CHAUCER, AN OFFICIAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4184, 11 September 1939, Page 8

CHAUCER, AN OFFICIAL

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in Thames Street, London, in 1340. Although a man of letters, there is no conclusive evidence that he was educated at Oxford or Cambridge University, although it is thought probable, but it is known that he travelled abroad to study law. On his return he was appointed Yeoman to Edward 111 and was in high favour with the King and his son, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 13723, Chaucer was sent on a mission to Genoa for the purpose of arranging an English port at which the Genoese might set up a commercial establishment. On his return the King rewarded him by the grant of a pitcher of wine daily, to be received in the Port of London from the King’s butler. Chaucer commuted this payment in kind for the annual sum of 20 marks (£l3/6/8).

At one period during his life Chaucer was a resident in the Savoy Palace which stood between the Strand and King’s Reach, and he was probably married in the chapel of this residence. On May 10, 1374, Chaucer was granted a life lease of the house “above the gate of Algate, with the rooms built over and a certain cellar beneath.” This lease is preserved in the Public Records Office. The premises were on a repairing lease, the Corporation of London reserving to itself the right to inspect the premises at intervals and eject the tenant if within forty days he did not execute any necessary repairs. Chaucer’s selection of a dwelling at Aidgate was doubtless in anticipation of his appointment to the officer of Comptroller of the Customs and Subsidy of

Wool, Skins and Leather in the Port of London, which appointment he took up on June 8, 1374. By the terms of his appointment Chaucer was to write the rolls of his offices with his own hand and keep “the other part of the seal called the coket.” The “coket” or “cocket” is a term still used by H.M. Customs to describe the seal placed by them on goods “in'bond.”

At this time wool was an important export regulated by a staple with a view to maintaining prices and to facilitate the collection of Customs. During Edward Ill’s reign the tax on exported wool varied between 6/8 a bale and 50/- a bale. London’s other exports in Chaucer’s time included fish, lead, copper and tin. Goods imported into London included various foodstuffs, line, silk ‘ and woollen cloths, timber and, in time of scarcity, corn. Coal from the North East Coast was discharged at wharves on the banks of the Fleet River, now covered by New Bridge Street. In 1382 Chaucer was given the additional appointment of Comptroller of the Petty Customs of the Port of London. Three years later he received permission to appoint a deputy for his work as Comptroller at the Wool Quay and was then able to devote more time to his writing. In 1386 Chaucer fell from Court favour owing to the fact that his patron, John of Gaunt, was abroad and the government of the country was in the hands of his brother, Gloucester, who was opposed to him. On December 4, 1386, Chaucer was deprived of his office of Comptroller of the 1 Customs and ten days later lost his other offices. In March, 1390, he was, however, appointed to serve on a

Commission, with four others, to repair the banks of the Thames between Greenwich and Woolwich, but was superseded the following year. It is thought that at this time Chaucer resided in Greenwich. In 1393, John of Gaunt married Chaucer’s sister-in-law, Lady Catharine Twynford, and Chaucer regained Court favour, but although he was given various appointments he did not return to the Customs service. The only known reference to Chaucer’s work as the Comptroller of Customs is the record that on July 12, 1376, the King granted him the sum of £7l/4/6, which had been paid as a fine by John Kent of London for shipping wool to Dordrecht without having paid the duty thereon. Chaucer began writing his “Canterbury Tales” in 1373. He contin- | ued his literary work while Comp-

troller of Customs .and was engaged upon it at intervals for the rest of his life. “Canterbury Tales” above all Chaucer’s works place him in the front rank of poets. His of those taking part in the Canterbury Pilgrimages setting out from the Tabard Inn, Southwark, give a vivid and valuable picture of London life in medieval times.

Chaucer died at Westminster on October 25, 1400, and was buried in Poets’ Corner of the Abbey. His work as Comptroller of Customs is commemorated by a carved medallion in the Board Room of the Port of London Authority.—P.L.A. Monthly.