Chaucer biography and compaing the monk and the prioress.

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Chaucer coursework

In Chaucer’s time many people lived in poverty and sickness a major cause of death was the bubonic plague (also known as the black death). In Chaucer’s time there was around 3 million people living in England and trade was very difficult because some major towns were quarantined because of the plague and roads were extremely bad only pack horses could make the journeys although a few goods were still often traded they were wool, silk, leather and wine. From 1327-1377 Edward III ruled, from 1377-1399 Richard II ruled and from 1399-1413 Henry IV ruled. England were often at war with France because France had taken over England in 1066 and there was often fights over land and power. The power of the church can still be seen today by the grand churches with many expensive statues. The nobility in England often spoke French because the royalty were decedents of the French so it was seen more acceptable and sophisticated although the common man spoke English.

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Geoffrey Chaucer was born at some time round the 1340s (the exact date is unknown).  both his father and grandfather were Londoners, Geoffrey’s father made a living in the wine trade although the family was not rich they were certainly comfortable, since john Chaucer had so many connections he was able to get Geoffrey a place in the service of the wife of the duke of Clarence, as her page he got to meet many important people including john of gaunt who became one of Geoffrey’s most loyal and generous supporters, he served in a minor military expedition ...

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