Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London between 1340-1342. His name was of French origin and meant shoemaker. Chaucer was the son of a prosperous wine merchant. There is little information on his early education, but his writings indicate that he could read French, Latin, and Italian.
In 1359-1360, Chaucer went to France with Edward III's army during the Hundred Years" War. By the time he was twenty, he was captured but was soon ransomed. There is no definite information of his life from 1361 to 1366, when he married Philippa Roet, who served in the Queen's household. They apparently had two sons, "little Lewis", to whom Chaucer addressed "A Treatise on the Astrolabe (1391), and Thomas, who was later highly successful in public service. Philippa died in 1387.
Between 1367 and 1378, Chaucer made several journeys on diplomatic and commercial missions in Flanders, France, and Italy. He held many important administrative positions, such as Comptroller of the Customs for the port of London. During that time he was charged with rape, although his guilt or innocence has never been determined. In 1385 he lost his employment and rent-free home, and moved to Kent where he as appointed as justice of the peace. He was also elected to Parliament. In 1389, he was appointed clerk of the Works at Westminster, Tower of London, and other royal estates. This was probably his most important. As a royal clerk, he supervised a great number of craftsman and property.
During 1367 - 1378, Chaucer produced most of his best poetry. In 1367 - 1370, he started out writing poetry in French. In 1367, he wrote the "Book of the Duchess" about the death of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster. From 1368 - 1372, he wrote many poems in French and English, including such poems as "The Complaint unto Pity" and "The Complaint to His Lady." He began work on The Canterbury Tales about 1387. He intended for each of his thirty pilgrims to tell four tales, two while traveling to Canterbury and two while traveling from Canterbury.
