Historic Background of Chaucer age

1. The Age of Chaucer
(1343 – 1400)
Presented by Mehul Dodiya
Lecturer
Smt. D.H Kabariya Mahila Arts College

2. The Background of Chaucer Age
• Geoffrey Chaucers (1340-1400)
• Transition and Turbulence
• The Medieval and The
Renaissance

3. The Hundred Years War
• Between England and France
• Cause of the war was the
dynastic struggle for Franch
throne.
• Divided into three phases;
1. The Edwardian Era War (1337-
1360)
2. The Caroline War (1369-1389)
3. The Lancastrian War (1415-
1453)

4. English as a language of Court
• Beginning of a New Language
and literature
• Chaucer, Langland, Wycliffe
• In 1362, English become the
language of Law court.

5. Feudalism
• 14th century’s society was still
divided into three traditional
estate;
1. Pray (The Church)
2. Fight (The Nobility)
3. Work (everyone else)
• Largest class was Villani

6. The Black Death
• Spread across Europe in 1347
killed more than 4 millions
people
• Unqualified and poorly trained
priests.
• Resulting of English reformation

7. Wycliffe’s revolt
• Wycliffe was described as a
‘morning star of the
Reformation.’
• Questions against authority
• Wycliffe voiced the diacontent of
common people and tried to
awaken the conscience of
society.

8. The Peasant Revolt of 1381
• Cause of the uprising was
imposition of the Third Poll Tax
• Over the Age of 15 had to pay
one shilling.
• Wat Tyler was the leader
• he was kill in the last meeting at
Smithfield
• After the death of Tyler, The
revolt was come to the end.