were often wealthy and came from noble families, ruled over groups of parishes called "diocese." Bishops, who were often wealthy and came from noble families, ruled over groups of parishes called "diocese." Parish priests, on the other hand, came from humbler backgrounds and often had little education. Parish priests, on the other hand, came from humbler backgrounds and often had little education.

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages Pilgrimages were an important part of religious life in the Middle Ages. Pilgrimages were an important part of religious life in the Middle Ages. Many people took journeys to visit holy shrines such as the Church of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the Canterbury cathedral in England, and sites in Jerusalem and Rome. Many people took journeys to visit holy shrines such as the Church of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the Canterbury cathedral in England, and sites in Jerusalem and Rome. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a series of stories told by 30 pilgrims as they traveled to Canterbury. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a series of stories told by 30 pilgrims as they traveled to Canterbury.