Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (a history)

Geoffrey Chaucer is known as ‘the father of English literature’ (many of us remember A-levels trying to fathom out Olde English in his Canterbury Tales – stories of pilgrims travelling to the ancient city). He’s buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.

There is no evidence to suggest Chaucer actually visited the historic city of Canterbury, but it has been a pilgrimage site since the assassination of the Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170.

It’s also thought that he would have attended the funeral of the brother of the Duke of Lancaster (he was a household member), and that tomb is in Canterbury Cathedral.

Geoffrey Chaucer was likely a butler to aristocrats, with his son Thomas being Speaker of the House of Commons for several years (who bought Donnington Castle in Berkshire for his daughter).

Alice Chaucer was married at age just 11 (her husband dying soon after, leaving her a wealthy widow before her teens).

Back in the days of Chaucer, most people in England spoke French and Latin, hence the difficult language the (unfinished) tales are written in.

Charles Dickens (born in Portsmouth) set his novel David Copperfield mostly in this city too.

A County of Many, Many Castles!

Kent is full of regal castles, likely due to its location on the coast (castles were of course built to protect from invasion). Leeds Castle (nowhere near Yorkshire) is sometimes called the most beautiful in the world, and sits on an island, between two lakes.

Other Kent castles are at Dover (above the white cliffs) and Hever (includes rose gardens, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn).