Chaucer's Official Life

Delving into the tangled web of medieval paperwork, this meticulously researched study brings Geoffrey Chaucer’s world to life through the very documents that once recorded his day‑to‑day existence. The author guides listeners through a maze of close rolls, life records, and royal household lists, turning dense archival references into a vivid portrait of the poet’s social circle and the bureaucratic machinery of 14th‑century England. By focusing on the often‑overlooked esquires of the king’s household, the narrative uncovers the modest origins of men who served alongside Chaucer, showing how their modest pedigrees contrast with the grandeur of the court they inhabited.

The book reads like a scholarly detective story, with each footnote and citation serving as a clue to reconstruct the fabric of Chaucer’s professional life. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of tracing medieval lineages, the collaborative efforts of archivists and historians, and the fascinating glimpse these records offer into the everyday realities behind the timeless verses we still cherish today.