Chaucer’s Lifespan (c. 1343–1400)
Geoffrey Chaucer was born around 1343 in London, likely in the bustling commercial area near the Thames where his father, John Chaucer, worked as a prosperous vintner. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, as medieval records rarely noted such details for non-nobles. Still, evidence from court documents, such as a 1386 testimony where he described himself as “forty years old and more,” supports the 1343 estimate. He died on October 25, 1400, at approximately 57 years old, a notable age given the era’s high mortality rates from disease and poor sanitation. His burial in Westminster Abbey marked his significance, initiating what later became Poets’ Corner.
The Historical Period: The Late 14th Century
The “Age of Chaucer” refers to the late 14th century (roughly 1340–1400), a period of significant upheaval and transformation in England. This era sat at the cusp of the High Middle Ages and the early Renaissance, characterised by a period of profound change, and specific historical details illuminating how his environment shaped Chaucer’s life and works.
The Black Death and Its Aftermath
Impact: The plague’s devastation reduced England’s population significantly, leading to labour shortages and wage inflation.
Social Consequences: The resulting social mobility challenged feudal structures, as peasants demanded higher wages. The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, sparked by a poll tax, reflected these tensions, with rebels burning court records and executing officials in London. Chaucer, as a court official, would have been acutely aware of these events, and his inclusion of lower-class characters in “The Canterbury Tales” reflects this shifting social landscape.
The Hundred Years’ War
Military Context: The war with France, driven by Edward III’s claim to the French throne, shaped England’s economy and culture. Chaucer’s capture in 1359 and subsequent ransom highlight his personal connection to the conflict.
Cultural Influence: The war popularised chivalric ideals, reflected in “The Knight’s Tale”, but Chaucer often critiques these ideals through irony, highlighting their impracticality in a changing world.
Religious Tensions
Church’s Corruption: The Catholic Church faced criticism for its wealth and moral failings, exacerbated by the Great Schism (1378–1417), when rival popes claimed authority. John Wycliffe’s Lollard movement, advocating Church reform, gained traction in England, influencing Chaucer’s satirical portrayals of corrupt clergy like “the Pardoner”.
Chaucer’s Perspective: While not overtly Lollard, Chaucer’s works critique ecclesiastical greed, aligning with broader societal discontent.
Cultural and Intellectual Shifts
Italian Influence: Chaucer’s diplomatic missions to Italy introduced him to Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, whose works inspired the narrative complexity of “The Canterbury Tales” and “Troilus and Criseyde”.
Rise of English: The use of Middle English in literature was a bold choice, as French and Latin dominated elite culture. Chaucer’s polished verse, particularly the iambic pentameter of “The Canterbury Tales”, helped establish English as a literary language.
Urbanisation and Commerce
London’s Growth: London was a thriving commercial centre, with a population of 40,000–50,000. Chaucer’s roles in customs and public works reflect the growing importance of trade and infrastructure.
Merchant Class: His family’s mercantile background and his own career highlight the rising influence of the middle class; a theme explored in characters like the Merchant and the Franklin in “The Canterbury Tales”.