Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Vol. VII

Geoffrey Chaucer's contributions to English literature are monumental, particularly through his unfinished narrative poem, The Canterbury Tales, which celebrated the English vernacular as a legitimate literary language. His works gained popularity among both nobility and the emerging literate merchant class in the 14th century. Chaucer's influence extended into the 16th and 17th centuries, as his writings established a high standard for literary presentation, shaping the expectations for future authors and their works.