Intended as an accessible resource for students researching "The Canterbury Tales," this collection of essays about Geoffrey Chaucer's (d. 1400) classic work contains an in-depth biography of the author and writings from a wide variety of sources. The essays are edited to accommodate the reading and comprehension levels of young adults; each essay is introduced by a concise summation of the contributor's themes and insights. Additional features include an annotated table of contents, a chronology of Chaucer's life and career as well as of concurrent historical events, a list of Chaucer's other works, and primary and secondary bibliographies to facilitate research. The 17 essays and their authors include: "Where Did Chaucer Get His Idea for 'The Canterbury Tales?'" (Donald R. Howard); "Chaucer's Use of a Game as the Inner Framework for the Tales" (Glendig Olson); "The Use of the Narrator in 'The Canterbury Tales'" (Dieter Mehl); "The Symbolic Time Frame of the Canterbury Journey (Sigmund Eisner); "Chaucer's Language and Verse" (M.W. Grose); "The Theme of Religious Pilgrimage in 'The Canterbury Tales'" (Esther C. Quinn); "Social Rank in 'The Canterbury Tales'"(Donald R. Howard) "The Theme of Marriage in 'The Canterbury Tales'" (G.L. Kittredge); "Technology and Deception in 'The Canterbury Tales'" (Joyce T. Lionarons); "Romance in 'The Canterbury Tales'" (J.A. Burrow); "Sketches of the Characters in 'The Canterbury Tales'" (Marchette Chute); "The Knight's Tale: A Stately Story of Uneven Justice" (Michale Stevens); "Chaucer's Prioress in Real Life" (Eileen Power); "The Churlish Miller's Vulgar Tale" (Margaret Hallissy); "The Moral of the Nun's Priest's Tale" (Saul N. Brody); "The 'Blockhead' Pilgrim Chaucer and His Two Tales" (Trevor Whittock); and "The 'Pardoner's Tale': A Quest for Death" (Michael Hoy). (NKA)