From Caedmon to Caxton Thomas Honegger [email protected]

From Caedmon From Caedmon to Caxtonto CaxtonThomas HoneggerThomas Honegger

[email protected]@uni-jena.de

http://http://www.db-www.db-thueringenthueringen.de/.de/

content/top/content/top/index.xmlindex.xml

History of EnglishHistory of English

Richard II Richard II (1367-1400, reigned (1367-1400, reigned

1377-1399)1377-1399)

Richard IIRichard II

Richard II was the second son of Richard II was the second son of Edward the Black Prince (who was Edward the Black Prince (who was the eldest son of Edward III). the eldest son of Edward III).

Richard’s elder brother Edward Richard’s elder brother Edward (*1364) died already 1371, so that (*1364) died already 1371, so that he became heir to the English he became heir to the English throne after the death of the throne after the death of the Black Prince (1376).Black Prince (1376).

He became king after the death of He became king after the death of Edward III in 1377.Edward III in 1377.

Richard IIRichard II

Even though he was coming of Even though he was coming of age only in 1389, no Regent or age only in 1389, no Regent or Lord Protector was installed.Lord Protector was installed.

Proved his courage when he Proved his courage when he confronted the revolting confronted the revolting peasants in 1381 before London. peasants in 1381 before London.

The Peasants’s Revolt The Peasants’s Revolt 13811381

Richard betrothed to Richard betrothed to Isabella Isabella

(7 years old) of France (7 years old) of France (1396)(1396)

Froissart presents his Froissart presents his book to Richard IIbook to Richard II

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340-1400)1340-1400)

‘the father of English ‘the father of English poetry’ (Dryden 1700)poetry’ (Dryden 1700)

Chaucer’s self-Chaucer’s self-descriptiondescription

He in the waast is shape as wel as I;He in the waast is shape as wel as I;This were a popet in an arm This were a popet in an arm t’embracet’embraceFor any womman, smal and fair of For any womman, smal and fair of face.face.He semeth elvyssh by his contenance,He semeth elvyssh by his contenance,

For unto no wight dooth he For unto no wight dooth he daliaunce.daliaunce.

He is in the waist as well-shaped as I am;He is in the waist as well-shaped as I am;this puppet would fit into the arms of any this puppet would fit into the arms of any womanwomanpetite and pretty, to be embraced.petite and pretty, to be embraced.Judging by his expression, he seems to Judging by his expression, he seems to come from another world,come from another world,since he does not converse with anyone.since he does not converse with anyone.

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 11 1340 born as son of John and Agnes 1340 born as son of John and Agnes

Chaucer, wine merchants (vintners). Chaucer, wine merchants (vintners). Date of birth calculated from Date of birth calculated from disposition made in 1386: ‘Geffray disposition made in 1386: ‘Geffray Chaucere esquier del age de xl ans Chaucere esquier del age de xl ans et plus armeez par xxvii ans’et plus armeez par xxvii ans’

Black Death 1349 => Chaucer’s Black Death 1349 => Chaucer’s parents inherit lands and houses parents inherit lands and houses from deceased relatives => from deceased relatives => Chaucer’s family well-to-do.Chaucer’s family well-to-do.

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 22 Early years (no documentary evidence) Early years (no documentary evidence)

probably spent in house of parents in probably spent in house of parents in London. Comes into contact with many London. Comes into contact with many foreign merchants and foreign foreign merchants and foreign languages.languages.

Schooling: no evidence survives. Maybe Schooling: no evidence survives. Maybe St. Paul’s school. St. Paul’s school.

Education: would be taught his prayers Education: would be taught his prayers in English and the alphabet (hornbook) in English and the alphabet (hornbook) not long after learning to talk. Would not long after learning to talk. Would learn to read and write, first training in learn to read and write, first training in Latin.Latin.

