English Literature / Unit 4 ENL 0303 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Chaucer's Life and Career
Captions available
The idea
Geoffrey Chaucer, about thirteen forty to fourteen hundred, rose from the middle ranks through service: page, soldier, diplomat, customs official, justice of the peace and member of parliament. John of Gaunt was his chief patron. He chose to write in English though he knew French, Italian and Latin.
In practice
Civil servant who wrote in English.
Where people slip
Choosing English is part of his importance.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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