Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English author. He once presented the Doctor with a copy of his "The Doctour of Science's Tale". (PROSE: Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible)

He was present in London for Wat Tyler's rebellion.

One of his works included The Canterbury Tales, which Barbara Wright loved.

He was a favourite of King Richard II of England, who was overthrown by Henry Plantagenet, who became King Henry IV, in 1399. He often mocked the Catholic Church in his work.

In 1400, Chaucer was involved in a plot to assassinate Henry IV and restore Richard II to the English throne, though he learned later that Richard was already dead. His son Tom, who worked as Henry IV's butler at the Palace of Westminster, was one of his co-conspirators. At this time, he met the First Doctor, Ian Chesterton and Barbara. He described the Doctor as "a man of rare wit and temper, a philosopher."

After the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel was defeated, Chaucer went into hiding in Wales under an assumed name.

His tomb was in Westminster Abbey. However, it was placed there long after his death. (AUDIO: The Doctor's Tale)