Hannerborough and Wotten during life; and in the 13th year, he was
again presented Speaker as he was in the 2d of Henry V, and much
about that time he was sent by the king, to treat of a marriage
with Catherine daughter to the duke of Burgundy; he was sent again
ambassador to France, and passed thro' a great many public stations.
Mr. Stebbing says that he was knighted, but we find no such title
given him in any record. He died at Ewelm, the chief place of his
residence, in the year 1434. By his wife Maud he had one daughter
named Alice, who was thrice married, first to Sir John Philips, and
afterwards to Thomas Montacute earl of Salisbury: her third husband
was the famous William de la Pole, duke of Suffolk, who lost his head
by the fury of the Yorkists, who dreaded his influence in the opposite
party, tho' he stood proscribed by the parliament of Henry VI. for
misguiding that easy prince. Their son John had three sons, the second
of whom, Edmund, forfeited his life to the crown for treason against
Henry VII, by which means the estates which Chaucer's family possessed
came to the crown. But to return to our poet: By means of the duke
of Lancaster's marriage with his sister in law, he again grew to a
considerable share of wealth; but being now about seventy years of
age, and fatigued with a tedious view of hurried greatness, he quitted
the stage of grandeur where he had acted so considerable a part with
varied success, and retired to Dunnigton castle[3] near Newbury, to
reflect at leisure upon past transactions in the still retreats of
contemplation. In this retirement did he spend his few remaining
years, universally loved and honoured; he was familiar with all men of
learning in his time, and contracted friendship with persons of the
greatest eminence as well in literature as politics; Gower, Occleve,
Lidgate, Wickliffe were great admirers, and particular friends
of Chaucer; besides he was well acquainted with foreign poets,
particularly Francis Petrarch the famous Italian poet, and refiner of