The Canterbury Tales | 10 Things You Didn't Know | Geoffrey Chaucer

Summary

This video explores ten fascinating facts about Geoffrey Chaucer and his iconic work, *The Canterbury Tales*. It highlights Chaucer's pioneering use of paper in England, his royal connections, and his tumultuous political career. Notably, it recounts his capture during the Hundred Years' War and the extraordinary auction price of a rare edition of his work. Additionally, the video discusses Chaucer's lasting influence on literature and modern media, including connections to sci-fi and music. Lastly, it reflects on his final resting place in Westminster Abbey, emphasizing his significance in literary history.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Canterbury Tales was one of the first major works printed in England, revolutionizing information dissemination across Europe.
• 👑 Geoffrey Chaucer had royal connections, serving as a diplomat and member of Parliament before his fall from favor.
• ⚔️ During the Hundred Years' War, Chaucer was captured in France, with King Edward III paying a ransom for his release.
• 💰 In 1998, a 1477 edition of The Canterbury Tales sold for 7.5 million dollars at auction, a record at the time.
• 🚀 The sci-fi novel Hyperion borrows Chaucer's pilgrimage narrative structure, transforming it into an intergalactic journey.
• ⚰️ Chaucer was buried in Westminster Abbey due to royal favor, later being moved to Poets' Corner alongside literary giants.
• 🍷 Chaucer secured a lucrative position providing him with daily wine, stemming from a poem he presented to King Edward III.
• 🎶 Sting's album Ten Summoner's Tales pays homage to Chaucer, with its title referencing the character of the Summoner.
• 🏛️ A mural in the Library of Congress depicts Chaucer's characters on their pilgrimage, showcasing his cultural impact.
• 🧬 Richard Dawkins' The Ancestor's Tale uses Chaucer's narrative style to explore human evolution, reflecting his storytelling legacy.

Q & A

What was the significance of paper in relation to The Canterbury Tales?

Paper was a revolutionary tool that helped spread information across Europe more effectively than previous materials like papyrus tablets or animal hides. Chaucer's work is one of the first manuscripts from England to describe its use.

What roles did Geoffrey Chaucer hold during his career?

Chaucer became a diplomat in royal service and eventually a member of Parliament. However, due to political divisions, he later worked as a royal gardener until his death in 1400.

What happened to Chaucer during the Hundred Years' War?

As a teenager, Chaucer was taken prisoner while on a diplomatic mission in France, and King Edward III paid a ransom of 16 pounds for his release.

What was the record auction price for a 1477 edition of The Canterbury Tales in 1998?

The auction for one of the 12 remaining 1477 editions of The Canterbury Tales began at around $900,000, but the bidding soared to an astonishing $7.5 million.

How does the sci-fi novel Hyperion relate to The Canterbury Tales?

Hyperion borrows the concept of a pilgrimage narrated from various viewpoints from Chaucer's work, shifting the setting from a journey across England to an intergalactic trek involving seven space pilgrims.

Where is Chaucer buried, and why?

Chaucer was buried in Westminster Abbey not solely due to his literary fame but because he was in royal favor at the time of his death. His body was later moved to what is known as Poets' Corner.

What peculiar benefit did Chaucer receive from King Edward III in 1374?

In 1374, Chaucer landed a lucrative position that provided him with a daily pitcher of wine, which he was able to exchange for an annual income, a good fortune that stemmed from a poem he presented to the king.

Which musician paid homage to Chaucer through his album Ten Summoner's Tales?

British musician Sting released the album Ten Summoner's Tales in 1993 as a tribute to Chaucer's masterpiece, with the title playing on the character of the summoner.

What is depicted in the mural by Ezra Winter at the Library of Congress?

The mural depicts the Miller leading a group of Chaucer's characters on their pilgrimage, located in the north reading room of the John Adams building.

How does Richard Dawkins' book The Ancestor's Tale connect to Chaucer's narrative style?

Dawkins' book uses Chaucer's narrative framing to explore biological evolution, replacing the pilgrimage to Canterbury with the evolutionary journey of humankind's ancestors, employing chapter names reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales.