Tuesday 13 October 2020

Commemorating Geoffrey Chaucer - died 25th October 1400



(c) Wiki Commons - Blake - The Canterbury Pilgrims


I have always enjoyed The Canterbury Tales. I must confess I have not read them from cover to cover but read the tales by dipping in and out over many years and during my research of Chaucer. 

Chaucer is a fascinating character, born in to the merchant class, a page at Court, his patron was John of Gaunt and became related through marriage to two Kings! Also worked as a Civil Servant when he became Controller of Customs in the City of London. Plus a full life of travel and intrigue.  He was well able to describe all the quirks and code of of behaviour from the high echelons to the low.

His poem was unusual for the time for several reasons the main ones being it was in English and the other he gave the characters a voice which was not the usual practice of the time. An element usual for the period was the moralising stories of the then known world and Chaucer used them to great effect.

Once upon a time I took people on a tour of the City of London following in Chaucer's footsteps. He was born in Vintry a Ward of the City and lived in Aldgate as Comptoller of Customs. He knew the locals and the streets very well and should, if he returned today find his way around, as the footprint has not changed that much and the Guildhall and Leadenhall are exactly where he left them! 

Now I cannot do the walk so I am offering a Virtual Tour on 25th October at 6pm.  We can actually cover more ground so to speak, and I do hope you can join me to explore this great poet, father of the English language and his home City.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-tour-geoffrey-chaucer-life-times-tickets-125122236979?fbclid=IwAR3yEUd7R3Zz84n3ZUwDzLdKOUvtiRULYW_4aAMiuaxzX__xyBnt1vYXpqY

The virtual tour will take place on Zoom so you will need to have the app to book in, Full details included in the Confirmation once booked.



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