Horn booksHorn books

Horn booksHorn books

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 33 Grammar school from age 7 Grammar school from age 7

onwards. Or parents teach him.onwards. Or parents teach him. Latin (reading, writing, speaking)Latin (reading, writing, speaking) Classics (Virgil, Ovid, Aesop) in Classics (Virgil, Ovid, Aesop) in

form of excerpts (form of excerpts (florilegiaflorilegia = = anthologies) => shared common anthologies) => shared common knowledge of a classical canon knowledge of a classical canon among educated peopleamong educated people

14th century education not 14th century education not enforced by state or society.enforced by state or society.

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 44 French - whether taught formally French - whether taught formally

or not - of great importance.or not - of great importance. by 1370, Chaucer also knew Italian.by 1370, Chaucer also knew Italian. 1357 earliest record mentioning 1357 earliest record mentioning

Chaucer (as page): household Chaucer (as page): household account of the court of Elizabeth, account of the court of Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, wife of Lionel, Countess of Ulster, wife of Lionel, son of Edward III. Account son of Edward III. Account fragmentary (1356-59), survived in fragmentary (1356-59), survived in the binding for another book.the binding for another book.

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 55 Pages: given board, lodging, clothes Pages: given board, lodging, clothes

in exchange for service. ‘Education’ in in exchange for service. ‘Education’ in the ways of polite society.the ways of polite society.

Chance to listen to/read works of Chance to listen to/read works of literature (mainly French, but also literature (mainly French, but also Latin and some Italian [Dante])Latin and some Italian [Dante])

Meets Philippa Pan (?Roet?), elder Meets Philippa Pan (?Roet?), elder sister (?) of Katherine de Roet, sister (?) of Katherine de Roet, mistress and later wife of John of mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt (a son of Edward III and father Gaunt (a son of Edward III and father of Henry IV Bolingbroke).of Henry IV Bolingbroke).

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 66 1359 yeoman; with Lionel in 1359 yeoman; with Lionel in

France; captured but ransomed 1 France; captured but ransomed 1 March 1360 forMarch 1360 for £ 16. £ 16.

Speculations about time spent at Speculations about time spent at Court of Inns and Court of Court of Inns and Court of Chancery (evidence of legal Chancery (evidence of legal knowledge in his poems)knowledge in his poems)

Septem artes liberales = Septem artes liberales = humanitieshumanities

Trivium (textual Trivium (textual sciences) 1sciences) 1GrammaticaGrammatica

Trivium (textual Trivium (textual sciences) 2sciences) 2RethoricaRethorica

Trivium (textual Trivium (textual sciences) 3sciences) 3DialecticaDialectica

Quadrivium Quadrivium (‘mathematical’ sciences) 1(‘mathematical’ sciences) 1

ArithmeticaArithmetica


MusicaMusica


GeometriaGeometria


AstronomiaAstronomia

The Heavenly SpheresThe Heavenly Spheres Terra (with spheres of water, air and Terra (with spheres of water, air and

fire)fire) LunaLuna MercuriusMercurius VenusVenus SolSol MarsMars JupiterJupiter SaturnusSaturnus firmamentum firmamentum primum mobileprimum mobile

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 77 1362 Parliament opened in English 1362 Parliament opened in English

for the first time; English for the first time; English established as official language of established as official language of law courts. law courts.

1365 Chaucer marries Philippa Roet 1365 Chaucer marries Philippa Roet (attached to Constance of Castile => (attached to Constance of Castile => were often separated when travelling were often separated when travelling with their employers)with their employers)

1366 Father John Chaucer dies; 1366 Father John Chaucer dies; mother remarries. Chaucer travels mother remarries. Chaucer travels through Navarre. Secret mission?through Navarre. Secret mission?

Chaucer in Secret Chaucer in Secret MissionMission

‘‘in eisdem secretis negotiis in eisdem secretis negotiis ipsius domini regis’ ipsius domini regis’ (on those same secret (on those same secret negotiations of the lord king negotiations of the lord king himself; document of 1370)himself; document of 1370)

Chaucer in Chaucer in secret mission to the secret mission to the

king?king?

