Geoffrey Chaucer was born around 1343 in London, England to John and Agnes Chaucer. His exact birth date is unknown. His father, John Chaucer, was a prosperous wine merchant and deputy to the king's butler. This brought Geoffrey into close contact with the high aristocratic society of England. As the son of a public servant and merchant, his early childhood allowed him to study at one of the eminent London schools although the exact one remains a mystery.


In 1357, when Chaucer was still in his early teens, Elizabeth de Burgh came to London and married Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence. Lionel was the second son of King Edward III and Elizabeth de Burgh’s third husband. As one of herofficial courtiers, Chaucer came into direct contact with the royalty and nobility of England for the first time.


A few months later in 1359 Chaucer traveled with Lionel to France during Edward III’s military campaign in the early stages of the Hundred Years War. While the teenage Chaucer likely performed mostly clerical work on this campaign, he may have also seen his first battles in either Reims or Paris. Later on in 1369, Chaucer made another trip to France on a military mission. This saw him travel to different places like Genoa and Florence in Italy. Scholars speculate Chaucer began writing poetry while traveling abroad on one of these early missions.


On September 20, 1366, when Chaucer was in his early 20s, Edward III of England granted him an annual allowance of 20 marks for life (roughly equivalent to £15,000 in today’s money) as thanks for his past and future services. Some scholars speculate Chaucer performed an intelligence or diplomatic role. From then on, his career and income increasingly relied on royal favor and service.


Around 1367, Chaucer married Philippa Roet, who was probably lady-in-waiting to Edward III’s queen. Chronicler Jean Froissart described Philippa as well educated, beautiful and skillful in courtly amusements. As a member of the court circle, Philippa provided Geoffrey social status and connections.


In 1368 Chaucer worked as a diplomatic envoy in Milan, Italy perhaps to negotiate a marriage between the Milanese Visconti family and some English nobles. He likely helped establish the relationship with Bernabò Visconti who married Edward III’s daughter, Violante and later unsuccessfully claimed the English throne. During his time in Italy, Chaucer may have become familiar with the works of Dante and Petrarch whose poetry and stories profoundly influenced Chaucer’s later writing style.


From around 1370 to 1378 records show Chaucer living in Kent, probably focusing on writing, traveling between London, Calais, and Flanders at least once conducting diplomatic work. As a public servant and writer his repute and wealth were growing.


In 1374, Chaucer was appointed as Custos for the Port of London- perhaps a lucrative position collecting import duties and controlling goods in and out of England's largest city.


By 1378 Chaucer had written Book of the Duchess, Parliament of Fowls, House of Fame and other minor poems. During this time his style was still heavily influenced by French and Italian verse before developing his own unique English rhythms and phrasings. Richard II acceded to the throne in 1377 starting a period of rampant court corruption as the aristocracy battled for power and influence.


In 1378 Chaucer traveled to Lombardy again, this time for a secret operation to hire mercenaries for a war in Castile. Later on scholars have speculated that during these times away from England, Chaucer became involved in international intrigue and information gathering for the English crown. Over the course of his diplomatic missions to France, Spain, and Italy, he likely discreetly reported events, rumors and minute details of life at foreign courts back to the English...