Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey ChaucerBorn c. 1434 in London EnglandBorn c. 1434 in London England

Died c. 1400, buried in Westminster Died c. 1400, buried in Westminster AbbeyAbbey

About Chaucer’s Life:About Chaucer’s Life: Geoffrey Chaucer was born about 1343 Geoffrey Chaucer was born about 1343 ADAD, probably in London, England, during the , probably in London, England, during the Hundred Years' WarHundred Years' War. His . His

father seems to have been pretty well off; he sold father seems to have been pretty well off; he sold winewine to bars and taverns. Chaucer's mother was also well off; to bars and taverns. Chaucer's mother was also well off; she she inheritedinherited twenty-four shops in London from her uncle. The twenty-four shops in London from her uncle. The plagueplague struck England when Chaucer was about struck England when Chaucer was about five years old, but he and his family seem to have survived.five years old, but he and his family seem to have survived.

When Chaucer (CHAW-sir) was about fourteen, he left home and became a page (a sort of servant) in the house When Chaucer (CHAW-sir) was about fourteen, he left home and became a page (a sort of servant) in the house of a rich lady, the Countess of Ulster. This was pretty normal in the Middle Ages as a way for teenagers to meet of a rich lady, the Countess of Ulster. This was pretty normal in the Middle Ages as a way for teenagers to meet other teenagers and be looked after without fighting with their parents. It was kind of like going to boarding school other teenagers and be looked after without fighting with their parents. It was kind of like going to boarding school is for us.is for us.

When he grew up, Chaucer worked in the government, helping out various different rich men and kings. For a When he grew up, Chaucer worked in the government, helping out various different rich men and kings. For a while he was in the English army. He traveled to while he was in the English army. He traveled to ItalyItaly many times on government business, where he met many times on government business, where he met Petrarch and apparently became familiar with Italian poetry and stories.Petrarch and apparently became familiar with Italian poetry and stories.

Even though Chaucer had a busy life working for the King as a customs official and various other jobs, he found Even though Chaucer had a busy life working for the King as a customs official and various other jobs, he found time to write a lot of stories too. The first thing he wrote that we know about is the Book of the Duchess, which he time to write a lot of stories too. The first thing he wrote that we know about is the Book of the Duchess, which he wrote when he was about thirty years old. But the most famous stories Chaucer wrote are the Canterbury Tales.wrote when he was about thirty years old. But the most famous stories Chaucer wrote are the Canterbury Tales.

The idea of the Canterbury Tales is that a group of people are traveling together to Canterbury on a pilgrimage to The idea of the Canterbury Tales is that a group of people are traveling together to Canterbury on a pilgrimage to pray at the shrine of pray at the shrine of St. Thomas a BecketSt. Thomas a Becket. In the 1300's this was a common way for people to travel and improve . In the 1300's this was a common way for people to travel and improve the state of their soul at the same time. Chaucer begins by telling us,the state of their soul at the same time. Chaucer begins by telling us,

"When April comes with its sweet showers...then people long to go on pilgrimages" "When April comes with its sweet showers...then people long to go on pilgrimages" These people, as they ride their These people, as they ride their horseshorses along the road on their along the road on their pilgrimagepilgrimage, naturally get to talking, and they agree , naturally get to talking, and they agree

that to pass the time they will each tell a story. There are 24 stories altogether. When Chaucer died, probably in that to pass the time they will each tell a story. There are 24 stories altogether. When Chaucer died, probably in 1400 AD, he was about 57 years old. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.1400 AD, he was about 57 years old. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral(http://www.gothereguide.com/canterbury-city/)(http://www.gothereguide.com/canterbury-city/)

CanterburyCanterbury is a nice quiet city in south east Kent. It is one of the oldest cities in is a nice quiet city in south east Kent. It is one of the oldest cities in EnglandEngland and is a and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canterbury has a lot of historic landmarks and Roman ruins. In UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canterbury has a lot of historic landmarks and Roman ruins. In 597AD St. Augustine was sent by the pope to convert the English people to Christianity and soon 597AD St. Augustine was sent by the pope to convert the English people to Christianity and soon Canterbury became an important center of the Christian church. Canterbury became an important center of the Christian church.

Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral is the most important landmark in the city along with the St Augustine’s is the most important landmark in the city along with the St Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s church. Today St Martin’s Church is the oldest church in England and is Abbey and St. Martin’s church. Today St Martin’s Church is the oldest church in England and is still in use. Canterbury Cathedral is the still in use. Canterbury Cathedral is the Motherchurch of the Anglican CommunionMotherchurch of the Anglican Communion and the seat of and the seat of the the Archbishop of CanterburyArchbishop of Canterbury. The cathedral was built in 1070 on the ruins of previous cathedral . The cathedral was built in 1070 on the ruins of previous cathedral and was rebuilt many times and a lot of additions were added during the centuries. and was rebuilt many times and a lot of additions were added during the centuries.

The Canterbury Cathedral is enormous, awe inspiring building with impressive proportions. The The Canterbury Cathedral is enormous, awe inspiring building with impressive proportions. The nave is one of the longest among the medieval churches – 60m (188ft). The choir which is one of nave is one of the longest among the medieval churches – 60m (188ft). The choir which is one of the longest was completed in 1184 and the Central tower was added in 1498. Some of the the longest was completed in 1184 and the Central tower was added in 1498. Some of the stained glass windows are more than 1,000 years old. stained glass windows are more than 1,000 years old.

Thomas Becket was murdered here in 1170 and a result Canterbury became major pilgrimage Thomas Becket was murdered here in 1170 and a result Canterbury became major pilgrimage site. Four years later Trinity Chapel was added to house his remains. In 1387 Geoffrey Chaucer site. Four years later Trinity Chapel was added to house his remains. In 1387 Geoffrey Chaucer was inspired by the status of Canterbury as a pilgrimage spot and wrote was inspired by the status of Canterbury as a pilgrimage spot and wrote The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales. .

Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral

Who was Who was Sir Thomas Becket?Sir Thomas Becket?

Thomas BecketThomas Becket (1118 – 29 December 1170) (1118 – 29 December 1170) or or Thomas à BecketThomas à Becket was was

Archbishop of CanterburyArchbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to his from 1162 to his death. He is venerated as a death. He is venerated as a saintsaint and and martyrmartyr by by both the both the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church and the and the Anglican CommunionAnglican Communion. He engaged in conflict . He engaged in conflict with with Henry II of EnglandHenry II of England over the rights and over the rights and privileges of the Church and was privileges of the Church and was assassinatedassassinated by followers of the king in by followers of the king in Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral. .

What is a pilgrimage?What is a pilgrimage? The Medieval PilgrimageThe Medieval Pilgrimage Religious Pilgrim Destinations in the Middle AgesReligious Pilgrim Destinations in the Middle Ages ©© Rachel Rachel BellerbyBellerby Mar 10, 2008Mar 10, 2008 Medieval society was often divided sharply into rich and poor. But, on a pilgrimage, people from all walks of life could meet and travel Medieval society was often divided sharply into rich and poor. But, on a pilgrimage, people from all walks of life could meet and travel

together.together.

Pilgrimages are nothing new. For thousands of years, people have traveled to various religious sites for different reasons. However, there Pilgrimages are nothing new. For thousands of years, people have traveled to various religious sites for different reasons. However, there was never a more popular time for religious pilgrimages than during the Middle Ages.was never a more popular time for religious pilgrimages than during the Middle Ages.

In medieval times, people made long trips to visit the relics or resting places of revered saints. Many of these journeys, to far away places In medieval times, people made long trips to visit the relics or resting places of revered saints. Many of these journeys, to far away places such as Jerusalem or Rome, could take months and often, the travelers never returned, such were the risks of traveling to an unknown such as Jerusalem or Rome, could take months and often, the travelers never returned, such were the risks of traveling to an unknown destination.destination.

The Journey of a Medieval PilgrimThe Journey of a Medieval Pilgrim Many medieval people chose to travel in groups, reasoning that there was safety in numbers. One particularly famous group of fictional Many medieval people chose to travel in groups, reasoning that there was safety in numbers. One particularly famous group of fictional

pilgrims are the characters from Geoffrey Chaucer’s pilgrims are the characters from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales. They were based on real life people and reflected the fact that . They were based on real life people and reflected the fact that pilgrims came from all walks of life.pilgrims came from all walks of life.

Rich or poor, everyone needed hospitality whilst on the road and there were many places along popular pilgrim routes which catered for Rich or poor, everyone needed hospitality whilst on the road and there were many places along popular pilgrim routes which catered for travelers, just as today’s motorway service stations allow us to rest during our journeys. One of the earliest forms of hospitality was the travelers, just as today’s motorway service stations allow us to rest during our journeys. One of the earliest forms of hospitality was the monastery. It was traditional during the Middle Ages that anyone who presented themselves at a monastery door would be given food and monastery. It was traditional during the Middle Ages that anyone who presented themselves at a monastery door would be given food and shelter.shelter.

However, as the number of pilgrims increased, there were simply too many people to be housed in monastic buildings and so inns and However, as the number of pilgrims increased, there were simply too many people to be housed in monastic buildings and so inns and boarding houses offered an alternative. Here, people would swop stories with other travellers, finding out about places they had visited. boarding houses offered an alternative. Here, people would swop stories with other travellers, finding out about places they had visited. They could also gain valuable information from people who had visited the pilgrimage sites and were on their way back home, picking up They could also gain valuable information from people who had visited the pilgrimage sites and were on their way back home, picking up information about places to eat and stay.information about places to eat and stay.

Read more: Read more: http://medievalhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_medieval_pilgrimage#ixzz0WfdXKSLOhttp://medievalhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_medieval_pilgrimage#ixzz0WfdXKSLO

Canterbury Tales:Canterbury Tales:

We are reading:We are reading: The Nun’s Priest's Tale The Nun’s Priest's Tale (about Chanticleer, a proud rooster )(about Chanticleer, a proud rooster )

The Pardoner’s TaleThe Pardoner’s Tale (three men try to kill death(three men try to kill death)) The Wife of Bath’s Tale The Wife of Bath’s Tale (What do women really want? Control?)(What do women really want? Control?)

There are more than 20 tales – no complete book of tales There are more than 20 tales – no complete book of tales exists today. exists today.

Sample of MIDDLE ENGLISHSample of MIDDLE ENGLISH The Nun’s Priest's Tale in TranslatedThe Nun’s Priest's Tale in Translated

THE TALETHE TALEA widow poor, somewhat advanced in age, A widow poor, somewhat advanced in age, Lived, on a time, within a small cottage Lived, on a time, within a small cottage Beside a grove and standing down a dale. Beside a grove and standing down a dale. This widow, now, of whom I tell my tale, This widow, now, of whom I tell my tale, Since that same day when she'd been last a wife Since that same day when she'd been last a wife Had led, with patience, her strait simple life, Had led, with patience, her strait simple life, For she'd small goods and little income-rent; For she'd small goods and little income-rent; By husbanding of such as God had sent By husbanding of such as God had sent She kept herself and her young daughters twain. She kept herself and her young daughters twain. Three large sows had she, and no more, 'tis plain, Three large sows had she, and no more, 'tis plain, Three cows and a lone sheep that she called Moll. Three cows and a lone sheep that she called Moll. Right sooty was her bedroom and her hall, Right sooty was her bedroom and her hall, Wherein she'd eaten many a slender meal. Wherein she'd eaten many a slender meal. Of sharp sauce, why she needed no great deal, Of sharp sauce, why she needed no great deal, For dainty morsel never passed her throat; For dainty morsel never passed her throat; Her diet well accorded with her coat. Her diet well accorded with her coat. Repletion never made this woman sick; Repletion never made this woman sick; A temperate diet was her whole physic, A temperate diet was her whole physic, And exercise, and her heart's sustenance. And exercise, and her heart's sustenance. The gout, it hindered her nowise to dance, The gout, it hindered her nowise to dance, Nor apoplexy spun within her head; Nor apoplexy spun within her head; And no wine drank she, either white or red; And no wine drank she, either white or red; Her board was mostly garnished, white and black, Her board was mostly garnished, white and black, With milk and brown bread, whereof she'd no lack, With milk and brown bread, whereof she'd no lack, Broiled bacon and sometimes an egg or two, Broiled bacon and sometimes an egg or two, For a small dairy business did she do. For a small dairy business did she do. A yard she had, enclosed all roundabout A yard she had, enclosed all roundabout With pales, and there was a dry ditch without, With pales, and there was a dry ditch without, And in the yard a cock called Chanticleer. And in the yard a cock called Chanticleer.