Le Roman de la RoseLe Roman de la Rose late 1360s Chaucer translates all late 1360s Chaucer translates all

or some of or some of Le Roman de la RoseLe Roman de la Rose as as The Romaunt of the RoseThe Romaunt of the Rose..

Le RomanLe Roman originally composed by originally composed by Guillaume de Lorris (first 4,000 Guillaume de Lorris (first 4,000 lines between 1225-1230) and lines between 1225-1230) and Jean de Meung (remaining 18,000 Jean de Meung (remaining 18,000 lines between 1269-1278)lines between 1269-1278)

Medieval bestseller with over 200 Medieval bestseller with over 200 copies copies

Le Roman de la RoseLe Roman de la Rose

Allegorical protagonists: the Allegorical protagonists: the Lover, Courtesy, God of Love, Lover, Courtesy, God of Love, Hope, Pleasant Thoughts, Hope, Pleasant Thoughts, Pleasant Looks, Pleasant Pleasant Looks, Pleasant Conversation, Fair Welcome, Conversation, Fair Welcome, Reason, Jealousy, Evil Tongue, Reason, Jealousy, Evil Tongue, False Seeming etc. False Seeming etc.

Christine de Pizan (1365-Christine de Pizan (1365-1430)1430)

Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life Geoffrey Chaucer: A Life 88

1367 Chaucer esquire in the 1367 Chaucer esquire in the royal household, granted 20 royal household, granted 20 marks annuity. His son Thomas marks annuity. His son Thomas born.born.

1368 abroad on King’s service; 1368 abroad on King’s service; death of Blanche, wife of John of death of Blanche, wife of John of Gaunt.Gaunt.

1368-72 Chaucer writes 1368-72 Chaucer writes The The Book of the DuchessBook of the Duchess..


1369-72 several times in France 1369-72 several times in France with John of Gaunt and on with John of Gaunt and on military campaigns.military campaigns.

1372-73 travels to Italy (Genoa 1372-73 travels to Italy (Genoa and Florence) on diplomatic and Florence) on diplomatic business. Possible first encounter business. Possible first encounter with the poetry of Dante, with the poetry of Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch.Boccaccio and Petrarch.

Dante Alighieri (1265-Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) 1321)

Francesco Petrarca Francesco Petrarca (1304-74) (1304-74)

Giovanni Boccaccio Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-75) (1313-75)

Boccaccio’s InfluenceBoccaccio’s Influence FilostratoFilostrato (1335): story of Troiolo (1335): story of Troiolo

who is in love with Criseida => who is in love with Criseida => Chaucer’s Chaucer’s Troilus and CriseydeTroilus and Criseyde

TeseidaTeseida (1340-41): story of Arcite (1340-41): story of Arcite and Palemone => Chaucer’s and Palemone => Chaucer’s The The Knight’s TaleKnight’s Tale

DecameroneDecamerone (1349-51): 100 novellas (1349-51): 100 novellas told during 10 days by 10 people who told during 10 days by 10 people who fled from the pest in Florence => fled from the pest in Florence => ideas for Chaucer’s ideas for Chaucer’s Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales

A Medieval Literary Dream A Medieval Literary Dream TeamTeam


1374 Chaucer was granted a 1374 Chaucer was granted a gallon of wine per day for life; gallon of wine per day for life; rent-free life-long lease of rent-free life-long lease of property in Aldgate; controller of property in Aldgate; controller of customs; 10 £ annuity from John customs; 10 £ annuity from John of Gaunt.of Gaunt.

