Timeline of English Literature- Age of Chaucer (1350 – 1450)

Timeline of English Literature: Age of Chaucer (1350 – 1450)

The Age of Chaucer marks a pivotal moment in the history of English literature, named after Geoffrey Chaucer, who is often referred to as the "Father of English Poetry." This era, spanning roughly from 1350 to 1450, represents the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and is known for its development of English as a literary language. Here’s a timeline of important events and developments during this period:

1350 – Early 14th Century Context

• Language and Society: Middle English was emerging as the dominant language in England, replacing French (due to the Norman Conquest) and Latin (used in scholarly and religious texts). The language was evolving, making literature more accessible to the common people.
• The Black Death (1348-1350): The bubonic plague wiped out nearly a third of Europe’s population, deeply affecting society and culture. This catastrophe led to social upheaval, influencing the themes of literature during the time.

1343 – Geoffrey Chaucer Born

• Chaucer’s Early Life: Chaucer was born in London to a prosperous family. His experiences as a diplomat and public servant exposed him to various cultures and languages, which would later influence his writing.

1362 – The Statute of Pleading

• This law made English the official language of the courts in England, cementing its importance in both legal and literary spheres. As English gained official recognition, literature written in English began to flourish.

1370s – Chaucer Begins Writing

• Early Works: Chaucer’s early works were heavily influenced by French and Italian literature. His early poems, such as "The Book of the Duchess" (1369), written in honor of Blanche of Lancaster, showcase his mastery of allegorical and dream-vision poetry.

1380s – Development of Chaucer’s Style

• "Troilus and Criseyde" (1385): This narrative poem based on a tale from the Trojan War exemplifies Chaucer’s ability to combine classical themes with human psychology and emotional depth.
• Italian Influence: During this period, Chaucer was influenced by Italian writers like Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, particularly from works like Boccaccio’s Decameron.

1387 – Chaucer Begins "The Canterbury Tales"

• The Canterbury Tales: Written between 1387 and 1400, this collection of stories remains one of the most important works of Middle English literature. It features a diverse group of pilgrims, each telling tales that represent a wide spectrum of medieval society. The General Prologue introduces the characters, setting the tone for the storytelling journey.
• The tales are written in a mix of verse and prose and cover a range of genres—romance, fabliau, moral tales—reflecting both the courtly and the common. Chaucer's use of iambic pentameter was groundbreaking for the time.

1381 – Peasants' Revolt

• A major uprising by the lower classes in England due to oppressive taxes and economic hardship. This event influenced the social awareness reflected in works like "The Nun’s Priest's Tale" in The Canterbury Tales.

1400 – Death of Geoffrey Chaucer

• Chaucer passed away in 1400 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. His tomb in the Abbey’s Poet's Corner marks the beginning of this tradition of honoring great writers there.

1450 – Legacy and Influence

• Chaucer’s influence on English literature continued long after his death. He elevated English as a literary language and inspired future poets such as John Lydgate and Thomas Hoccleve, who emulated his style.
• Transitional Influence: The Age of Chaucer is considered a precursor to the Renaissance in English literature, blending medieval religious themes with emerging secular and humanist ideas.

Characteristics of the Age of Chaucer:

1. Middle English: Literature was written in Middle English, which was still evolving as a language. Chaucer’s works played a key role in standardizing the London dialect of Middle English.

2. Diverse Themes: The literature of the period dealt with both religious and secular themes. Works ranged from allegories and moral tales to fabliaux (comic tales), and often addressed the changing social and political conditions of the time.

3. Allegory and Symbolism: Allegorical narratives were a dominant literary device. Chaucer’s works often include symbolic representations of abstract concepts, such as The Parliament of Fowls, which explores themes of love and marriage through allegory.

4. Emergence of Humanism: Although this era was still medieval in many respects, the seeds of Renaissance humanism were beginning to sprout. Chaucer’s characters in The Canterbury Tales are more psychologically developed than earlier medieval figures, reflecting a shift towards human-centered storytelling.

