OF

GEOFFREY CHAUCER,

THE EARLY ENGLISH POET:

INCLUDING

MEMOIRS OF HIS NEAR FRIEND AND KINSMAN,

JOHN OF GAUNT, DUKE OF LANCASTER:

WITH SKETCHES OF THE

MANNERS, OPINIONS, ARTS AND LITERATURE

OF ENGLAND

IN

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY..

BY WILLIAM GODWIN.

Come like shadows ; so depart !

SHAKESPEAR.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

VOL. IV.

SECOND EDITION.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY T.*DAVISON, WHITE-FRÍARB ;
FOR RICHARD PHILLIPS, N°. 71, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD.

1804.

CONTENT S.

CHAPTER L.

Page.

CHAUCER in exile. His pecuniary em-

barrassments.— Returns to England.--

Imprisoned in the Tower.–Usurpation of

Thomas of Woodstock.-Chaucer is des

prived of his employments.--Sells his

pen-

șions.—Impeaches his former associates.

Testament of Love

1

CHAP. LI.

Chaucer appointed clerk of the works.

John of Gaunt returns to England after

an absence of three years.-Created duke

of Aquitaine.--Chaucer resigns his office,

and retires to Woodstock.—Conclusions of

the Astrolabie.-Breach between Chaucer

and Gower.-Canterbury Tales.- Pen-

sion of twenty pounds per annum 58

Page.

CHAP. LII.

Marriage of John of Gaunt with Catherine

Swinford. --Chaucer removes to Donning-

ton.-Reengaged in public affairs.--0b-

tains a patent of protection.-Receives a

grant of wine

93

CHAP. LIII.

Assassination of Thomas of Woodstock.

Banishment of Henry of Bolingbroke.-

Death of John of Gaunt.-Deposition of

Richard II.-Behaviour of Chaucer on

that event. --Favoured by the new sove-

reign.-Remotes to London

116

CHAP. LIV.

Death of Chaucer

154

CHAP. LV.

Character of Chaucer

165