Geoffrey Chaucer - Biography.

Geoffrey Chaucer - Biography. English poet Birth 1343? Death October 25, 1400 Place of Birth London, England (?) Known for Increasing the prestige of English as a literary language, through his contributions to early English literature Introducing rhyme royal, a seven-line stanza in iambic pentameter, to English poetry Milestones 1357 Served as a page to Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster 1359 Went to France with King Edward III's army and was soon after taken prisoner. He was ransomed in 1360. 1367 Appointed to a position in the king's service 1369? Wrote the elegy The Book of the Duchess following the death of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster 1370s-1380s Wrote the unfinished poem The House of Fame and the love poems The Parlement of Foules and Troilus and Criseyde 1374-1386 Served as controller of customs for London 1387-1400 Wrote The Canterbury Tales, a collection of 24 stories told during a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury 1389-1391 Served as clerk of the king's works Did You By writing in English at a time when other poets were using French and Latin, Chaucer influenced the recognition of English as a literary Know language. In the 1360s and 1370s, Chaucer went on numerous diplomatic missions to Europe. Chaucer was elected to Parliament in 1386 and served for one year. Chaucer is buried in the Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.