Early Works and Vernacular Innovation

Chaucer is arguably the most famous writer of the Middle English period. To give us a sense of his greatness, we'll address the following questions:

1. Since Chaucer was not the typical Medieval scholar, how did he gain access to the texts that made him such a great writer?
2. How does Chaucer's "The Pardoner's Tale" challenge the offices of the Church during this time?
3. What was Chaucer's dynamic contribution to the development of literature?

Recommended Reading: Lavinsky, David. The Material Text in Wycliffite Biblical Scholarship: Inscription and Sacred Truth. England: Boydell and Brewer, 2017.