by Geoffrey Chaucer

Middle Ages
What was it really like to live in the Middle Ages? This Annenberg/CPB Web site attempts to answer that question. Make your way through subject headings such as Feudal Life, Religion, and Arts & Entertainment to learn about life during this time period. After exploring the site, write a diary entry that a young man or woman may have written about a typical day's activities in the year 1350.

Geoffrey Chaucer
This Harvard site dedicated to Chaucer and the times in which he lived provides background information, literary analyses, and interesting facts. Make your way through the site, focusing on specific information about the "The Prologue" and "The Pardoner's Tale." You should also be sure to click on Language & Linguistics to learn more about Middle English-the language of Chaucer.

Canterbury Cathedral
Here you will find information about why pilgrims, such as those in the Canterbury Tales, undertook the journey to visit Canterbury Cathedral. After reading this overview, click on Start Tour for a photographic tour of the Cathedral itself. How does this information affect your understanding of the tales? Write your answer in the Web Links Activity Log.

The Electronic Canterbury Tales
This site provides links to a compendium of resources that will help you discover everything you ever wanted to know about the Canterbury Tales. Use this site as a starting point for any further research that you would like to do.