Wards and Widows: "Troilus and Criseyde" and New Documents on Chaucer’s Life

Description: Introduces four previously unknown documents, including a Chaucer life record connected to his guardianship of Michael Staplegate, which offer new perspectives on Chaucer's life and poetry. Implies that Chaucer's wardship of Staplegate extended as late as 1382, creating a new context for Cecily Chaumpaigne's 1380 charge of raptus against Chaucer; suggests that the dispute may have been the result of Chaucer's matchmaking efforts for Staplegate. These documents also open a new interpretation of TC, which was composed during or after the time of the events in the documents. Argues that Chaucer's experience as guardian, and possible matchmaker, creates new implications for TC’s treatment of widowhood, wardship, marriage, and the character of Pandarus. Includes new evidence on Chaucer’s relationship with John Gower and with London lawyer Richard Forster.