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 Life and CareerThe known facts of Chaucer's life are fragmentary and arebased almost entirely on official records. He was born inLondon between 1340 and 1344, the son of John Chaucer,a vintner. In 1357 he was a page in the household ofPrince Lionel, later duke of Clarence, whom he served formany years. In 1359–60 he was with the army of EdwardIII in France, where he was captured by the French butransomed.By 1366 he had married Philippa Roet, who was probablythe sister of John of Gaunt's third wife; she was alady-in-waiting to Edward III's queen. During the years1370 to 1378, Chaucer was frequently employed ondiplomatic missions to the Continent, visiting Italy in1372–73 and in 1378. From 1374 on he held a number ofofficial positions, among them comptroller of customs onfurs, skins, and hides for the port of London (1374–86)and clerk of the king's works (1389–91). The official dateof Chaucer's death is Oct. 25, 1400. He was buried inWestminster Abbey. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0857256.