Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Vol. I

Geoffrey Chaucer's influence on English literature is profound, as he championed the English vernacular and set a standard for literary expression. His works, particularly the unfinished narrative poem The Canterbury Tales, garnered admiration from both nobility and the rising merchant class during his lifetime. Chaucer's innovative format and structure have inspired countless writers, while his legacy continued to shape literary standards well into the 16th and 17th centuries, establishing a model for how authors were presented to readers.