Routledge Chaucer, Gower, Hoccleve - London Commercial History

Explore the economic landscape of late fourteenth-century London through the lens of its most famous literary figures. This Routledge publication examines how Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower, and Thomas Hoccleve navigated the growing market culture of their era. As residents of London, these writers lived through a period where commerce began to influence almost every aspect of daily life. This study analyzes how Chaucer addressed the impact of the market on personal relationships in The Canterbury Tales. It looks at Gower's writings regarding the benefits of trade and his concerns about the rise of fraud. Additionally, the text investigates Hoccleve's poetic reflections on the struggle of managing a small salary while living in a city filled with commercial temptations. This book provides a unique perspective on how business practices and economic realities shaped the literature and lives of these historical authors.