Probably born in London, the son and grandson of prosperous vintners who came from Ipswich, Suffolk, Geoffrey Chaucer became a page in the service of Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster. Nothing is known about his education but that he learned Latin and French. On a military expedition to France in 1359, he was taken prisoner in Reims and had to be ransomed.

Circa 1366 he married Philippa, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting and probably sister of Catherine Roet who became mistress and later the third wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. He and Philippa possibly had only two sons. In June 1367 Geoffrey Chaucer was recorded as 'Yeoman of the Chamber' in the king's household. One of his functions was to entertain the court with stories, songs and music. When John of Gaunt's first wife, Blanche, died, Chaucer wrote an elegy in her honour.

In 1372 he went to Genoa and Florence, and it is presumed that during this trip he became acquainted with the works of Dante and Boccaccio. He did not return until May 1373. With grants he became prosperous but, made to be responsible for accounts, was sent to France and Italy. Around 1385 he moved to Kent where he lived quietly for two or three years. In May 1389 he was made responsible for the maintenance of the Tower, Westminster Palace and other buildings. In September 1390 he was robbed several times, losing twenty pounds of the king's money. He is thought to have died in
October 1400 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.    Chaucer wrote for the most cultured people in England and works meant to entertain the court. His writings were copied and re-copied but none of the original manuscripts survived. Works which have survived are 'Troilus', 'The Canterbury Tales', 'The Parliament of Fowls', 'The Book of the Duchess', 'The House of Fame', 'The Prologue to the Legend of the Good Women', 'Instructions to the Man of Law's Tale', and 'Retraction'.
 

Source: Leo van de Pas