1376 death of Edward the Black 1376 death of Edward the Black PrincePrince

1376-77 again in France on King’s 1376-77 again in France on King’s businessbusiness


1377 death of Edward III; 1377 death of Edward III; Richard II kingRichard II king

1378 Great Schism (two popes 1378 Great Schism (two popes elected). Chaucer in Milan; elected). Chaucer in Milan; writes writes House of FameHouse of Fame; ; successfully petitions conversion successfully petitions conversion for 1374 wine grant to be for 1374 wine grant to be commuted to cash (20 marks)commuted to cash (20 marks)

MilanMilan


1380 Cecily Champaign 1380 Cecily Champaign (unsuccessfully) accuses Chaucer of (unsuccessfully) accuses Chaucer of rape (Lat. rape (Lat. raptusraptus); son Lewis born; ); son Lewis born; writes writes Parliament of FoulesParliament of Foules and and Palamon and ArcitePalamon and Arcite (> (> Knight’s TaleKnight’s Tale))

1381 death of Agnes Chaucer, his 1381 death of Agnes Chaucer, his mother; peasants’ revolt; mother; peasants’ revolt; Troilus and Troilus and CriseydeCriseyde; ; BoeceBoece (translation of (translation of Boethius’ Boethius’ De Consolatione PhilosphiaeDe Consolatione Philosphiae))

1382 controller of Wool and Petty 1382 controller of Wool and Petty CustomsCustoms

Chaucer reads to Chaucer reads to a courtly audiencea courtly audience


1385 leaves London for Kent; 1385 leaves London for Kent; member of peace commission in Kent member of peace commission in Kent = Justice of Peace.= Justice of Peace.

1386 gives up lease of Aldgate 1386 gives up lease of Aldgate property; MP for Kent (Knight of the property; MP for Kent (Knight of the Shire); testifies in a court case in Shire); testifies in a court case in which he describes himself as being which he describes himself as being more than 40 years old; resigns from more than 40 years old; resigns from Customs; Customs; Legend of Good WomenLegend of Good Women..

1387 death of Philippa, his wife; 1387 death of Philippa, his wife; Chaucer in CalaisChaucer in Calais

Philippa Chaucer née Philippa Chaucer née RoetRoet

Philippa Chaucer née Philippa Chaucer née RoetRoet

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales

c. 1387 Chaucer begins c. 1387 Chaucer begins The The Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales..

Basic idea: a group of pilgrims (29 Basic idea: a group of pilgrims (29 plus the host, who acts as ‘guide’) plus the host, who acts as ‘guide’) travel from London (Southwark) to travel from London (Southwark) to Canterbury (shrine of St Thomas à Canterbury (shrine of St Thomas à Beckett). To pass the time, they Beckett). To pass the time, they agree on a story-telling competition. agree on a story-telling competition. Each pilgrim tells two stories on Each pilgrim tells two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back to London (cf. the way back to London (cf. DecameroneDecamerone).).

Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral

Canterbury PilgrimsCanterbury Pilgrims

List of PilgrimsList of Pilgrims bellatoresbellatores: knight, squire, yeoman: knight, squire, yeoman oratoresoratores: prioress, second nun, nun’s : prioress, second nun, nun’s

priest, monk, friarpriest, monk, friar laboratoreslaboratores/middle class: merchant, /middle class: merchant,

clerk, man of law, franklin, 5 clerk, man of law, franklin, 5 guildsmen, cook, shipman, physician, guildsmen, cook, shipman, physician, wife of bathwife of bath

ideal personae: parson & plowmanideal personae: parson & plowman ‘‘churls’: miller, manciple, reeve, churls’: miller, manciple, reeve,

summoner, pardoner, Chaucer himselfsummoner, pardoner, Chaucer himself

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Theoretical number of tales: 29 x 4 = Theoretical number of tales: 29 x 4 =

116116 Extant number of tales: 24 (one of Extant number of tales: 24 (one of

which fragmentary)which fragmentary) dramatic principle: tales are chosen so dramatic principle: tales are chosen so

that they match their tellers; tales and that they match their tellers; tales and tellers interact with each other => tellers interact with each other => break with strict hierarchybreak with strict hierarchy

Knight’s Tale – Miller’s Tale – Reeve’s Knight’s Tale – Miller’s Tale – Reeve’s TaleTale

Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale – Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale – Clerk’s Tale – Merchant’s Tale – Clerk’s Tale – Merchant’s Tale – Franklin’s TaleFranklin’s Tale

Documents

From Caedmon to Caxton Thomas Honegger [email protected]