Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London, the son of a successful wine merchant. Having probably spent much of his childhood in Vintry, London, his father did not send him to an apprentice school, but rather to the aristocratic house of the Countess of Ulster. There he trained as a page and learned the mannerisms and skills of the ruling class. "Afterwards in 1359-60 Chaucer served in the war in France. In 1360 Chaucer, captured by the French, was ransomed (for 16 pounds)." (Benson, LD pg 1). Chaucer then married Philippa Roet in 1366. Also in the same year, Chaucer's father died. The next year was a great time in every man's life, Chaucer had his son Thomas. In 1380, Lewis, Chaucer's second son, was born. "Twenty years later the great Geoffrey Chaucer dies leaving his wife and children." (Thomas, Joseph P pg 2) Before his death Chaucer was involved in English politics, serving people such as King Edward III and the earldom of Kent. He was involved in numerous diplomatic assignments in Spain, France and Italy. The works of Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarch influenced much of Chaucer's writings. In addition to these famous writers, "Chaucer was also influenced by other French, Italian, and Latin writers, as well as by philosophy, comedy, religion, astrology, and other sciences." (Thomas, Joseph P 2) Chaucer used a variety of genres, styles, tones, and subject matter in these poems and in his prose. He wrote Beowulf. Chaucer addressed issues ranging from adultery to unity with God in his poems. You can also look at some of her characters: The Wife of Bath: The most ostentatious of travellers, the Wife of Bath has been married five times and is currently looking for another man to marry. The Wife of Bath is opinionated and... middle of paper... the feudal age of religion may have witnessed a hierarchy in its system, but as the centuries passed, society, including kings and church scholars, he argued for a reform of the government of the Church. Likewise, when scholars found contradictions in the religion, the church's practices were called into question and the popes and bishops themselves became unpopular. The developments of the political, cultural and religious societies of the Middle Ages influenced each other and were in turn influenced by people. As you can see, there were many reasons why I chose Chaucer. This man wrote one of the best fairy tales of all time. All the things that happened during Chaucer's life also influenced his writing. Just like I said before, many people think that Chaucer's writings were about real people in his life and what was happening in society. So in closing, I think I chose Chaucer for writing.