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Geoffrey Chaucer was born, probably in London, about 1340. His
father and his grandfather belonged to the guild of vintners: of his early education nothing is known.The son of a prosperous
London wine merchant, Chaucer may have attended the Latin grammar school of Saint Paul's Cathedral and may have studied law
at the Inns of Court. In 1357 he was page to the countess of Ulster, Elizabeth, the wife of Prince Lionel, third son of Edward
III; there, he would have learned the ways of the court and the use of arms. By 1367 Chaucer was an esquire to Edward. About
1366 he married Philippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting to the queen and afterward in the service of John of Gaunt, who
was duke of Lancaster and Edward's fourth son. Chaucer served as controller of customs for London from 1374 to 1386 and clerk
of the king's works from 1389 to 1391, in which post he was responsible for maintenance of royal buildings and parks.
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