Sanderlin, S., 'Chaucer and Ricardian Politics', The Chaucer Review 22 (1988), 171-184

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Quick Summary

The author of the Canterbury Tales was a cautious nonpartisan and withdrew from public life in times of political turmoil

  • Chaucer took care to avoid becoming involved in political crises
  • He began to withdraw from public life in 1386 to deflect any ill-will against him
  • His nonpartisan position may have been typical of his fellow civil servants
Key Conclusion

Sanderlin explores the political career of Geoffrey Chaucer between 1385 and the deposition of Richard II in 1399. Chaucer was a poet and author of the Canterbury Tales, but also worked as a civil servant. Through an examination of ‘dry financial and legal records’ (p. 182), Sanderlin concludes that in times of political turbulence Chaucer withdrew from public life and retired to Kent where he lived the ‘country gentleman’s life’ (p. 175). He was a cautious nonpartisan adept at remaining friends with both sides – as he did during the rebellion of the Lords Appellant in 1387-8.

Content Overview

In 1385, Chaucer was a civil servant employed as controller of customs at port of London. He was also a royal pensioner who received an annual payment of 40 marks (£26 13s. 4d.). However, in 1386 he began to withdraw from public office. When the commons attacked the controllers of customs in the Wonderful Parliament of 1386, Chaucer sensed danger and resigned his controllership at the end of the year. Then, in May 1388, he gave away his royal pension following the Merciless Parliament. Sanderlin explains why: ‘Because of the Appellants’ ruthless treatment of men who were Chaucer’s known associates, he may have felt that surrendering his pension would deflect any action against him’ (p. 174).

Further Findings

Chaucer was a successful poet, and his nonpartisan tendencies under Richard II paid off. Following the accession of Henry IV, the poet’s royal pension was quickly confirmed and increased in October 1399. Whether or not Chaucer’s political ‘prudence’ is reflected in the Canterbury Tales is difficult to prove, owing to the problems surrounding the dating of the tales. However, Sanderlin argues that Chaucer’s work as a civil servant was typical of ‘the growing stratrum of society between the rulers and the worker’. His nonpartisan position may well have been typical of ‘prudent men who had everything to lose’ and were known to have friends of both sides in the series of confrontations that troubled Richard II’s reign (p. 171).

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