From From The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales::The Nun's Priest's TaleThe Nun's Priest's Tale

Heere bigynneth the Nonnes Preestes Tale of the Heere bigynneth the Nonnes Preestes Tale of the CokCok and and HenHen, Chauntecleer and Pertelote., Chauntecleer and Pertelote.

55       A 55       A povrepovre wydwewydwe, , somdelsomdel stapestape in age,Was in age,Was whilomwhilom dwellyng in a dwellyng in a narwenarwe cotageBiside a greve, stondynge in a cotageBiside a greve, stondynge in a dale.This dale.This wydwewydwe, of which I telle yow my tale,, of which I telle yow my tale,SynSyn thilkethilke day day that she was last a that she was last a wyfwyf,60In pacience ladde a ,60In pacience ladde a fulful symplesymple lyflyf,For litel was hir ,For litel was hir catelcatel and hir and hir renterente.By housbondrie, of .By housbondrie, of swichswich as God hir sente,She foond hirself and as God hir sente,She foond hirself and eekeek hire doghtren hire doghtren two.Thre large sowes hadde she, and two.Thre large sowes hadde she, and namonamo,65Three ,65Three keenkeen, , and and eekeek a sheep that a sheep that hightehighte Malle.Ful sooty was hir Malle.Ful sooty was hir bourbour and and eekeek hire halle,In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel-Of hire halle,In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel-Of poynauntpoynaunt sauce hir neded sauce hir neded never a never a deeldeel.No .No deynteedeyntee morsel morsel passed passed thurghthurgh hir throte,70Hir diete was accordant to hir hir throte,70Hir diete was accordant to hir cotecote.Repleccioun ne made hire nevere sik,Attempree diete was al .Repleccioun ne made hire nevere sik,Attempree diete was al hir phisik,And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce.The goute lette hir phisik,And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce.The goute lette hir nothyng for to daunce,75N'apoplexie shente nat hir hir nothyng for to daunce,75N'apoplexie shente nat hir heed.No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed,Hir bord was heed.No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed,Hir bord was served moost with whit and blak,Milk and broun breed, in served moost with whit and blak,Milk and broun breed, in which she foond no lak,Seynd bacoun, and somtyme an ey or which she foond no lak,Seynd bacoun, and somtyme an ey or tweye,80For she was as it were a maner deye.       A yeerd tweye,80For she was as it were a maner deye.       A yeerd she hadde, enclosed al abouteWith stikkes, and a drye dych she hadde, enclosed al abouteWith stikkes, and a drye dych withoute,In which she hadde a Cok, hight Chauntecleer,withoute,In which she hadde a Cok, hight Chauntecleer,

Nun’s Priest’s TaleNun’s Priest’s Tale Like the Second Nun, the Nun's Priest is not described in the General Prologue. In the prologue Like the Second Nun, the Nun's Priest is not described in the General Prologue. In the prologue

to his tale, however, the Host describes him as a muscular man with a thick neck and broad to his tale, however, the Host describes him as a muscular man with a thick neck and broad chest, qualities that the Ellesmere miniature seeks to capture.chest, qualities that the Ellesmere miniature seeks to capture.

Pardoner’s Tale Pardoner’s Tale

The Wife of Bath’s TaleThe Wife of Bath’s Tale