Chaucer has a dual role as a monarch gardener and diplomat. In other words, he’s the master in the daytime. Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet from England, was born in London around 1340. He was employed as a civil servant by Countess Elizabeth Ulster from 1357 until the end of his life. The Canterbury Tales were his most well-known work. He died on 25 October 1400 in London.
Geoffrey Chaucer was a student at St. Paul’s Cathedral School. He studied the influential works of Virgil, Ovid and other writers. He worked as a sort of waiter for the high class in his teenage years. The career began with the adoption of parents. In 1357 Chaucer was hired as a civil servant by Countess Elizabeth, who paid him a modest salary to cover his clothing and food. Chaucer was imprisoned in Rethel, France, for ransom, in 1359. He had been sent to France as part of the Hundred Years’ War. King Edward III, who knew Chaucer through his royal connections helped to pay Chaucer’s ransom. Chaucer, after receiving a ransom, joined the Royal Service. He traveled to France, Spain, Italy, and the rest of Europe on diplomatic missions in the early and mid-1360s. Chaucer was made an esquire by King Edward III in 1368 when Philippa died in 1369. This served to enhance the position and status of Philippa who would later become Chaucer’s own property. Chaucer travelled to Florence and Genoa from 1370 to 1373 on diplomatic missions. He was there to assist in the building of Genoa’s British port. In Florence and Genoa, Chaucer spent some time learning about the Italian poets Dante et Petrarch. After his duties were completed, he returned to his native country and was rewarded with the trust of becoming Customs Controller. Chaucer spent more time on diplomatic missions in 1377-1388. He had little time to compose poetry. In 1385 Chaucer requested a leave of absence. In the following four years, Chaucer lived in Kent and worked as a peace judge. Later he became a member of parliament. Chaucer had financial problems when Philippa passed away in 1387. He was forced to continue his public service work to earn money and pay the growing debt. Chaucer then became a British diplomat in France and Italy.