Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400): "Father of English Literature" 1. Time Period & Historical Context: Geoffrey Chaucer lived during the late Middle Ages (14th century). A time of major social, political and linguistic change in England. His age was shaped by: ⭐ The Hundred Years’ War between England and France. ⭐ The Black Death (1348–1351), which killed nearly one-third of Europe. ⭐ The decline of the feudal system. ⭐ The rise of the middle class. ⭐ The gradual shift from French and Latin to Eng