Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Vol. II

Geoffrey Chaucer, a pivotal figure in English literature, played a crucial role in elevating the English vernacular through his influential works. His writings resonated with both nobility and the emerging merchant class, particularly in his unfinished narrative poem, The Canterbury Tales, which set a precedent for literary structure still emulated today. Chaucer's impact extended into the 16th and 17th centuries, as his major collections established high standards for authorship and presentation in the literary world.