Holly McDonald, age 14, of Pittsfield, Mass., for her question:
WHO WROTE "THE CANTERBURY TALES"?
One of the finest of all English poets was a man named Geoffrey Chaucer, author of an epic called "The Canterbury Tales," regarded by scholars as one of the world's literary masterpieces.
"The Canterbury Tales" is a collection of stories that tell of a group's pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket in Canterbury.
Chaucer worked on his masterpiece for 15 years, starting in 1385 and continuing until his death in 1400. He never finished "The Canterbury Tales" but outlined his plans for it in the prologue.
The plot revolves around 29 pilgrims gathered at the Tabard Inn in London, getting ready for their pilgrimage. Each agree to tell two tales going to Canterbury and two tales returning.
The pilgrims present an excellent cross section of 14th century English society. The cast ranges from a noble knight to a humble plowman.
Only 24 of the tales were written and four remain unfinished.
Some scholars say the "Tales" are a pilgrimage of human life that might be similar to a trip from earth to heaven.
"The Canterbury Tales" is made up of more than 18,000 lines of poetry. It features one or more tales that link introductions and join stories within the total unit.
Almost every type of medieval story is included. Chaucer had an excellent way of using dramatic tension between the tales and the framing story. Sometimes the author satirized the abuses of the church, and then he turned around and included a number of serious religious tales.
Love, marriage and domestic events are the most common themes.
Chaucer was born in London between 1340 and 1343 and was trained to be a civil servant and diplomat. He acted as customs controller for a time and then served as clerk of the King's Works, or administrator of the royal properties. He died at about the age of 60.
While still a young man, Chaucer served as a justice of the peace and in 1386 was appointed to Parliament.
Having such a wide variety of important positions undoubtedly developed Chaucer's knowledge of English life.
Chaucer wrote for the courts of Edward III and Richard II. He was also a personal friend of the important nobleman John of Gaunt who later became his brother in law.
Scholars tell us that Chaucer was one of the most learned men of the Middle Ages. He traveled extensively and was familiar with all of the Latin classics, medieval science and theology. He may even have studied law.
Chaucer wrote in Middle English, a form of writing used from 1100 to 1450.