Chaucer's Anti-Ricardian Poetry

Published: Uwe Boker, Manfred Markus, and Ranier Schowerling, eds. The Living Middle Ages: Studies in Mediaeval English Literature and Its Tradition (Stuttgart: Belser, 1989), pp. 115-28.

Description: Certain characteristics of Chaucer's poetry resulted from the influence of the court of Richard II, but paradoxically "in reaction against Richard." Brewer refutes Gervase Mathews's claim for a high state of culture and its influence in the reign of Richard, arguing that "Richard was not distinguished as a patron of literature."; The works of Chaucer, Gower, Langland, and the Gawain poet, produced during the rule of Richard reveal the spirit and mentality of the age. Gower's "Confessio Amantis" was probably written at the request of Richard, but Gower turned away from the king and dedicated the work to Henry Earl of Derby. There is perhaps more reason to call Chaucer's work Edwardian than Ricardian since Chaucer was in his late thirties when Richard, aged eleven, ascended the throne.; A reference to Richard may be involved in TC 3.83 and Sted; the royal couple may be referred to in LGWP. Although Chaucer's rich and sophisticated vocabulary reflects and was appropriate to the court culture of Richard's time and to readers as well as hearers, HF and BD were produced in Edwardian times; other Chaucerian works were in progress before Richard came to the throne.; After LGWP, Chaucer's association with the Ricardian court weakened, for Richard alienated Chaucer as he had Gower.

Alternative Title: The Living Middle Ages: Studies in Mediaeval English Literature and Its Tradition.

Chaucer Subjects: Legend of Good Women.; Background and General Criticism.; Troilus and Criseyde.; Lak of Stedfastnesse.