Geoffrey Chaucer – one of the greatest poets in the English language – in many ways personifies popular perceptions of the middle ages in England. His stories and characters have been brought to life on film, on the stage and in popular fiction.

In this talk Chaucer enthusiasts Euan Roger and Henry Eliot dig deeper into the true story of Chaucer’s life, discussing the people and places that inspired his work.

Chaucer lived a life that was recorded in hundreds of contemporary medieval documents – whether counting pennies as a customs officer, fighting the French in the Hundred Years’ War, or being robbed by highwaymen. We follow the route taken by Chaucer’s pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. Starting in London we explore the poet’s own experiences of the medieval capital, before hitting the (virtual) road to find out more about the stories, pilgrims and places that feature in the Canterbury Tales.

About the speakers

Dr Euan Roger is a principal records specialist in the medieval team at The National Archives, specialising in late medieval and early Tudor English government, the central law courts, and the secular clergy.

Henry Eliot is the author of The Penguin Classics Book and presenter of the podcast On the Road with Penguin Classics.

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