Wednesday Royal Who...

Who am I? I was born in 1343 in London. I come from a long line of merchants of Ipswich. My family was considered upper middle class. I cannot say where I was formerly educated, apparently I didn't leave that information behind, but trust me I was fluent in several languages, and will often be referred to as the father of English literature. Writing was more of a beloved passion and hobby for me, it wasn't my livelihood. My career was in the royal court of Edward III, I served him in many capacities, mainly as his chief comptroller of his ports. He sent me on foreign errands, because I was so fluent in many different languages. I also became a member of Parliament in 1374.

I married his wife's lady in waiting Phillipa de Roet who was also sister to Katherine Swymford who became the Duchess of Lancaster through her marriage to John of Ghent, the Duke of Lancaster. I really admired the Duchess of Lancaster and will go onto write my first major work for her,The Book of the Duchess. I will write many tales in my life. Some of my major works that you may recognize are:

Troilus and Criseyde
The Legend of Good Women
The Canterbury Tales
Treatise on the Astrolabe

The following is taken from one of my major works "Summoner's Tale" that compares my text to your modern translation:


Line Original:
This frere bosteth that he knoweth helle,
And God it woot, that it is litel wonder;
Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder.
For, pardee, ye han ofte tyme herd telle
Translation:
This friar boasts that he knows hell,
And God knows that it is little wonder;
Friars and fiends are seldom far apart.
For, by God, you have ofttimes heard tell

I will die 25 October, 1400 of unknown causes,I have even heard it said that I was MURDERED! Well, I guess that's for me to know, and you to find out, ha ha. They buried me in Westminster's Abbey, and in 1556 I will be given a substantial tomb and inducted as the first person into the Poet's Corner of Westminster's Abbey.

Do you know who I am?