Chaucer and the Canterbury Tales

Period 1

Nickname-”The Father of English Poetry” Father- Prosperous middle class wine

merchant. Chaucer became a page in a Royal House

when he was a teen. Work as a page expose him to a world of

high/born people. Fought in a hundred years war in 1359

taken prisoner and held for ransom.

Chaucer Bio

In his 20’s- Court Official- travel abroad learn different cultures and literatures.

Influenced-by French medieval traditions 1st writer to use Middle English in a major

literary work which was the Canterburry Tales

Canterburry Tales gives a “Lifelike and engaging picture of a various strata of english society of the 13oo’s.

Born 1342—Died 1400

Chaucer Bio

ReligionChristianizing England*596 Pope Gregory I sent missionaries to convert Anglo-Saxon to Christianity*By 650 most of England was Christian* Celtic monks brought Christianity to other parts of England*Religion came with education and culture

Monasteries*Women and men dedicated their lives to work and prayer*English monks established libraries and schools*Alfred’s greatest achievement in this regard was the Anglo-Saxon chornicle

Pilgrimages*An important shrine in Spain was Santiago de Compostela *Thomas a Becket was slain in 1170One way to express religions devotion was to undertake a pilgrimage.

When king Edward died in 1066, William of Normandy claimed the throne.

Harold II was chosen by the English group of elders, William the conqueror attacked, battle of hasting, which he won

History

Following Norman conquest, Anglo-Saxons became subjects of the Norman aristocracy

William the conquer introduced feudalism to England

King John needing money for the military, imposed financial burdens on his barons

Feudal England