Geoffry Chaucer 1/15/14

Origins Canterbury Tales

Born around 1343 in London father was middle class wine merchant at early age, became a page in the royal household, exposed to noble mannerisms educated, could read in 4 diff languages; english, french, Italian, latin made a court official in his 20's gained knowledge in french and italian literature gained a variety of Governmental posts wrote a large body of works broken into 3 periods: -early;book of the duchess -middle;parliament of fowls -mature; canterbury tales  considered chancers masterpiece -used english -gave a picture of a cross section of society -talked about the common ppl, not just royalty Written in frame tale; large story with many different stories involved About a group of ppl from diff walks of life who meet at an inn and journey to Canterbury Chaucer was not the first to use frame tail format, but used it in an innovative way

THE MIDDLE AGES 1/13/15

Life in middle ages Background Women Occupations

based on wealth, power, and status formed small communities Feudalistic society peasants at bottom of society, kings and nobles on top caste system began with collapse of the western roman empire strongly influenced by roman catholics divided into 3 parts -early, high, late no significant roles in the country paid and treated far less than men 90% lived in rural areas  couldn't marry w/o parental consent 40 yr life expectancy most die during childbirth (20%), was their main role in society to have children clergy- church officials nobility merchants craftsman/laborers guilds- bands of men and women that gathered together for protection most important   armover blacksmith banker physician