Chaucer's Appointment as Controller of Customs

Poet involved

Geoffrey Chaucer
Age 31 · 2 musicalized

What happened

In 1374, Chaucer was appointed as the Controller of Customs for the Port of London, a position that provided him with financial security and greater access to the political and social elite of England. This role allowed him to engage with various aspects of society.

Literary impact

This position not only offered Chaucer a stable income but also enriched his understanding of commerce and society, which he would later reflect in his works. The insights gained from his interactions with merchants and nobility are evident in the social commentary present in The Canterbury Tales.

Source: Wikipedia