I'd love to see the exhibit, especially this:
An original copy of Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” the first book printed in English, shows how Becket’s story quickly became rooted in public imagination.
I stood in awe before a copy of the “Canterbury Tales” at the British Library”. Among the many, many other items in the collection: a copy of the Guttenberg Bible, Shakespeare’s First Folio, The Domesday Book, the Magna Carta. I could go on. Totally awestruck that day. So blessed.
Chaucer was married to Phillipa Roet, sister of Katherine Roet Swynford, who after her husband died, became the long-time mistress of John of Gaunt (Plantagenet), son of King Edward III. Gaunt and Chaucer were friends, and Gaunt was a patron of Chaucer. Gaunt and Katherine married years later after his 2nd wife Constance of Castile died. Gaunt petitioned his nephew, the King to have his children with Katherine legitimized, and they were. John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford are allegedly my 17th great-grandparents, through their daughter Joan Beaufort. Joan's children from her marriages to Robert De Ferrers, and Ralph Neville are in my family line as well. Neville's first wife was Margaret Stafford. I'm supposed to be related to their daughters Phillipa and Margaret Neville, and son Ralph as well.