From a prosperous middle-class family, Chaucer joined the army and fought at the siege of Reims in 1359 where he was captured and eventually ransomed by Edward III. After marriage in 1366, Chaucer was appointed a court official and produced his first poem, Book of the Duchesse in 1370. Chaucer travelled much over the following ten years on diplomatic missions to Flanders, Italy and France. Some time before 1380, he produced Hous of Fame, a narrative poem. His other works from this period include Parlement of Foules, a translation of Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy and the romance, Troilus and Criseyde. Becoming good friends with the Earl of Derby (later to become Henry IV), Chaucer, while enjoying the favour of court, wrote his famous Canterbury Tales, which remained unfinished at his death. He is buried in Westminster Abbey. |
Chrysoma Associates Limited