5. Courtly Love and Chivalry: Much of the literature was centered around themes of courtly love, where knights and noblewomen were idealized. However, Chaucer often satirized these conventions, especially in works like The Wife of Bath’s Tale.

6. Religious Influence: Religion still played a significant role, but it was often questioned or critiqued in literature. Chaucer’s portrayal of corrupt clergy in The Canterbury Tales, such as in The Pardoner’s Tale, highlights growing discontent with the Church, which would later contribute to the Reformation.

Other Important Writers of the Age of Chaucer:

• William Langland: Author of "Piers Plowman", a major allegorical narrative poem written around 1370, reflecting the social and religious concerns of the time.
• John Gower: A contemporary of Chaucer, known for his works "Confessio Amantis" and "Vox Clamantis", which explored themes of morality and politics.
• The Pearl Poet: An anonymous poet believed to have written "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", an important Middle English chivalric romance.

Conclusion

The Age of Chaucer represents a vital stage in the development of English literature, moving from medieval traditions towards the Renaissance. Geoffrey Chaucer’s contributions, particularly through The Canterbury Tales, established English as a legitimate literary language, while his use of humor, satire, and humanistic themes paved the way for future writers. This period’s diverse social, political, and religious influences continue to make it one of the most significant eras in the history of English literature.

Notes: Age of Chaucer (1350 – 1450)

History / Events

Literature

1381 Peasants’ revolt 1429 Siege of Orleans 1431 Joan of Arc burned 1441 Kings’ College, Cambridge founded Geoffrey Chaucer

1356. Mandeville's " Travels." 1362 Langland’s Piers the Plowman The full title of the poem is The Vision of Piers Plowman. Three distinct versions of it exist, the first c. 1362, the second c. 1377, and the third 1393 or 1398. It has been described as "a vision of Christ seen through the clouds of humanity." It is divided into nine dreams, and is in the unrhymed and alliterative. 1380 Wycliffe’s Bible 1380-83 Troylus and Cryseyde by Chaucer. 1382 The Parlement of Foules by Chaucer 1384 The House of Fame by Chaucer 1385 The Legende of Goode Women by Chaucer 1385-91 English poet Geoffrey Chaucer writes The Canterbury Tales, a work which places him in the front rank of the narrative poets of the world. It contains about 18,000 lines of verse, besides some passages in prose, and was left incomplete. In it his power of story-telling, his humour, sometimes broad, sometimes sly, his vivid picture-drawing, his tenderness, and lightness of touch, reach their highest development. He is our first artist in poetry, and with him begins modern English literature. His character—genial, sympathetic, and pleasure-loving, yet honest, diligent, and studious—is reflected in his writings. 1393 Confessio Amantis.

RULERS
1327-77	Edward III
1377-99	Richard II
1399-1413	Henry IV
1413-22	Henry V
1422-61	Henry VI
AUTHORS
1330-1408	John Gower
1330-1384	John Wycliffe
1330-1386	William Langland
1343-1400	Geoffrey Chaucer
1370-1449	John Lydgate
1394-1437	James I

1. Why are the years 1340 and 1400 important?
Ans. The year 1340 is important for the birth of the ‘father of English poetry’, Chaucer and in 1400 he breathed his last.

2. Who made the first version of the Bible in English and in which year?
Ans. In 1382 John Wycliffe made the first version of the Bible in English.

3. Why are 1453 and 1477 important in the history of English literature?
Ans. In the year 1453, Constantinople, which was the capital of Roman Empire, fell to the Turks, what announces the advent of the Revival of learning, i.e. the Renaissance Movement in Europe.
        In the year 1477, Caxton established his printing press in England in 1476 printed the first book Lydgate’s Temple of Glass, the Sheep and the Goose. Mallory’s Marti d’ Arthur was printed in 1485.

4. Name two of Chaucer’s prose writings.
Ans. A Tale of Malebeus and Parson’s Tale are Chaucer’s two-prose work.

5. Who is the first translator of the Bible?
Ans. Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation, felt the great need of the masses and with the assistance of his disciples produced a complete English version of Bible. It goes to the credit of Wycliffe that he made the first translation of the scriptures into any modern vernacular.

