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The Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales (written c. 1388-1400 CE) is a medieval literary work by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer (l. c. 1343-1400 CE) comprised of 24 tales related to a number of literary genres and touching on subjects ranging from fate to God's...
Definition
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer (l. c. 1343-1400 CE) was a medieval English poet, writer, and philosopher best known for his work The Canterbury Tales, a masterpiece of world literature. The Canterbury Tales is a work of poetry featuring a group of pilgrims...
Definition
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket (aka Thomas á Becket) was chancellor to Henry II of England (r. 1154-1189) and then archbishop of Canterbury (1162 to 1170). Thomas repeatedly clashed with his sovereign over the relationship between the Crown and Church, particularly...
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Anselm of Canterbury
Statue of Saint Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033-1109), from the exterior of Canterbury Cathedral.
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Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry shows in pictures the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, and his 1066 defeat of King Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. It was produced between 1067...
Definition
Aristophanes
Aristophanes (c. 460 - c. 380 BCE) was the most famous writer of Old Comedy plays in ancient Greece and his surviving works are the only examples of that style. His innovative and sometimes rough comedy could also hide more sophisticated...
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Anselm's Proslogion
The Proslogion (Latin for Address or Discourse; the title was chosen because it is written in the form of a prayer addressed to God) is a book written by the medieval theologian St. Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033-1109). It is of great significance...
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Thomas Becket, Durham
A stained glass window depicting Thomas Becket (also known as St. Thomas of Canterbury; c. 1119 - 1170 CE). Thomas Becket was the archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 - 1170 CE, and is well known for his conflict with Henry II of England (r...
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Canterbury Cathedral Fan Vaulting
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent. Founded in the 6th century, the cathedral was completely rebuilt in the 11th century and then later largely rebuilt in the Gothic style in 1174, with significant eastward extensions to accommodate...
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Canterbury Tales
Opening page of The Wife of Bath's Prologue Tale, from the Ellesmere manuscript of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, c. 1400-1410 CE, Huntington Library