Chapter Chaucer to Chaucer of C by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

places him in the front rank of the narrative poets of the world. It contains about 18,000 lines of verse, besides some passages in prose, and was left incomplete. In it his power of story-telling, his humour, sometimes broad, sometimes sly, his vivid picture-drawing, his tenderness, and lightness of touch, reach their highest development. He is our first artist in poetry, and with him begins modern English literature. His character—genial, sympathetic, and pleasure-loving, yet honest, diligent, and studious—is reflected in his writings.

Summary.—Born 1340, fought in France 1359, by his marriage in 1366 became connected with John of Gaunt, employed on diplomatic missions 1369-79, Controller of Customs, etc., circa 1374, began Canterbury Tales 1373, elected to Parliament 1386, loses his appointments 1386, Clerk of King’s Works 1389-91, pensioned by Richard II, and Henry IV., d. c. 1400. The best edition of Chaucer is The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (6 vols. 1894) edited by Professor Skeat. Others are Thos. Wright’s for the Percy Society (1842), and Richard Morris’s in Bell’s Aldine Classics (1866).