Chaucer

The study reconstructs the poet's life and corpus by combining public records with close readings of his works, assessing contested attributions and ongoing scholarly disputes. It situates the poetry in its medieval social and intellectual setting, describing popular superstition, religious ritual, courtly pastimes, and tensions between lay belief and clerical authority. Using illustrative anecdotes and documentary evidence, the author surveys major works, identifies characteristic poetic qualities and themes, and explains methodological challenges faced by critics. The book closes with critical reflections and reference material to assist readers in navigating texts and historical context.