The
Story of a Few Pilgrims
Geoffrey Chaucer,
the first great English poet, was born around the year 1340 to a rich and well
respected family, allowing him to receive a courtly education. In 1366, Chaucer
married Philippa Roet, a
lady-in-waiting to the queen, which resulted in his social status increasing
sufficiently. Two years later, the king
sent Chaucer on diplomatic missions to France
and Italy
to act as one of his esquires. While staying in France
and Italy,
his literary works were heavily influenced by the French and Italian culture.
He started writing the Canterbury Tales, his last masterpiece, in 1386,
following the death of his wife, but died before its completion fourteen years
later.
