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Who was Geoffrey Chaucer? Poet and Courtier. Date and Place of Birth: 1342/3. London, England. Family Background: Son of John Chaucer a prosperous wine merchant who was probably deputy to the King's Butler. Education: St. Paul's Cathedral School. Chronology: 1346: The English defeat the French at the Battle of Crecy. 1348-50: Main period of the Black Death (Bubonic plaque which had an appalling effect on the population numbers of Europe.) 1356: English victory at Poitiers. 1357: He became a Page in the house of Prince Lionel, later to become the Duke of Clarence. 1359-60: He served in the army of King Edward the Third in France where he was captured but released after the payment of a ransom. These monies (totaling £16) were offered through the King by various wealthy persons such as Sir William de Graunson, Knight of Burgundy; John de York, King's Carter and his seven fellows; Geoffrey Hacking and Thomas de Staines, valetti of the Queen; between December 1359 and July 1360. 1360: Treaty of Bretigny gives a temporary cessation in the Hundred Years War with France. 1361: Severe outbreak of the plague once again. 1366: Travels to Spain. 1366: Death of his father. 1367: Birth of his son Thomas. Serves as a Valettus and later Squire in the Court of King Edward the Third. 1368: Travels to France on duties for the King. 1369-70: Serves with John of Gaunt's army in France. 1370-78: Frequently sent on diplomatic missions to the continent, visiting Italy (Genoa and Florence) in 1372 and again in 1378 (Milan). 1374 to 1386: Controller of Customs and Subsidy of Wools, Skins and Tanned Hides in the Port of London. 1374: Granted a gallon pitcher of wine per day for the rest of his life. 1377: Death of King Edward the Third and accession of King Richard the Second. 1380: Birth of his second son Lewis. 1381: Wat Tyler and others create the Peasant's revolt. Death of his mother Agnes. 1382: Becomes Comptroller of the Petty Customs. 1385: Serves as a Justice of the Peace for Kent. Allowed to nominate a permanent Deputy. 1386: Leaves his house in Aldgate, London and becomes a Member of Parliament for Kent. 1389 to 1391: Clerk of the King's Works at Westminster, the Tower of London and other royal estates. 1390: Is robbed of his horse and goods totaling £20. 1394: Is granted an annuity of £20 per year by King Richard the Second. 1398: Granted a tun of wine per year. 1399: King Richard the Second is deposed and Henry the Fourth becomes King. Chaucer leases a tenement in the garden of the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey (for 53 years). Written Works: 1368: "Romaunt of the Rose". 1369: "The Book of the Duchess". 1373: "The Life of Saint Cecilia". 1374-85: "The House of Fame". 1382-94: "The Legend of Good Women". 1383: "The Parlement of Fowles". 1385: "Troilus and Criseyde" "Boece". "Palamoun and Arcite". 1386: "The Legend of Good Women". 1387-1400: "The Canterbury Tales". 1391: "Treatise of the Astrolabe." 1396: "The Envoy to Bukton." 1400: "Complaint of Chaucer to his Purse". (1526): New Edition of Chaucer printed by Pynson includes, "The Book of Fame", "The Canterbury Tales", "Troilus and Crisyede". (1532): "Complete Works", Edited by Thynne includes many spurious attributions. (1561): "The Works with Diverse Additions, with the "Siege of Thebes", compiled by J. Lydgate. Marriage: To Philippa, daughter of Sir Payne Roet in 1366. She was probably the sister of John of Gaunt's third wife and a lady in waiting to King Edward the Third. Places of Interest: LONDON: Westminster Abbey. Pilgrims Way began at Charing Cross. KENT: Canterbury Cathedral. "Canterbury Tales Experience", Canterbury. SOMERSET: Maunsel House, North Newton, near Bridgewater. (Wrote part of the "Canterbury Tales" whilst staying there. Date and Place of Death: 25th October 1400. London, England. Age at Death: 58. Site of Grave: Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, London, England.