Geoffrey Chaucer died in his house near Westminster Abbey and was buried at the entrance to the chapel of St Benedict, in the south transept of the Abbey. In 1556 a grey marble monument was erected to Chaucer’s memory by another poet, Nicholas Brigham, who may have purchased it from one of the churches in the city of London which had been dissolved by order of Henry VIII. [1]
Geoffrey Chaucer, often regarded as the “father of English literature,” left a lasting mark on the literary world. He died in 1400, at St Mary’s Chapel in Sevenoaks, probably on 25 October, although the exact date isn’t certain.
Born around 1343, Chaucer lived through a period of great social and political change. He was a poet, writer and a public servant, holding various important positions, including as a member of the royal court. He later gained fame as a philosopher and astronomer.
The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer’s most significant literary achievement, is a collection of 24 short stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. Mostly in verse, the tales are presented as a fictional storytelling contest held by a group of pilgrims travelling from London to Canterbury Cathedral. The Canterbury Tales are a masterpiece of English literature, known for rich characterisations, social commentary, and use of Middle English. It is thought that the work was incomplete at the end of Chaucer’s life.
Chaucer was the first poet to be interred in Westminster Abbey, and in 1556, his remains were moved to a more elaborate tomb, making him the inaugural writer to rest in what is now famously known as Poets’ Corner.
While many details of Chaucer’s life remain elusive, his literary legacy is unmistakable. His works were pioneering in showcasing the power and versatility of the English language.
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Susannah Fullerton: Beginning with Geoffrey Chaucer
Susannah Fullerton: Meet A Book Addict – Geoffrey Chaucer
The Guardian: Who was Geoffrey Chaucer?
Westminster Abbey: Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, Translated by Nevill Coghill
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
TED-Ed: Everything you need to know to read The Canterbury Tales