Geoffrey+Chaucer

__**//Geoffrey Chaucer//**__ by Isaac, Raphael, Jack, and Cally

//**"Truth is the highest thing that man may keep."**//

__**History:**__
Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet and the best of his time. He is recognized by most as the father of modern English poetry and his first significant poem was called //Book of the Duchess.// Chaucer's most famous, but unfinished piece of work, was titled //The Canterbury Tales.// Chaucer was born in London between 1340 and 1343. Not very much is known about his childhood, but his older years are well known. Chaucer operated in Edward III’s army by 1359. He administered public affairs as courtier, diplomat, civil servant, and went on diplomatic assignments. Chaucer was also a page to the wife of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III. During these careers, he served under three kings: Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV. Chaucer traveled with King Edward III's armies during the invasion of France in 1359. On his journey, he was taken prisoner by the French in Brittany (a region in England) and the king paid his ransom. Chaucer was married to Philippa Pan by 1366. The following year, he was rewarded a pension for life because he had achieved the rank of valet in the king's home and would later advance to the rank of squire. Chaucer was also given a pension from John of Gaunt, who was the Duke of Lancaster. In 1386, Chaucer was elected to Parliament as a representative from Kent. Close to the end of his career, he became a knight of the shire for Kent as well. Chaucer died on October 25, 1400 in London, United Kingdom. Some people suspect that he was murdered, but the real truth is unknown, and will remain that way for quite some time. He was the first poet to be buried at Westminster Abbey in Poet's Corner, which is considered to be a great feat. Many scholars have dedicated themselves to learning about Chaucer's life and his many works.

One of Chaucer's short poems is named //To Rosemounde: A Balade//, which is also known as //Balade to Rosemounde//. Below is the poem (original manuscript and modern translation):

Ma dame ye ben of Al Beaute fhryne As fer As cercled is the mapamonde For As the cristall glorious ye fhyne And lyke Ruby ben your chekys rounde Therwyth ye ben fo mery and fo iocunde That At A Reuell whan that I fe you dance It is an oynement vnto my wounde Thogh ye to me ne do no daliance. For thogh I wepe of teres ful A tyne Yet may that wo myn herte nat confounde Your femy voys that ye fo fmall out twyne Makyth my thoght in ioy And blys habounde So curtayfly I go wyth love bounde That to my felf I fey in my penaunce Suffyfeth me to loue you Rosemounde Thogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce. Nas never pyk walwed in galauntyne As I in love Am walwed And I wounde For whych ful ofte I of my self devyne That I Am trew Tristam the fecunde My love may not refreyde nor affound I brenne Ay in an Amorouſe plefaunce Do what you lyft I wyl your thral be founde Thogh ye to me ne do no daliance. || **__Modern English__** Madame, you are a shrine of all beauty, As far encircling as the map of the world. For you shine as the glorious crystal, And your round cheeks are like Ruby. Therewith you are so merry and so jocund, That at a revel when that I see you dance; It is an ointment unto my wound, Though you, to me, do no dalliance. For though I weep a basin of tears, Yet may that woe not confound my heart. Your seemly voice that you so delicately bring forth, Make my thoughts, in joy and bliss, abound. So courteously I go, with love bound That, to myself, I say in my penance, "Suffer me to love you Rosemounde; Though you, to me, do no dalliance". Never was pike so imbued in galantine As I in love, am imbued and wounded. For which I very often, of myself, deign That I am true Tristam the Second. My love may not be cooled nor sunk, I burn in an amorous pleasance. Do what you like, I bid you find your thrall Though you, to me, do no dalliance. ||
 * **__Middle English (Original____)__**

 //**__Poem Interpretation Video__**// media type="file" key="Geoffrey_Chaucer_3.wmv" width="300" height="300"

__Webpage Bibliography__:

 * 1) "Geoffrey Chaucer Biography." // Biography.com //. Web. 02 Dec. 2011. .
 * 2) "Chaucer" //poetsgraves.co.uk.// Web. 05 Dec 2011. .
 * 3) // Geoffrey Chaucer //. Photograph. // Biography.com //. Biography.com. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. .
 * 4) // Canterbury Tales //. Photograph. // Connect.in.com //. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. .
 * 5) "To Rosemounde." // Poets.org //. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. [].
 * 6) Strohm, Paul. "Chaucer, Geoffrey." //World Book Student.// World Book, 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011.
 * 7) Strohm, Paul. "Chaucer, Geoffrey." //The World Book Encyclopedia.// Chicago: World Book, 2006. 388-89. Print.
 * 8) "Geoffrey Chaucer." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 02 Dec. 2011. [].
 * 9) <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"File:Geoffrey Chaucer (17th Century).jpg." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 02 Dec. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geoffrey_Chaucer_(17th_century).jpg>.
 * 10) <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"File:Geoffrey Chaucer.jpeg." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 02 Dec. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geoffrey_Chaucer.jpeg>.
 * 11) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Geoffrey Chaucer." // New Standard Encyclopedia //. Vol. 3. Chicago: Standard Educational Corporation, 1980. 233-44. Print.
 * 12) "Balade to Rosemounde - Wikisource." //Wikisource, the Free Library//. Wikisource, 22 Apr. 2011. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Balade_to_Rosemounde>.
 * 13) Abrams, M. H. //The Norton Anthology of English Literature.// New York: Norton, 1987. Print.

__**Photo Story Bibliography:**__ >
 * 1) Castelazo, Tomas. //Cactus Flower-Unidentified//. 05/01/09. Photograph. Wikipedia.
 * 2) Humanfeather. Ruby Gem. 06/06/09. Photograph. Wikipedia.
 * 3) // Magnificent Castle // . Photograph. Mount Saint Michel, France. //Bestourism//. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://www.bestourism.com/medias/dfp/624>.
 * 4) // Main_Oregon_Trail // . Photograph. Idaho. //NSBP//. Web. [].
 * 5) // Valentine Heart // . Digital image. //Texample//. Webfaction. Web. [].
 * 6) //Cupid Pattern//. Digital image. //Glass Fusing Made Easy//. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://www.glass-fusing-made-easy.com/cupid.html>.
 * 7) //Key//. Digital image. //Marty L Ward//. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://www.successcoachinfo.com/unlock-the-key-to-your-potential-martys-method-to-magnificence-part-3/>.
 * 8) //Sunrise//. Digital image. //Nola.com//. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://blog.nola.com/dailyphoto/2008/01/sunrise.html>.