1. Court Official: Chaucer served as a courtier in the royal household of King Edward III and his son, King Richard II. He held several positions, such as Yeoman of the King's Chamber and Esquire of the King's Household. These positions involved various administrative duties, ceremonial roles, and diplomatic missions.
2. Diplomat: Chaucer was employed as a diplomat on behalf of the English crown. He undertook several diplomatic missions to France, Italy, and other European countries. His diplomatic tasks included negotiating treaties, mediating disputes, and delivering messages on behalf of the English government.
3. Member of Parliament: Chaucer was elected as a Member of Parliament for Kent in 1386 and again in 1388. As an MP, he participated in parliamentary proceedings, debates, and discussions on political matters affecting the country.
4. Controller of Customs: Chaucer held the position of Controller of Customs for the port of London from 1374 to 1386. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the collection of customs duties and managing trade-related activities at the port.
5. Author and Poet: Of course, Chaucer is primarily remembered for being a renowned author and poet. He wrote several works, including "The Canterbury Tales," which is considered a masterpiece of English literature. While writing was not necessarily a job in the traditional sense, it brought him fame, recognition, and a place in literary history.
6. Royal Forester: Chaucer was briefly appointed as Deputy Forester of the Royal Forest of North Petherton in Somerset in 1390. This position involved overseeing the management and protection of the forest on behalf of the crown.
Throughout his life, Chaucer simultaneously held multiple positions, demonstrating his versatility, skills, and the trust placed in him by the royal court. He combined his literary talents with his administrative and diplomatic abilities to serve in various capacities during a significant period in English history.