6. Point out two major historical events that took place in the age of Chaucer.
Ans. Chaucer belonged to the 14^th century. It was an age of foreign conquests, expansion of trade, chivalry and religious pilgrimages. In the same age however, Black Death, famine and plague swept away about one third of England’s population. Two historical events are – Black Death in 1348-49 and the peasant revolt in 1381.

7. To which age does Chaucer belong?
Ans. 14^th century, Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400).

8. Why are the years 1340 and 1400 important?
 Ans. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400).

9. To whom was Chaucer indebted for the general idea of The Canterbury Tales?
Ans. The general idea of the story telling is slightly followed from the works of Boccachio. However, truly speaking in characterization and narration it is thoroughly English and Chaucerian.

10. Relate two Events related to Social importance in Chaucer’s age.
Ans. In the 14^th century in 1348 the Black Death and in 1381 The Peasants’ revolt took place. They caused great social upheavals at that period.      

11. Who is known as the "Father of English Poetry"?
Answer: Geoffrey Chaucer.

12. What is Geoffrey Chaucer’s most famous work?
Answer: The Canterbury Tales.

13. In which dialect was The Canterbury Tales written?
Answer: Middle English, specifically the London dialect.

14. What literary technique is used in The Canterbury Tales to introduce multiple stories?
Answer: Frame narrative – The stories are told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.

15. Which event in the 14th century had a profound impact on society and literature during the Age of Chaucer?
Answer: The Black Death (1348-1350).

16. What is an example of satire in The Canterbury Tales?
Answer: Chaucer satirizes the corruption of the Church through characters like the Pardoner and the Summoner.

17. What is the theme of the “Wife of Bath’s Tale” in The Canterbury Tales?
Answer: The theme revolves around female sovereignty and what women truly desire in a relationship.

18. What is the significance of "Piers Plowman" in the Age of Chaucer?
Answer: Piers Plowman, written by William Langland, is an allegorical poem that critiques social and religious corruption.

19. Name a major event that influenced the social context of Chaucer’s time.
Answer: The Peasants' Revolt of 1381.

20. What is the literary form of "The Book of the Duchess"?
Answer: Dream vision.

21. What is a fabliau, and how is it used in The Canterbury Tales?
Answer: A fabliau is a comic, often crude narrative that satirizes human vices. An example from The Canterbury Tales is "The Miller’s Tale."

22. How did Chaucer portray the clergy in The Canterbury Tales?
Answer: Chaucer often portrayed members of the clergy as corrupt, hypocritical, and greedy, such as the Pardoner and the Friar.

23. What kind of pilgrimage are the characters in The Canterbury Tales undertaking?
Answer: A religious pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.

24. What Italian poet influenced Chaucer’s writing?
Answer: Dante Alighieri, as well as Boccaccio and Petrarch.

25. What is the significance of The General Prologue in The Canterbury Tales?
Answer: The General Prologue introduces the pilgrims and sets the stage for the various tales, providing insight into the characters’ personalities and social backgrounds.

26. What poetic form did Chaucer frequently use in his works?
Answer: Chaucer often used iambic pentameter.

27. Which of Chaucer’s works reflects his diplomatic missions in Europe?
Answer: "The Parlement of Foules" and "Troilus and Criseyde" show the influence of Chaucer’s exposure to French and Italian literature during his diplomatic travels.

28. What historical event led to the rise of English as a literary language during Chaucer's time?
Answer: The Statute of Pleading (1362), which made English the language of the courts.

29. Name one of Chaucer's contemporaries who was also a significant writer of the time.
Answer: John Gower.

30. What role did allegory play in medieval literature, and how is it reflected in Chaucer's works?
Answer: Allegory was a key literary device in medieval literature, used to convey moral or religious messages. Chaucer employed allegory in works like "The Parliament of Fowls".
These questions help to delve into the themes, characters, and historical context of the Age of Chaucer, providing a comprehensive understanding of this literary era.

    Ardhendu De